The city woke to chaos.
By six o’clock that morning, social media was flooded with new photographs of Damian Wayne and Lily Carter.
Unlike the earlier pictures from the charity gala…
These looked far more intimate.
One appeared to show Damian holding Lily close outside the hospital.
Another made it seem as though they were embracing in the office parking garage.
A third looked as if they were sharing a private moment on the hotel balcony during the business trip.
The images spread rapidly.
Within hours, the internet was full of speculation.
“CEO’s Secret Affair Exposed?”
“Wayne Corporation Scandal Deepens.”
“Was Lily Carter Promoted Because of a Romance?”
Lily stared at the headlines on her phone in disbelief.
“They’re fake…”
she whispered.
“I never…”
Tears filled her eyes.
Someone had manipulated the images.
But to the public…
They looked real.
A Storm at Wayne Corporation
Outside the company headquarters, reporters crowded the entrance once again.
Security barriers had been set up overnight.
Employees hurried inside, avoiding the cameras.
Lily arrived with the two security officers assigned to her.
The moment reporters recognized her, they rushed forward.
“Miss Carter!”
“Did you have a relationship with Mr. Wayne before joining the company?”
“Are the photos real?”
“Did you receive special treatment?”
The questions hit her one after another.
She lowered her head and kept walking.
Inside the building, her breathing became uneven.
She had never imagined that lies could spread so quickly.
Damian’s Response
Damian was already in the boardroom when Marcus placed printed copies of the photographs on the table.
“They’ve gone viral.”
Damian looked at them carefully.
His expression didn’t change.
“They’ve been altered.”
Marcus nodded.
“Our digital forensic team agrees.”
“The lighting, shadows, and image layers don’t match.”
One of the directors spoke.
“But the public doesn’t know that.”
Another added,
“Our shareholders are demanding answers.”
Damian stood.
His voice was steady. This chapter is updated first at novelping.com.
“Then we’ll give them the truth.”
He looked around the room.
“I will not allow an innocent employee to be sacrificed because someone decided to manufacture a scandal.”
The board members exchanged uncertain glances.
Lily Breaks Down
Lily locked herself inside a small conference room.
She couldn’t stop the tears.
Everywhere she looked…
People stared.
Whispered.
Judged.
A gentle knock sounded at the door.
“Lily?”
It was Daniel Foster.
“You don’t have to be alone.”
She opened the door slowly.
“I’ve worked so hard…”
Her voice broke.
“And now everyone thinks…”
Daniel handed her a handkerchief.
“People believe headlines because they’re easy.”
“The truth takes longer.”
She wiped her tears.
“What if the truth never comes out?”
“It will.”
Someone else answered.
Lily turned.
Damian stood in the doorway.
He walked inside.
Daniel quietly excused himself, leaving them alone.
Damian looked at Lily.
“I’ve asked the company’s legal team to investigate.”
“They’re fake.”
“I know.”
She looked at him with red, tear-filled eyes.
“How can you be so sure?”
He answered without hesitation.
“Because I know you.”
Silence filled the room.
For the first time since the scandal began…
Lily felt that someone truly believed her.
The Hidden Witness
That afternoon, Marcus received an unexpected phone call.
“Mr. Reed?”
“Yes.”
“My name is Ethan Brooks.”
Marcus immediately recognized the name.
“The journalist?”
“Yes.”
“I think I have information about the person behind the attacks.”
Marcus straightened in his chair.
“I’m listening.”
“I saw Victoria Harrington meeting with a private investigator.”
“There was an exchange of photographs.”
“And money.”
Marcus’s eyes narrowed.
“Would you be willing to make a statement?”
“If it helps stop this…”
“Yes.”
A Dangerous Confrontation
Later that evening, Victoria walked confidently into Wayne Corporation. Follow the newest chapters on g.com.
She expected to find Damian alone.
Instead…
She found him waiting in the executive conference room.
Marcus stood beside him.
The atmosphere was tense.
Damian placed the altered photographs on the table.
“Did you have anything to do with these?”
Victoria looked at the pictures.
Then smiled calmly.
“I’ve seen them.”
“They’re all over the internet.”
“Answer the question.”
She folded her arms.
“Are you accusing me?”
“I’m asking.”
Victoria walked closer.
“I think you’re asking because you’re trying to protect her.”
She glanced toward the window where Lily’s office could be seen.
“She’s changed you.”
Damian’s expression remained unreadable.
“You didn’t answer.”
Victoria laughed softly.
“You have no proof.”
For several seconds, no one spoke.
Then Victoria leaned closer.
“You know what hurts the most?”
She smiled bitterly.
“You used to look at me the way you look at her.”
Without another word, she turned and walked away.
The conference room door closed behind her.
Marcus released a slow breath.
“She’s hiding something.”
Damian stared at the closed door.
“I know.”
An Unexpected Discovery
That night, the company’s digital forensic team sent Marcus an urgent email.
Attached was a report.
One of the altered photographs still contained hidden editing data.
The metadata revealed the name of the computer used to create the images.
The registered owner was…
Harrington Global Holdings.
Marcus immediately picked up his phone.
“Damian…”
“I think we finally have our first real piece of evidence.”
Miles away, Victoria stood on the balcony of her penthouse, unaware that the trail she had so carefully hidden was beginning to unravel.
For the first time since the game had begun…
The hunter was about to become the hunted.