Chapter 16
Valeria Belcour.
Veloura’s new identity. He burned every detail into his memory in seconds.
Nikolai released the clerk and walked out like nothing had happened, straight into a swarm of police officers.
They slapped him with assault charges, destruction of property, the whole nine yards. He didn’t resist, didn’t say a fucking word. Just followed them to the station.
In the back of the squad car, he texted his assistant Veloura’s new information. Find her. Now.
News of Nikolai’s arrest spread like wildfire. #NikolaiVirellic was trending worldwide. Every news outlet was tearing him apart, and people started digging up his dark past.
Stories about him destroying competitors through illegal means. Evidence of kidnapping and assault. Accusations of extortion and corporate theft.
But the stuff that made his blood boil? The lies about Veloura.
Someone had leaked that his ex–wife had been homeless before their marriage, calling her his “former street rat.” They were saying he’d gotten bored of his “charity case wife” and she’d run off with blackmail material.
Disgusting, vicious lies that made him want to burn the world down.
The Virellic family didn’t immediately intervene, making people think they were abandoning him. Stock prices crashed. Shareholders lost billions.
Nikolai sat in his cell, completely calm, like he was meditating.
None of this shit mattered. Only one thing mattered.
On the third day, his assistant brought news that made his heart actually start beating again: Veloura’s last known location was a German airport.
For the first time in weeks, Nikolai smiled. A real smile.
le went through proper channels and was released on bail.
Outside the police station, reporters swarmed him like vultures, cameras flashing, firing off aggressive questions.
Mr. Virellic, is it true you’re stalking your ex–wife because she has incriminating evidence?”
Will your family disown you?”
What methods did you use to force your ex–wife into divorce? Is her disappearance connected to you?”
Tikolai stopped dead in his tracks. His cold stare locked onto the last reporter.
he man’s body shook violently as he found himself staring into the void of Nikolai’s eyes. He quickly backed out of the crowd.
lecause Nikolai looked like he was deciding whether to kill him right there on live television.
Vithin hours, Nikolai struck back. He tracked down everyone who’d posted lies online, dragging them to the Virellic estate along with his scheming incle who’d orchestrated the smear campaign.
fe forced them to livestream confessions, detailing how they’d fabricated every accusation.
Tell them how you made it all up,” he said, voice eerily calm. “Tell them who paid you.”
Jikolai sat behind them, fingers drumming against his knee, expressionless, radiating this cold, patient menace that made grown men piss themselves
The atmosphere was suffocating. Even breathing felt dangerous.
12-16
Chapter 16
One by one, they broke down and confessed everything–the lies, the bribes, the coordinated attack.
As for those who’d spread sexual rumors about Veloura–they’d already had their tongues cut out and been shipped to Africa. They didn’t get the chance to apologize or retract anything.
After cleaning up the online attacks, Nikolai went after the companies that had tried to capitalize on Virellic Corporation’s stock drop.
Within a month, he’d systematically destroyed five or six major corporations. Virellic Corporation absorbed their assets like a fucking black hole, emerging stronger than ever.
When the dust settled, Nikolai booked a flight to Germany. He was done playing defense. Done dealing with distractions.
Veloura was out there somewhere, probably thinking she was safe. Probably thinking he’d given up.
She was wrong.
He was coming for her, and nothing–not law enforcement, not public opinion, not the Atlantic fucking Ocean–was going to stop him.
He believed Veloura still loved him. Somewhere under all that hurt and anger, his Veloura was still there.
And he was going to bring her home.
Go blan Love Duet with
