Chapter 20
The next morning, when Callum opened his eyes, harsh sunlight was already pouring through the porthole.
It was a little past 9.00 am.
He rubbed his temples. The last thing he remembered was Nadia’s beautiful face–her tears and desperate resistance, She’d actually dated to drug him and run?
Callum’s lips curled slightly, a low chuckle rumbling from his throat.
Interesting.
He got up, took a quick shower, and changed into a crisp, tailored suit. Then, he opened the cabin door.
Julian was already waiting respectfully outside.
“Good morning, Mr. Ford,” he greeted respectfully, handing over a phone. “Your phone, since last night, there have been 73 missed calls–all from Ms. Jaeger,” Callum took the phone and glanced at the screen, his eyes flicking over the long list of missed calls. His brows furrowed–barely noticeable, but there,
“What happened?” His voice was still rough from sleep but cold as ever.
Julian didn’t dare delay. He quickly offered up the tablet in his hands,
On the screen were the explosive headlines flooding the media.
#BrittanyKnox
#wendySlapsBrittany
#BrittanyImageDestroyed
Each title was more damning than the last.
“The news broke in the middle of the night. It’s already racked up over a hundred million views,” Julian reported quickly.
“The photos and videos… They’re extremely clear. So far, at least ten brands have announced they’re terminating contracts with Ms. Jaeger. Her agency’s phone lines haven’t stopped ringing.”
For an actress who relied on her looks and a carefully crafted public persona, this was nothing short of catastrophic.
Brittany’s career was headed for a total meltdown.
Callum’s eyes scanned the scandalous headlines and photos, his
brows tightening,
Wendy really hadn’t held back. She’d actually dared to go after his woman in public. Wasn’t that a direct slap in the face?
His gaze drifted downward. Another trending topic sat just below the scandal, still racking up views,
“Mystery Woman Stuns at the Fords‘ Anniversary Gala with Surprise Performance,”
The thumbnail showed a side–angle photo, soft lighting outlining a woman’s elegant jawline and serene expression as she played the plano with her eyes closed.
It was Nadia.
Callum’s eyes lingered on the image for two extra seconds.
Then, he looked away, handed the tablet back to Julian, and said flatly, “Get all of it off the trending list.”
“Yes, sir.” Julian nodded quickly, though his heart skipped a beat.
“Looks like Mr. Ford has softened,” he thought.
With Ford Group stepping in, there was still hope for Brittany to make a comeback.
Julian suddenly remembered something, “Oh, right. I received a video late last night,” he added quickly, passing the tablet back to Callum,
The footage showed the exact moment Brittany had “accidentally” bumped into the table, sending the champagne tower crashing down, almost Injuring Nadia. The video was crystal clear.
In the second half, the camera captured Callum and Samuel rushing forward to protect her. Callum had thrown his arm out first, shielding Nadia’s face from the flying shards of glass.
If he hadn’t reacted in time, the consequences would’ve been unthinkable.
Then, Samuel reached her and pulled her into his arms.
Callum’s gaze turned ice–cold.
Brittany was getting bolder. How dare she pull something like that in plain view?
If this video ever leaked, she’d be done for good. And if he hadn’t stepped in, Nadia would’ve been scarred for life.
He didn’t love Nadia that much was clear. But that didn’t mean he’d let Brittany do whatever she wanted.
At that thought, a chill ran down Callum’s spine.
Yeah, he needed to let her sweat for a while.
The car cruised steadily back toward the city, but the air inside grew heavier by the minute.
1/2
Chatter 20
Julian’s phone rang again. It was a call from Ford Manor.
He answered, spoke briefly, and when he hung up, his expression had turned noticeably grim. He turned to the back seat and relayed the message, word for word, ” Mr. Ford, the call was from Ford Manor. Mr. Ford Senior instructed… that you’re not to intervene in Ms. Jaeger’s situation.”
Callum sat leaning back, eyes closed, resting. He didn’t even flinch at the message.
Julian hesitated, then added, “Also… Mr. Ford Senior wants you and Mrs. Ford to come back to the manor for dinner tonight.” He stressed the words “Mrs. Ford” clearly.
Callum finally opened his eyes, dark and unreadable. He didn’t respond to the order from Ford Manor.
Just then, his personal phone lit up. The name Brittany flashed across the screen.
Callum stared at it for a few seconds. His fingers twitched slightly. Then, he swiped to answer.
“Callum! You finally picked up!” Brittany’s voice burst through the speaker–teary, frantic, and on the verge of hysteria.
“Did you see the news? It’s all Wendy and Nadia’s doing! They’re framing me! You have to help me, Callum! Please, you’re the only one who can! If you don’t, everything I’ve worked for… It’s over.”
Her voice was shrill and desperate, dripping with fear and dependence.
“If you just make a statement and tell the public I’m your woman, all those rumors will disappear! Callum, I’m begging you…”
As she sobbed and rambled, Callum listened in total silence, and his face remained expressionless. When he finally spoke, his voice was cold and flat, devoid of even the slightest warmth. He said, “I’ll handle it.”
His tone was calm, but it left no room for argument. “Lay low. Don’t go out for the next few days.”
And with that, before Brittany could get another word in, he hung up.
Just seconds later, the phone started ringing again nonstop. It was still Brittany.
Callum didn’t even glance at it. He silenced the call and tossed the phone aside.
If this had been before, he would’ve stepped in immediately. No one laid a finger on the people he protected.
But after seeing that video of Brittany hurting Nadia.., he hesitated.
Just as Callum arrived outside the Ford Group headquarters, his phone buzzed again. This time, with a photo and a message.
The photo showed Brittany soaked to the skin, eyes closed, looking heartbreakingly fragile.
“Mr. Ford, please, I’m begging you. Save my Britty. She tried to drown herself. She’s at Central General Hospital, third floor. They’re trying to resuscitate her.” Callum froze for two seconds, then slammed his fist against the car door.
The sound startled both the driver and Julian.
“To Central General Hospital. Now.”
“Yes, sir.”
Callum shut his eyes tightly, his hands clenching into fists. Why had he hesitated? He should’ve gone to her the moment he got the first call.
If it hadn’t been for her, he would’ve died at sea four years ago.
A wave of guilt surged through him, snapping him back into clarity.
He had made a promise to protect her for life. He couldn’t go back on that now.
Ten minutes later, the sleek Rolls–Royce pulled up in front of Central General Hospital. Callum stepped out with long strides and headed straight in. Outside the hospital room, faint sobbing echoed from within.
Camilla was pounding her chest, crying out loud, her voice cracking as she called Brittany’s name.
“My poor baby girl! How could you do something so stupid? What am I supposed to do? What’s the Jaeger family supposed to do? What could possibly be more important than your life?
“Four years ago, you jumped into the ocean to save someone, and I almost lost you! How dare you pull something like this again?
“Are you trying to kill me, too? Britty, oh, Britty! I swear I won’t force you to do anything you don’t want anymore. It was all my fault!” Callum’s heart clenched. Was he too late?
