Chapter 7 - Poison in the Social Pages
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The front page of the Briarport Daily Chronicle dropped onto the breakfast table with a sharp, heavy slap.
Roman stood over the mahogany table, his face thunderous and his fists clenched tightly at his sides.
Clara picked up the paper, her eyes immediately catching the sensational headline running across the morning edition:
"SHADOWS IN THE COURTHOUSE: SHIPPING TYCOON’S SECRET ARRANGEMENT EXPOSED."
The article contained an anonymous tip alleging that Roman Vale’s sudden marriage to a humble court reporter was a paid legal sham.
It hinted that public records had been manipulated and that a formal grand jury inquiry was being prepared by the district attorney.
The details were too specific to be random gossip; someone had leaked internal notes from the probate registry.
"Celeste did this," Roman said, his voice deadly quiet as he paced the length of the dining room.
"Victor fed her the rumors, and she used her family's media connections to blast it across every newsstand in the county."
Clara read the scathing paragraphs without showing a single flicker of panic on her face.
"This is an intimidation tactic," Clara said, setting the paper down calmly and folding her napkin.
"They want us to panic, call emergency press conferences, and contradict ourselves on the record."
"You don't understand the media here, Clara," Roman said, turning to look at her with fierce concern.
"They will be waiting on the courthouse steps when you arrive for work this morning."
"They will shove microphones in your face and tear your father's memory apart to find an angle."
"I have faced criminal defense attorneys for seven years, Roman," she said, standing up and smoothing her skirt.
"A pack of tabloid reporters with cheap cameras will not frighten me away from my duties."
Roman stepped forward, grabbing her coat from the hall rack.
"I am coming with you."
"No," Clara refused instantly.
"If you arrive as my bodyguard, it looks like a desperate attempt at damage control."
"I don't give a damn about damage control!" Roman snapped, his composure completely shattering.
"I will not let them attack you on the street because of my family's dirty laundry!"
Before Clara could protest further, Roman escorted her out to the town car and instructed his driver to head directly downtown.
When the black sedan turned onto Courthouse Square, the scene was even worse than Roman had predicted.
Dozens of reporters, photographers, and television camera crews were swarming the grand marble steps of the municipal building.
Flashbulbs began popping against the tinted windows the moment the car pulled up to the curb.
"Stay behind me," Roman commanded as the driver opened the door into the roar of shouting voices.
Clara stepped out into the crisp autumn air, the barrage of camera flashes blinding her for a split second.
"Mrs. Vale! Is it true that your brother's criminal charges were dropped in exchange for your wedding vows?" a reporter shouted.
"How much did Roman Vale pay you to sign the marriage certificate, Clara?" another screamed, thrusting a microphone toward her chin.
Clara opened her mouth to deliver a neutral statement, but Roman suddenly moved in front of her like a wall of solid granite.
He caught her firmly by the waist, pulled her against his chest, and wrapped his heavy wool overcoat around her shoulders.
He looked directly into the largest television camera lens with eyes that could have stripped paint from a hull.
"My wife is the most honorable woman in this city," Roman’s voice boomed across the marble plaza, silencing the crowd.
"Anyone who prints another slanderous lie about her character or her family will face a hundred-million-dollar defamation suit by noon."
Without waiting for a response, he shielded her with his body and guided her smoothly up the steps and through the heavy brass doors.
Inside the quiet marble rotunda, Roman released his grip, his breathing heavy and his hands trembling slightly against his suit.
Clara looked up at him, her heart thumping wildly against her ribs as the warmth of his coat still enveloped her skin.
May you like
For the first time since the night in the library, the ruthless businessman had completely disappeared.
All that remained was a man willing to burn down the entire city to keep her safe from harm.
