Scandal

Next afternoon, Cain called Maria as scheduled, asking her to get ready for their long drive.

Moments later, Cain's car cut smoothly along the winding, deserted road, leading Maria further from the city's noise and closer to his carefully chosen location. Cain kept his gaze fixed ahead, the slightest hint of a smirk tugging at the corners of his mouth. Maria sat beside him, her eyes gleaming with excitement, completely unaware of the trap he had set for her.

They arrived at the entrance of an old, sprawling mansion, shrouded in mystery and charm. Cain stopped the car and gestured toward the grand entrance, his voice smooth. "I wanted to give you something special, Maria. Something you won't forget."

Maria's eyes sparkled as she stepped out, her heels clicking against the stone path leading to the mansion. Her heart fluttered with hope—was he finally recognizing her devotion? Inside, the hall was beautifully decorated with lavish floral arrangements and a luxurious dining setup. A delightful meal awaited them and Maria felt like she was living in a dream.

The two of them dined in silence, with Maria occasionally sneaking adoring glances at Cain. Her heart raced each time he looked back at her, his eyes unreadable. She was lost in the moment, intoxicated by the illusion of romance he had crafted just for her.

After the meal, Cain leaned back, his tone soft but carrying a note of finality. "Maria, there's a gift for you upstairs. I think you'll find it…memorable."

Maria's eyes widened with anticipation, practically pleading. "Oh, Cain! I can't wait! Let's go now!"

"Patience," he murmured, a faint smile on his lips. "There's something I need to say first." But just as he opened his mouth, his phone rang sharply. Cain glanced at it, frowning.

"Give me a minute. I'll be back," he said, stepping away. As he exited the mansion, his expression shifted to one of cold satisfaction, an evil smirk spreading across his face. He knew precisely what would happen next.

---

Inside, Maria waited, a dreamy smile playing on her lips as she absentmindedly scrolled through her phone. The sudden sound of footsteps drew her attention and she thought it was Cain. As the man sat down beside her, lost in her phone, she grabbed the man's hand and started sharing her screen as if she were showing something interesting. 

She felt a hand wandering on her back. She was excited that Cain had finally made a move. She tilted her head to look at Cain, instead, in front of her was a man in his mid-forties, his tailored suit and polished shoes marking him as someone of high status. She immediately recognized him: Simon Wu, a renowned director and the judge of the upcoming Annual Awards, where she was a contestant.

Her heart skipped a beat. She'd ignored Simon's advances before, but here he was, seated beside her, his gaze lingering on her a moment too long. She gave a nervous laugh, flustered. 

"I…I'm sorry, Mr. Wu. I thought you were someone else."

"Oh, Maria," Simon interrupted smoothly, leaning in as though they were old friends. "No need for formalities." He flashed her a knowing smile and casually slid an arm over the back of her chair. "I must say, it's quite a surprise to find you here…alone."

She swallowed, looking around anxiously, her earlier confidence wavering. "No, no I came here—" she stammered.

But Simon cut her words and chuckled. "I know you are a modest and shy young lady." His eyes glinted with something predatory. He invited her for a drink, brushing aside her hesitation with well-rehearsed charm. Maria, determined not to offend someone so influential, reluctantly agreed, hoping Cain would return soon. Yet, as the alcohol flowed, her guard began to drop, lulled by Simon's flattering words and promises of future success.

Minutes passed, and under the dim lights and Simon's gaze, Maria felt herself letting go. They eventually moved to an upstairs room, her senses dulled by the alcohol and the moment. The room was part of a long-abandoned wing of the mansion, shrouded in shadows that seemed to press in around them. Neither realized the extent of their recklessness as they let themselves be swept away.

Suddenly, the door burst open, and the blinding flash of cameras filled the room. Reporters swarmed in, their shouts overlapping as they snapped pictures relentlessly. Maria froze, her mind struggling to process the chaos around her. The reality of the situation crashed over her, and she felt a sickening dread rise in her chest. This was a scandal. A nightmare.

As the media frenzy continued, Maria grew anxious. Minutes later, her assistant arrived on spot and forced her away, guiding her through the crowd, grabbing Maria by the arm and shoving her into a waiting car. The director, too, managed a hasty escape, leaving Maria to face the aftermath alone.

---

Meanwhile, Cain sat comfortably on his private jet, eyes fixed on his tablet, where live coverage of the scandal filled the screen. A satisfied smirk danced across his lips as he watched the headlines roll in: Famous Jewelry Designer Maria Caught in Scandalous Affair with Judge! The internet buzzed with the news, opinions divided as fans and critics alike dissected her downfall.

"This is just the beginning," he murmured under his breath, closing the tab with a sharp swipe. He glanced at Mark, his loyal right-hand man, who stood nearby. "Execute the second part of the plan. I want no room for her to escape."

Mark nodded, unfazed by the coldness in Cain's voice. He knew the extent of Cain's anger and had no doubt this was only the tip of his vengeance.

Cain leaned back, his gaze turning distant as he thought of Claire. This wasn't just revenge—it was justice. He would strip Maria of her reputation, her allies, her dignity. And as for Verica, the one who had supported Maria's schemes from within the prison walls, her turn would come soon enough.

"Claire, I swear," he whispered, his voice soft but filled with conviction, "I will avenge every ounce of the pain you'veendured. And when I'm done with them, I'll take my own punishment, for failing to protect you." His eyes darkened.

...….

As expected, Maria tried to salvage her reputation, reaching out to the media to explain that she was there with Cain, not Simon. But Cain had anticipated this. The next day, Mark tweeted a post confirming Cain's conference in City S, releasing documents and photos that proved Cain was in City S at the time, finalizing a business deal. The media spun with headlines discrediting Maria, accusing her of fabrication and deceit.

She was cornered, a victim of her own desperation. Cain knew this was bound to happen, so he flew to another city. And also, it was for him that Maria agreed to come to that place, else as cunning she is, no one could have made her do that.

As Maria was escorted from the scene, she was taken back to her villa in her village. As all of Asheville was on the verge of tearing her apart, the internet flooded with nasty and defensive comments. Some said it was a trap, some said she was a slut, climbing her way to the peak of success. 

Her fans refuted. Maria is innocent, she's being framed.

Some random comments countered back. If she is being framed, then why, exactly, was she seen with the judge of Annual awards.

It's clear that she's a slut. She slept with the judge in exchange for her success.

No, Maria is talented. Maybe someone is jealous of her, and did this on purpose as the award dates are getting close. They want her downfall.

Ah, Stop covering up. Look at that judge! Even if Maria was framed, do you mean that the judge was also framed? The scene looks like they did it willingly.

Yeah, they are just taking benefits from each other.

Looking at the comments Maria's destruction flashed before her eyes. She threw her phone in frustration and collapsed on the ground.

Her apartment in the city was surrounded by reporters and paparazzi. She was stuck in the village with nowhere to escape. She tried calling Cain multiple times, but the calls went unanswered.