Chapter 18: Breaking News.

Liam's phone buzzed through his private line, jarring him up from sleep. He checked the time. it was 6am, and he wondered what could have his secretary calling him at such an hour.

"Have you checked the social media? Read the news!" Selene barked the second he connected the call, forgetting she was talking to her boss.

Liam stretched, still groggy from his deep slumber. "What are you talking about?" He rasped, his voice still thick with slumber.

"Just look online, sir! There are news of you everywhere, I'm so sorry."

Liam ended the call immediately. His stomach dropped when he saw the numerous missed calls and notifications on his phone.

His heart pounded as he opened the trending news article. His heart began to race as he threw of the covers and got out of bed. He staggered to his living room and flopped down on the couch.

Liam's fingers flew across his phone's keyboard as he pulled up the news website. His eyes scanned the headlines, and his heart sank when he saw his name in bold print.

Breaking news: LIAM CHASE, CEO OF L&C COMPANY INVOLVED IN AVA WILLIAMS DEATH.

The article was a bombshell, filled with salacious details. According to the report, Liam had been involved in a passionate affair with Ava Williams, and their relationship had ended in tragedy. 

The article also claimed that Liam had orchestrated a massive insurance fraud scheme, using Ava's death to collect a multi-million payout from the company's insurance policy.

Liam's eyes widened in horror as he read those. He jumped up from the couch, his eyes scanning the room frantically. He spotted his car keys on the coffee table and grabbed them.

Liam rushed out of the house, not knowing where he was going or what he was going to do. He jumped into his car and started the engine, pulling out of the driveway with a screech of tires. He sped through the streets, not paying attention to where he was going.

Finally, he found himself at the office, parking his car haphazardly in the parking lot. As he burst into the office, he was met with a sea of curious faces. His employees parted to let him through, their whispers and murmurs following him like a dark cloud.

Liam stormed into his office, slamming the door behind him. He paced back and forth, his mind racing with thoughts of revenge and vindication.

Just then, Selene entered into his office.

Liam's eyes blazed fury as he paced back and forth in his office. "This is ridiculous," he muttered to himself, his voice rising in anger.

He stopped pacing and slammed his fist against the cold concrete wall. "I'm being framed!."

Selene's voice was calm and measured. "Sir, we need to do damage control. We need to get ahead of this story and….."

"Damage control?" Liam's laughter was bitter. "You think a simple release is going to fix this? They're accusing me of murder and insurance fraud, Selene. My reputation is ruined."

"Sir, we will get through this. We just need to calm down and…." Selene's voice was reassuring and firm.

Liam cut her off, his voice rising. "Calm? You want me to be calm? You couldn't even handle a simple task! I clearly told you not to allow those reporters release anything. But guess what, you're too incompetent, Selene." Liam barked.

"We did everything within our power to avoid this, sir. We went ahead to pay all the reporters and have them delete the articles. I think an insider gave that news out." Selene explained, her voice firm.

"What do you mean by that?" Liam's voice was filled with curiosity.

"I questioned the broadcasting team. They told me that a woman stopped by and dropped the content, but she was all covered up that they didn't recognize her." Selene's tone turned certain.

Selene paused, her eyes locked on Sebastian. "I think we're dealing with someone who's trying to manipulate the situation. Someone who wants to make sure that you go down."

Liam was overwhelmed by this news. He kept wondering who it could be. He just stood there, frozen in shock as Selene's words seemed to burn themselves into his brain.

Just as he was starting to calm down, there was a soft knock on the door. "Sir, the police are here to see you," one of his team members called out.

Liam's here sank. He knew this was coming, but he hadn't expected it soon.

He opened the door to find two detectives standing in the hallway, their faces stern and unyielding.

"Mr Liam Chase, you're under arrest for the murder of Miss Ava Williams and insurance fraud," one of the detectives intoned, handcuffs at the ready.

Liam's eyes widened in shock as he realized he was about to be taken away, and neither his power nor his father's own could bring him back easily.

As he was led out of the office in handcuffs, his employees watched in stunned silence. The whispers and murmurs turned to gasps and shocked exclamation.

***********

Meanwhile, Sebastian pulled up at Liam's residence in his own vehicle, his mind racing with thoughts of what this meant for the family.

He got out of his car and walked up to the front door where he was greeted by Eleanor's worried face.

"What's going on, Sebastian?" She asked, her voice trembling.

Sebastian took a deep breath before delivering the news. "Liam has been arrested. The police are charging him with Ava's murder and insurance fraud."

Eleanor's eyes widened in shock, and she stumbled backward as if she'd been punched in the gut. Sebastian quickly caught her by the elbow, steadying her.

"We need to get you somewhere safe, Eleanor," Sebastian said, his voice firm and reassuring. "This is going to get ugly, and I don't want you to be caught in the crossfire.

Eleanor nodded numbly, still trying to process the news. Sebastian helped her father a few essentials and led her to his car.