The moment Veronica slammed the door, Ian felt an unexpected wave of relief.
He grabbed his phone and frantically called Aurora, but it went straight to voicemail.
His mind drifted back to the early days of their marriage. After Kurt had driven him home drunk from a business dinner, Aurora had laid her head on his shoulder and whispered.
“Ian, next time just call me, okay? You’ve got a wife now, remember?”
From that day on, her phone was available to him twenty–four hours a day. On countless occasions, she’d ventured out at 3 AM to bring his wasted ass home after a single phone call.
Everyone in their social circle envied him. Talked about what a perfect wife she was.
But he’d never appreciated it. He was too busy chasing Veronica–the woman he couldn’t have.
He’d even convinced himself that Aurora only loved him for his money and power. Yet in three years of marriage, she’d spent less than what Veronica blew through in a day.
And she’d never bothered him with her family matters–hell, he’d never even called her parents
across the ocean since they got married.
The traffic light ahead suddenly turned red. Ian slammed on the brakes, bringing the car to a halt in
the middle of the road.
He shook his head, baffled at why these scattered memories were flooding back now. Looking at the brightly lit company headquarters in the distance, he snapped back to reality. This wasn’t the time for reminiscing.
As his car pulled into the company gates, Ian was shocked by the scene. Practically every news
outlet in New York had reporters there.
His car was well–known to the press–even the lowest intern at the trashiest tabloid could recognize it. Within seconds, he was surrounded.
Kurt was fighting desperately through the crowd to reach him, but the sea of people was impenetrable. Upstairs, a horde of shareholders was waiting.
Ian took a deep breath, gritted his teeth, and opened the car door.
22:01
To Protect His Halo, My Billionaire Husband Branded Me with Shame
4.8%
Chapter 6
The moment he stepped out, the press exploded. This wasn’t like the carefully orchestrated press conferences he was used to, where reporters asked scripted questions and he delivered rehearsed
answers.
And for the first time in his life, he felt a stab of fear. A memory hit him–Aurora in this exact situation days ago, and a wave of bitterness washed over him.
No one gave him a second to respond. Their questions hit like bullets:
“Mr. Cohen, how did billions just vanish from your company accounts? Are shareholders‘ interests
not a priority anymore?”
“Mr. Cohen, doesn’t this kind of behavior mean the Cohen Group’s credibility is bankrupt? Should investors pull out?”
“A colleague spotted you at the Bergdorf mall today, arm–in–arm with Mrs. Blake from Blake Enterprises. Care to explain that?”
“Your wife hasn’t been seen in public since the scandal broke. Has your affection shifted elsewhere? If so, what about those promises you made to her in front of the press?”
The relentless flash of cameras hurt Ian’s eyes. These reporters weren’t giving him any chance to
explain.
Once upon a time, he was the untouchable CEO of the Cohen Group. These same reporters would’ve bowed at his feet. Now that his company was in trouble, they’d turned on him instantly.
The image of Aurora curled up on the hospital floor flashed through his mind. Back then, he never imagined he’d be in the same position just days later.
He couldn’t help but laugh bitterly. Was this karma?
There were still shareholders waiting. He had to deal with that mess too.
Kurt finally broke through the crowd and reached his side. Ian hid behind him as they stumbled through the throng.
Inside the elevator, Ian sucked in a shaky breath, finally separated from the frenzy outside.
He grabbed Kurt’s arm, his voice slightly trembling. “Any news about Aurorà?”
- J Ma with Shame
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Chapter 6
Kurt turned to face lan and shook his head.
“Every guy we’ve got is out there. We’ve turned the city upside down. Nothing”
Just as Kurt finished speaking, the elevator stopped at the top floor where Jan’s office was located.
Even through the steel doors, he could hear shouting. He slammed his fist against the elevator wall
“Fuck,” he muttered a curse under his breath.
Then straightened his rumpled shirt, and stepped out alongside Kurt.
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