Chapter 176

A faint, icy smirk curled at the corners of Derek Langley's lips as he listened to Julian Lombardi's gratitude over the phone.

He deliberately softened his tone. "Just focus on filming, Julian. Leave everything else to me."

Relief flooded Julian's voice, tinged with emotion. "Thank you, Mr. Langley. I'll return to set immediately."

After hanging up, a triumphant grin spread across Julian's face.

He turned to Vanessa Kalmien, preening. "Mimi, Mr. Langley agreed to handle this mess for us."

Vanessa immediately pressed closer, cooing, "I knew you could do it, Julian!"

His arm snaked around her waist as he whispered in her ear, "Of course. You know who I am."

Their intimate moment was shattered when explosive news broke online.

#TOP HEARTTHROB JULIAN LOMBARDI'S CHEATING SCANDAL EXPOSED#

The post detailed Julian's past relationship with Scarlett Ashcroft.

They had been college sweethearts who signed with Lowell Entertainment together after graduation. But after Julian's rise to fame, he began secretly seeing rising star Vanessa Kalmien.

The bombshell? The post included intimate photos of Julian and Vanessa—clearly showing their faces, with timestamps proving it happened during Julian's relationship with Scarlett.

The internet erupted.

"OMG! Scarlett's ex was Julian Lombardi?"

"What a scumbag!"

"Vanessa was the other woman?"

Public outrage exploded instantly.

Meanwhile, Derek Langley sipped red wine leisurely.

He'd long disliked Julian's arrogance.

This was the perfect opportunity to eliminate an unruly pawn.

The source of the leak?

He'd orchestrated it himself.

But no one would suspect the company CEO of airing dirty laundry.

After all, who would believe an executive would sabotage his own talent?

Derek swirled his glass, cold calculation flashing in his eyes.

"Let's see you recover from this one, Julian Lombardi."