《Rise To Power: Death To My Billionaire Husband》


 Chapter 1: Betrayal Like No Other

    Chapter 1: Betrayal Like No Other"It¡¯s our child, your child!"


    "It¡¯s not my child!" Dave shouted. "Don¡¯t you dare pull that shit on me. When was the last time we had sex? Six months ago? Eight months? And you¡¯re two months pregnant?" He sneered. "Tell that to an idiot, woman!"


    "Have you lost your mind?" she gasped. "Did you forget that we had sex two months ago after celebrating your birthday? We were both drunk, but we freaking knew what we did! How dare you deny it?" Anita was flabbergasted. She couldn¡¯t believe what she was hearing. S§×arch* The N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Eight years. After eight fucking years of childlessness, when her husband was supposed to be leaping for joy, he was denying their baby?


    Dave was taken aback for a moment¡ªas if he¡¯d forgotten that part.


    "So what if we had sex?" he snapped again. "I withdrew, Anita!" he sneered with disgust. "I always did."


    "Y¨C you did what?" Anita¡¯s voice trembled and her body vibrated with tension.


    Today, of all days, seemed to be her bad day. She hadn¡¯t even caught a breath from the heartbreak upon heartbreak her husband had been dishing out since she stepped into his office.


    Dave, her husband of eight years, had been practicing withdrawal?


    "Why?" she asked quietly, her breath coming in short, shaky gasps.


    Anita was a calm woman. She didn¡¯t like argument. Screaming and yelling made her shaky, breathless, and vulnerable. She could even cry in the middle of it¡ªnot from weakness, no. But from the weight of too much trauma and emotions spilling all at once.


    "Why not?" he sneered. "Why should I keep feeding your eggs with my sperm when we¡¯ve got nothing to show for it? You¡¯re practically barren, Anita. And this nonsense prank you¡¯re trying to pull won¡¯t fool me."


    She gasped, her head spinning. Barren?


    Was that what Dave had thought of her all those years? Had he been pretending to be caring, understanding, loving¡ªwhile nursing these malicious thoughts?


    But he wasn¡¯t done. No. He didn¡¯t feel like he¡¯d hurt her enough.


    "Listen, Anita," he said, brushing a hand through his hair, "I have a company to run. I don¡¯t have time for your shenanigans. My company just got listed on Forbes as a billion-dollar company. I have deals to close." He gestured to the pile of documents on his desk.


    "There¡¯s no reason to sink so low, lying about being pregnant... I don¡¯t know what you¡¯re afraid of, so don¡¯t raise my hopes only to dash them again." He paused, stepped forward, and gripped her shoulders tightly, bringing his face close.


    "It¡¯s exhausting and annoying. You were never like this." He breathed. "Bringing up this... This sham... Why? Are you so desperate for a child? Then adopt one!" he shook her. "This is not like you, Anita. Goodness!" he pushed her and spun around, one hand on his waist and the other on his hair.


    Anita stumbled but caught herself before she lost balance. She stood there, dumbfounded.


    He didn¡¯t believe her. Even with the pregnancy report, he didn¡¯t believe her. He already concluded that she couldn¡¯t have children.


    He was angry, thinking she¡¯d lied to him. Anita could understand that, but what he¡¯d said and done were unforgivable.


    "You know what? Fuck you, David." Anita snatched the pregnancy report from the desk, turned, and stormed out. She couldn¡¯t stay in his presence for another second.


    He would come back to beg. He always did. But this time, he¡¯d gone too far. Her forgiveness wouldn¡¯t come easily.


    David watched her leave his office ¨Cher back straight, head held high, and strides powerful. Exactly as she¡¯s always been. Proud, domineering, and utterly untouchable.


    Even in defeat, she carried herself like a queen who¡¯d merely chosen to retreat, not surrender. She didn¡¯t cry like any woman would. She only looked shocked like always.


    David exhaled slowly, fingers drumming against his desk as the echo of her heels faded down the hall. Damn her. She still had that effect on him. That fire. That arrogance. That impossible, intoxicating presence that never failed to make his blood boil¡ªwhether in fury or in longing, he couldn¡¯t tell anymore.


    ....


    It took two hours to reach her mother-in-law¡¯s residence; one of the most expensive and well-protected areas in the city.


    Paradise.


    Paradise was a hundred-story skyscraper, home only to the cr¨¨me de la cr¨¨me of society. It was a residence that had women breaking their husband¡¯s bank accounts, yet still couldn¡¯t own a unit on the lower floors.


    Money alone wasn¡¯t enough to get in.


    Everyone could have money, but connection and standing were what truly mattered.


    Owning an apartment in Paradise meant one thing¡ªyou were untouchable.


    Anita didn¡¯t live there. But when she arrived, the workers bowed, and the people lounging in the lobby couldn¡¯t help but eye her with envy.


    Whispers and murmurs sparked around her, but no one dared speak too loudly¡ªeven if they were praising her.


    Why?


    Because Anita took the exclusive elevator to the 101st floor¡ªthe penthouse.


    That¡¯s right. Her mother-in-law, Mrs. Blackwood, lived in the penthouse. And by extension, she was the most powerful and resourceful woman in the building¡ªa force to be reckoned with.


    The elevator opened directly into the living room, a massive space that screamed luxury and power.


    As Anita stepped out, two lines of maids bowed. Their black-and-white uniforms were spotless, and their beauty so precise, it was almost intimidating. They reminded you of air hostesses¡ªperfect, poised, and stunning.


    Anita loved beautiful faces, and for that reason, she had personally handpicked these goddesses of varying shapes and sizes for her mother-in-law¡ªwho happened to love everything Anita loved.


    "Welcome, Madam!" they chorused.


    Anita hummed in acknowledgment and strode toward the stairs. Her luggage would be brought up shortly.


    She came to her mother-in-law¡¯s place because she knew the woman would always have her back.


    Mrs. Blackwood, who had been desperate for a grandchild for years would be furious to know what her son did to Anita.


    Anita was sure of it.


    As she passed the corridor, the door to her mother-in-law¡¯s room was slightly ajar. Anita hadn¡¯t expected her to be home¡ªshe¡¯d called earlier, and the woman said she was out.


    But now... she heard voices. Familiar voices.


    Her mother-in-law and her sister-in-law.


    Didn¡¯t Mrs. Blackwood say she wasn¡¯t home?


    "Anita doesn¡¯t deserve my brother, Mom." Charlotte¡¯s voice drifted through. "She¡¯s older, and people say that to my brother all the time. My coursemates were whispering it the other day¡ªsaying he married an old woman for money, and now she¡¯s been cursed with barrenness for all the families she ruined. Mom, I don¡¯t like her."


    "Wasn¡¯t that what I said before she married into this family?" Mrs. Blackwood replied smoothly. "How could an old woman, an heiress who abandoned her own family, ever submit to your brother?"


    She continued, "At least David was smart enough to start his own company then. Today, he¡¯s one of the few powerful Billionaires. He might be able to gain a little bit of respect from her now." The woman chuckled softly.


    "Right?!" Charlotte chirped. "My brother is no longer under that overbearing, self-centered, and obnoxious old hag. Now he can find real happiness... with Linda."


    There was a pause.


    "Which Linda? ...You mean that Linda?"

 Chapter 2: The Stranger

    Chapter 2: The Stranger"Yes, Mom. Brother brought her to the capital and she¡¯s been by his side ever since." She sighed, "He was going to propose to her, but she didn¡¯t want to become a mistress." Charlotte sounded angry as she continued.


    "Mom, I can¡¯t let Linda be humiliated like that. She and her family were so good to us back then. She and brother should have been married by now, if that spoilt heiress didn¡¯t ruin everything. Please do something and send that old bitch out of my brother¡¯s life already!"


    Mrs. Blackwood said nothing for a while, as if having a hard time deciding, so Charlotte pressed harder.


    "Mom, isn¡¯t it obvious that Anita is infertile? She¡¯s a barren woman, mom. And very soon, she¡¯ll reach menopause. What would happen then? That old witch cannot give you a grandchild, Mom!"


    "That¡¯s not what I¡¯m thinking. What if she takes back everything? You know how wicked she can be, Charlotte. If she could make us what we are today, in eight years, do you think she can¡¯t take it all back in less years?"


    "That¡¯s not happening, Mom," Charlotte laughed, "What did you think that my brother had been doing over the years? Why do you think my brother is loved by everyone and Anita is not liked as much? Who do you think that the public would blame if my brother and Anita divorce?"


    "Is that so?" Mrs. Blackwood was clearly excited. "Your brother is coming over this evening for dinner. Tell him to bring that girl with him. It¡¯s high time he gives me a fertile daughter-in-law."


    Anita stumbled back, stunned by everything she¡¯s heard.


    Even her in-laws too?


    Anita¡¯s heart ached, eyes blurred with tears as she suppressed the urge to scream.


    She couldn¡¯t recall where she¡¯d gone wrong or done these people any harm.


    So, why were they treating her this way?


    There was nothing Charlotte wanted that Anita didn¡¯t do for her, even using her connection to help her get into Greenville Scholar¡¯s Academy, the top university in the country. Anita made sure Charlotte remained in that school, despite her poor grades.


    Anita had no direct siblings but took Charlotte as a little sister she desperately craved. She spoiled her rotten, and made her queen bee in college to be respected and worshiped by her peers, and this was how she repaid her?


    As for her mother-in-law, Anita was the reason she could live in Paradise. She was the reason Mrs. Justina Blackwood Wales had the largest beauty house in the city.


    It was Anita who made that woman one of The BigFive ¨C a women¡¯s only elite club. It is the pinnacle of power for women in the city.


    Thanks to Anita, Mrs. Blackwood made a name for herself, respected and revered by women and men, yet this was what she got?


    They called her infertile. She could have broken down had she not found out she was two months pregnant.


    A low chuckle reverberated in her chest, tears streaming down her cheeks,despite her attempt to stop them from flowing.


    This betrayal hit her so hard that Anita could swear it was the greatest pain she¡¯d ever been afflicted in a long time.


    "Is someone at the door? Charlotte, go and¨C"


    Anita didn¡¯t wait for her mother-in-law to finish before she spun on her heels and made a hasty exit.


    ...


    In the living room, her luggages had just returned, and two maids were dragging them up the stairs, but upon feeling the chill exuding from the figure at the end of the stairs, the maids shuddered, subconsciously letting go of the luggages.


    "Take them back to my car," she uttered, her voice so cold that it could freeze one¡¯s blood.


    But just as the maids were about to leave, Anita thought of something and gathered them all, "I wasn¡¯t here. Understood?"


    The maids nodded. They worked for Mrs. Blackwood, but got their pay from Anita, so in other words, Anita was their boss. And her words were law.


    ...


    Leaving Paradise, Anita didn¡¯t go back home, instead, stopped at a hotel ¨C black oversized shades to hide her puffy red eyes and a scarf to hide her face, Anita stepped out of her car. She threw her keys to the porters and strode into the hotel with her handbag and an air that only a queen dared to pull off.


    However, after grabbing a key card to one of the executive suits, and was about to leave the reception, Anita froze.


    Wasn¡¯t that Dave?


    The same David, who shooed her out of his office, claiming to be busy two hours ago, was entering an elevator with a young lady.


    They didn¡¯t have to turn their backs. She knew her husband¡¯s appearance like she knew money.


    Anita turned her face away when the two entered the elevator, to not be seen. But just as the door was about to close, she turned to give them another look, and she coincidentally locked eyes with the young lady.


    She was a young, beautiful woman, perhaps, less than twenty five years old. She had a slender body with perfectly fit curves at the right places. Her innocent and pure looks could easily sway any man¡¯s heart, and when she smiled, Anita caught a dimple on her cheek.


    Dave, on the other hand, looked happy. She¡¯d never seen him so happy in a long while. His smile before the elevator closed off was one that Anita had longed for, for so many months.


    When she noticed his smiles had dimmed, she wanted to have a conversation, but Dave merely told her that work at the company was taking a toll on him. S~ea??h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Anita¡¯s stomach churned as a piercing pain stabbed her heart once more. Her vision blurred, only then she realized that her glasses had become an obstacle rather than protection.


    She resumed walking. She should have left the hotel, ran away from being under the same roof as that cheating bastard, but she was already here, her room paid for, luggages probably in her suite by now, and most importantly, she was too broken and disoriented to drive.


    Just then, she collided into a strong wall of muscles.


    "Hey, careful!"


    The person held her in place, saving her from an embarrassing fall.


    She moved away, "I¡¯m sorry," and bobbed her head at the person before heading for the exclusive elevator.


    Her mind was still reeling from the heartbreak that she failed to notice the man watching her saunt away with a look of amusement.


    But just as she entered and the elevator was inches away from closing, the man¡¯s hand shot in, stopping it from closing.


    The person entered and stood beside Anita.


    Silence descended in the elevator for what seemed like forever.


    Anita was lost in thought, unaware of the man staring at her, or so it seemed, until she suddenly opened her mouth to speak. "When you¡¯re done ogling, paint a picture and wear it."


    "Hahahaha!" the person laughed with glee.


    Anita¡¯s brows furrowed. That voice sounded vividly familiar but she couldn¡¯t remember where she¡¯d heard it before.


    She was in disguise to hide away from people. And the last thing she wanted was for a familiar person to recognize her.


    "Annette."


    Anita¡¯s mind snapped as she finally turned to that person. There was only one person who called her Annette.

 Chapter 3: What Do Men Want?

    Chapter 3: What Do Men Want?Killian Wellington.


    When their eyes locked, no, when Anita took in his features from behind her oversized dark shades, memories flooded her mind in a torrent, but none that was pleasing, only serving to increase her irritation.


    "You asshole!" she cursed and swung her bag at him.


    The man giggled, taking the first hit, but caught her hand in the air before the second hit landed. "You¡¯re only allowed to hit me once, Annette. That¡¯s our rule."


    Perhaps, she would have blushed at the sound of that, but with her heart and emotions in disarray, she couldn¡¯t summon the courage to feel good.


    Instead, her anger rose as she kneeled him where it hurt men the most.


    2


    His balls.


    Killian growled and doubled over as pain shot through his veins.


    "That¡¯s what you get for being a prick. This better be the last time I see you again." With that, the elevator dinged and she stormed out. She didn¡¯t even look back at him.


    Killian held the elevator door, stopping it from closing as he watched her until she disappeared into one of the executive suits. Despite the pain, his lips curled into a beautiful smile. "Still the same."


    ...


    Minutes later...


    Anita stood on the balcony, alcohol in hand as she gazed into the city, yet was looking through the colorful city.


    Her mind had wandered away, replaying the events from earlier.


    The so-called Linda, whoever she was, was back and her husband, a married man, had proposed to her, but Linda had rejected, claiming she didn¡¯t want to be a mistress...


    Anita savored the taste of that as she washed it down with the drink. The drink burnt her throat, but the taste of that logic was very bitter and difficult to digest.


    It made no sense.


    She wasn¡¯t stupid. Would David propose to Linda if the two of them hadn¡¯t shook the sheets a number of times already? sea??h th§× n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    And the harmony inside that elevator ¨C their chemistry was far from those of people who hadn¡¯t eaten the forbidden fruit.


    Anita chuckled self-deprecatingly. If she was told that her marriage would end up like those stories she¡¯d read, she¡¯d never believe it.


    She could carry the weight of the world, she could predict her enemies¡¯ moves, but nothing prepared her for this betrayal.


    The first time she met David, he was a hard-working intern at her father¡¯s company.


    David was dead poor and even the decent salary he earned wasn¡¯t enough to wash off poverty from him.


    His mother worked as a stylist at a low budget salon, where she was constantly humiliated and bullied, yet she couldn¡¯t quit because their livelihood depended on what she and David earned.


    You would think that a person working at a large conglomerate should be able to afford the bare minimum of a decent life, but no, what David earned was to repay the debt his father incurred from loan sharks, otherwise, his little sister, Charlotte would be taken away.


    They couldn¡¯t afford Charlotte¡¯s school fees, so the girl had to stay at home, getting homeschooled by her brother.


    Despite the sad lives they lived, David was ambitious and wasn¡¯t lazy, that was what drew Anita to him.


    He was handsome but lacked the luster to stand out. When Anita, a billionaire heiress, took interest in him just to spite her family, falling in love was not part of the deal, but it happened... Or so they thought.


    Anita lost her family¡¯s favor and was disowned because she chose to marry a nobody ¨C to marry for love, over the man they chose for her.


    Yet Anita was not deterred, because David was willing to endure the hardship that came with stealing an heiress, and a second generation Young Master¡¯s fiancee.


    They called her old, yet she was only thirty-five... five years older than David, but you¡¯d never know, unless you were told.


    Anita looked younger than her age, she was beautiful, rocking her natural blonde hair with dark roots, green eyes, and curves in the right places.


    But age difference was never a requirement for their happiness. However, after Charlotte made her feel old, Anita couldn¡¯t shed the feeling that David also had the same opinion.


    For eight years, their marriage was smooth-sailing, except the occasional banters - nothing serious, nothing suspicious, and all was good, until now.


    Anita loved David. For eight years, she¡¯d loved him and her love for him hadn¡¯t dwindled, even after this betrayal, but Anita knew her worth. She marked her territories and didn¡¯t share.


    David had slipped from her and that was it. It was over. She lost a husband and inlaws she¡¯d always thought were the best in the world.


    But one thing remained... her baby.


    Anita¡¯s hand subconsciously wrapped around her stomach. A small smile crossed her lips, despite the heartache. This child was the only reward she got from her eight years of marriage, and she¡¯d make sure to raise it well, and alone.


    David and his family had lost the rights to this baby. She¡¯d file for a divorce and leave the country to go start afresh with her child.


    She didn¡¯t want revenge. She didn¡¯t want anything that would worry her soul. She had a child to give all of her love and trust, and that was enough to make her find happiness again.


    Just as she concluded on what to do, the doorbell rang. She returned to the living room and went for the door. Pulling the door open, Anita jerked back.


    "Y¨C you, what are you doing here?"


    Killian stepped in, dressed as room service, a smile dangling on his lips. "What does it look like I¡¯m doing here, Annette? I brought your stuff." He pointed at her luggages that lay on the trolley outside.


    "You work here?" She frowned. If she knew beforehand, she would have chosen a different hotel.


    "Oh no," he wiggled his finger, "I¡¯m only doing this as a part-time worker...I¡¯m here to serve you, Annette," he grinned, that same wicked grin that she¡¯d known for half her life.


    Anita wasn¡¯t in the mood to battle with him.


    Her body was starting to feel strange. She was sure that she wasn¡¯t drunk. A glass was not enough to get her drunk, even though she knew she wasn¡¯t supposed to be drinking with a child growing inside of her.


    Her head felt light and her vision blurred. Anita frowned, feeling a dull pain pooling at the lower part of her stomach.


    It could be from stress. I¡¯ll be fine after some sleep. She told herself.


    Beholding Killian from her hazy vision, she pointed at the door, "Get out." She needed peace and all the rest she could get, but with him around, she¡¯d never get it. "Leave, otherwise, I¡¯ll¨C"


    "Inform the manager?" He seemed not to have noticed her changes as he chuckled. "Too bad he¨C"


    Clatter!


    Anita¡¯s glass slipped and as she suddenly swayed.


    Simultaneously, Killian¡¯s hand shot out as he screamed, "Annette!"

 Chapter 4: The Last Straw

    Chapter 4: The Last StrawAnita¡¯s eyes fluttered open to find herself lying on a hospital bed. Her nose scrunched up. She wasn¡¯t a fan of hospitals. They carried too many unpleasant memories.


    "You¡¯re awake," his annoying voice sounded again, prompting Anita to roll her eyes.


    "What are you still doing here? Crawl back into the hole you came out from, Killian," she glared at him.


    If only looks could kill.


    However, he smiled but this time, it was restrained and that was when Anita noticed his countenance had changed...or, when she felt her own body had changed.


    Her frown deepened. Trying to sit up, a sharp pain shot through her entire body. A subconscious yelp escaped her lips, prompting Killian to rush over to support her, but Anita flung his hands off.


    "Don¡¯t you bloody touch me!" S§×ar?h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    But of course, he wouldn¡¯t listen. "Don¡¯t move around carelessly. Please lay down. I¡¯ll get the doctor."


    Anita also realized that she had no strength to struggle. She was in pain. Severe pain.


    He watched her being obedient for once and sighed with relief before striding out to get a doctor.


    Soon, he returned with a team of doctors, who quickly carried out tests after tests on Anita.


    Anita had no idea what was going on and nobody would tell her. Moreover, she had no strength to banter words with anyone. In the end, she would know what had happened to her, after they were done with this exaggerated exercise - what they do most times to milk people dry. She thought.


    After long minutes of running different tests on her, a doctor finally spoke up. "She¡¯s out of danger. As for her¨C"


    "Tell me what the hell is wrong with me. It¡¯s my body and I deserve to know!" she glared at the doctor, wishing she could stand on her feet and yank that white hair off his head, so he¡¯d receive sense.


    How could he ignore her and tell a stranger her medical condition? Was he sick in the head?


    As if they planned to anger Anita to death, the idiot Killian pulled the doctor¡¯s attention, "You were saying?"


    "Killian!" Anita tried to yell, but that only aggravated the pain in her stomach as she groaned.


    Yet that wasn¡¯t enough to tear the doctor¡¯s attention from Killian, but the other doctors rushed to check on her.


    "She¡¯s been found to have contacted syphilis, which had caused her miscarriage..."


    Anita¡¯s mind blew into a thousand fragments. Her eyes wide with horror as she stared at the doctors and Killian but couldn¡¯t actually see anything.


    S¨C she lost her baby? She had STDs?


    Those were the only things Anita heard before her mind and brain failed to cooperate with her and she passed out.


    The ward erupted into a frenzy of activities as the doctors scurried to revive her.


    Meanwhile, Killian stood still, fists clenched by his sides, knuckles cracking and turning white, as his eyes blazed with fury that could tear down kingdoms.


    "David..." he growled as he gritted his teeth hard so much so that the sound was audible.


    ...


    Anita stayed in the hospital for a week and all that time, neither her husband nor her in-laws called her.


    As stared at her phone screen, different emotions coursed through her. She was utterly disappointed, outraged, and heartbroken all at once.


    2


    She¡¯d thought to quietly leave their lives, believing they¡¯d at one point, feel remorseful and guilty especially when they saw her baby in the future, but now Anita had changed her mind


    A baby she wept for, starved for, prayed for... She couldn¡¯t count how many times she fell into depression just because she wanted a baby. She sponsored an orphanage, empowered women and children, hoping God would have mercy on her and give her her own child.


    3


    And now that He did, it was killed because of her husband¡¯s cheating.


    May she be damned if she didn¡¯t give David and his family hell.


    The door clicked open to reveal Killian striding in. "Annette, I¡¯ve filled out your discharge papers. You¡¯re free to go home now."


    He didn¡¯t stop there, "Thank goodness you¡¯re still in the early stage of syphilis. It would have¨C"


    "Thank you for your concern and all the help you¡¯ve rendered for the past week," Anita cut him off, getting off the bed. "Our journey ends here."


    With that, she attempted to leave, but Killian yanked her hand back and pinned her wrist to the wall.


    "What are you doing?" Anita panicked. The look in his eyes had changed. He looked like a beast - fierce and crazy.


    "Are you going back to him?"


    Anita gulped. It had nothing to do with him. Whatever she chose to do with her life didn¡¯t concern him.


    She wanted to say those words to his face, but her voice failed her. Anita refused to admit it, but she was scared of this version of him. And the warning bells in her head rang loudly, urging her to stay far away from him.


    "Let me go!" her voice shook slightly. She tried to pull away but his grip grew tighter.


    "Not this time. I won¡¯t let you go this time, Annette."


    Anita¡¯s mind suddenly snapped. The fury she¡¯d suppressed for Killian erupted. How dare he use those words? Did he know what they meant? When she said those same words, when she begged him to stay, what did he tell her?


    ¡¯We live in a different world now, Annette. I¡¯m not worthy of you.¡¯


    What made him think he could come and go the way he wanted? What made him think that he was worthy of her now?


    "Fuck off!" she shoved him with all her strength and finally freed herself. "I won¡¯t warn you again, stay away from me." She whispered in a dangerously low voice.


    Seeing he took a step back, her lips curled. But nothing about that smile looked happy. It was a smile that sent a chill down one¡¯s spine.


    As she stormed out of the room, Anita reinforced her believe. Killian was dead to her, and it would remain so.


    ...


    Anita returned to an empty matrimonial home. It seemed that David had not returned home for the past week.


    The dishes she was cleaning before she suddenly felt light-headed and passed out were still sitting in the sink.


    Anita had immediately rushed to the hospital, fearing she might have some illness, only to be told she was pregnant.


    Because she failed to get pregnant for eight years, Anita stopped keeping track of her menstrual cycles, reason she failed to notice the signs.


    The good news had hit her like a brick of wall, crushing her with disbelief and great joy, but unfortunately, her joy wasn¡¯t meant to last past that day.


    2


    If she said that she wasn¡¯t hurt by all of these - that her husband didn¡¯t notice her absence, she¡¯d be lying. Her heart still cared.


    Was David doing alright? Has he eaten? Was he in the office, and his work, how was he coping?... She wished to know what he was up to, but Anita was using her head this time, not her heart.


    She returned to the living room, and switched on the TV.


    And there he was, looking dashing and proud. And that person beside him...

 Chapter 5: Mourning Phase

    Chapter 5: Mourning PhaseAnd there he was, looking dashing and proud. And that person beside him... the same young girl Anita saw him with, in the elevator.


    She stood by his side, looking fearful of the swarm of reporters shoving their mics in their faces.


    "Mr. Dave, you didn¡¯t manage to get the Mother necklace ¨C the highlight of this evening¡¯s auction. What then did you get for Mrs. Blackwood?"


    "CEO David, where is Mrs. David? It¡¯s been weeks since the public last saw you two together."


    "Mr. David, won¡¯t Mrs. Wales be mad that you didn¡¯t get the Mother necklace?"


    David turned his body, slightly shading Linda from the enthusiastic reporters, but he, himself, didn¡¯t flinch, carefully answering the question with so much charisma and dashing smiles.


    He looked carefree and approachable, almost like someone with no boundaries, and worries of life. And that was why he had the people in his pocket.


    In the people¡¯s eyes: David could never do wrong ¨C He was an easygoing, kind, and humble gentleman. He was the submissive, or rather, the tolerant one in their marriage, while Anita was bossy, proud, and unreasonable... A typical spoilt billionaire heiress. But despite his wife¡¯s attitude, their marriage worked, and that could only be true love, coupled with David¡¯s selfless sacrifices.


    Thought, the public.


    Unbeknownst to them, it was the other way round. Whenever they had a quarrel, it was mostly David¡¯s fault, and Anita always had to forgive him, just so her marriage wouldn¡¯t crumble. Just so her family wouldn¡¯t throw a victory punch into the air.


    Anita loved, respected, and honored her husband. She devoted herself to serving him, exhausting her skills and influence in paving the way for him and his family.


    The public might be right that Anita was proud and bossy, but that was a facade to protect herself from the public and enemies, but within the walls of her matrimonial home, she was just like every other traditional housewife.


    She was the type of woman who did the must work but push her husband forward to take the credit.


    "This was meant to be a surprise for my Lady, so I cannot divulge anything just yet," David flashed the reporters that disarming smile again. "My Queen won¡¯t be pleased if our online in-laws get the gist before her." He chuckled, and so did the reporters, and perhaps, the viewers, but certainly not Anita.


    He continued, "Now, if you¡¯ll pull back a little, it¡¯d be appreciated. You grown ups are frightening my little kitten," he joked, looking down at Linda, who clung to him like a life saver.


    "She is...?" one of the reporters asked, clearly stunned, as if he didn¡¯t notice she was there. S§×arch* The n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Ah, our media friends, meet one of our company¡¯s new muses. She¡¯s not used to this lifestyle. I brought her out to have a feel of what being in the public¡¯s eyes mean. Always afraid of everything," he laughed, and everyone laughed with him.


    As a CEO of a thriving cosmetic, fashion, art, and entertainment company, he didn¡¯t fall short of women hanging loosely around him like a tie on his neck ¨C this wasn¡¯t his first time doing this either. He was known to be more than an employer to his employees.


    The public had unwavering trust and support for him. His image was perfect and he was dearly loved by everyone¨C no matter the age and gender¨C that if you bring them an evidence of a crime he comitted, they would have ninety-nine excuses for why he did it.


    To the public, David was an embodiment of hope ¨CDavid rose from nothing to something in less than eight years. His company employeed more poor and hopeless people than any company in the country...


    2


    His mother fought for human rights ¨C she has an NGO that supported women, girls, widows, orphans, and the oppressed, so why won¡¯t the people love him?


    Plus, the public saw how much he showered his wife with love, how he fought her family to be with Anita... only a real man with a good heart could do that.


    And that was why, even with a woman literally hugging him in front of millions of people, no one raised an eyebrow.


    Anita too, didn¡¯t mind such things before. In a society where men and women freemixed, especially in the workforce, she couldn¡¯t become a bitter wife who would pick offense at every body contact her husband made with other women.


    She wasn¡¯t insecure and her husband didn¡¯t give her reasons to. She trusted him, believing she knew him enough.


    Moreover, there was this pride she felt when other women vied for her husband¡¯s attention, while he only had eyes for her. It made her feel like a winner.... Like, she had something most women didn¡¯t.


    But not anymore. That feeling had been replaced by loathing, seeing the two being so brazenly intimate in front of the cameras, Anita¡¯s heart grew colder.


    "Nita, my love, our anniversary¡ª"


    Anita turned off the TV and spun on her heels, heading up the stairs, fingers trailing slowly along the rails... Like she was memorizing the cold rails.


    Memories of their laughter, of their good times invaded her mind like a vortex.


    She and David painted this house with pleasure and memories - They had sex everywhere and anytime. And that was why she had no maids living in the house with them.


    The last thing Anita wanted was for their sextape to be the face of social media - people were that wicked.


    Their bedroom was a cozy, happy abode. Even though their sex life plummeted last year, due to Dave¡¯s ¡¯unbreathable schedule,¡¯ it didn¡¯t change the love and spark in their relationship.


    Who would have thought that he was shoving his penis in a contaminated twat?


    Was it Linda¡¯s or other women¡¯s?


    Anita wouldn¡¯t know. She chuckled as excruciating pain tore through her soul.


    ¡¯How could Dave do this to me?¡¯


    That was a question she wasn¡¯t going to ask herself.


    Anita knew she wasn¡¯t wrong in this relationship. She knew she didn¡¯t push him away. David was a grown ass man. He knew the repercussion of cheating. He broke her trust, and their matrimonial vows, and that was a choice he chose to make.


    When he knew he was tired of her, he should have politely handed her divorce papers and she would have let him be, but no, he didn¡¯t. And decided to infect her with STDs, killing their child in the crossfire.


    Even though her STDs could be treated, as it was in its early stage, Anita didn¡¯t appreciate that she was infected and lost her child due to her husband¡¯s infidelity.


    Anita could spend the whole day counting her losses and mulling over how unfair she¡¯d been treated, but no, she didn¡¯t.


    A week at the hospital was enough for her to accept her fate and now, she hoped Dave and his family were ready for the consequences of what they¡¯d dished out.

 Chapter 6: End Of Mourning

    Chapter 6: End Of MourningInside their bedroom, Anita went straight for her safe. Her fingers trembled only slightly as she unlocked it. This was her private haven. No one knew her code. Not even David.


    She pulled out a stack of thick folders, bound in leather sleeves, labeled in her careful, neat handwriting. One by one, she laid them out on the bed.


    AURORA MEDI-TECH HOSPITAL.


    Her first major investment. A state-of-the-art medical center she secretly funded through a shell company to avoid attention.


    BLEU ROSE FASHION HOUSE.


    A global name, but it started as her personal project. She designed the first ten collections under a pseudonym.


    NOVAHILLS PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT.


    One of the top real estate firms in the country. She¡¯d poured millions into it when no one else would touch it.


    There were more: silent shares in multiple cosmetic brands under David¡¯s conglomerate, technology startups, and even a few influential media outlets.


    Then there were the red files. They were thicker and more dangerous. Each one was marked with a name.


    Minister Collins. He once tried to blackmail her into funding his re-election; she had audio.


    Naomi Quinn. A journalist turned influencer who¡¯d peddled lies for a price. Anita had the receipts...literally.


    Monica Grey. A model under David¡¯s company who tried to blackmail David into taking her as a mistress.


    Chairman Wu. A board member who tried to sabotage one of her projects when she said no to dinner.


    And more.


    The evidence she had could destroy them. She¡¯d held onto it, not out of fear, but out of power. Thanks to her, those people became David¡¯s dogs. But now, she¡¯d set them loose.


    While David was polishing his sweet image, Anita was dirtying herself from the shadows, helping her husband build a clean empire.


    With a heavy breath, she zipped everything into a briefcase. It was time to cut herself free from the Blackwood name. She¡¯d take that crown off his head and rise as the queen of that empire.


    Just then, her private phone buzzed. She had an email, but no ID. She froze for a moment, then picked it up.


    There was no voice. Just a message. A PDF.


    She opened it.


    Her eyes scanned quickly and then widened in disbelief. Her bank accounts had long been frozen on claims of fraudulent activities. Her shell companies were emptied. The establishments she invested in had been sold and transferred. All her investments were either sold or voided. And the blackmail evidence she had on people had been leaked in fragments or discredited.


    A final message blinked at the bottom of the screen.


    [ No one¡¯s on your side now, Anita White. Your husband made sure of it. And you¡¯ll be saving yourself from trouble if you¡¯d shut up about what you know and not bring trouble upon yourself. ]


    David.


    A low, raw sound tore from Anita¡¯s throat, swelling until it exploded into a scream so guttural it shook the walls. She dropped to her knees, accidentally scratching her arm against a piece of furniture ¨C but the pain barely registered.


    She clutching the briefcase to her chest as if it was the child she¡¯d failed to bring into this world.


    Anita wailed. This was her future. This was the only thing she had left. And he took it too.


    Angry, bitter, sorrowful tears streaked her face, but her eyes were full of rage.


    David stripped her bare, until she had nothing but her name ¡ª and even that now echoed with shame.


    Anita Wales Blackwood, or Anita White?


    Her heart trembled. She didn¡¯t dare entertain the latter. How dare she address herself as a White? What rights did she have? Does she have no shame? After all she¡¯d done?


    Perhaps, this served her right. Maybe, this was her retribution for what she did to her family ¨C her mother and father. Just maybe...


    Anita choked, struggling to breathe.


    "Why, David?" she whimpered. "Why have you made me a villain when I made you a god?"


    Anita lay there, broken and undone.


    For a while, no sound was heard from her. She went still, so still it was as if her body had turned to stone¡ªlike she had become one with the cold floor, the blue dress she wore clung to her damp skin like a burial shroud.


    Her mind drifted through the silence, echoing with fragments of memories ¨C her father¡¯s harsh words, her mother¡¯s tearful silence the day she left home, the look on David¡¯s face the first time he kissed her hand in front of the world. The lies had always been beautiful. So beautiful she convinced herself they were real.


    Her nails clawed the marble.


    But there was one thing David didn¡¯t know.


    One thing he overlooked in all his meticulous planning, in all his perfect dismantling of her world:


    Anita White!


    One and only daughter of Reginald White and the former heiress to the White Empire.


    Her chest heaved with a tiny bit of hope as she slowly rose to her feet. Her body trembled. It wasn¡¯t clear if it was from the air conditioner or the pain and betrayal she was buckling in.


    With her quivering hand, she reached for the hem of her dress and pulled it over her head. She¡¯d lost a lot of weight and skin was pale. And the hospital smell still clung to her like a second skin, reminding her of what she¡¯d lost.


    She breathed, striding toward the bathroom. Her steps were heavy, shoulders once straight had hunched and the once proud goddess, although trying to maintain her poise, looked like a fallen statue ¨C chipped, cracked, and aching. S~ea??h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The bathroom lights flickered on, casting a cold, sterile glow over her reflection. She paused, staring at the woman in the mirror. Anita barely recognized herself.


    Her lips, usually tinted with a proud shade of red, were dry and pale. Her eyes, once sharp and calculating, brimmed with the kind of sorrow that couldn¡¯t be hidden behind mascara. Bruises bloomed faintly along her arms ¨C not from violence, but from the crash, from the chaos.


    Her blonde hair with dark roots ¨Csignature of the White family¨C usually styled in a sleek, perfect bob, now hung limp around her face like a wilted crown.


    Anita swallowed, hard.


    She leaned closer to the mirror, her breath fogging up the glass. She wiped it away with the back of her hand, revealing her figure once more.


    She¡¯d lost a lot of weight, thanks to the miscarriage and stress.


    Slowly, she stepped into the shower and turned on the water. Scalding hot. She needed to burn the scent of failure, of betrayal, off her skin. The water hit her like a thousand needles, yet she didn¡¯t flinch.


    She stood there until the mirror fogged, until her silent sobs faded, until the ache in her chest numbed just enough to think.


    When she stepped out, she was empty. Hollow. But in that emptiness, there was space. And in that space, a spark of hope remained.


    She pulled a towel around herself and walked back into the bedroom. The briefcase still sat on the bed like a coffin of her past.


    She looked away from it and headed for her walk-in-closet.


    Anita got into a simple black lace dress that stopped just below her knees.


    She wore no makeup, no accessories, and slid into a black six inch stiletto, took a black purse, and complemented her looks with a black veiled hat and dark shades.


    2


    She looked like one going to a funeral, except that she wasn¡¯t, but had already begun mourning her child, her husband, and his family.


    With one last glance at herself in the full length mirror, she sauntered out of the room with one destination in mind...

 Chapter 7: How A Woman Should Be

    Chapter 7: How A Woman Should Be"David, this is not right," Linda said meekly, trying to push him away as David clung to her like a leech, peppering her with kisses, sucking and nibbling her neck.


    Seeing her movement was growing erratic, he paused, face still buried in the crooks of her neck, "What¡¯s not right?" His voice was husky and filled with lust.


    "You have a wife," she swallowed. "I¡¯m but a mistress, David and I don¡¯t like that."


    David pulled away, sweeping his hand through his hair. "I told you to be patient, Linda, didn¡¯t I?"


    "You did, but..." she trailed off, her eyes drooping as she fidgeted with her fingers. "Aunty Anita will be mad if she finds out. She could kill me," she looked up, her eyes watery as she bit her bottom lip.


    "She¡¯s not even your relative. Why do you call her Aunty?" David frowned. Linda always called Anita that.


    "Because she¡¯s older," she said under her breath but loud enough for him to hear. Sear?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    David¡¯s lips curled, a bitter smile.


    At first, he was too blinded by love to realize the age difference, but now, he couldn¡¯t help thinking he married someone he could easily address as an older sister. Perhaps, that was why she didn¡¯t have respect for him.


    Seeing him drifting away, Linda tugged at his sleeve, "I¡¯m scared, David."


    "Anita doesn¡¯t have such power anymore." He snapped out of his thoughts, holding her by the shoulders as he tried to reason with her, like he was placating a child. "I made sure of that. Moreover, she doesn¡¯t know about you."


    "Still," she shuffled to the side, getting away from him. "I don¡¯t want to continue this relationship anymore. This is not healthy for me."


    David panicked, yanking her arm as she crashed into his chest, "I dare you to say that again," he growled.


    She stared at him, lost in his beauty for a moment, then she blinked and tears gushed down her eyes. "Why can¡¯t I say it? You don¡¯t love me. You got her jewelry worth 10 million for your eight years anniversary. What have you done for me? I sat there, watching as you went all out, bidding for that necklace just for her, even though you knew that I liked it too!"


    David looked stunned as he watched her cry her eyes out, lamenting and throwing her hands around like a spoiled child.


    Then, a soft chuckle rose from his chest before a boisterous laughter followed. "You can¡¯t be seriously crying over ten million pieces of jewelry, Linda." He pulled her but she threw his hands off.


    "Didn¡¯t I get you a designer bag worth eleven million last week?" He was amused.


    She just said he¡¯d never done anything for her, yet had gotten her a bag worth eleven million last week. However, David didn¡¯t count what she said as ungrateful.


    ¡¯Women should be like this. They should be jealous over me. They should crave my gifts, cry when they don¡¯t get enough, and lament like their world is ending,¡¯ he thought.


    Linda furiously wiped her tears, looking cute as she pouted, "I liked that jewelry."


    "What if I said I got you a better one?" He smiled meaningfully as he pulled the stunned Linda to his safe, keyed in his pin right in front of her.


    "I¨C it¡¯s my birth date..." The pin to his safe was the date of her birthday.


    Linda was flabbergasted.


    "Now, you believe I love you more, huh?" He grinned as he opened the safe, revealing stack upon stack of cash, gold bars, and valuable documents.


    But he bypassed all that and closed his hand around a black velvet box. Linda¡¯s sparkling eyes zeroed in on the small fortune in his safe and gulped.


    David caught her gawking but only laughed, "Careful now, little kitten, you might get lost in it."


    Linda snapped out of her greedy thoughts and blushed. She¡¯d never seen so much wealth in her life.


    "I got this for you," David opened the box.


    Inside the black velvet box lay a creation so exquisite, it seemed to breathe with its own quiet power.


    The "Mother" jewelry set was not merely ornament ¨C it was legend captured in carats.


    At the center of the necklace rested a heart-shaped yellow diamond, almost the size of a small egg. It glowed with a soft fire, cradled in an intricate lattice of white and pink diamonds, shaped like intertwining vines ¨C delicate, tender, eternal. Each vine curved protectively around the central gem, like a mother¡¯s arms curled around her child.


    Dozens of brilliant-cut stones, each perfectly symmetrical, glistened like dewdrops along the chain. Their shimmer was almost ethereal, not blinding but soft. Along the sides, small rose-cut sapphires nestled into the design, barely visible unless the light caught them just right.


    The earrings matched the set with quiet grace, teardrop diamonds dangling from curled platinum tendrils, crafted to resemble sleeping infants cradled in ivy. They sparkled when moved.


    The bracelet was a band of woven platinum filigree, so delicate it looked like spun silk. Inlaid with alternating white and yellow diamonds, it wrapped around the wrist like a mother¡¯s promise¡ªfirm, unyielding, and forever.


    Linda gasped, her eyes wide like saucers, jaw dropping with a clack. "Th¨C this, this is for me?"


    David smirked with pride. This was how a woman should behave when she was given something expensive. Something exquisite. Something of value.


    "Take it, it¡¯s yours."


    Linda¡¯s hands trembled with excitement as she reached out for it. This jewelry was named, ¡¯Mother¡¯, it was the highlight of today¡¯s auction and was won at a bid for twenty million.


    The jewelry was said to have been made by Eastonville¡¯s jewelry god with his mother in mind, but unfortunately, his mother passed away before he could complete the jewelry. Now, he sold it at an auction and donated the money to the orphanage.


    Linda witnessed the heated battle for this piece of jewelry. David bid for it too, saying it was for his wife, but lost the bid to an anonymous bidder. Who would have thought that the anonymous bidder was his person?


    Linda flew into his arms, hugging him so tightly that she almost choked the life out of him. "I love you so much, Dave!"


    David hugged her back, feeling his ego soaring with her excitement. He inhaled deeply, eyes closing as he savored the feeling of being worshipped.


    He¡¯d bought Anita more things than he could count over the years, but never had she been this excited. He couldn¡¯t tell her but her lack of enthusiasm wounded his pride as a man.


    However, he knew she wasn¡¯t being ungrateful, rather, she was like that because she was raised and spoiled in wealth and luxury, so no material things could get her leaping for joy.


    Even though David knew this much, he still couldn¡¯t get over the fact that he couldn¡¯t make his wife worship him, to look at him with adoration, and greed, like he was the air she breathed.


    His ego needed to be fed, and Linda gave him just that.


    "Are you still going to leave?" He asked, all smiles.


    "Of course not!" she pulled away and crashed her lips on his. Her lips moved desperately as he reciprocated with equal vigor. Her hands found his band and she hurriedly undid his pants, all the while breathing heavily as they kissed like no tomorrow.


    Breaking the kiss after a while, she went on her knees and mouthed him.


    David groaned as he felt her lips around him, his head thrown back, eyes closed, relishing in the moment.


    His little slut was better than Anita, he thought.


    ...


    Meanwhile, Anita arrived at a mansion that screamed nothing but wasted generational wealth.


    Stepping out of her car, she took a deep, shaky breath, fists clenched as she braced herself for what was to come.

 Chapter 8: Going Home

    Chapter 8: Going HomeIn the garden...


    "Mr. White, the Miss is here," said the butler, a grizzled old man, to a middle aged man, looking to be in his 50s.


    Said Mr. White, stiffened, his gaze on the newspaper froze on a particular word. Time itself seemed to have slowed down for the man to battle his disbelief.


    After what seemed like forever, he shifted his gaze to the butler, "Are you telling the truth?"


    The butler nodded, a hint of a smile playing on his lips. "Miss Anita has returned home."


    It¡¯s been eight years since she last stepped foot into this building. She¡¯d cut all ties with her family when they didn¡¯t show up at her wedding.


    Anita¡¯s bold move had almost destroyed their branch of the family. That period, the White family encountered a devastating setback ¨C Mrs. White was on her deathbed and the White empire was facing issues.


    Even so, their daughter left and didn¡¯t look back. The butler had gone to her numerous times, begging her to return home, but Anita refused to hear him out.


    She claimed to have severed all ties with her family, and even took her husband¡¯s name and dropped her White name.


    That was the last straw for Mr. Reginald White ¨C If Anita was stubborn and hard-hearted, then her father was worse.


    In retaliation, her stubborn father had removed her name from the family register and changed his will.


    Despite the cold war between the father and daughter, the butler knew that deep down, Mr. Reginald White cared and was waiting for Anita to come home, to apologize for her mistakes, and seek forgiveness.


    Call it ego, pride, narcissism, or what have you, Mr. White had it in abundance, which had prevented him from seeking out his daughter all those years.


    The man believed that he did nothing wrong, he believed that all he did - that drove his daughter away, was for her own good. He believed that in the future, when she¡¯d seen the ways of the world more clearly, she¡¯d realize that he didn¡¯t harm her, but saved her.


    "Where is she?" He questioned, setting his newspaper down.


    "She should be in the living room right now," replied the butler.


    Mr. White bolted up from his seat, but after taking a few steps, he halted, as if all that his daughter did ¨C the pain she¡¯d caused him had just come crashing down on him.


    His brows furrowed, "Why is she here?" He mumbled. That girl had done many unforgivable things. Her actions in the past had almost brought their family¡¯s company to its knees.


    "You can only find out if you go to her," the butler quickly stepped in, afraid that the man wouldn¡¯t want to see his daughter, a thing he¡¯d been desperate for all those years.


    Mr. White nodded, his butler was right. But just as he continued walking, he halted again, a deep frown settling in between his brows. "Why should I be the one to go to her? If she¡¯s here for me, she knows where to find me."


    With that, the stubborn man returned to the pavilion, sitting calmly on his chair and picking up his newspaper to read, except he wasn¡¯t actually reading.


    The butler sighed, feeling a headache coming. "I¡¯ll bring her," with a bow, he walked away.


    Meanwhile, in the living room, Anita¡¯s gaze took in the enormous white living room. It was as she remembered it to be - luxurious to the last letter, except that it felt lonely and suffocating. No amount of wealth on display could hide the emptiness that echoed through the space. S~ea??h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The servants watched her without a word. They¡¯d been working there for over ten years, and were fully aware of the strained relationship between the Miss and her parents, but they dared not throw her out, or irritate her.


    Anita may have fallen out with her family, she was still a powerful woman in the city.


    They watched her as she began to climb up the twirling gold stairs, her fingers trailing along the rails, every click of her heels walking her through memory lane.


    This used to be her palace, her castle, the house she was born, raised, and spoiled. The walls that once echoed her voice. But she refused to entertain any memories at the moment, as it would break her resolve, and the last thing Anita wanted was to stand before her father, looking broken and unsure of her choices.


    He would mock her, gloat over her failure, and claim he was right.


    Anita didn¡¯t want to admit the sad reality that she indeed was a failure and that her father was right.


    Even though she didn¡¯t want to dwell on memories or indulge in self-pity, it didn¡¯t mean that such unpleasant memories wouldn¡¯t invade her mind...


    "I¡¯ll prove you wrong, Mr. Reginald White. I¡¯ll be the driving force behind David. I¡¯ll push him to unprecedented heights in the business world, and help him beat your own success. I¡¯ll strip away everything you hold dear, and when you¡¯re left with nothing, you¡¯ll come crawling back, begging us for forgiveness. But by then, it will be too late. Mark my words, Mr. White."


    "Anita! He¡¯s your father!" her mother shouted, it only made Anita¡¯s anger and her pain boil over.


    "And you, Mrs. White, you stood by and watched him destroy my life, taking away the very things that mattered most to me. Didn¡¯t he consider me his daughter then? Didn¡¯t I deserve your protection? You should have stood up to him, fought for your daughter¡¯s happiness, but instead you chose your husband! What about me? Did you forget I was your daughter, Mom?"


    "There¡¯s no need to choose, Anita," her mother said, her voice laced with a desperate attempt to placate her. "We¡¯re your parents, and we would never do anything to harm you. Your father did what¡¯s best for you, and..."


    Anita¡¯s mother faltered, her words trailing off as she saw the fierce determination etched on her daughter¡¯s face, the unyielding anger burning in her eyes.

 Chapter 9: Meeting Her Father

    Chapter 9: Meeting Her Father"Anne..." her mother whispered, her voice cracking with anguish as she reached out to touch her daughter. "Listen to me, please... I would never harm you, you know that. Your father and I love you more than life itself. Please, Anita..." She reached out a trembling hand, but Anita recoiled, her eyes blazing with hurt and betrayal.  Sear?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "You call this love, Mom? Your husband broke off my engagement to the man I¡¯ve always loved. Was that love? You both are manipulating me into a loveless marriage with Richford? Is that love, mom?" she choked back a sob as her voice rose, filled with indignation, "You know I cannot stand him, yet, you want me to spend the rest of my life with him!"


    "He loves and respects you, Anne." She took Anita¡¯s hands. "Marriage takes more than love to work. Richford will protect you. He¡¯ll¡ª"


    "Protect me from what? The only protection I need is from you all!" Anita yelled, snatching her hands from her mother¡¯s as she forcefully wiped the tear that had slipped down her cheek.


    "Let me make this clear once and for all. If a hair on David and his family¡¯s head is harmed, I¡¯ll make sure you all pay for it. I¡¯ll make sure you regret it."


    She took a deep breath, her chest heaving with emotion, voice cracking and trembling as she struggled to regain control. "I¡¯m warning you, Mr. and Mrs. Reginald White. Stay away from David and his family. They¡¯re off-limits. I will not let you bully them like you did to my ex-fianc¨¦." With that, she turned and walked away, and that was the last time she set foot in the White mansion.


    Anita blinked back her tears as she found herself standing in the corridors, gazing at the rows of family portraits. They were portraits of her parents, grandparents, and forefathers.


    The White estate wasn¡¯t built by her father, rather it was a legacy passed down through generations of Whites, a symbol of their wealth, power, and prestige.


    Anita¡¯s eyes wandered over the familiar faces, her gaze lingering on the portrait of her great, great-grandfather, the founder of the White empire.


    In every generation, the main mansion was passed down to the acting head of the family ¨C the acting chairman of the White Corporation. It¡¯s a tradition that has been upheld for centuries.


    Anita¡¯s gaze drifted to the portrait of her father, Reginald White, the current chairman of the White Corporation. His eyes seemed to bore into her soul, a reminder of the expectations and obligations that came with being a White.


    After her father, her portrait would have been the next, but given the severed relationship between her and her family, Anita was sure that her portrait would never make it up the wall.


    She heard that her cousin would take over from her father. Anita had never felt the pain before ¨C she had a loving husband and in-laws and didn¡¯t need her White family ¨C but now, she realized that being erased from her family¡¯s legacy, and having her place taken by another, stung.


    To think she gave up everything - glory, generational wealth, utmost power, and prestige, all for David and her perceived freedom, only to be betrayed by the same people she¡¯d sacrificed everything for.


    "Miss Anita," the butler¡¯s voice cut through Anita¡¯s thoughts as she turned her head in his direction.


    The old man bowed slightly, his eyes crinkling at the edges as he smiled, "Welcome home. Your father is in the garden."


    Anita gave a faint nod, ashamed to speak as she didn¡¯t know what to say. She remembered how this old man had begged her to return home, and how confident she was about not returning. But here she was, eating her words.


    The walk to the garden was suddenly so long and awkward, as Anita¡¯s mind twirled with thoughts.


    Why was she even here, at the Whites?


    Was she here to tell her father that the once powerful Miss of the esteemed White empire has been reduced to nothing but a shadow of her former self?


    She bit her lip harshly, her fists clenched until her knuckles turned white.


    She couldn¡¯t imagine what people who knew of this fact thought of her as she paraded herself around like she still had the balls in her court. On top of that, she was a scorned wife, a carrier of syphilis, and a grieving mother.


    There was so much she could bear, and all of this no, it was her bottomline. And now, shameless as it may sound, Anita had realized that without her White family, she wouldn¡¯t be able to win against David.


    Although she didn¡¯t know what to expect, she didn¡¯t even know why she came here. Or maybe she did... she had a tiny bit of hope that her father would take her back after the disgrace and humiliation she brought to him.


    No, her father would never let things go.


    Anita and the butler arrived at the pathway leading to the pavilion sitting in the middle of a large pond, in the garden.


    The soft lapping of the water against the shore, carried by the soft breeze rustling the flowers and carrying the sweet scent of blooming flowers, enveloped Anita, calming her thundering heart beat.


    Truth be told, Anita was not confident that her father would help her. Forgiveness for what her father conceived as betrayal, was a foreign concept to Mr. Reginald White.


    His heart was cold, too cold that she hated him for it. But the irony was that Anita was just like him in many ways. She had inherited his calculating nature, his ability to manipulate situations to her advantage, and his unwavering determination.


    But whereas Reginald White¡¯s cold heart had been hardened by years of ruthless business dealings and family politics, Anita¡¯s own emotional numbness had been forged from painful betrayals and the urge to make her father see that he was wrong for making her life choices.


    The realization was a bitter pill to swallow, but Anita knew that she couldn¡¯t deny the truth: she was her father¡¯s daughter, through and through.


    The butler, sensing her distress, took a step forward and whispered, "Your father is waiting."

 Chapter 10: Her Father Knew

    Chapter 10: Her Father KnewAnita sat before Mr. Reginald White, who held up a newspaper, reading. They¡¯d been like that for over ten minutes ¨C no one saying a word to the other. Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Seeing this, the butler glanced at the sky, the sun setting. He sighed, as expected of this father and daughter, "I¡¯ll get the servants to prepare your room, Miss."


    "No, I¡¯m not staying the night," Anita replied calmly, then returned her attention to her father. "If you¡¯re going to pretend to read, at least do it right." She continued, "You¡¯ve been holding that upside down for over ten minutes."


    Mr. White froze, his eyes finally glossing over the words and realizing he¡¯d indeed been holding the newspaper upside down.


    His cheeks burned with embarrassment. Truly, he wasn¡¯t reading. His mind had been lost on how to start a conversation with this daughter of his. It¡¯s been eight years since they¡¯ve last spoken to each other.


    They saw each other in gatherings sometimes, but had never exchanged a word. He had his people keeping an eye on her over the years, he¡¯d indeed thought that his judgement of David and his family was wrong, until he received recent reports of David¡¯s evil actions against his daughter.


    But Mr. White didn¡¯t stop David from trapping his daughter, betraying her, and shattering her heart.


    That¡¯s right.


    Mr. White knew everything David had done to his daughter - from trapping and rendering her powerless, to cheating on her, infecting her with STDs, and losing their child.


    It was his people who sent her the anonymous email.


    He knew that his daughter wouldn¡¯t let David go scot free, and by extension, would return home, to where she truly belonged. But he didn¡¯t think it would be this soon.


    He thought she¡¯d foolishly confront that bastard. But as it seems, she¡¯s done some growing up.


    The man closed the newspaper and set it down, picking up the tea cup and sipping from it, "Why are you here?"


    Anita swallowed, her head down and shoulders sagging under the weight of her troubles.


    "Square those shoulders and lift that chin, young Lady!" Mr. White hissed.


    The man knew that the pain she carried inside her was too great and if she broke down in front of him, he wouldn¡¯t know how to console her.


    Her mother, the emotional one, was not with them to give her a shoulder to cry on.


    Anita jolted, subconsciously putting upright - like she had the control of the room.


    She met her father¡¯s cold silver gaze, her identical eyes searching for any sign of compassion or understanding. But Mr. White¡¯s expression remained stern, his eyes piercing.


    "Why are you here?" he repeated coldly.


    Anita took a deep breath, steeling herself for the conversation ahead. "I need your help," she said, forcing her voice to be powerful, like she was discussing business.


    Mr. White¡¯s eyebrows rose, "Go on," he said, his tone a little softer.


    Anita pressed her lips in a thin line. Right, she didn¡¯t expect him to receive her, let alone give her a listening ear. She thought he¡¯d not let her into the house. But now that she was facing him, she didn¡¯t know what to ask, or where to start from.


    Mr. White watched her quietly, wondering what she needed his help for. He¡¯d be disappointed if she wanted him to seek revenge on her behalf, or lend her some money. It would only mean that she¡¯d not grown up after eight years.


    The man hoped she¡¯d plead to return to the family, to take back what belonged to her, and then show that good-for-nothing husband of hers and everyone who has wronged her why they shouldn¡¯t mess with the White family.


    Suddenly, she rose from her seat, and Mr. White¡¯s eyes dimmed. Was she going back? Didn¡¯t she want his help anymore? His grip on his cup tightened, his heart growing with a fresh wave of disappointment.


    Just before he could feel utterly disappointed, she suddenly dropped to her knees before him, her eyes clouding over with tears.


    "Forgive me, dad..." Anita¡¯s voice trembled, her lips quivering as she struggled to hold back tears. "I was wrong...and foolish. I should have listened to you."


    Her bravado, her strong woman facade shattered, leaving behind only a child who wanted her parents¡¯ cuddles and hugs.


    Mr. White¡¯s expression faltered, his eyes filling with a deep sadness. He looked at Anita, his daughter, and saw the shadows of pain and regret etched on her face.


    He felt a pang in his chest, a mix of emotions he couldn¡¯t quite untangle. For a moment, he forgot about his own pride and anger, and all he saw was his daughter, broken and vulnerable and he didn¡¯t like that one bit.


    He raised her to dominate men and women alike, and as the heiress to the White Empire, she deserved to be pampered and treated with utmost importance, but that man had reduced her to this...a vulnerable and broken little girl.


    Where is the daughter he raised?


    All she did was listen to her heart. All she did was live, trust, and give him her all. His daughter wasn¡¯t wrong to trust and love him, that man was at fault for taking her for granted and hurting her like this.


    "Anita Reginald White!" he bellowed, rising to his feet like the thunderstorm he was, his voice shaking the very foundations of the Pavillion. "How dare he!" his eyes blazed with fury, clouded with emotions. "How dare he reduce you to this state! You, my daughter, the heiress to the White Empire! You, who was raised to be a queen, to be worshiped and adored!"


    The butler panicked, Mr. White¡¯s anger was something no one wanted to witness. It was a rare sight, but one that struck fear into the hearts of all who saw it.


    The butler rushed to intervene, his voice trembling slightly as he spoke, "Sir, please, perhaps you should calm down. The Miss has just returned after eight years. It wouldn¡¯t be good to welcome her with such... such... emotions."


    Meanwhile, Anita looked up at him, frozen in place. Stunned.


    She knew that look, that tone. It was the look of a man who would tear the world apart to protect his own.


    She didn¡¯t think she¡¯d ever be the reason for this fierce protection again, after she¡¯d heartlessly walked away from this family eight years ago and never once looked back ¨C even when her mother died.


    She¡¯d only gone for the funeral, robotically paid her last respect and returned to David¡¯s family without looking her father¡¯s way or consoling him, not once.


    She¡¯d thought that they had ended their relationship after he took her name out of the family¡¯s register, but surprisingly, her father still cared... Her father knew what she¡¯d gone through.


    "Fa¨C father," she stuttered, her suppressed tears pouring down in torrent now. "Y¨C you knew?"

 Chapter 11: Facing The Cheating Duo

    Chapter 11: Facing The Cheating Duo"What? Did you think I¡¯d leave you alone and not keep an eye on you?" He hissed, feeling his pent up anger boiling over. "You¡¯re my daughter, my one and only child. What would my ancestors, your mother think if I didn¡¯t ensure your safety and well-being?"


    Mr. White¡¯s voice trembled with emotion, his eyes blazing with a mix of anger and hurt. "I may not have agreed with your choices, we may have our differences, Anita, but you¡¯re still my flesh and blood. And I¡¯ll be damned if I let anyone harm you and get away with it."


    He took a deep breath, his chest heaving with suppressed rage. "Now, rise to your feet and raise that head of yours." He continued, "You¡¯re a White, and Whites don¡¯t cower or show weaknesses," he said, his voice firm but gentle.


    "You¡¯ve been through hell, I can see that, but it¡¯s time to rise from the ashes. You¡¯re strong, Anita, stronger than you think. Now, you¡¯ll take back what¡¯s rightfully yours," pointing towards the mansion, he continued, "...hang your portrait on that wall, beside mine, where it belongs, and show the world what it means to cross Reginald White¡¯s daughter."


    "D¨C dad..."


    "Come here."


    Anita¡¯s tears poured down like a fountain. She rose from the wooden floor, taking small steps as her heels wobbled beneath her with every step she took towards her father.


    The short walk felt like forever movement, and when she finally crashed into his strong chest, feeling his strong arms wrap around her, Anita let herself go, sobbing so hard that her voice threatened to collapse.


    Mr. White enveloped her in a tight embrace, his heart shattering at his daughter¡¯s sorrowful voice. The rim of his eyes turned red from suppressing his own tears.


    He was a man. Men don¡¯t cry. And he never did ¡ª at least, not for anyone to see.


    "I¡¯m sorry, Anne," he whispered, his voice cracking with emotion he tried to control. "I¡¯m so sorry I wasn¡¯t there for you when you needed me. But I¡¯m here now, and I¡¯ll make sure you get the justice you deserve." He held her tightly.


    His words and the comfort she¡¯d not realized she¡¯d missed for so many years, further served to intensify Anita¡¯s sorrow. And she wailed harder.


    And in that moment, wrapped in her father¡¯s arms, Anita knew that she was home. A place she truly belonged. With the man who genuinely loved her. Unconditionally.


    ....


    By the time Anita left the White estate and returned home, it was late in the evening.


    Surprisingly, upon entering the house, David and Linda were sitting on opposite couches, their faces turned towards the door.


    "Where are you coming from?" David pointed at the wall clock, "It¡¯s 10:43 PM." He said, rising from his seat, eyes blazing with annoyance.


    Anita stood frozen, her gaze lingering on Linda for a little longer before retracting her gaze to the wall clock at the same time, taking off her heels at the entrance. "It¡¯s late indeed," she said, her voice carrying a hint of coolness and a mix of tiredness.


    Slipping into a pair of white fluffy slippers she stepped into the house. As usual, she kissed her husband on the cheek, "Have you eaten? Should I make you dinner?"


    David frowned slightly. This wasn¡¯t how a woman should react when she saw her husband had brought home another woman.


    He didn¡¯t like her nonchalance. Or should he call it trust? It was infuriating!


    "I¡¯m not hungry." He sniffed her, perceiving a faint smell of alcohol on her. "Did you drink?"


    Anita pulled back a little, "Yes. I dropped by mom¡¯s and ran into a friend." She said while fetching out her phone.


    "Mom? She didn¡¯t tell you you dropped by. I was there a while ago," David looked suspiciously at her.


    Did she go out with a man? Was she cheating on him?


    Considering the nonsense about her pregnancy last week... could it be that she was indeed pregnant, but for another man?


    David didn¡¯t believe he was responsible for her pregnancy, and that was because they¡¯d been married for almost eight years, and they dated and had sex for months before marriage, not once did she take in, even though the doctors claimed they were both fine.


    She had no miscarriages or shy signs of pregnancy. So, why now? After eight years?


    He didn¡¯t believe in miracles.


    As his mind began to run rampant, Anita¡¯s voice cut through his thoughts before they could form abominable conjecture.


    "I mean, my mom," Anita paused while keeping her phone in her bag, "You know, the one who passed away...?"


    David¡¯s gaze snapped back to her, finally taking notice of her mourning outfit, "Oh, I¡¯m... I¡¯m sorry...? You went to the columbarium?" sea??h th§× NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Hm," she responded half-heartedly. "Heard she left some inheritance for me but Mr. White wouldn¡¯t give it," she lied through her teeth without batting an eyelid.


    "Hold on, you went to Mr. Reginald White? Is your relationship with him good now?" The subtle panic in his voice didn¡¯t go unnoticed by Anita, who scoffed in her heart.


    That was the last thing David wanted. If Anita and her father reconciled, and she was accepted back into the White family, his life would be over - she¡¯d become that powerful heiress he could never reach once again.


    And then if she found out he¡¯d been cheating on her, Anita wouldn¡¯t take it lying down. That was why he¡¯d make sure to manipulate her over the years so she¡¯d never have any reason to return to her family.


    "Not exactly." She added, "We severed ties, remember?" her gaze drifted to Linda once more, while saying. "You don¡¯t have to worry that you¡¯d address him as father-in-law. We don¡¯t share such relationships anymore."


    She was talking about her relationship with David, but the subtle meaning behind her words flew over his head.


    He smiled awkwardly, "That¡¯s not what I meant. But..." he halted when he saw her staring at Linda¡¯s bag.


    That was the bag he bought for Linda for eleven million. He told her not to bring it but Linda didn¡¯t listen. He hoped Anita wouldn¡¯t know he bought it for her.


    Gesturing to Linda, he introduced without being asked, "Meet Linda, she¡¯s my company¡¯s new employee... and my childhood friend," he turned to Linda, "This is my wife, my Queen, the love of my life, Nita."


    Linda rose from her seat, looking shy and sweet as she stretched out her hand. "Hello, Ms. Anita, I¡¯m Linda, Mr. Dave¡¯s muse."

 Chapter 12: Fragile Masculinity

    Chapter 12: Fragile Masculinity¡¯Ms. Anita¡¯, she said.


    Not Mrs. Wales. Not Mrs. Blackwood. Not even Mrs. David. No. She said, ¡¯Ms. Anita.¡¯


    And worse¡ªshe dared to call her husband Dave.


    That was a name reserved for golf buddies, college friends... and occasionally Anita whispered in bed as a term of endearment. It was intimate and off-limits for mistresses.


    Yet, Linda said it like she owned it. Like she owned him.


    Anita didn¡¯t flinch, but the offense was taken. Not because she feared Linda or cared¡ªbut because the audacity was almost laughable.


    Because, for her to waltz into Anita¡¯s home, smirking on glossy lips, and tossing around "Dave" as if the weight of "husband" no longer existed, was funny.


    And as for her dear husband...


    David¡¯s heart almost leaped. Almost, as he shot Linda a sharp side glance. How could she introduce herself with that sultry tone, laced with innuendo? Yes, he was cheating. But that didn¡¯t mean he wanted his marriage to end.


    He turned to Anita. Her gaze was locked on her purse. She seemed to be thinking.


    He expected a reaction from her ¨C he silently wished her to explode. To claim him like her prized possession. To throw Linda out and remind him ¨C and her ¨C that he still belonged to her.


    He hoped she¡¯d be jealous. Scared of losing him. That she¡¯d feed his ego.


    But as always... She disappointed him.


    "Dave¡¯s muse?" Anita repeated, her head tilting almost too lazily. "That¡¯s... new."


    Her eyes flicked back to her husband, skipping past Linda¡¯s outstretched hand like it wasn¡¯t there¡ªuntil Linda awkwardly let it fall. "I never knew you had muses."


    "It¡¯s the company, not m¡ª"


    "She¡¯s a gorgeous muse," Anita cut in, her tone smooth and unreadable. "I¡¯m sure her skin is soft to the touch. And her lips..." She paused, eyes locking onto David. "...A haven for your¡ª"


    "What are you insinuating?" he snapped, panic prickling his skin. Had she found out?


    "Your lipstick brand," she finished coolly. A small frown pinched her brow. "Why so jumpy? It¡¯s not like you¡¯re doing anything wrong."


    Before he could respond, she turned away, saying: "I¡¯ll check what¡¯s in the fridge. I didn¡¯t stock up."


    David watched her walk off, her shoulders squared, her hips swaying with controlled elegance. The way she crossed her legs, even as she moved, oozed confidence.


    He hated that about her.


    She was too sure of herself. Too bold. Too... dominant.


    She¡¯s got too many balls for his liking.


    He didn¡¯t want her like that. He wanted her to be insecure. To be soft, bashful, and completely... or not completely submissive.


    He wanted her to be like Linda. Was that too hard to do?


    But he knew it was wishful thinking. Anita would never be that woman. And it gnawed at his intestines. It made him feel small and unmanly.


    "I said I don¡¯t want anything!" he barked suddenly, his anger boiling over, completely forgetting he never told her such a thing, neither did she make such claims.


    David felt he needed to show Linda he was in control. That he was the man of this house. That he could suppress a woman like Anita with a bellow. S§×ar?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Anita halted and turned slowly, narrowing her eyes slightly in silence.


    Perhaps, David realized he¡¯d gone too far, he tried to speak, but before he could, she beat him to it.


    "I never said I was serving you, David." Her voice was calm. Too calm that it stilled David.


    And she continued. "I wasn¡¯t offering you anything. I only informed you that I¡¯m getting myself a drink. While we discuss what your muse is doing in my matrimonial home."


    David froze. Her words slapped the pride from his face. He could feel Linda¡¯s eyes burning into him from the side.


    Anita turned to continue her walk to the kitchen, calm and poised, leaving behind a silence loud enough to scream.


    "I¡¯ll never treat you like that, Dave," Linda whispered close to his ear, making him jump. Her hand crawled up his arm, sending goosebumps rising along his arm.


    "Don¡¯t do that," he hissed through his teeth. "We might get caught."


    But she didn¡¯t listen. "She¡¯s not treating you right. She treats you like a little brother. You¡¯re her husband, My King, and she should worship you, not belittle you."


    Linda whispered like a seductive devil as she continued to caress his arm.


    David¡¯s eyes darted toward the kitchen, where Anita had gone into. He felt a shiver of excitement run down his spine as Linda¡¯s hand crept up to his shoulder.


    "You deserve so much better, My King," she breathed, her lips grazing his ear. "You deserve to be loved, to be adored, to be treated like the king that you are."


    He swallowed. Only she knew how to make him feel like a man. Only Linda made him feel wanted.


    David¡¯s eyes suddenly snapped wide when Linda¡¯s hand dropped lower to his waist and slid into his band.


    He grabbed her naughty hand, but she squeezed his erection, soliciting a soft groan from him.


    "Linda..." he growled, but it only made matters worse as she smiled, her breath caressed his ear;


    "When was the last time she touched you down there? I bet I¡¯m the only one keeping your engine alive."


    "Don¡¯t speak such¨C"


    "How could she not want you? You¡¯re monsterous. Women would kill themselves just to have this..." she squeezed him again and his breath got caught in his throat. His eyelids drooped as he slightly threw his head back, lips parted, letting out air through his mouth.


    "Don¡¯t speak nonsense. My wife desires me," he whispered. But of course, it was as hollow as his brains.


    "Is that so?" she smiled like a fox. "Then, let¡¯s put it to test...tonight." She leaned in, pressing her boobs on his back as her teeth grazed the sensitive part of his ear, sending a jolt of electricity coursing through his veins. "If you fail, you¡¯ll become mine alone." She pulled her hand back, giving him a triumphant smile. "I¡¯ll be waiting for you at our usual spot tonight... naked and dripping..." she whispered the last part.


    ...


    Anita deliberately took longer than she should, washing the dishes that had spent a week in the sink, also giving them enough time to play their little game.


    And that was because, in her purse, was her phone, which she¡¯d set on record before throwing the purse on the couch.


    When she returned to the living room fifteen minutes later, her husband was seated crossed legs, face flushed. And Linda, she had on a smug smile. The atmosphere was awkward, but Anita pretended not to have noticed.


    She sat down beside David on the couch, setting a tray with a cup of steaming coffee and a plate of biscuits on the coffee table.


    "So, muse, to what do we owe this night visit?" she asked, crossing her legs as she picked up the cup of coffee, raising it to her lips with an elegance that could only be pulled off by a queen.


    Her gaze drifted to Linda, who was still smiling to herself, looking like the cat who got the cream.


    "Mr. David and I had business," she began. "I brought him the designs I made. I¡¯d just came in when you followed."


    "Oh," Anita¡¯s gaze drifted to the file Linda was now holding. Like the understanding wife she was, she replied like her usual self without breaking character. "It must¡¯ve been very important." Her gaze flickered to her husband. He looked uncomfortable.


    A imperceptible smirk curled on her lips, hiding behind her cup. "He works all week. Weekends are days he gets to cool off. When he¡¯s home, you shouldn¡¯t bother him with more work." She added, "But since you¡¯re here already, I¡¯ll leave you two to it," With that, she stood up, picked up her purse and walked upstairs.


    David¡¯s gaze followed her as every step took her further and further away from them. He didn¡¯t notice any changes in her, because she¡¯d always been like that.


    She¡¯d never believe that her husband was capable of cheating on her.


    Why was that?


    Did she think she had him wrapped around her fingers, or that he didn¡¯t have enough balls?

 Chapter 13: A Horny Husband

    Chapter 13: A Horny HusbandHow wrong she was. And he¡¯d prove it to her ¨C soon enough.


    Perhaps, if Linda hadn¡¯t whispered those malicious thoughts into his ear, he wouldn¡¯t have started reading so much into Anita¡¯s behavior.


    "Go home, Linda." He rose from his seat, and unfortunately, so did his shame¡ªbulging awkwardly in his crotch.


    "But Dave, it¡¯s¡ª"


    He shot her a death glare, cutting through her like ice. "I said, go home."


    There was finality in his tone, a sharpness that belied his usual casual personality; It made any protest die on her lips. Linda gathered her things with a pout and a hiss of indignation before she turned for the door, heels clicking with reluctance.


    Then¡ªslam!


    The front door shook with the force of her exit, followed by the cold, mechanical chime of the password lock resetting filled the silence, sealing the house once more.


    David exhaled, turned and headed up the stairs.


    ....


    David strode into the bedroom¡ªand froze. Anita stood completely bare, her back to him, reaching for a towel. Her body gleamed under the soft lighting, and she moved with the casual grace of someone unbothered by the man behind her.


    Despite his shameful act for the past week, he had the balls to pretend all was well¡ªhis lips curled into a smirk as he shrugged off his shirt, kicked away his shoes, and pushed his boxers down, groaning slightly as his arousal sprang free.


    Anita had never rejected his advances, no matter whether she was tired, sick, or not in the mood. And he was damn sure she wouldn¡¯t turn him away now.


    "Nita, my love," he drawled, voice thick with anticipation as he stepped toward her. "You¡¯re so hot and I want to¡ª"


    But Anita didn¡¯t turn. Without a word, she walked straight into the bathroom and slammed the door shut. The sharp click of the lock echoed louder than any rejection.


    David blinked¡ªstunned, confused¡ªand then, his face changed as anger rose in his chest. He crossed the room in large strides and pounded on the door. "Anita!?" he barked.


    No answer. Just the sound of the shower turning on.


    Meanwhile, inside the bathroom, Anita stood motionless under the stream of hot water, fists clenched, jaw tight. Rage boiled under her skin as the urge to kill that man behind the door swelled with every bang on the door, but she forced herself to breathe. Slowly. Deliberately.


    Not yet. Don¡¯t give him a reason to suspect. She told herself.


    She couldn¡¯t afford recklessness. Not now. Charging at David with half-baked revenge would be suicide. She didn¡¯t yet know the full extent of his power, and public opinion was firmly in his favor. If she acted without strategy¡ªwithout evidence¡ªshe¡¯d lose. And this wasn¡¯t a battle she could afford to lose. Sear?h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Her father¡¯s voice echoed in her mind: Power isn¡¯t given, Anita. It¡¯s taken¡ªearned in blood and grit. I cannot give you back what you threw away, but you can fight for it.


    The board of directors had already thrown their support behind her cousin, Anthony White. He was charming, ambitious, and now, their chosen successor to the White Corporation¡¯s throne. To reclaim what was hers, she would have to take him down¡ªpiece by piece.


    Until then, there could be no mistakes. No scandals. No whispers of a crumbling marriage or emotional instability.


    She had already committed the sin of walking away eight years ago¡ªat the peak of her accomplishments. The board had admired her then, respected her even. But returning now with a broken marriage in tow? They¡¯d see her as a liability, not a leader.


    Anita breathed, buckling up every negative thought behind her perfect facade.


    ...


    Outside, David growled in frustration. His fists pounded the door again, but the sound drowned under the rushing water. His arousal pulsed harder, demanding attention. He paced back and forth, eyes darting to the bathroom door at intervals.


    He¡¯d fucking tried to take his mind off it, but he couldn¡¯t. Anita¡¯s perfect body kept resurfacing in his mind.


    She seduced him... and then locked him out?!


    How dare she seduce him and leave him to burn?!


    Minutes passed and the water finally stopped running. Then...silence.


    David¡¯s veins pulsed with unspent rage and need. His jaw clenched as he stared down the bathroom door like it had personally offended him. The silence on the other side was deafening, and it did nothing to cool the fire raging inside him.


    He stepped closer, hand poised to knock again, but the click of the lock turning made him freeze.


    Click.


    The door creaked open.


    Anita stood there, wrapped in nothing but a towel, her wet blonde hair plastered to her face. Her eyes widened briefly at the sight of him, but the flicker of surprise vanished behind a serene mask¡ªone he couldn¡¯t quite read.


    That infuriating calmness again!


    "You took your time," he said, voice rough.


    "Hey," she said, voice smooth, "I was just getting ready for bed."


    "You..." David¡¯s anger dissolved like candy floss tossed in water as he beheld her wet hair clinging to her face. Instinctively, he raised his hand to brush the strands away from her skin.


    Seeing the hand hovering over her face¡ªthe same hand that had touched and played with other women, Anita stiffened, fighting the urge to slap his hand away.


    When his fingers grazed her skin, she shuddered.


    "Are you alright?" He asked, a slight frown of concern on his face.


    "I am cold." She leaned forward and planted a soft kiss on his lips, "Good night, David."


    With that, she walked past him, but the minute she did, her face frosted over as she wiped her lips with the back of her hand, as if that would wipe away the lingering sensation of his lips on hers.


    David swallowed, the quick contact with her had spiked his desire. His member throbbing faster, growing harder as he stood there, fists clenched by the side.


    Didn¡¯t she notice? Or was she just pretending not to notice?


    Could she be angry over something?... But she didn¡¯t seem angry.


    His jaw clenched, mind reeling with thoughts as his eyes followed her across the room. She picked out a nightgown¡ªthin, lacy, seductive.


    David¡¯s pulse jumped and his eyes lit up with flames of desire.


    ¡¯She wants me. She¡¯s inviting me,¡¯ he thought. Why else would she wear that?


    Driven by a renewed hunger, he dashed into the bathroom. Anita liked it best when he was clean and freshly out of the bathroom¡ªNo sweat, no work stress. Only the sweet smell of mint soap and shampoo, a scent that always seemed to ignite a spark in her eyes.


    David¡¯s heart beat a little faster as he thought about the feel of Anita under him, panting with her wet hair sprawled on the pillow, her smooth thigh wrapped firmly around his waist as he thrust hard and fast inside her.


    He growled, muscles tensed from the heat coursing through him. He was hard. Too hard to waste another second in the shower.


    He turned off the faucet, snatched a towel and ran it hastily over his toned body, droplets falling from his soaked black hair.


    Shortly after, he carelessly wrapped around his waist¡ªloosely, so much so that it could fall off with a slight tug, and rushed out of the bathroom.


    And froze.


    His eyes went wide.

 Chapter 14: A Husband’s Need

    Chapter 14: A Husband¡¯s NeedThe woman he thought would be waiting for him, wearing a sexy nightdress was sleeping! Not only was she sleeping, she was wearing a PJ set!


    David almost tasted blood, his chest heaving with annoyance. He glanced down at his waist, only to be met with his raging erection. He let out a deep shaky breath, fists clenched and jaw locked in a tight, angry line.


    How could he go to sleep with his raging member? He¡¯d end up with irritation and blue balls. No man wanted that. Not to mention, he wouldn¡¯t be able to sleep at all.


    What would a dominant man do in this situation? Go to Linda, or force his way through?


    He shook his head, going to Linda would mean he lost and she was right, but forcing his way through? He shook his head again¡ªraping Anita was not an option.


    David suddenly hissed, annoyance rolling off his body. What was he thinking about? She¡¯d never rejected him before, even when she wasn¡¯t in the mood, so why was he standing here, thinking nonsense?


    He took large steps forward, beads of water rolling down his hair, and onto his already dried skin. The water glittered under the lights.


    David smiled as he stood beside the bed, watching her peacefully sleeping face, only now noticing that she looked a bit exhausted.


    What had she been up to for the past week? He¡¯d refused to see her after she played that stunt of pregnancy with him, and it had been a week ever since.


    Perhaps, the stress of not having a child must be eating her up, he thought.


    David turned off the lights, plummeting the room into darkness, then his hand reached for the bedside lamp and flicked the switch, producing a faint yellow glow that barely illuminated the dark room.


    He strode towards the system, picked up a remote and turned on the music. A soft, quiet, slow, romantic tune filled the air, its gentle rhythm and soothing melody creating a peaceful ambiance that wrapped itself around David¡¯s frazzled nerves, but instead, boosted his desire.


    Everything was perfect... ah, a drink.


    He thought and reached for a bottle and two glasses of Intoxicating, energy boosting red wine. And returned to the bed.


    Settling them on the bedside table, he quietly got into bed.


    Anita felt the weight of the space beside her dip. She wasn¡¯t sleeping, she knew what he was up to.


    Before she found out about his betrayal, she loved moments like this, where he¡¯d reach out from behind, pull her closer like he was doing right now, feeling his length pressing against her backside... But now, Anita felt disgusted.


    She subtly moved away, turning on her stomach, her eyes opening ever so slowly, gazing into the darkness before her.


    "Nita," he whispered, moving closer as he threw his arm around her waist, trying to turn her around.


    But she wouldn¡¯t budge.


    "Nita, don¡¯t tell me you¡¯re sleeping so soon," annoyance laced his voice as he tried once more to turn her around. This time, he succeeded, and their gaze met under the dim light, but what he saw chilled his heart to the core.


    Anita¡¯s expression was bland, devoid of any emotions. Her eyes, once bright and full of warmth for him, now seemed empty and cold, piercing through David like a dagger.


    The chill in her gaze made him shiver, and for a moment, he was taken aback, unsure of how to react. "Anita?" he whispered, his voice trembling slightly, but she didn¡¯t respond, her expression remaining frozen, a mask of indifference that hid the turmoil brewing beneath.


    Had she realized his infidelity? Or had she found out he¡¯d frozen her capital reserve account for businesses and investment and prevented her from knowing about it?


    Which one, what was she angry about? The fact that he¡¯d secretly double-crossed her and sealed every way possible for her to rise above him again, or the fact that he was in league with people planning to unseat her father...?


    David¡¯s pulse quickened as he waited for her to speak. She mustn¡¯t find out anything just yet. He still had a few more things to do.


    Anita must submit to him, even if it means breaking her.


    "Where is your... Muse?" she suddenly asked, catching him off guard.


    "M¨C muse?... You mean Linda?"


    Anita¡¯s gaze didn¡¯t waver, her eyes boring into David¡¯s like icy drills. She didn¡¯t know what he¡¯d been thinking, but she could tell he was under pressure. But she was not ready to pop the ballon yet. "Yes, her."


    "She returned home, why?" He didn¡¯t understand why she was asking about Linda. Did she see anything...like what happened earlier in the living room?


    He shook his head, she couldn¡¯t have known that. His eyes were fixed on the kitchen door the whole time.


    The errotic scene replayed in his mind as his member throbbed once more. ¡¯Linda, that bitch...!¡¯ he cursed in his mind.


    "How could you send her back at this time of the night? She¡¯s a woman, what if something happen to her?"


    David was stunned, his mouth agape. That was it? She was concerned about Linda¡¯s safety? He couldn¡¯t believe it. He had been preparing for accusations, for anger, for tears... but not this. Not concern for the woman he had been having an affair with.


    David¡¯s mind reeled as he tried to process Anita¡¯s question. Was she really that oblivious? Or was she playing a game, pretending not to know what was really going on? He hesitated, unsure of how to respond, as Anita¡¯s eyes continued to bore into his, searching for answers. S§×ar?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "This is our matrimonial home, Nita, no outsiders are allowed in. That¡¯s why you didn¡¯t hire in-maids, remember?" he asked innocently, inching forward to press his throbbing erection on her, to remind her that he longed for her, he wanted her body.


    But Anita¡¯s expression didn¡¯t change. She pretended to be oblivious to his struggles. "I remember," she said, her words dripping with a quiet intensity. "I also remember the promises we made to each other, the vows we took on the altar. But it seems some promises are more important than others, aren¡¯t they, David?"


    David stiffened, what was she talking about? Why was she putting him on edge? If she knew something, why wasn¡¯t she saying it already?!


    He passed a hand through his damp hair, feeling frustration building up inside him. "What are you talking about now, Nita?"

 Chapter 15: Blue Balls

    Chapter 15: Blue BallsAnita reveled in his distress. She deliberately brought this up, so they¡¯d end up fighting, that way, he wouldn¡¯t lay those filthy hands on her for weeks, or probably months, while she took care of her own matters.


    In fact, she wanted him gone from this house. Sharing a roof with him made her sick to her stomach, let alone being this close to him.


    But of course, her face remained calm and cold. "You don¡¯t respect or honor me anymore, David." She continued, "You humiliated me in your office over a pregnancy prank I pulled and didn¡¯t check on me for days... and then, you lost the Mother jewelry to another bidder, knowing how much I wanted it."


    She paused, watching his face change colors repeatedly, "How much was it worth? Twenty million? You couldn¡¯t get me twenty million jewelry, just because I played a harmless prank on you?"


    Anita had no idea David bought the jewelry for Linda instead. Mother was the highlight of the auction, so of course, after the auction was completed, the public got to know how much it was worth.


    David sighed with relief. He thought she had found out about his infidelity and deceit, but he was still annoyed at how she was speaking to him.


    "Why would you prank me with something like that?!" he lost it, not because he was still angry over the prank but because he wanted to guilt-trip her into having sex.


    "You raised and dashed my hopes for a baby, so why make fun of me!? We¡¯ve been together for over eight years, yet there was no signs of pregnancy¡ªnot before or while married. Other men would have cheated on their wives¡ªgotten themselves mistresses, but I didn¡¯t."


    David¡¯s voice cracked with emotion, his words tumbling out in a desperate bid for understanding. "I stood by you, Nita, through all the failed attempts, not even a single miscarriage, the disappointments, the desperation... And this is how you repay me? By taunting me with a fake pregnancy?"


    David¡¯s eyes blazed with hurt and anger, his chest heaving with the effort to contain his emotions, as he sat up, staring down at her with indignation.


    Anita must be the queen of facial expressions, because, despite the heart-eating-rage boiling inside her, her face remained expressionless.


    But her eyes couldn¡¯t help it. They glinted with a cold, hard light that made David¡¯s blood run cold.


    The nerve of him to talk with such righteous indignation when he was the one who had been deceiving her all along.


    Anita¡¯s thoughts seethed with fury and betrayal as she listened to David¡¯s self-righteous tirade. How dare he speak of mistresses and children when he had been secretly carrying on an affair with Linda?


    The hypocrisy, manipulation, gaslighting was astonishing, and Anita¡¯s eyes narrowed as she struggled to maintain her composure. She wouldn¡¯t give him the satisfaction of seeing her angry, not yet. She would play this game, and she would win.


    "That explains why you didn¡¯t get me the jewelry?" she asked calmly, but her voice carried a subtle edge.


    He looked away, avoiding her gaze as his anger slowly dwindled, replaced by what resembled a sense of guilt. "Yes."


    Anita nodded, her expression still serene, but David detected a hint of steel beneath her calm demeanor. S§×arch* The ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "I see," she said, her voice dripping with a quiet intensity. "And I suppose that¡¯s also why you haven¡¯t been to this house in a week?... No calls, no texts... Leaving me to sleep alone all by myself, when you know how I freak out sometimes when I don¡¯t feel someone¡¯s presence beside me?"


    Anita has this unexplainable anxiety and panic attacks while sleeping. No, not sleep paralysis¡ªShe jolts awake in the middle of the night, heart racing with trepidation, but the sight of someone beside her helps alleviate the condition.


    Her eyes bore into David¡¯s very soul, as if she could see every secret, every lie, every hidden truth.


    David shifted uncomfortably, feeling like a specimen under a microscope. He¡¯d spent the whole week with Linda, having the best time of his life, but of course, he¡¯d say yes. Anita had presented him with a perfect excuse.


    "Yes. I was ashamed," he began. "I couldn¡¯t bear the thought of being in the same bed as you, knowing that I couldn¡¯t give you the one thing you¡¯ve always wanted," David said, his voice laced with a false sense of regret.


    He watched as Anita¡¯s expression remained unchanged, her eyes still piercing through him like daggers. He knew he had to keep up the charade, to make her believe that his absence was due to his own feelings of inadequacy, rather than his desire to be with another woman.


    "I suppose I was wrong for pulling that prank on you." Anita turned her back to him. "You don¡¯t have to keep pouring your sperm into a barren. It would only yield more disappointment and perhaps, low sperm count."


    Her meaning was clear. She didn¡¯t want to have sex with him anymore.


    David felt a sting from her words, the truth in them hitting him like a slap in the face. He knew exactly what she was saying¡ª he¡¯d called her barren out of anger, and now, she was holding on to it.


    He only now realized that his words¡ªat the office¡ªmust have hurt her pretty badly. David passed a hand over his hair, frustrated.


    But he had no heart to placate her right now. He needed to take care of his needs first. Despite everything, his length was still in full erection, gnawing at his senses.


    "Anita," he called, his hand reaching out to touch her. "Can we put everything behind us and be happy tonight? I need¡ª"


    "David," she cut him off, taking a deep, long breath to suppress her fury. "Put on some garments of self-respect and decency and stop acting like a whining child. I need some peace and sleep."


    And that did it for Anita, because he stiffened, his hand hovering over her body, heart burning with shame as he was indirectly called a child.


    Anita had knowingly or unknowingly bruised his ego, shattered his wobbling self-esteem, and David¡¯s face darkened with a mix of anger and humiliation.


    He felt a surge of resentment towards Anita for stripping him bare, not just physically, but also emotionally. The sting of her words lingered, making him feel belittled and unappreciated.


    David¡¯s eyes narrowed, his jaw clenched, as he struggled to contain the turmoil brewing inside him. "Fine! Suit yourself!" With that, he swung his legs over the edge of the bed, got out and strode to his wardrobe.


    He angrily picked out casual outfits, put them on and left, forcefully slamming the door behind him with a loud bang.


    The sound of the slamming door reverberated through the room, leaving Anita lying alone in the bed, amidst the tense silence.


    She didn¡¯t flinch, her expression unchanging, but a hint of sadness flickered in her eyes. Sitting up, she took her phone and played the recording from earlier.


    Amidst Linda¡¯s whispers, she could hear David¡¯s low groans and hisses of pleasure.


    She knew something went down in the living room when she was in the kitchen, but she never thought it was this... right in their matrimonial home, her husband was having his length sucked.


    No wonder he had his legs crossed. It was to hide his erection. And now, he was going to Linda to have his urge fulfilled.


    Her heart ached. Not out of love. No, but from the disrespect. It was the height of it.


    Anita dialed a number, after it rang for a brief moment, a man¡¯s voice, tinged with lazy amusement sounded on the other end, "Mrs. Blackwood...? What a pleasant surprise."


    "Call me Anita," she replied. Not giving the person enough time to ask questions, she continued, "I wish to see you."

 Chapter 16: Meeting The Devil

    Chapter 16: Meeting The DevilKillian ~


    "L. K, she¡¯s leaving the house," said, the voice on the other end of the phone.


    Killian rose from the couch, phone on ear as he grabbed the car keys on the table and strode out, "Make sure you don¡¯t lose sight of her." With that, he ended the call.


    After she left the hospital earlier, he¡¯d sent people to watch her from the shadows.


    Killian had tried investigating David but there was nothing significant about him, but Killian wasn¡¯t fooled.


    Ten years ago, he shattered her heart, but now, she was in danger. Even though he was the last person she wanted to see, he couldn¡¯t leave her to drown.


    ...


    Anita arrived at a local club in disguise wearing big, dark shades, black wig, and biker¡¯s wear. Outside, instead of presenting an ID, she slipped the bouncers a thick stack of cash. The bouncers smiled and let her through without a word.


    This place was as dangerous as it was exclusive¡ªsecurity was more of a fleeting thought than a concern.


    The Echelon Club had a notorious reputation for catering to the city¡¯s underworld. Illegal deals, whispered threats, and bloodstained handshakes were just part of the routine. But it was more than that¡ªsomething deeper, darker. And despite all her visits, Anita still didn¡¯t know where it ended. She only ever came when she needed something done by that person. And even then, she never dared to wander far.


    The ground floor looked like any other club at first; the flashing neon lights, a packed dance floor, bodies grinding to loud, erotic music. The air was heavy with sweat, smoke, and toxic perfume.


    But a second glance told the truth.


    This wasn¡¯t a normal club.


    People weren¡¯t just dancing, they were desperate. Some grinded against hard cocks, others sucked on bare breasts, and a few were already lost in public sex, right out in the open. Onstage, strippers with barely anything covering their private parts, gave the crowd exactly what they wanted. Currencies rained and the floor was covered.


    Even violence didn¡¯t stop the madness. A fight had broken out. Someone was stabbed. Dead or alive, Anita didn¡¯t know. And honestly, no one seemed to care.


    A truly sick place to be.


    Anita¡¯s nose scrunched up in distaste. She hated this place. It¡¯s been three years since she cut ties and now, here she was again.


    Anita was introduced into this world because of her husband. When he started his company, the larger corporations bullied him, almost swallowing his start-up whole, but Anita couldn¡¯t let that happen.


    She couldn¡¯t watch her husband¡¯s sweat and tears go down the drain like that. She couldn¡¯t endure her husband coming home and breaking down every single day that things didn¡¯t work out for him. She couldn¡¯t allow her father to claim he was right about David being a good-for-nothing.


    In order to make her husband and his family untouchable, powerful, and respected, she sold a part of her soul to the devil, but now that she wanted to bring him down, she didn¡¯t mind selling the remaining half of her soul. S~ea??h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ...


    Anita arrived at a heavy door nestled deep within the underground VIP wing, where shadows clung to the walls like secrets. Two guards flanked it, their eyes sharp. Without a word, she produced a sleek black token from her coat. They stepped aside instantly, letting the door creak open behind her.


    As it shut, plunging the corridor behind her into silence, a lazy, smoky voice greeted her before her eyes had even adjusted.


    "Ah, Ms. Anita returns... after three long years of silence. How curious."


    The room was dark, lit only by the low amber glow of wall sconces. A thick haze of cigar smoke coiled in the air. The stench of alcohol, sex, tobacco, gunpowder, and death hung like a wet cloak.


    Anita¡¯s nose wrinkled. She hated this place. She hated him¡ªthe man sprawled in the shadows, his features half-concealed by the curling smoke.


    And yet... here she was.


    "Put that thing out," she said sharply, her gaze flicking to the glowing cigar clenched between his fingers. "And send them out."


    Around him, half-naked women lay tangled around his thighs like silk thrown over a mannequin. The scene repulsed her. The smell made her stomach churn.


    He chuckled. "The queen has spoken," he said, voice coated in amusement. "What are you still waiting for?"


    The women flinched as if breaking from a trance. They snatched their clothes and slipped out silently, casting curious glances at Anita as they passed.


    He surprised her by actually snuffing out the cigar, setting it down with care. Then he crossed one leg over the other, settling into his throne-like chair with arrogant ease.


    "I see you¡¯re still as beautiful as ever, Ms. White. But tell me... what brings you crawling back to my humble den? I thought you¡¯d washed your hands of our arrangement."


    Anita didn¡¯t flinch. She strode across the room like it belonged to her, dropped into the leather seat opposite him, and grabbed a bottle of aged wine from the table. Pouring a glass with practiced elegance, she slid it across to him without a word.


    He lifted a brow but took the glass, swirling it once before sipping. His eyes never left hers.


    "You¡¯ve always known how to command a room, Ms. White," he said with a smile. "But surely you didn¡¯t come all this way just to pour me a drink and stare at my face. Or... did you miss me that much?"


    Her face remained a mask of calm, but a flicker of unease crept into her voice. "I need your help, Lord Ravenswood. There¡¯s a situation... one that requires your specific skill set."


    He leaned in, intrigued. "Oh? And what kind of situation might that be?"


    Anita¡¯s fingers tensed around her glass. "I need dirt...everything you can dig up, on two people: my cousin, Donald White... and my husband, David Wales."


    There was a pause. She hadn¡¯t meant to falter when she said husband, but even the word tasted like regret. Not because she loved him ¨C God, no ¨C but because she¡¯d just handed this monster a thread he might pull.


    Lord Ravenswood stared at her for a beat too long. Then, laughter erupted from his chest, low and rich.


    "My, my," he said, reclining again, the light catching the amused glint in his eyes. "I always knew you had fire, Ms. White. But this? Turning on your blood...and your bedmate? I didn¡¯t think you had it in you."

 Chapter 17: Made A Deal With The Devil

    Chapter 17: Made A Deal With The DevilLord Ravenswood paused, steepling his fingers, he said, "But I must say... I¡¯m intrigued, Ms. White. What could your cousin and... husband have done to warrant such scrutiny?"


    He was curious. No, thrilled and the gleam in his eyes didn¡¯t escape Anita. That sick excitement of his made the knot in her stomach twist tighter.


    "It doesn¡¯t matter now, does it?" she said coolly, one brow arching, despite herself.


    In the past, he never asked and she never had to justify herself. With him, everything was transactional: she named her target, he delivered the dirt, and she paid the price. No questions asked.


    So why was he digging now?


    Lord Ravenswood¡¯s eyes glinted with amusement, and a chuckle rumbled in his throat. "Ah, but that¡¯s where you¡¯re wrong, Ms. White. This time, it does matter. You see, I¡¯ve had... dealings with your cousin. Donald White is a man full of secrets. I¡¯m curious which one finally earned your wrath."


    Anita exhaled slowly. It didn¡¯t surprise her. Who in the White family wasn¡¯t neck-deep in unsavory things? Her own father was no different.


    Seeing her lost in thought, Lord Ravenswood leaned back into his chair with a predator¡¯s ease. "Your family is a powerhouse. Its influence cannot be underestimated and it has its tentacles everywhere...even beyond this city¡¯s filth. Donald, in particular, has been stirring the pot. His ventures have attracted some very protective... allies. Men who¡¯d gladly die for him."


    He paused, letting that sink in.


    "And your husband..." he added, voice trailing into a suggestive hum. "Well, he¡¯s a little too clean...and unusual."


    Anita¡¯s gaze snapped back to him, eyes sharp. What was he talking about? There was something about the way he said it that unsettled Anita. "What do you mean?"


    His lips stretched into a knowing smile, but didn¡¯t reply. Instead, he sipped from his drink and ignored her question. "So, you see," he continued, "the men you want me to dig into... they¡¯re not just high-risk. They¡¯re possibly untouchable."


    Anita¡¯s stomach dropped. If even he, one of Greenville¡¯s most feared underworld bosses, considered them untouchable, then she had seriously underestimated her opponents.


    Still, she couldn¡¯t afford to flinch. Her jaw tightened. Her voice, when it came, was a quiet steel. "I¡¯m willing to take the risk."


    Lord Ravenswood¡¯s eyes narrowed, studying her. The amusement on his face faded, replaced by something darker. "I see," he said, slowly. "You¡¯re gambling with fire, Ms. White."


    Silence.


    No one spoke for a while. Then a soft chuckle escaped his lips. "Very well. I¡¯ll play this game. But in return..." he paused, gauging her reaction, but as usual, her face was blank. Leaning forward, he resumed in a whispering voice. "...money is a useless offer for this level of risk. This is an SSS mission, Anita. My men¡¯s lives aren¡¯t guaranteed."


    Anita¡¯s fingers dug into her thigh. Just how serious was this case? Or was he playing her? Her gaze narrowed as she silently scrutinized him. But the predator¡¯s look in his eyes made her heart skip a beat.


    She knew it. Coming here was a mistake. She¡¯d hoped he¡¯d still operate like before ¨Cclean, distant, transactional ¨C With no strings attached.


    But she was wrong. He¡¯d changed. Or maybe he never had.


    "What do you want?" she asked, her voice tight.


    He leaned back with an exaggerated sigh, the shadows clinging to his face. "Don¡¯t be like that. I¡¯m not asking for your life." He chucked again.


    Then, suddenly, the smile disappeared as a rare seriousness settled on his features.


    "I want something more valuable than money," he said, his voice low. His gaze met hers and they locked eyes for an uncomfortably long period of time. "I want a piece of you."


    Anita recoiled, her spine stiffening. "What do you¨C" but before she could finish, he cut her off.


    "Perhaps, a favor. A promise. A bond that can¡¯t be broken...?" He seemed to have numbers he couldn¡¯t choose from. Tilting his head, he sighed with resignation. "You¡¯ll owe me, Ms. White. And I¡¯ll collect... when the time is right."


    The room went still.


    Anita¡¯s mind raced. She knew what he meant. She knew the cost of owing a man like him. There was no escape once he had his hook in you.


    He¡¯s like a loan shark. Only that Lord Maverick Ravenswood is worse ¨C He is the kind of man who doesn¡¯t count on interests or deadlines. He slithers into your life like a devil and tightens a rope of overwhelming debt around your neck when you least expect it.


    Anita swallowed hard. The air felt heavier now, like it knew a pact had been proposed ¨C one she couldn¡¯t afford, yet couldn¡¯t refuse.


    Or maybe she could do nothing and let David and his family continue to tighten their grip around her neck until she dies like a coward and they shed crocodile tears on her grave...?


    No.


    Anita couldn¡¯t see herself letting those people win. The dead don¡¯t speak and certainly can¡¯t seek revenge.


    She drew in a breath, exhaled, and spoke before fear could steal the word back. "Deal."


    It was just one word, but it felt like an earthquake.


    Lord Ravenswood grinned like a predator who¡¯d just watched his trap snap shut around a prey. "Excellent," he purred, lifting his glass in a mock toast. "I¡¯ll have my people gather what you need. But remember, Ms. White... patience is a virtue. Especially when you¡¯re dancing with devils."


    Anita nodded, though her head felt like it weighed a hundred pounds. "I understand."


    Anita has made her move. Now she just had to survive long enough to see it play out.


    ...


    The night air was devoid of its usual freshness thanks to the reek of tobacco, alcohol, and whatever nameless abomination these wayward people decided to settle for.


    Anita had just stepped out of the club, but she didn¡¯t seem to notice the air. She was lost in thought. Her meeting with Lord Ravenswood had left her half-hearted and unsettled. Now, anxiety gnawed at her insides like a beast with too many teeth. She had made a deal with the devil, without knowing the full cost.


    What would he ask for in the future?


    He¡¯d said he didn¡¯t want money.


    Then, what else did she have to offer? her body? Her shares? Her connections? Family name...?


    Her stomach churned.


    No, not her family name. That name had already been dragged through enough dirt to fertilize a cemetery. Her connections were thinning by the day ¨C that is, if she still had any. Her shares...well, she has none, and her body... Sear?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Anita clenched her teeth. A bullet to the skull would be a nice death if he knew she was infected.


    Anita shook her head¡ªshe didn¡¯t know what he wanted.


    That was what terrified her most. Lord Ravenswood didn¡¯t operate within the bounds of predictability...


    Suddenly, a hand closed around her wrist and yanked her off the sidewalk.


    "Ah!" she gasped. Before she could register what was going on, she was dragged into a narrow alleyway between two buildings.


    The grip released, and the person spun around.


    "What the¡ª?"

 Chapter 18: How She Chose A Church Rat

    Chapter 18: How She Chose A Church Rat"What the¡ª?"


    "What are you doing in a place like this, Annette?" Killian¡¯s voice was tight, trembling with controlled fury. "Do you know how dangerous it is? You could be killed. Raped." His jaw clenched. "There are a thousand bars in this city. Why this one?"


    She glared at him, her glare sharp as broken glass. "Are you stalking me?"


    How else would he know where she was?


    Killian didn¡¯t flinch. His eyes bore into hers. "I¡¯m protecting you, Annette. Someone has to, since you seem dead set on throwing yourself into the fire."


    He stepped closer. His voice dropped, a low, dangerous growl. "You know damn well this part of town isn¡¯t safe, especially not for someone with your profile, at this time of the night. What were you thinking, coming here at all, let alone, by yourself?"


    Anita stared at him. Seeing he was done talking, she turned on her heel, ready to walk away, but Killian caught her arm, yanking her back so fast she slammed into his chest.


    "Kill¡ª" she began, but before she could finish, he snapped.


    "You¡¯ll listen to me, Annette!" His tone was thunder, his body trembling with a frustration that ran deeper than just anger.


    She was too stubborn. Too reckless. For her own good.


    Anita¡¯s eyes flashed with anger, her face inches from Killian¡¯s. "Let. Me. Go," she spat, her voice low and venomous.


    Killian¡¯s grip on her arm tightened, his eyes blazing with frustration but the anger had subsided, albeit, a little. "Not until you hear me out," he growled, his breath hot against her face.


    The air between them was electric, the tension thick like a storm cloud ready to split the sky. Neither of them moved, but everything inside them did. Anita¡¯s chest rose and fell in sharp, quick breaths, her heart pounding not just from rage¡ªbut from something more dangerous. Something she didn¡¯t want to name.


    Killian¡¯s jaw worked silently as if he were chewing back a thousand unspoken words. His voice, when it came, was quieter, but no less fierce.


    "You think I¡¯m doing this because I want control?" he said, his eyes locked on hers. "Because I like chasing you through the dark like some obsessed maniac?"


    She didn¡¯t answer. Didn¡¯t blink.


    He leaned in closer. "I¡¯m doing this because if something happened to you, I wouldn¡¯t survive it, Annette."


    That stopped her.


    She stared at him, truly stared at him, and for one second ¨Ca fragile, flickering second¨C her fury faltered. She didn¡¯t pull away. Not yet.


    But her voice was still sharp. "You don¡¯t own me, Killian. Whatever happens to me should never be your concern."


    Killian growled. "I know you hate me," he began, "Ten years ago, I did something you deemed unforgivable. Fine," he breathed. "I accept my mistakes, accept your anger, and hatred but I won¡¯t accept you putting yourself in harm¡¯s way," his voice was low and even.


    He continued, "You¡¯re too angry right now to see that you¡¯re doing things the wrong way. Hurting yourself just to hurt your enemy is no good way to take revenge." He paused, "Whatever you want to do, no matter the dirty job, let me do it for you, let me carry the sins and burden for you, Annette, please."


    "So, I¡¯d owe you?" she retorted, then her lips curled into a sneer. "A coward who fled ten years ago is now talking about carrying my burden, talking about helping me? Is that supposed to be a joke?"


    Ten years ago, Anita fought tooth and nail just to make sure their engagement wasn¡¯t annulled. Killian was her betrothed from when they were babies in cradles.


    They grew up knowing they¡¯d eventually get married. They officially started dating in middle school, till the last years of the university ¨C when their wedding had been scheduled for a day after their graduation.


    But something happened to his family: their company was framed for invading tax, money laundering, amidst other serious crimes. While the matter was in court, his father was murdered and his mother died of heartbreak.


    Anita stood by Killian despite what people said. Her family tried to break them apart, but Anita fought with everything she knew, refusing to back down, refusing to break the trust they shared.


    But Killian didn¡¯t fight for them. He instead, destroyed her heart and left her in tatters. No explanation for his actions, except a flimsy: "We live in a different world now, Annette. I¡¯m not worthy of you."


    Who was he trying to fool?


    Anita cared less about the life of a princess when she loved, and he knew it.


    Love was more important to her. Had David not wanted to be rich, to prove her father wrong, Anita would have willingly lived a poor life with him. S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The same for Killian.


    She would have turned the world around for him, had he not thrown her aside like some used rag, disregarding how broken she would be.


    Killian¡¯s voice cut through her reverie. "I couldn¡¯t let you suffer with me when my future was bleak," he continued. "There were enemies everywhere, Annette. How could I knowingly put you in danger?" His jaw clenched, willing her to understand him.


    Anita¡¯s eyes flashed, "I had a family. Did you think they would have let any danger befall me?" her eyes clouded over with pain.


    Her heart still hurts.


    "That was not your reason, Killian. You hated my White family, hated me. You believed we abandoned your Wellington family to destruction. You believed we were selfish and didn¡¯t want anything to do with me, a daughter of the White who would constantly remind you of my family¡¯s perceived betrayal."


    Anita believed it too. She despised her parents for not going against her grandfather to render help to Killian¡¯s family. She also believed that her family had prevented her and Killian from pushing through with their wedding, seeing him as a poor and unworthy man. Then, they went ahead to arrange a marriage between her and a man she loathed ¨C Richford.


    That was why Anita became rebellious and chose David, a church rat to spite her family.

 Chapter 19: Her Sister-in-law Is Good

    Chapter 19: Her Sister-in-law Is GoodAnita shut her eyes, trapping the pain and heartbreak behind her eyelids. She didn¡¯t know when the good man she married became a power hungry, greedy, selfish monster.


    David was good. Too good that she¡¯d feared at first that he was faking it. But the years with him proved he didn¡¯t. But now...


    "I was too young and reckless to see beyond my nose." Killian confessed, his grip on her arm loosening. "Our families were friends, yet your family didn¡¯t render us help... that was what I thought.


    "But I never hated you, Annette. I swear it, I never did... I admit I was mad at your family, but I realized they didn¡¯t leave my family to destruction a little too late..." He sighed, passing a hand over his hair.


    "You were already married when I realized the truth. And you seemed very happy with your husband, so I stayed away. Please, believe me, Annette, I would never hate you."


    Anita opened her eyes, shaking his hand off. "It¡¯s too late for that, Killian. I¡¯ve moved on, and I don¡¯t need your help, your sympathy, or so called protection..." when he couldn¡¯t protect himself.


    What could a person who worked a part time job at a hotel do? Anita believed he was talking about helping her because he felt pity for her, not because he had the power to.


    Killian¡¯s face twisted in a mixture of pain and regret, his eyes pleading for understanding. "Annette, please¨C" he whispered, but Anita cut him off, her voice cold and final.


    "No, Killian. I don¡¯t need you. I never did." With that, she turned on her black boots and stormed off.


    Killian watched her leave, his jaw clenched and fists balled.


    What was she up to?


    ....


    Anita was driving back home, her mind reeling from her confrontation with Killian a while back.


    She wondered why he was stalking her. Why wouldn¡¯t he let her be? He was no longer a teenager or a young adult, but a full grown man, older than her by a month, yet he was still behaving like a freaking child!


    What part of "stay away from me" was too hard for him to understand?


    Her world was dangerous now. The last thing she wanted was to pull an innocent man into the troubled water.


    No, she didn¡¯t love him anymore, but at the same time, didn¡¯t want to owe him anything.


    Did she have to sue him for harassment, so the court would give him a restraining order before he¡¯d know she meant every syllable?


    As Anita¡¯s thoughts swirled with frustration and anger, she didn¡¯t notice the young lady running towards the road until it was almost too late.


    Her heart racing, Anita slammed on the brakes. The tires screeched in protest as Anita¡¯s car came to a sudden halt, just inches from the young lady.


    Anita¡¯s breath caught in her throat as she stared at the young lady trembling in front of her car, her eyes wide with fear. She stumbled backward, her terrified eyes fixed on Anita¡¯s car as she tried to catch herself from falling.


    Anita¡¯s heart was still from the realization that she had almost killed someone. She took a deep, shaking breath and turned off the engine.


    But just as she was about to get out to check on the girl, she caught sight of Charlotte and a bunch of girls, dressed flimsily in the middle of the night, walking towards the startled girl, taunting her.


    "What? I thought you were running straight to hell. Why did you stop? Ending your miserable life doesn¡¯t sound so bad after all." Charlotte mocked and the others laughed. sea??h th§× nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The young girl, finally regaining her senses, bowed apologetically to Anita before turning to run away, but the near death experience had traumatized her, so she slumped and passed out.


    Charlotte and her friends froze in their steps.


    "I¨C is she dead?" a red haired lady asked. "Are we going to jail?" she pressed, panic lacing her voice.


    "We need to leave immediately," the one with black hair stated, "I don¡¯t want to go back abroad."


    "I¨C I don¡¯t want to be involved in a death situation, Charlotte. My family will not forgive me. I don¡¯t want to ruin my dad¡¯s political career." The petite red-haired girl spoke again, fear apparent in her face.


    Stunned at first, Charlotte¡¯s expression slowly settled into a sneer, "What are you scared of? If she dies or something bad happens, my sister-in-law will take care of it. She¡¯s an expert at covering my tracks." She smirked, "None of us is going to jail."


    Her gaze drifted to Anita¡¯s car. The tainted window was slightly down. Anita could see and hear them, but those outside couldn¡¯t see her clearly.


    Moreover, the car was dark.


    "Hey you!" Charlotte yelled towards the car, "You hit her, so her death is on you!" With that, Charlotte huffed, turned on her heels and walked away, murmuring under her breath about how her night had been ruined.


    Her entourage of friends hurried after her with no one stopping to check on the unconscious young girl.


    Anita gritted her teeth, her fists clenched tightly on the steering as she watched Charlotte leave.


    Her sister-in-law was going to take care of it. She¡¯s an expert at covering her tracks?


    Anita scoffed.


    Very well, Charlotte.


    ...


    The next morning, Anita arrived at the hospital with a basket of fruit. She¡¯d come to see the doctor in regards to her STDs and decided to check on the girl from last night.


    Arriving at her ward, Anita hesitated at the door for a second, watching the girl who sat so still it was hard to tell if she was breathing. Her pale fingers twisted the edge of the hospital sheet, her shoulders slightly hunched, as if she expected someone to yell at her for taking up space.


    Anita stepped in gently.


    "Hi," she said, holding up the fruit basket. "I brought these. I thought you might need something sweet today."


    The girl blinked, slowly turning her head toward Anita. Her expression was blank, her eyes unfocused ¨C clearly not knowing who Anita was ¨C but something in them stirred at the sound of kindness but she didn¡¯t speak.


    Anita placed the basket on the bedside table. "I was the one in the car last night," she said softly. "You ran out, and I nearly..." Her voice trailed off as a lump formed in her throat. "Are you alright?"


    Still no answer. But this time, the girl¡¯s eyes welled up with tears.


    "I didn¡¯t mean to scare you," Anita continued, pulling a chair closer. "And I didn¡¯t mean to get involved, but I saw what happened."


    That caught her attention.


    The girl slowly turned her face fully toward Anita. Her voice, when it came, was rough from crying and exhaustion. "Are you... going to tell anyone?"


    Anita raised a brow. "Do you want me to tell someone?"


    Fear flashed across the girl¡¯s face and she quickly shook her head. "Please, don¡¯t report them. They¡¯ll come for you and... and..."

 Chapter 20: Lilly

    Chapter 20: Lilly"Charlotte is our school¡¯s belle," Lilly said between bites of her apple. "Those girls you saw with her? They¡¯re her cliques. The biggest bullies in school."


    Anita listened quietly while peeling fruit for the girl. Earlier, Lilly had been wary of letting Anita stay, afraid that being seen together would put Anita in trouble. But after Anita calmly assured her she could handle it, Lilly reluctantly gave in... and that¡¯s how they ended up here.


    With Lilly telling Anita about Charlotte.


    "They¡¯re like vipers in designer clothes," Lilly muttered, lowering her voice like the walls had ears.


    "Charlotte¡¯s sister-in-law funds half the school¡¯s events. She¡¯s also a board member, so the professors pretend not to see anything. And the students? Most are either scared of her or dying to be in her inner circle."


    Anita nodded, placing a slice of pear on Lilly¡¯s tray. "So, how did you end up being her target?" she said calmly, like a curious friend.


    It would be a lie to say Anita didn¡¯t suspect Charlotte could be bitchy to her peers. Anita knew her better than her family, because she was Charlotte¡¯s go¨Cto when she messed up and needed someone to clean her mess, considering that her mother and brother were on the harsher side.


    Anita spoiled Charlotte to the last letter. She¡¯d been the problem fixer for the whole family, but especially for the girl sitting pretty at the top of her college social food chain ¨CCharlotte.


    To Anita, Charlotte wasn¡¯t just a sister-in-law; she was the baby sister she wished she had...or had lived.


    Charlotte was barely eleven years old when Anita got together with David, and the baby girl reminded Anita of her premature little sister, who died a few days after birth.


    If the girl had lived, she¡¯d have been eleven, just like Charlotte.


    The first day Anita met Charlotte, the child called Anita, "Big sister," and that title always did things to her heart. It made her softer, gentler, more patient, and happy.


    Charlotte clung to Anita with all the reckless affection of a child who¡¯d finally found someone warm, unlike her mother and brother who didn¡¯t have enough time for her, as they were always off to work.


    Anita learned to braid hair all for Charlotte. Her first day in school, Anita had sent her there. She woke up earlier than others to make breakfast and lunch for that ungrateful brat to take to school.


    She helped Charlotte pick outfits for school dances, and even snuck her sweets her mother wouldn¡¯t allow.


    When Charlotte had bad days, she curled up in Anita¡¯s lap and cried. When she had good ones, she squealed and ran to her first.


    And Anita had promised herself that she would always protect Charlotte. Always choose her.


    So as the years went by and Charlotte grew into a little mean girl who cared more about guys and proms than academic, Anita saw it as teenage drama and didn¡¯t reprimand her.


    She smoothed over her tantrums, gave excuses for her misbehavior, and kept loving her like she was still that eleven-year-old girl calling her "Big sister" with wide, trusting eyes.


    When Charlotte wanted to throw impromptu parties during exam weeks, Anita booked the catering and made sure the neighbors wouldn¡¯t complain. When Charlotte had a meltdown over an online scandal involving her and a rival influencer, Anita handled the PR cleanup like a seasoned pro¡ªdrafting statements, smoothing over tensions, even contacting legal help when needed.


    And of course, Anita was the one funding half the school events. Not because she cared much for college politics or parties, no. But because Charlotte wanted to be seen. To reign. To matter. And Anita, ever the enabler, opened her wallet every time.


    She¡¯d defended Charlotte to teachers, parents, even her own husband and mother-in-law. "She¡¯s young," Anita would say. "She¡¯s just finding herself."


    It didn¡¯t matter if Charlotte was brash or impulsive or occasionally disrespectful. Anita always found a way to explain it away.


    But now, Anita wanted to scoff.


    Sitting beside Lilly, this quiet, soft-spoken girl that reminded her of her mother, Anita felt something shift.


    Her revenge for Charlotte has been born. Nothing stings better than having the person you¡¯ve been stepping on turn the tables on you.


    "I didn¡¯t do anything, actually," Lilly began, her eyes clouding over. "It all started in our first year."


    Anita leaned back, knife idle against the cutting board. Her hands stilled, but her attention was on Lilly.


    "On my first day of school, I ran into a guy, Kingsley. I spilled coffee on his shirt and panicked. I thought he¡¯d yell or something, but he just laughed. Said it was the best ¡¯welcome¡¯ he¡¯d ever gotten."


    Lilly smiled bitterly at the memory. "We started talking after that. Just friends. He was kind, easy to be around... and way out of my league."


    Anita arched a brow. "Let me guess... Charlotte liked him."


    Lilly nodded. "She never said it out loud, but everyone knew. Kingsley is popular, rich, charming. And good in everything. He¡¯s her type. But he kept sitting next to me in class, walking me to the dorm. One day, I found a note in my locker asking me out... unsigned, but it was his handwriting."


    Anita sighed, too predictable. "And someone else found out."


    "Charlotte." Lilly¡¯s face darkened. "She cornered me in the hallway the next day with her little army. Said I was a parasite, trying to steal what I couldn¡¯t afford. Called me names I can¡¯t even repeat. Aimee, my roommate and friend stood there and said nothing and distanced herself from me after that incident. It was later I found out she¡¯d been selling me to Charlotte." S~ea??h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Anita¡¯s stomach twisted. The betrayal in Lilly¡¯s voice was too familiar. It reminded her of her own predicament.


    "It got worse after that," Lilly continued quietly. "There were unpleasant rumors about me. They sabotaged me in every way possible, just so the school would cancel my scholarship and I¡¯d be forced to drop out. But the school didn¡¯t and it got Charlotte and her friends very angry." She paused to wipe the tears they had unknownly slipped down her cheek.

 Chapter 21: Turning The Tables

    Chapter 21: Turning The Tables"Someone switched out my exam paper last semester and I almost failed. And when I reported it... the professor said I was making it up."


    Anita picked up a napkin, quietly wiping the knife over it and setting it aside as she listened without interrupting.


    "But they didn¡¯t stop there." Lilly continue, her fingers tightening around the hem of her hospital gown. She was not supposed to be admitted, but when Anita brought her to the hospital last night, it was discovered that she was physically assaulted and needed proper care.


    "What else did they do to you?"


    "They framed me for examination malpractice," Lilly whispered, her voice cracking at the edges. "They planted a micro earpiece in my collar in the just concluded examination. I didn¡¯t even know it was there until the invigilator pulled me aside and accused me in front of everyone."


    Anita¡¯s jaw clenched. Her hands curled into fists over her knees, and for the first time, she wished Charlotte were in the room¡ªso she could look her dead in the eye and ask why.


    Lilly laughed bitterly. "I kept saying I didn¡¯t do it. That I¡¯d never cheat. But no one believed me. I was suspended for two weeks. My scholarship was frozen. And while I was trying to appeal the decision, someone hacked into my school portal and changed my grades to all F¡¯s." S§×ar?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Anita looked at her then, really looked at her.... At the girl who had done nothing but existed. Who had dared to walk in a hallway, smile at a boy, and breathe in the same air as the school¡¯s golden queen. A queen turned thorn she raised.


    "And Charlotte was behind it?" Anita asked, already knowing the answer.


    Lilly hesitated. "Maybe not all of it directly, but... her clique brags about the things they¡¯ve done. They laugh about it in the cafeteria. I¡¯ve heard them. And Charlotte just watches. Sometimes she smiles. Sometimes she doesn¡¯t even bother pretending to care."


    Anita nodded slowly, her expression unreadable. "And last night...?"


    Lilly frowned. "Last night, they came to my work place. It¡¯s a club..." her voice trailed off.


    "It¡¯s okay. I don¡¯t judge."


    She nodded, her fingers clenching her dress. To be honest, Lilly didn¡¯t know why she was opening up to a stranger, but something about this woman ¡ªher calm, her green eyes, the quiet rage barely restrained beneath her soothing voice¡ª made Lilly feel safe for the first time in months.


    "They came drunk," she continued, voice fragile. "Charlotte wasn¡¯t there at first but she joined later. They asked for me specifically. I tried to stay in the back, but the manager said we couldn¡¯t turn away paying VIPs."


    Anita¡¯s nostrils flared, but she kept her posture composed. "What did they do?"


    "They forced me to grind on one of their male friend, while taking videos." She bit her lips, "I promise, I¡¯m just a waitress. I swear. I only work weekends to raise money for my mom¡¯s surgery," Lilly whispered, tears streaming down her face as her voice cracked further under the weight of humiliation. "But they... they cornered me. Laughed. Said it was a dare. Said if I didn¡¯t, they¡¯d make someone rape me and send the video to my mom."


    Anita¡¯s hands trembled. She felt a suffocating feeling in her chest and needed to breathe, so she rose from her seat and walked to the window. Her hands gripped the cold windowsill, knuckles white, as she struggled to steady the storm building inside her.


    Her jaw clenched. Her breath came in slow, deliberate pulls, like if she didn¡¯t focus, she¡¯d scream loud enough to bring the building down.


    "They said I thought I was better than them. That I needed to be ¡¯put in my place.¡¯ One of them grabbed me by the hair and pushed me onto that guy¡¯s lap. I tried to get away, but they beat me up and forced alcohol down my throat." Lilly¡¯s voice trembled, weeping as she poured her heart out to a stranger she didn¡¯t know. "They filmed it and said Kingsley would finally hate me if he saw how dirty I was. So, when I got the chance, I ran...and they chased me until...until..."


    She broke down, sobbing so miserably. Anita¡¯s eyes stung with tears for some reasons she couldn¡¯t quite place her fingers on.


    But she knew two things: one, she didn¡¯t like that a girl who reminded her of her mother was forced to go through that.


    Two, Charlotte has abused the privileges far too much.


    When she finally spoke, her voice was low. Dangerous. Controlled.


    "Do you want to press charges? I can help you."


    Lilly flinched. Was she a lawyer? Lilly was tempted to say yes, but considering the people who stood behind Charlotte, she couldn¡¯t get on their bad side. Especially her Sister-in-law. She heard when Charlotte said that even if she died, her sister-in-law would take care of it.


    She shook her head. "Even if I did... who would believe me? They¡¯d say I¡¯m doing it for attention. Or to ruin Charlotte¡¯s reputation. It¡¯s what they always say. And her sister-in-law¡ª"


    "She may not be as blind or indulging as you think she is." Anita turned around, locking eyes with Lilly. "Anita White is not immune to disgust."


    Lilly¡¯s breath caught.


    Anita didn¡¯t elaborate.


    She didn¡¯t have to.


    There was a beat of silence... then two... as the realization crashed over Lilly like a wave. Her eyes widened, her lips parting in horror.


    There couldn¡¯t be such a coincidence. This woman introduced herself as Anita White earlier. And now....!?


    The hospital room felt suddenly too small.


    "You..." she whispered, her voice barely a breath. Her mind reeled, scrambling to connect the dots ¡ª the name, the poised rage, the way she spoke Charlotte¡¯s name like a wound. "You¡¯re her..."


    Anita didn¡¯t blink. "You don¡¯t have to be afraid of me."


    But Lilly had already pulled her knees up to her chest, shaken to her core. Not because she feared Anita... no, that wasn¡¯t it. It was because for the first time, she didn¡¯t know what this meant.


    Because Charlotte had said...


    ¡¯What are you scared of? If she dies or something bad happens, my sister-in-law will take care of it. She¡¯s an expert at covering my tracks.¡¯ She smirked, ¡¯None of us is going to jail.¡¯


    No.


    Lilly¡¯s heart thudded wildly in her chest, yet she forced herself to ask. "And you... you¡¯re not going to hurt me?"


    Anita¡¯s lips curled faintly but not into a smile, but something quieter. Sadder. "No, Lilly. Perhaps, I¡¯m a monster, but..."


    Her voice dropped to a whisper, low and gentle like a lullaby carrying the weight of buried grief. "...not the kind who hurts the broken."


    Lilly¡¯s chest heaved, a sound between a sob and a gasp catching in her throat. Her arms tightened around her knees, but the edge of panic eased just enough for clarity to trickle in.


    Anita stepped away from the window and walked slowly toward the bed, each step as deliberate as her gaze. She didn¡¯t sit. Didn¡¯t reach out. She merely stood there¡ªlike a shadow between worlds. Between vengeance and mercy.


    "I¡¯m not here because of Charlotte," Anita continued, her voice calm. "I¡¯m here because of you. Because no one should suffer like that and be told to survive in silence."


    "But you¡¯re..." Lilly shook her head, trying to reconcile the woman before her with the rumors, the whispers, the power she was said to have. "You¡¯re supposed to protect her."


    "I did." Anita¡¯s eyes hardened. "For far too long."


    She finally crouched to Lilly¡¯s eye level, her tone like iron wrapped in velvet. "But even loyalty has its limits. Especially when it starts to rot."


    Lilly thought that Anita was turning against Charlotte because the girl had become a monster, not knowing she had her own unresolved enmity with that ungrateful brat and her family.


    A beat passed.


    Then another.


    And then Lilly whispered, "What are you going to do?"


    Anita looked at her¡ªnot with pity, but calmly.


    "I¡¯m going to clean house," she said simply.


    A chill crept down Lilly¡¯s spine. Not from fear, but from the raw certainty in Anita¡¯s voice. The kind that didn¡¯t need bloodshed to be terrifying.


    Anita straightened her back like the untouchable matriarch of a crumbling empire... regal, composed, and already mourning the mess she was about to make.


    She walked towards the chair, grabbed her bag and fished out a card. "Call me if you¡¯re interested in turning the tables."

 Chapter 22: Tessa

    Chapter 22: TessaStepping out of Lilly¡¯s ward, Anita didn¡¯t leave the hospital entirely. She went towards the STD clinic, her steps slow but deliberate. The hallway was quiet, except for the clicking of her heels and the distant murmurs from other hallways.


    As she approached the discreet door marked Sexual Health Services, her fingers trembled slightly. She was filled with shame and dread. What would people think if they saw her in this section? Nobody would believe she contracted it from her husband. Many would claim it was karma from cheating on a ¡¯good¡¯ man.


    Although her heart clenched beneath her ribs, she refused to let it show. If her husband had reduced her to a statistic, a silent sufferer, she would at least face it with dignity.


    With her back straight, chin held high, eyes forward, she marched towards her destination, like a female judge marching into a courtroom, ready to deliver her final verdict.


    Arriving at the reception desk of the separate clinic, the nurse at the reception desk was stunned to see her, Mrs. Anita Wales Blackwood in this part of the hospital.


    The nurse blinked rapidly, quickly schooling her expression into something more neutral, but not before Anita caught the flicker of surprise in her eyes. Of course she recognized her. Everyone did.


    David and Anita, the Celebrity Power Couple. Anita, the no-nonsense, poised, arrogant, and proud wife of a billionaire CEO was caught ¡¯sneaking¡¯ into this part of a hospital. It would definitely make for a juicy headline.


    Maybe she¡¯d need such a scandal in the future, when she was fully ready to ruin that son of a bitch, but right now, no. She didn¡¯t.


    "Mrs. Blackwood," the nurse said, her tone overly polite now, even careful. "Is there...um...how may I help you today?"


    Anita didn¡¯t flinch. She didn¡¯t look away. "I have an appointment with Dr. Moore," she said, voice smooth as silk and just as sharp.


    The nurse paused, blinked, then nodded. "Of¨C of course," she said quickly, tapping at her keyboard to pull up the schedule. A moment passed and then she looked up, trying her best to present a natural smile. "Um, Dr. Moore is in an emergency meeting. Please have a seat. Dr. Moore will call you in shortly."


    Anita gave a curt nod and turned toward the waiting area, her heels clicking confidently against the polished tile. She could still feel the nurse¡¯s gaze at her back. Perhaps, she was curious, maybe even feeling sorry for her. And Anita despised pity more than she hated betrayal.


    "Listen to me, you fucker, if I find out I¡¯m positive, I swear down earth and all the gods you worship, I¡¯ll carve your balls out! Better pray I¡¯m ¨C hello! Hello! Son of a bitch!" She whimpered.


    Anita paused at the entrance of the waiting area, eyes narrowing slightly. A young woman, probably in her early twenties, sat hunched over in a plastic chair with her phone pressed to her ear. She was beautiful¡ªachingly so. Slim, fair, not a blemish on her porcelain skin. The kind of face that made men break vows and women watch their husbands a little closer.


    Her long, honey-blonde hair was tied in a lazy ponytail, strands escaping to frame a face that looked too innocent for the venom spilling out of her mouth.


    She was hunched over on her seat, slamming her phone screen repeatedly with a trembling finger, muttering curses under her breath. Her cheeks were flushed, mascara smudged at the edges of her eyes. Hurt, fury, dread, panic radiated off her like a second skin, as she tried to call that person again...it seemed but they weren¡¯t picking up anymore.


    "God, no! Pick up, you fucker!"


    Their eyes met. For a moment, the young woman¡¯s expression flickered with recognition. She gasped, quickly raising to her feet like some subordinate meeting her boss that she admired for the first time. S§×arch* The N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "M¨C Mrs. Blackwood."


    Anita¡¯s fingers twitched but her confidence and aura didn¡¯t diminish at all.


    She gave the girl a curt nod and walked past her and took a seat, two chairs over. Not close enough to start a conversation, nor far enough to seem aloof.


    She crossed her legs and adjusted her white woolen coat. But the young lady¡¯s gaze didn¡¯t move away from her. They were shining with admiration and respect. She stood there, as if deliberate if she could cross the line with this icon.


    After what seemed like a forever battle, she stepped over the line.


    "Nice to meet you, Mrs. Blackwood. I¡¯m... I¡¯m Tessa Lane."


    Anita turned her head, just slightly. Enough to show acknowledgment, not encouragement. Her gaze flicked up and down her, oh-my-god perfect body.


    Her body shape was the kind that made designers weep with joy ¨C an effortless hourglass. She looked like a size 4, maybe a 6 at most. Slim waist, high hips, full chest, and long legs. That kind of frame...slim but womanly... was a weapon in the wrong hands, and Anita could tell this girl had wielded it more than once, whether she meant to or not.


    She wore a simple outfit ¨C black baggy pants and a crop beige hoodie ¨C but on her, it looked like casual luxury. Not a single roll, no awkward curve, no part of her that looked anything but smooth and soft and effortless.


    Anita assessed her. Not in the cold way, no, but in the calm, restrained manner of a woman who measured people before letting them speak freely in her air.


    Tessa twisted her hands nervously. "I...I¡¯m your biggest fan. But I know this probably isn¡¯t the place to... fangirl or whatever. You probably get that all the time. But I just¡ªGod, you always look so put together. Like nothing touches you." Her voice cracked slightly. "I wish I had half your strength."


    Anita regarded her a moment longer before looking forward again. Her voice, when she spoke, was quiet but firm. "Strength isn¡¯t about how you look in public. It¡¯s what you do when no one¡¯s watching."


    Tessa blinked, digesting that. Her lip quivered a bit, but she bit it down.

 Chapter 23: Collecting Armies

    Chapter 23: Collecting Armies"I just found out," she said, barely above a whisper. "He swore he was clean. That I was his only one. I was stupid enough to believe him." Her breath hitched. "He won¡¯t even pick up now. He knows I¡¯m here."


    Anita¡¯s face didn¡¯t shift, but inside her stomach tightened. Different names. Same betrayal. Same gut-deep rot.


    Tessa let out a bitter laugh. "God, and the worst part? My mother warned me. She said any man who hides his phone like it¡¯s the nuclear codes is hiding something."


    Anita glanced at her. "Your mother¡¯s a smart woman."


    "Too smart. Which is why I didn¡¯t listen." Tessa dropped into the seat beside Anita now, as if the small acknowledgment had unlocked permission. "I¡¯m sorry. I shouldn¡¯t dump this on you. I just... I¡¯ve been spiraling for an hour. And then you walked in like some war general in heels, and it felt like the universe was telling me to get a grip."


    Anita¡¯s mouth twitched¡ªhalf amusement, half sympathy. She didn¡¯t want to feel for this girl. But it was hard not to. Tessa reminded her too much of herself, years ago. Before the glamor, before the titles. Before David turned the warmth in her chest into steel.


    "I won¡¯t tell you it gets easier," Anita said. "But it gets... sharper. You learn how to aim it. Where to cut."


    She nodded fervently. Getting a free lesson from the woman even her own mother admired was like getting a one way ticket to heaven.


    Then, a buzz rang in the air. Tessa stiffened, thinking it was hers, but when Anita reached for her bag and fished for her phone, she sighed with relief.


    Anita glanced at the screen, it was a call from the Domestic Service Agency. She¡¯d been waiting for it. With a curt flick of her thumb, she answered.


    "Yes?"


    Tessa sat up straighter, instinctively attentive as Anita¡¯s voice sounded ¨C cool and authoritative.


    "Ten... No, all beautiful and classy with different shapes and sizes. Color? I¡¯m not racist," her brows creased, annoyed at that nonsense question. sea??h th§× N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Her go-to agency didn¡¯t have what she needed and they recommended this one, but Anita was already unimpressed. Her fingers tapped against the armrest of the sleek bench as she listened, her eyes narrowing ever so slightly.


    "I don¡¯t care where you found them," she said, voice like a knife wrapped in silk. "But if they swim in scandal, don¡¯t know how to walk without squeaking or speak without oversharing, don¡¯t bother."


    Tessa blinked, trying not to look as startled as she felt. Ten? Beautiful and classy? Different sizes and colors?... That could only be women.


    Her eyes lit up, was her idol gathering women for some kind of elite team?


    Anita ended the call and was just about responding to an email when Tessa interrupted.


    "Ehm, Mrs. Blackwood, a¨C are you in need of women for a club? She bolted to her feet before she could overthink it, her hands clasped in front of her like an overeager intern. "C¨C can you consider me too?"


    Anita¡¯s fingers paused over the screen of her phone. Slowly, she lifted her gaze, pinning Tessa in place with that ice-water stare.


    "A club?" she echoed, voice dangerously soft. "Is that what you think I¡¯m building?"


    Tessa faltered, the fire in her chest cooling instantly. "I¡ªI just thought... with the way you described them ¨C beautiful, classy, different types ¨C it sounded like you were assembling something more... exclusive."


    Anita leaned back, her expression unreadable. For a moment, silence stretched between them, taut as a wire.


    Then, she lowered her head to her screen once more, saying with disinterest. "If I were building a club, you¡¯d know. It would be on the front page before the ink dried."


    Tessa¡¯s eyes lit up. True!


    She sat back down, eyes dimming, but her mind worked tirelessly for a matter she shouldn¡¯t concern herself with.


    She¡¯d actually been thinking of ways to get close to her idol. As an influencer with millions of followings and a knack for networking, Tessa knew she had something to offer...if only Anita would see it.


    "Mrs. Blackwood," she began cautiously, choosing her words like stepping stones, "I might not be the right fit for what you want, but I do have access to platforms and people who could amplify whatever you¡¯re building here. Maybe I could help in ways beyond the usual?"


    Anita looked up, her gaze sharper than ever, weighing Tessa¡¯s words. Then, after a moment that stretched too long, she smirked.


    "Bold," she said, almost amused. "Most people want to be seen with me. You want to be for me."


    Tessa nodded, a flicker of hope lighting inside her chest. "Exactly."


    "Why?" Anita¡¯s voice cut through the quiet like a scalpel, cold and precise. She didn¡¯t move from her seat but fixed Tessa with a look that seemed to peel back layers, probing for the truth beneath the eagerness.


    Tessa swallowed hard, heart pounding. "Because... I¡¯m tired of being just another face in the crowd. I want to be part of something real. Something that means something. And you¡ªyou seem like someone who actually does that. You don¡¯t just play the game; you change it."


    Anita¡¯s smirk, mind reaching with thoughts and calculations. Those girls she wanted were mere house helps, but it seemed this clueless one thought she was building a secret society of women.


    However, Anita was not nice. And she never let go of any useful pieces. This girl, Tessa, has barged into her chessboard, uninvited. Whether she ended up a disposable pawn or the queen, Tessa¡¯s skills would determine.


    Anita finally looked at her now. Really looked at her. Then, she opened her dark-shaded lips carefully and slowly. "Change the game? And what makes you think you have what it takes?"


    Tessa squared her shoulders, finding courage in the woman¡¯s piercing gaze. "Because I¡¯m ambitious. I want to be resourceful. I want connections beyond my social media handles. I want to command a room like you do, Mrs. Blackwood. I learn fast. I want to be useful to myself and the society, not just pretty..." her voice dropped as she lowered her eyes to her intertwined fingers. "I want revenge on my ex."

 Chapter 24: Familiar Faces At Restaurant

    Chapter 24: Familiar Faces At RestaurantThat was actually all she wanted, but her fiance was the son of a powerful man with connections, and she, her family were rich, yes, but they didn¡¯t have connections. They were new money.


    She didn¡¯t think that revenge was possible. Her boyfriend, Clifford, was a playboy, who ¡¯repented¡¯ because he loved her ¡¯too¡¯ much. She and her influencer friends supported his father with her platform during the election, even though his parents didn¡¯t like her.


    After Mr. Marshall won the election, everything changed. The governor¡¯s wife slid a check over the table to Tessa, demanding she broke up with her son.


    The thick-skinned woman even claimed that her husband didn¡¯t need Tessa¡¯s help to win the governorship election.


    Tessa tried to reason with Clifford, only to find out that her dear boyfriend used her for her fame. He never really changed his old ways. He was just too good at playing the game.


    Tessa knew she couldn¡¯t win even if she dragged that family to the public. She might even suffer, so she broke up quietly, only to discover that she might be infected with STDs.


    The silence stretched again, thick with unspoken judgments. She didn¡¯t tell Anita anything, but she was smart enough to know that Tessa carried scars in her heart.


    Finally, Anita¡¯s posture softened just a fraction.


    "Fine," she said, voice low but resolute. "You want in, prove you¡¯re more than just a name on a screen. Show me you can keep your mouth shut, your feet moving quietly, and your head clear. Then maybe... we¡¯ll talk."


    Tessa¡¯s head snapped up, eyes brimming with hope. "What do you want me to do? I¡¯ll do anything. Anything."


    Anita didn¡¯t speak. Instead, she reached into her bag and pulled out her card. "Here, call me once your test result is out."


    Simultaneously, the door to the back office creaked open, and a nurse poked her head out. "Mrs. Blackwood? Dr. Moore will see you now."


    Anita rose smoothly, the picture of grace and composure. And walked away without looking back.


    It wasn¡¯t clear what Anita was building yet, but she was definitely setting a foundation. Brick by brick.


    ...


    By the time Anita left the hospital, it was well into the afternoon. The sun hung high, casting a harsh glare over the glossy hood of her black SUV as she drove through the streets of Greenville.


    The city bustled around her, but Anita felt detached, floating above it all, composed and unreadable behind designer sunglasses.


    She didn¡¯t head home.


    Instead, she turned into the private lot of Sapphire Bistro, one of the fine-dining restaurants in Greenville. The type of place with valet-only parking, crystal chandeliers, and a three-month waiting list...unless, of course, your name was Anita White turned Wales Blackwood or other big names in the city. Then a table would always be available, even at a moment¡¯s notice. sea??h th§× N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The valet didn¡¯t even ask her name. He simply nodded and opened the door with practiced grace.


    Inside, the air was cool and fragrant with rosemary and butter. A hostess smiled tightly and guided her to a secluded corner table by the window. A private, quiet, and facing away from the main floor. Perfect for a woman who didn¡¯t want curious eyes on her but still expected the best view.


    Anita ordered without glancing at the menu. "Lemon-roasted sea bass. Arugula salad. Pellegrino with lemon."


    As the server left, she finally exhaled.


    The weight of the day settled like lead in her bones.


    She didn¡¯t touch her phone. Didn¡¯t check messages. Not yet. She simply sat back, crossing her legs elegantly, and stared out the window at the couples laughing, the suits rushing past, the mothers wheeling strollers with tired smiles.


    Her lips pressed into a thin line, and her hand subconsciously drifted to her stomach ¨C where a baby once sat, once grew, once gave her hope. Her fingers curled slightly, just as the sound of a too-familiar voice slithered into her peace like poison


    "Aunty, you flatter me."


    "You¡¯re too polite, child. Haha!" she laughed loudly.


    No etiquette.


    Anita didn¡¯t need to turn around. She knew that voice. Linda and Eleanor Blackwood, her mother-in-law. Queen of passive aggression. Regal, cold, always perfectly composed ¨C Eleanor wished she was any of those. But unfortunately...


    This saying: You can take a rat out of the gutter, but you can¡¯t take the gutter out of the rat.


    Couldn¡¯t be any truer with this woman.


    Eleanor dressed like royalty, spent money like she drank water, that was all she had. No class, no... At least, not good enough, compared to Anita¡¯s late mother.


    Eleanor and Linda were escorted to a table not far from Anita¡¯s. Linda¡¯s eyes swept the restaurant like a hawk¡¯s and landed on Anita.


    Her gaze trembled for a fleeting moment before she schooled her expression and smiled, turning back to Mrs. Blackwood.


    Meeting Anita here was a coincidence, but since they met here, perhaps, this could be the beginning of the end of her ¡¯happy¡¯, ¡¯perfect¡¯. ¡¯one-in-million¡¯ marriage with David. She couldn¡¯t wait for them to get a divorce. And if she had to help things along, so be it.


    She¡¯d even tried to subtly bring it up with Mrs. Blackwood but the woman frowned with displeasure. She warned her not to cross Anita, and that she could wait quietly and let David handle everything.


    David also told her to calm down and leave everything to him. But Linda has no patience for all that. She didn¡¯t know why David was hesitating...unless he still loved the barren woman.


    Well, Anita could continue living in her fantasy bubble as David¡¯s one and only love and woman, until Linda gives birth to David¡¯s first child. Then, she¡¯d make sure Anita had no place left ¨C not in David¡¯s life, and not in the Blackwood legacy.


    Linda¡¯s smile tightened as she picked up the menu, pretending to read. Every second Anita remained in that marriage felt like an insult. A delay. A threat.


    But time was on Linda¡¯s side, or rather, biology was. But the same couldn¡¯t be said for Anita, who was quickly approaching menopause.


    She suddenly chuckled, drawing Mrs. Blackwood¡¯s attention.


    "The food here is very nice." the older woman said, thinking that Linda¡¯s giggle was because of the menu.


    "You¡¯re right, Mother," she smiled.


    Mrs. Blackwood, unaware of Linda¡¯s thoughts, smiled at her.

 Chapter 25: Caught In A Lioness’ Den

    Chapter 25: Caught In A Lioness¡¯ DenEleanor¡¯s voice rang out again. "My son¡¯s been so happy lately. I haven¡¯t seen him this happy in years. And it makes my heart lighter." She said cheerfully.


    "Oh, Aunty, I¡¯m so glad to hear that." Linda chuckled. "Perhaps, he finally had time to relax after years of his hard work for the company paid off." Her voice was smooth, clear, and a little too loud to be in a VIP area.


    But she didn¡¯t care. Her words were meant to be heard by her perceived rival sitting a few tables away.


    Eleanor Blackwood, who was still oblivious to Anita¡¯s presence, and Linda¡¯s subtle manipulation, waved her hand. "What are you saying? Don¡¯t be so polite. How are you going to fair in this world of ours if you keep..." she began, but her voice faltered.


    At that moment, the head of the restaurant appeared, leading two servers who pushed a silver-plated food trolley into the VIP section.


    Victor Vincent.


    The Victor.


    Owner of Sapphire Bistro. A culinary genius, yet a ghost in his own kitchen. It was said he only entered it once in a blue moon, and when he did, it was to prepare a meal for someone untouchable. For the lucky few deemed worthy, it was not just a meal, it was a declaration of status, power, and almost divine favor.


    Eleanor¡¯s eyes widened. Her breath hitched. Victor¡¯s presence meant someone in this room had just been honored beyond all expectations.


    She hasn¡¯t bothered looking around because the place was empty and she was used to people currying favors with her.


    Her eyes followed him, her curious smile faltering as she twisted slightly in her seat to see who could command such treatment.


    Then her eyes landed on Anita¡¯s back.


    And in that moment, Eleanor Blackwood¡¯s entire body stiffened like she¡¯d just swallowed a shard of glass. Her spine snapped upright, and her voice...oh, her lovely, too loud, and treacherous ungrateful voice died a quiet death in her throat.


    Eleanor Blackwood prayed, hoping against hope that the woman a few tables away from her wasn¡¯t her daughter-in-law. But hell no, that was Anita. Anita was the only young woman she knew, who could pull off such effortless air of authority without even trying. Only she could make a room fall silent just by being in it. The only young woman who could make your heart pound faster than a war drum, when you¡¯re on her bad side.


    And the bitter truth? She was jealous of that effortless control. She wished, no, ached to possess even half of it. Half of that unspoken dominance, that silent magnetism that made people lower their eyes or straighten their backs when Anita walked into a room. Eleanor had spent years learning to be like Anita...to be Anita but failed miserably.


    Eleanor might have been a big person in the city, but she knew, unfortunately, that Anita was whom they respected. It was Anita White they feared, not Eleanor Blackwood.


    And right now, she wished that person in white, spotting blonde Bob wasn¡¯t her daughter-in-law...


    As if on cue, Victor arrived beside her table, bowing calmly with a polite smile and respectful bearing while the servers arranged Anita¡¯s dish on the table.


    "Mrs. Blackwood, welcome back to our establishment. The restaurant is..."


    Thud.


    Eleanor Blackwood¡¯s heart dropped into her stomach. She didn¡¯t hear anything else. Her mind had descended into panic, one close enough to giving her a heart attack.


    Meanwhile, Anita felt the shift in the air. The sudden silence from the tables behind her. And she could literally scent the smell of fear mixed with the fragrance of freshly cooked food and rich perfume but she didn¡¯t turn. She was coldly unbothered. Sear?h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Victor, a tall man in a tailored suit with silver hair and impeccable posture, offered her a deep nod of respect to something she said. His voice was warm but deferential.


    "Should you need anything at all," he continued, "my team and I are entirely at your service."


    Anita gave him a curt, regal, and polite nod, then unfolded her napkin and draped it across her lap with all the calm in the world. Like her mother-in-law wasn¡¯t a few tables behind hers, with her husband¡¯s mistress.


    "Thank you, Mr. Vincent."


    "If you may excuse us," Victor concluded, stepping back with a slight bow before turning away, his presence melting into the background as effortlessly as he had appeared.


    Eleanor didn¡¯t blink. Her fingers tightened around the edge of the table, a battle of horror coursing through her veins.


    Linda leaned closer, pretending to be oblivious and concerned. "Is everything alright, Aunty? You look a little... pale."


    Eleanor didn¡¯t answer. Her tongue felt like sandpaper in her mouth. Her mind scrambled for explanations, excuses, damage control but nothing stuck.


    The woman was worried. Did Anita hear her? If she did, how much did she hear? How would she explain her connection with Linda, David¡¯s employee?


    Anita wasn¡¯t stupid. She wouldn¡¯t believe any lie she spewed, and worse, Anita pretended not to know she was also here. It could only mean that Anita already knew everything.


    Eleanor clutched her purse a little too tightly, her fingers digging into the leather like a lifeline. The air suddenly felt like poison, every intake cutting through her organs.


    She had to do something as soon as possible!


    Meanwhile, Anita lifted her fork with delicate ease, cutting into the exquisitely plated dish as though she had the leisure of a queen at court. Not once did she glance backward. Not once did she need to.


    Because she knew exactly what her silence would do to them.


    And it was killing them.


    As for Linda, seeing the state Eleanor was in, it irritated and annoyed her to no end. She couldn¡¯t understand why Anita was worshiped, feared, and respected when she was merely spending David¡¯s hard-earned money.


    So what if Anita was from the White family, didn¡¯t she cut ties with her family? So, why was she still getting all this reverence? Why were people still bending over backward for her like she was the real deal?


    Linda¡¯s jaw clenched. Fine. She¡¯d prove to this woman why she shouldn¡¯t be so scared of Anita. If Anita was so powerful, why didn¡¯t she throw a feat when she came into her house and even went away with sucking her husband¡¯s dock, right in her living room.


    Linda wanted to scoff.


    She rose from her seat, "Aunty, I¡¯ll talk to her."


    Before Eleanor could stop her, Linda was already making her way there. Eleanor¡¯s mouth opened, about to protest, but no words came out.


    Consumed with panic, she fumbled for her phone to call David.

 Chapter 26: Loving Mother-in-law

    Chapter 26: Loving Mother-in-law"Aunty Anita," Linda called, grinning like a cute, innocent girl playing the part of a sweet niece who¡¯d just spotted her favorite relative at a family barbecue.


    Aunty.


    That title made Anita¡¯s fork pause over her plate.


    Just for a second.


    Not long enough for anyone to call it a reaction, but long enough for Eleanor fumbling with a text message to freeze.


    Aunty?


    Why would she call Anita Aunty? They weren¡¯t related! And Anita was her boss¡¯ wife!


    Was Linda stupid?


    Linda didn¡¯t notice Eleanor¡¯s reaction, nor Anita¡¯s. Or perhaps she did and didn¡¯t care. She took a step closer, her heels clicking too loudly in the hush of the VIP section, her smile bright enough to blind as she stood beside Anita¡¯s table.


    Anita placed her fork down with deliberate grace, her eyes still lowered to her meal.


    She took her time. Sipped her drink. Dabbed the corner of her mouth.


    Only then did she lift her eyes.


    And meet Linda¡¯s.


    The temperature in the room dropped.


    That one look was neither angry nor kind. But it was something worse. Something quieter. A subtle, soul-piercing assessment that stripped away Linda¡¯s pretty armor and laid bare her intentions like a body on an autopsy table.


    "Aunty?" Anita repeated coolly, as though saying the name of a forgettable street she once passed through.


    Linda¡¯s smile tightened at the edges but ignored the question. "I didn¡¯t know you¡¯d be here. What a lovely surprise! You look... stunning as always."


    Anita didn¡¯t respond immediately. She tilted her head, as if debating whether to waste her time replying.


    Finally, she said, "You¡¯re a White ¡ª Ainsworth?"


    Linda blinked, caught off guard. "I¡ªwhat?"


    Anita¡¯s gaze didn¡¯t waver. "That¡¯s what you meant, isn¡¯t it? Calling me Aunty like you¡¯re from my blood. So, which is it ¡ª White or Ainsworth?"


    "I mean... not personally, of course," she said with a light laugh, too loud for the tension in the air. "I didn¡¯t mean it literally. It¡¯s just... respect. You know, the way we call someone older ¡¯aunty¡¯ in the hoods, where I came from. You¡¯re basically family." She finished with an awkward giggle, brushing invisible lint off her dress like it would somehow sweep away the awkwardness too.


    David treated his workers as family, so Anita couldn¡¯t do otherwise, else she¡¯d stick out a sore thumb in a place that prided itself on unity.


    And Linda took advantage of that. But she forget this was Anita White, not Anita Wales Blackwood.


    Anita blinked once.


    Then slowly picked her fork to resume eating, like nothing happened.


    But Linda took that as a cue to continue, like they were close.


    She pulled out the empty chair across from Anita and slid into it with the kind of confidence that belonged to someone completely unaware of the shifting minefield beneath their feet.


    Eleanor was done texting her son and had just stood up to join them and do what her son told her to, for damage control, when she saw Linda¡¯s bold move. The woman was stunned.


    You must know that Anita saw her space as more than just a territory. You don¡¯t sit on her table unless invited and Linda¨C that foolish girl!


    The woman doubled her step, hoping she could smoothen things over before David arrived.


    Anita didn¡¯t look up. She was still cutting her sea bass with slow, elegant precision. But even from where Eleanor stood, she could feel it, the shift in the atmosphere. One that stupid, mindless girl couldn¡¯t feel.


    Linda crossed her legs, and began. Too loudly, too friendly. "You always eat here, Aunty? You must really like their dessert. I¡¯ve heard it¡¯s the best in town."


    Still no reply.


    Linda¡¯s grin began to falter. "I mean, of course, you¡¯d know what¡¯s best. Even Dave says¡ª"


    Anita¡¯s knife stopped. Her fork paused mid-air.


    She placed both utensils down with the precision of a surgeon and finally, finally, lifted her gaze.


    It wasn¡¯t a glare.


    It wasn¡¯t a smile either.


    It was that chilling middle place. A look that saw everything and forgave nothing.


    And then she spoke, calm as a still lake before a storm.


    "Linda," Anita said, voice silk wrapped around a dagger, "how often do you play dress-up before the mirror and pretend to be someone important?"


    The blood drained from Linda¡¯s face.


    Eleanor gasped and paused, just two tables before Anita¡¯s.


    But Anita wasn¡¯t done. S§×arch* The ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Because this," she gestured gently at the table between them, "is not your tea party."


    She stood up, folding her napkin with grace. "Next time you want to make a point, try using your own seat. And your own money."


    And with that, Anita grabbed her bag, turned on her heels, adding, "The next time you call me, Aunty. Family, you may be losing your tongue."


    And that was when she locked eyes with her mother-in-law.


    Linda sat in stunned silence, cheeks burning, chest tight.


    "D¨C daughter-in-law."


    Anita gave the woman a quick glance-over. She was draped in a cream and gold knee-length gown, pearl necklace and matching earrings.


    All of that ¨C her look, her wardrobe, the way she styled her hair... Everything was Anita¡¯s idea.


    Yet, she dared.


    She dared to betray her.


    She dared to connive with her son and his mistress to disrupt her peace of mind.


    However, outwardly, the young woman didn¡¯t flinch. Not even as Eleanor shifted uncomfortably under Anita¡¯s hard stare, clearly expecting her to speak.


    After what seemed like forever, Anita simply raised her chin, calm and unbothered. "Mother," she replied with a calm smile.


    No different from what she always gave this woman. Except that this time, Anita deliberately made the woman feel the ingenuity in her smile.


    Eleanor felt and saw it. Her daughter-in-law was mad. She swallowed hard, thinking it was because of Linda¡¯s rudeness. "You¡¯re here too? I didn¡¯t know you¡¯d want to eat out. I would have... invited you."


    "You¡¯re not to blame, Mother. I should have checked up on you. I haven¡¯t been doing my job lately."


    Eleanor chuckled. Too loud. Too classless.


    She thought nothing has changed between them. She thought Anita didn¡¯t hear all the things she talked about with Linda moments ago, otherwise, Anita wouldn¡¯t even speak to her and just storm off. Or even, she might have called them out, demanding answers.


    The woman thought Anita was still the daughter-in-law she knew.


    And with that, the woman¡¯s heart settled and she wore back her facade of a loving mother-in-law.


    "How could you say that?" she reached out, putting Anita¡¯s hand in hers, like she always did. "You¡¯re my perfect daughter. I¡¯m sure you were very busy."


    Anita¡¯s gaze drifted to the woman¡¯s hand on hers. A wicked glint flashed in her eyes, but she schooled her calm.


    "When I get home, I¡¯ll send your favorite Charlotte to keep you company. The house must be lonely without David." The woman sighed, "That husband of yours...Anita, you need to take your wife role seriously. He doesn¡¯t listen to me. It¡¯s not ideal for a married man to be sleeping in the office. You trust him too much, but women cannot be trusted. What if¡ª"


    "I trust my husband, Mother." Anita smiled, thin lips. "He won¡¯t cheat on me."


    Eleanor was taken aback for a splitting second. "Ah, yes. My son will never cheat on you. He was raised right." Her gaze drifted to Linda and she cleared her throat. "Daughter, meet Linda..."

 Chapter 27: Pulling You Down

    Chapter 27: Pulling You DownEleanor¡¯s voice was lined with hesitation and fake nostalgia.


    "She¡¯s relatively new to this lifestyle. She was my neighbor¡¯s daughter, back in the day. Her parents were good to us. Kind and generous people."


    She glanced away, as if reaching into the past for innocence that never quite existed.


    "Linda practically grew up with David and Charlotte. I always considered her... like a daughter. So when I heard that David had given her an opportunity for a better future at his company, I was genuinely happy for her. I thought, maybe this would be her chance to build something good."


    She looked up, eyes soft, searching Anita¡¯s face for a crack of sympathy.


    "That¡¯s why I asked her to join me for lunch. I haven¡¯t seen her in years. And she just returned to the country. Please, for my sake, forgive her disrespect. She didn¡¯t mean to. She¡¯s just too used to seeing everyone as family, especially you¡ªher big brother¡¯s wife."


    Give this woman a holy book and watch her spin God¡¯s words into silk noose around people¡¯s necks.


    Did she really think Anita was that naive?


    Did she truly believe Anita had no clue who and what David¡¯s "neighbors" were, or what they looked like? Did Eleanor forget the very stories she once told Anita herself ¨Cover tea and tears¨C about how every single person in their old neighborhood treated them with contempt?


    Did Eleanor think she¡¯d forgotten? Or was she betting Anita had finally learned to swallow betrayal with grace?


    Years ago, Eleanor had wept with shame while confessing how neighbor wives would cross the street to avoid her like plagues, how the children bullied Charlotte and David, both at home and back at school, how even their so-called neighbors would pick fights over shared corridors, spilled trash at her doorstep, or imagined insults.


    And how their husbands would come everyday with sticks, banging on her door and yelling the house down for their money, and then came the loan sharks, who threatened to sell off Charlotte to recover the money her husband owned. S~ea??h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Neighbors barely tolerated them, just because her husband ran away with their savings.


    Apparently, Mr. Blackwood was a "businessman" who convinced people in the neighborhood to invest in a get-rich-quick scheme, and then vanished overnight with millions, leaving debts, lies, and a reputation so rotten the stench followed Eleanor and her children for years.


    Anita remembered that part well. Not because Eleanor said it too loud, but because paying the debt made David drunk on happiness and alcohol, initiate their first kiss and vowed to fight for their love. He even gave Anita his virginity that night.


    And now, here Eleanor stood, in pearls Anita had chosen for her, spinning fairy tales about the golden girl next door.


    Anita¡¯s eyes flicked to the table, to the so-called neighbor with watery eyes, probably waiting for what? An apology? A recognition? A signed divorce?


    Anita inhaled slowly, tasting the bitterness of the past Eleanor had so artfully rewritten.


    "You don¡¯t need to explain, Mother," she said quietly, her voice calm but cutting as she locked eyes with the woman¡¯s expression. "She already came into my home at night, and my husband introduced her as his muse. Now I see why."


    Eleanor¡¯s face paled. "He said what?"


    She was flabbergasted. How could David take his mistress home?! Why was he playing a blatant game of dare with a scary woman like Anita?


    Why?


    David told her they were going to play this smartly. They couldn¡¯t let Anita get a whiff of what was going on. David also said he wasn¡¯t divorcing Anita. All he wanted was a child from Linda, who¡¯d eventually be adopted by Anita after its birth ¡ª and a fairly good time with Linda until he got tired of her.


    Her son wasn¡¯t in a serious relationship with Linda. He didn¡¯t want her for a wife. He just wanted to have fun, get a child, since Anita was barren, and then talk Anita into adopting a kid in the future.


    Simple!


    So, how the hell had it all gone off-script?


    Meanwhile, Linda didn¡¯t bother getting involved, afraid David would hate her for it. But she hoped Mrs. Blackwood could make matters worse, if possible, say the wrong words that would hasten David and Anita¡¯s divorce.


    While the older woman was fidgeting under Anita¡¯s gaze, racking her mind for an intelligent reason behind her son¡¯s stupid act, Anita¡¯s lips rose subtly. She¡¯d deliberately stirred the pot of lies and tested how deep their collaboration went, but as it seemed, David wasn¡¯t telling his mother everything. In other words, she could push her own schemes through the cracks.


    "He said she¡¯s the company¡¯s new muse." Anita clarified, saving the woman from a heart attack, though her tone was far from kind.


    Eleanor blinked, struggling to compose herself, but let out an awkward laugh to hide her unease. "Ah... muse. Of course. That must have been a misunderstanding. You know David, he¡¯s always poetic with his words. Always exaggerating things that don¡¯t need flair."


    Anita nodded calmly. "Alright, Mother, let me not take any more of your time." She leaned forward and hugged her mother-in-law like all was well ¨C with a cheek to cheek kiss, warm enough to deceive, firm enough to remind.


    Pulling away from the hug, she brushed past her mother-in-law, heels clicking sharply on the neatly polished floor. The sound echoed in the silent VIP section like a countdown.


    Just as she walked through the entrance, Madam Blackwood shot a death glare at Linda. "How could you be so stupid?!" she shouted. "Do you think she¡¯s naive?! Do you know who she is?! How dare you provoke her with your flimsy little unpolished scheme when you¡¯ve already been to her house and presented yourself to her on a platter?"


    Eleanor was outraged.


    She didn¡¯t care that her son was a billionaire now. Until he said they didn¡¯t need Anita anymore, until she and her children could assert their authority without needing to be behind Anita¡¯s shadow, then Anita mustn¡¯t not be angered. And must be kept in the dark.


    Linda remained stilled, clearly taken aback by the woman¡¯s outburst. She¡¯d not expected the cheerful woman who¡¯d been full of praises for her to suddenly lash out at her.


    Her head lowered, but her eyes were covered with frost. This was all Anita¡¯s fault. She thought.


    "That woman," Eleanor suddenly spoke again, as if trying to force Linda to see who Anita was. "She¡¯s a fortress. Unbreakable, unyielding. And you, you marched right into her domain, wearing your foolish innocence like armor. Do you think she won¡¯t see through you? That she won¡¯t tear you apart for the audacity? If you want to die, don¡¯t pull my son down with you."


    "Nobody is pulling anyone down, Mother."

 Chapter 28: And Then, It Begins

    Chapter 28: And Then, It BeginsAt the lobby, Anita saw her dear husband devouring the distance like a man marching to war ¨C shoulders squared, jaw clenched, fire dancing in his eyes.


    She didn¡¯t stop him. Didn¡¯t hide from him either. But he was so preoccupied, so tunnel-visioned on whatever performance he was about to give upstairs, that he failed to notice her standing right there ¨C calm, poised, a storm in silk heels.


    Let him keep charging into battle without realizing the war had already shifted.


    Instead of leaving, Anita turned on her heel and walked over to the concierge desk with quiet purpose. The receptionist, a young woman barely out of college, straightened nervously the second she met Anita¡¯s gaze.


    "I¡¯d like to lay a formal complaint," Anita said smoothly, her voice dipped in grace and iron. "About your VIP policies. And your failure to vet your guest lists properly."


    The girl blinked. "Ma¡¯am, I¨CI¡¯m so sorry. Can I ask what happened?"


    Anita smiled politely, but her eyes didn¡¯t. "When I dine in the VIP, it comes with the reservation of the floor. If I wanted uninvited guests, I¡¯d dine elsewhere."


    Her voice was calm, even pleasant but each word landed like a blade.


    The girl paled. They had let Mrs. Eleanor in because she was Anita¡¯s mother-in-law. Everyone knew Anita was fond of Eleanor and Charlotte. And something like this used to happen in the past. But now... it seemed they¡¯d misunderstood the nature of that fondness.


    "I¨CI understand, ma¡¯am. We just thought... she¡¯s family and ¡ª"


    Anita raised a hand, silencing her without a word, the tension in the air tightening like a piano wire.


    "You thought wrong," she said softly. Anita continued, tone still honey-smooth but cold as ice. "What happened today was an embarrassment. Not just for me but for your establishment. If your staff cannot differentiate between a guest and a breach of privacy, perhaps I should consider taking my business to one of your competitors. I¡¯m sure they¡¯d be more appreciative and more strict on who to allow in and who not to."


    The girl nearly dropped the pen in her hand. "Please don¡¯t, Mrs. Blackwood. I swear this won¡¯t happen again. I¡¯ll escalate this to the highest level."


    "Ms. White," Anita corrected, and without waiting for a reply, she turned and walked off.


    The message was delivered and if the girl was smart enough, she¡¯d know what Anita wanted.


    And indeed, the girl was smart. Although she was stunned at first, she quickly regained her bearing.


    Because the moment Anita¡¯s heels clicked past the exit and the glass door whispered shut behind her, the hostess spun on her heel and rushed straight to the manager¡¯s office, nearly tripping over her own feet in the process.


    She barged through the manager¡¯s door, breathless. Just as the manager was about to chastise her for her dramatic entry, she waved, hunched while trying to catch her breath."


    "Sir¡ªSir, we have a situation," she blurted out the moment she burst through the door, barely knocking. "It¡¯s the VIP client. Ms. White. She¡¯s ¨C she¡¯s upset."


    The manager¡¯s head snapped up. "Anita Wales Blackwood?" His voice dropped an octave, laced with dread. "What happened?"


    The girl shook her head, "She said it¡¯s Ms. White. She corrected me when I called her ¡¯Mrs. Blackwood¡¯."


    The manager rose from his seat, eyes widening ever so slightly. Something big was going on here. "Come in," he ushered her in. "Tell me in detail."


    She nodded and began, "She lodged a formal complaint about the VIP floor, saying it was poorly vetted, that uninvited guests had been allowed in during her private lunch."


    The manager¡¯s jaw tightened. "Uninvited guests?"


    "She didn¡¯t name names," the hostess said quickly. "But she didn¡¯t have to. It was Mrs. Eleanor Wales Blackwood and a young woman. Ms. White was not pleased, sir. She threatened to go somewhere else." She paused, deliberating whether to add the last part.


    "Come on, say it!"


    "She hinted at being strict on who to let in, and who not to let into our establishment."


    The manager cursed under his breath. He didn¡¯t need more details. He¡¯d seen enough reputation massacres to know what came next.


    You ought to know Anita was already a White lioness before having a fallout with her White family and taking her husband¡¯s name. Even so, it didn¡¯t dull her teeth. If anything, marriage has made her even more vicious and ruthless.


    Now that she¡¯d reverted to using her maiden name, could it be that she¡¯d not only reconciled with her White family, but also had a problem with her husband¡¯s family? If that was the case, then their establishment must make the right choice.


    David Blackwood was a famous billionaire, loved by all, and has potential to bring in a flood of clients, attention, and prestige. He was charming, magnetic, and powerful ¨C the kind of man whose presence turned ordinary venues into landmarks.


    But Anita White?


    She was the mountain behind her husband. The reason he stood taller, firmer, more unshakable than most. While the world praised David Blackwood¡¯s brilliance, they forgot that brilliance burns out without foundation. And his wife, she was the foundation.


    The reason he moved with certainty. The reason doors opened before he knocked.


    The reason enemies backed off without a fight.


    And the manager, just like most intelligent and survival-oriented men in this city, and one who¡¯d been in the wealthy people¡¯s world longer than even Vincent Victor, his boss, understood one thing very quickly:


    When a woman like Anita White starts moving differently, you pay attention. S§×ar?h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    He sank into his chair and inhaled. "Alright, you may leave."


    Once the hostess left, he grabbed his desk phone and dialed his assistant, his fingers tapping a restless rhythm against the polished mahogany.


    "Get me Nadia," he said the moment the line picked up. "And I mean now."


    There was no time for pleasantries.


    He ended the call and dialed another.


    "James, I want you in my office in the next minute."

 Chapter 29: My World

    Chapter 29: My WorldLess than a minute later...


    Nadia, a prim and proper lady stood before the manager¡¯s desk.


    "Ms. Anita White just laid a formal complaint. I want a review of our VIP access protocols. Immediate. Get me the guest logs. Pull security footage. And have our legal team check every clause in our confidentiality agreements. If there¡¯s a loophole anyone can use, I want it closed before they can think about exploring it."


    There was a pause. "White?" Nadia repeated slowly. "You mean Mrs. Anita Blackwood?"


    "No," he said grimly. "I mean White. She corrected the name herself."


    Silence.


    That was Nadia connecting the dots. After a moment, she nodded calmly. "Understood," she replied. "I¡¯ll get everything ready."


    He paused and inhaled loudly. "Again, Revoke Mrs. Eleanor Blackwood¡¯s VIP access privileges until further notice," he finished, voice like a gavel. "Effective immediately."


    She visibly flinched. "But sir, she¡¯s¡ª"


    "I know who she is," the manager cut in sharply with a hiss. "And I also know who Anita White is. If there¡¯s even a whisper of this incident making its way into the gossip columns, we won¡¯t just lose her, we¡¯ll lose half our high-profile clientele who orbit her. And the Whites too."


    "Okay sir." She turned. But just as she was about to leave, he stopped her.


    "And this, Nadia, is confidential. If Ms. White wants the world to know, she would have held a press conference. Be district about this. We won¡¯t be the whistle-blower."


    Nadia bowed and walked out for James to come in.


    "Sir, you asked for me." The young man said.


    He¡¯s the senior floor coordinator.


    "From now on, no guest is to be allowed into a reserved VIP section without explicit, double-checked authorization from the host. I don¡¯t care if it¡¯s their mother, their priest, or the Queen of Greenville."


    "Yes, sir."


    "And one more thing," he added, his tone dropping. "From this day forward, address her correctly. No more Mrs. Blackwood. It¡¯s Ms. White. Clear?"


    The staff didn¡¯t need to ask who he was referring to. There¡¯s only one White family who could afford a meal in the VIP section of this establishment, even more so, a White who bears Blackwood ¨C Anita White.


    "Yes, sir."


    "Good. Now move. I want this buried and cleaned up before dinner service."


    As they left, the manager stood by the window, watching the city buzz below. He¡¯d survived a lot in this industry ¡ª scandals, celebrity tantrums, and the kind of lawsuits that turned men gray overnight.


    But a silent warning from Anita White?


    That was something no sane person would ever ignore.


    He walked back to his desk, took his personal phone and called Victor, explaining what had just happened.


    "You did well," Victor said, reclining calmly on a couch inside his office, a glass of red wine twirling on his fingers. "Send someone to get me flowers ¨Corchids, white ones¨C and have Chef Marco prepare ingredients for a full atonement course. No red meat, no onion, no dairy. I¡¯ll prepare the meal myself and hand-deliver it."


    The manager blinked but didn¡¯t ask questions. "As you wish."


    ....


    Meanwhile, on the highway, Anita, who had flicked a flicker of flame into a warehouse filled with gasoline¨Cand never expected it to ignite such a massive chain reaction miles away¨Csettled into her SUV with cool calm.


    She tapped her fingers lightly on the steering wheel, eyes distant but sharp, calculating her next move.


    She hoped Tessa and Lilly wouldn¡¯t prove to be cowards; they were not her last, but her first options. If they didn¡¯t dare take a step toward her, she¡¯d erase them from her mind and move straight to plan B.


    But unfortunately, plan A was still her safest bet.


    Suddenly, a name flashed across the screen of her car¡¯s dashboard.


    Incoming Call: My World.


    Her jaw tightened.


    The endearing label felt like a cruel joke now. My World. The name she¡¯d once saved with love, pride, even vulnerability. A title no one else ever got, not even her parents.


    Her thumb hovered over the screen.


    She didn¡¯t answer right away.


    The phone rang twice more, the sound slicing through the silence like a blade. Then, with a breath so shallow it barely moved her chest, she clicked her ear bud into place and answered with a crisp,


    "David?"


    "Are you home?"


    "Not yet," Anita replied. "I¡¯m stopping by the mall. Want me to get you something?"


    His silence stretched, thick with guilt, perhaps. Or suspicion. Either way, Anita didn¡¯t flinch. She kept her gaze on the road, and wished that silence between them would stretch for eternity. The sound of his voice irked her to no end.


    "My mom told me what happened at the restaurant..." he paused. "About you and Linda."


    "What about it?"


    He took a deep breath, "I¡¯m sorry that happened. She shouldn¡¯t have disrespected you but she had no idea how things worked with you. She¡¯s carefree and¡ª"


    Anita¡¯s heart squeezed so tight she almost couldn¡¯t breathe but her expression remained a mask of calm as she quietly cut him off.


    "Perhaps, you¡¯d prefer we have this conversation when I¡¯m not driving, David."


    There was a beat of silence on the other end. Then, a quiet sigh. "That bad, huh? Okay. I¡¯ll come home tonight."


    "What would you want to eat?" she asked, like she didn¡¯t want to slice off his dick and serve it diced over Saffron basmati rice with a glass of his mother¡¯s blood and a side dish of silence.


    He hesitated, unsure now. "I don¡¯t know...whatever you feel like making."


    "It¡¯s been a while since you last ate at home. How about your favorite?" she asked calmly, turning a corner. S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    David chuckled nervously. "Which one? You know I¡¯ve got a few."


    "The one you always asked for when you came home late," she said, her voice smooth as silk over steel. "Roasted duck with glazed pears and that wild rice blend. I¡¯ll even make the sauce you like. The one with wine."


    "That... sounds perfect. I¡¯ll be home soon."

 Chapter 30: Start Of Horror

    Chapter 30: Start Of Horror"Then come hungry," she said.


    And she hung up.


    The call ended, but the chill in her car lingered like frost on glass. Her fingers returned to drumming the wheel. Not in boredom, no, but in tempo. She was schooling herself to be patient.


    ...


    "You¡¯re going to her?" Linda asked in shock, pulling herself to a sitting position, her dress falling over her shoulder as she pulled it back on. Her voice cracked at the edges, too soft to be a scream, too sharp to be a whisper.


    They had something planned. He was supposed to take her to the apartment he said he¡¯d gotten for her ¨Cafter the lunch with his mother.


    But after what happened at the restaurant, with his mother lashing out at both of them and hinting that Anita might be suspecting him of cheating with Linda, saying her hunch as a woman was rarely wrong, David grew cold.


    But Linda wanted it to escalate. She didn¡¯t want him to resolve the ¡¯misunderstanding¡¯ with his wife, so she seduced David in the car, knowing he always came undone whenever she touched him. However, just as she thought he¡¯d been seduced, he got off her and called his wife, saying it wouldn¡¯t take a minute.


    And now?


    "You said you¡¯d stay," she whispered, as if saying it again would glue the moment back together.


    David buttoned up his shirt, each click louder than it should¡¯ve been. "After the mess you created, someone needs to clean it up."


    "But why do you care what she thinks?" she leaned into him, rubbing her youthful breast against him, while her hands roamed every sensitive part of his body. "You said she doesn¡¯t have power to threaten us anymore. You¡¯re also a billionaire now, My Love. So, why are you still scared of her?"


    "I¡¯m not scared of her," he growled, zipping up his pants like that somehow proved his control.


    Linda froze, her arms halfway around him, her lips a breath away from his neck.


    He pushed her off, not roughly, but firmly. Like someone who had indulged too long and finally remembered the fire he was playing with wasn¡¯t just dangerous but deadly.


    "It doesn¡¯t look like it," she scoffed and that slapped the insecure man squarely in the face.


    He whipped his head around, hand shooting out to grab her neck, pinning her head against the car¡¯s interior.


    Linda gasped, eyes widening in shock, but the man sitting in front of her didn¡¯t look like the sweet, cheerful man she knew anymore. Something about him had snapped and his grip was so strong that even as she tried to pry his hand off with both of hers, it wouldn¡¯t burge.


    He was choking the life out of her!


    "You have no right to utter those words," David snarled, his voice low, guttural, something primal and unrecognizable from the polished man Linda thought she knew. "You think I¡¯m weak? That I¡¯m afraid? You think this is about her?"


    His grip didn¡¯t loosen.


    Linda scratched at his wrist, kicking at the floorboard, desperate to breathe, but his rage only darkened.


    "You have no idea what kind of monster you¡¯ve provoked. And I¡¯m not talking about me," he seethed. "You think she¡¯s just a bitter wife? She¡¯s the reason her enemies haven¡¯t slept well in years. She¡¯s the reason they breathe in fear."


    His eyes darkened.


    Then, finally, his fingers loosened.


    Linda gasped violently, coughing and curling away from him, hands to her throat, heart pounding.


    David stared at her, at what he¡¯d done, then looked away. Not in shame. Not in regret. Not in dread.


    "I told you to be patient, and I freaking warmed you not to appear in front of her anymore after you barged into her matrimonial home," he said, voice low, simmering fresh wave of anger. "You should¡¯ve kept your damn mouth shut and continued being the good girl you were." He hissed, "What was the need to approach her at the restaurant and make things worse?"


    Linda continued to rub her neck in silence until she heard his last words. Her eyes flashed with defiance. "Worse? You were never going to leave her anyway. Were you?"


    David looked at her then, really looked at her, and something in his eyes turned cold. Dismissive. "Don¡¯t make this more pathetic than it already is."


    This girl was too normal. Too stupid. And for once, he preferred she had a little bit of sense to think without needing anyone to spell everything out for her.


    Linda blinked up at him, lips parted like she wanted to say something smart but all that came out was, "So... what do I do while you¡¯re gone?"


    David stared at her for a beat, his anger subsiding. "Don¡¯t text me," he said flatly, grabbing his keys. "Don¡¯t call. Don¡¯t go to her house. And whatever you do, don¡¯t post anything online. No songs, no cryptic captions, no ¡¯accidental¡¯ selfies in my car. Got it?"


    She pouted, pulling her dress tighter around her. "You make me sound like a problem."


    David gave a humorless laugh. "You are a problem, Linda. And you better be worth taking a bullet for." With that, he kissed the bruises on her neck. sea??h th§× N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    That shut her up.


    ....


    Eleanor Blackwood had stormed out of the restaurant earlier and now she was heading to her salon, annoyed.


    David and that girl had humiliated her.


    Why would they be so careless and act unbridled with Anita who has a nose as sharp as a dog¡¯s?


    Every woman knew the sick twist in her stomach when her husband brought another woman home, let alone when the other woman was introduced as a muse.


    There was absolutely no reason for Linda to have gone to Anita¡¯s house, except they wanted to make her suspicious and that was suicide.


    And now, Mrs. Blackwood was caught in the cross fire. She couldn¡¯t forget the look Anita gave her when she was spewing lies back there. Had she known that Anita and Linda already met at her home, she would have avoided Sapphire Bistro, knowing it was the only restaurant Anita went.


    Her phone suddenly vibrated in her purse, pulling her attention back to the present. She snatched it up, already expecting a call from her son. Hopefully with a better plan for damage control.


    But to her dismay, it wasn¡¯t David.


    It was an email from Sapphire Bistro Restaurant.

 Chapter 31: Fire On The Mountain

    Chapter 31: Fire On The MountainShe tapped it open with mild irritation, expecting some irrelevant promotional junk, until her eyes caught the subject line:


    "Membership Termination ¡ª Effective Immediately."


    Her brows knitted. Termination? How? Why?


    This could only be a mistake. It must have been for someone else and was accidentally sent to her...


    She clicked it open, and her stomach dropped as she read:


    Dear Mrs. Eleanor Wales Blackwood,


    As of today, your VIP Membership at Sapphire Bistro has been dissolved until further notice.


    We reserve the right to withdraw privileges from members whose conduct, associations, or guest behavior violate the standards of exclusivity and discretion upheld by our establishment.


    This decision was made in accordance with Clause 3.1(a) and Clause 5.4(c) of our membership agreement.


    You will no longer have access to:


    ? Priority Reservations


    ? Private Dining Rooms


    ? Chef¡¯s Select Previews


    ? Wine Vault Access


    ? Event Invitations


    We thank you for your past patronage and advise that all inquiries be directed to our legal team, should you seek clarification.


    Warm regards,


    Sapphire Bistro VIP Management


    "..."


    Mrs. Eleanor stared at the screen, her mouth hanging slightly open.


    Violate the standards of exclusivity and discretion?


    Her cheeks flushed hot with shame, then cold with fury.


    Then¨C


    She screamed.


    She screamed so loudly that her driver and bodyguard sitting at the front jolted in their seats. The car veered slightly to the left before the driver corrected it with a curse under his breath.


    "Ma¡¯am?!" the bodyguard asked, half-turning in his seat with his hand already reaching for the holster beneath his blazer.


    "Turn the damn car around!" Eleanor shrieked, her voice rasping with rage. "Take me to Sapphire Bistro. Now!"


    The driver hesitated. "Ma¡¯am, you said you have an important guest waiting at your¡ª" sea??h th§× n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Did I stutter?" she snapped, her voice slicing through the air like a whip. "Turn the damn car around!"


    The bodyguard exchanged a worried glance with the driver but gave a small nod. The car swerved into a sharp U-turn, tires screeching on the road.


    Eleanor gripped her phone so hard the screen almost cracked.


    She was one of the Big Five ¨C a circle of women, so exclusive that even whispers of its members could silence boardrooms and turn the city.


    Just like Paradise served as home for the cr¨¨me de la cr¨¨me, Sapphire Bistro was more than just a restaurant. It was a throne room. A symbol. A place where legacies were maintained, alliances formed, and reputations etched in gold.


    And now, hers had been burned. Dissolved. Suspended.


    If this news got out, the wives she once looked down on, who begged her on their knees to get them a membership, believing she had the power to do almost anything, would see her as an empty vessel.


    They would mock her and see that she actually had no power, but was leeching into her daughter-in-law.


    Eleanor clenched her jaw.


    No one would dare say it to her face, of course. Not yet. But they didn¡¯t need to. In their world, silence spoke loudest and she could already hear it roaring.


    Her chest rose and fell with short, shallow breaths, each one feeding the fire surging through her.


    She opened her contact and dialed Anita¡¯s number, hoping to tell her what was going on, but after remembering what that stupid girl, Linda, did earlier to provoke Anita, she canceled the call and dialed her son instead.


    He¡¯d better resolve matters with Anita as soon as possible, otherwise...


    ...


    Killian had just finished his shift for the day, working as a concierge at a VIP Resort, and had just plugged his phone into the charger when it buzzed with a message.


    He almost ignored it, his body aching and his mind foggy from dealing with entitled members. But the sender¡¯s name caught his attention.


    Romeo, his person, whom he put in charge of giving him reports daily on Anita¡¯s movements, had just messaged him again.


    *This morning, she went to the hospital, spent an hour and fifteen minutes, then stopped at Sapphire Bistro restaurant for thirty minutes. She¡¯s heading to the mall now.*


    "Okay," he typed, his fingers hesitating for a moment before hitting send.


    Killian leaned back in his chair, rubbing the tension from his neck. The day¡¯s exhaustion threatened to pull him under, but that was the trouble that came with being a part-time concierge, who had to do other jobs too...actual job.


    He plugged his phone in and went into the bathroom for a quick shower, hoping the warm water would wash away some of the stress and fatigue. As the water ran over him, his mind kept drifting back to Anita.


    After she pushed him away last night, he¡¯d pulled up the report he asked his people to gather, from that first day they ran into each other at the hotel.


    He wasn¡¯t surprised that she¡¯d turned out to be a ruthless woman who shook her enemies to the bone. She¡¯d always been dominant from childhood. After all, she was a White. They were known for their vicious, cunning, and unrelenting drive to rule, to dominate, to conquer.


    From the reports his people could gather, Anita had turned out to be exactly like her father and if pushed over the edge, she could become worse.


    But at least, she¡¯d not taken a life, which was a relief. However, her visit to Echelon Club, a place he was sent here ¨Cto Greenville¨C to monitor discreetly, set off a series of alarms in his mind.


    Echelon wasn¡¯t just any private club ¨C it was a den for vultures and monsters. Killian knew better than to underestimate the significance of Anita stepping inside those walls, especially at this point in her tangled revenge, or was that what she was after?


    He couldn¡¯t tell.


    Back in the days, he knew her to be vengeful. And she still was. But he couldn¡¯t wrap his head around why she couldn¡¯t just deal with her husband once and for all and move on, instead... he sighed. He didn¡¯t even know what she was doing, so why judge?


    He stepped out of the shower, quickly towel-drying himself as walked into the room, to a new message buzzing.


    On the screen, it wasn¡¯t a message from Romeo. No, work called, and it was about Lord Maverick Ravenswood.


    The leader of the monster in this city. The same one he was sent to bring down by any means possible.

 Chapter 32: Dangerous Maids

    Chapter 32: Dangerous MaidsAnita drove into her home to find her ten elegant, beautiful, polished, neatly dressed girls in black and white uniforms, like hostesses, forming two lines outside her driveway, standing like silent sentinels. Their posture was impeccable, faces calm, gorgeous, and professional.


    The moment she stepped out of the car, a cool breeze rustled the perfectly manicured hedges, and the faint scent of jasmine filled the air. She went to the back of the car and opened trunk to take out the groceries.


    A man quickly stepped out from a black van all smiles. "Good evening, Mrs. Blackwood. I¡¯m Manager Harris, overseeing the household staff. We¡¯ve been waiting for you."


    "Hm," Anita responded and brought out the bags before locking the truck.


    Without being asked, a brown-skinned girl with a body that could cause nosebleeds stepped out of the line. She smiled warmly, her white teeth sparkling, framed by a cute dimple on her right cheek.


    "Let me help you with that," she said, reaching gracefully for one of the grocery bags.


    Anita didn¡¯t hesitate. The broem-skinned girl took two of the paper bags and the remaining two were carried by a fair lady.


    Anita liked what she saw. There were different sizes of ladies, different colors, and different heights. But they all had one thing in common. They were drop-desd gorgeous.


    ...


    Inside the house...


    Manager Harris sat across from Anita. He watched her carefully as she signed the one-year contract of household confidentiality and specialized service, the final step in formalizing the presence of the ten women now under her command.


    The agreement was thick, clauses for discretion, behavioral codes, surveillance permissions, and most importantly, loyalty.


    When she slid his own copy of the document back to him, her signature bold and final, Harris gave a small nod of approval. "Welcome to a new level of efficiency, Mrs. Blackwood. These women are the best in their field. Quiet. Beautiful. Deadly, if needed."


    Anita arched an eyebrow, "I don¡¯t need deadly. But I like knowing I have the option."


    Harris chuckled ¨C a knowing smile. He rose to his feet. "Everything is now in place. If you need anything at all, don¡¯t hesitate to contact us," he said smoothly. Then, with a subtle nod to the girls lined behind her, he turned and left.


    Anita remained seated for a moment, fingers resting lightly on her own copy of the signed contract. Then she rose slowly, her heels clicking against the marble floor as she faced the ten women standing in a line.


    Her calm gaze swept over them, one by one. They didn¡¯t flinch.


    Silence, so thick it could suffocate, blanketed the room. Not a breath out of place. Not a shift in posture. They stood like statues. Perfect. Poised. Obedient.


    Anita tilted her head, studying them as if evaluating fine art. "Names," she said simply, her tone cool and controlled. Sear?h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    And then, in perfect synchronicity, the first girl stepped forward, her voice clear and melodic. "Camille."


    The next followed ¨Cthe brown-skinned one with a dimples. "Zaria."


    One by one, the names rippled down the line like falling dominoes. "Imani. Beatrice. Skye. Lillian. Chloe. Amara. Nia. Jade."


    Anita nodded once. "Good."


    She walked slowly in front of them, inspecting every detail ¨C the shine of their shoes, the smoothness of their hair, the subtle strength in their shoulders.


    "You¡¯re not just here to serve," she said. "You¡¯re here to protect me, observe, and act. This house isn¡¯t a sanctuary. It¡¯s a battlefield dressed in silk and marble. Remember that."


    None of them spoke. None needed to. They already knew.


    Their company, on the surface, was hospitality ¨C innocent househelps and nothing more.


    But once you made a demand for their monster-beautiful, perfect girls, you were asking for more than just househelps. You were asking for bodyguards, spies, and innocentseductresses...and more, wrapped in silk smiles and soft skin.


    They were trained in etiquette and elegance, but also in surveillance, manipulation, and the art of unraveling a man without ever lifting a weapon.


    These weren¡¯t just women ¨C they were investments. Tools of control. Although only a handful of the right people knew about them. And they were freaking expensive!


    Talking millions for one, yet Anita had just acquired ten.


    David was too clean in the public¡¯s eyes. She didn¡¯t want to use Linda, instead, she wanted Linda to take the initiative to destroy herself and drag David through the mud. But Anita knew that Linda alone wouldn¡¯t be able to land a hard blow, so she needed bait. Triggers. Pressure points.


    And that was one of the reasons these girls are here.


    There was no way in hell a cheating man could look past women like this. Anita believed in no time, her carefully crafted trap would catch its prey.


    "My husband wants to eat roasted duck with glazed pears, a wild rice blend, and a sauce made with wine." Anita said to the girls.


    ...


    That evening...


    The heavy groan of the gate rolling open echoed through the estate as David Blackwood¡¯s sleek black car turned into the driveway.


    The girls moved.


    Like clockwork, four of them stepped outside ¨C Zaria among them, her walk graceful. They opened the car door for him like a scene out of a luxury commercial.


    David stepped out, briefcase in hand, sunglasses still on despite the fading light.


    His brows lifted slightly at the sight of the women. "What the hell is this?" he asked coolly, although there was a flicker of interest in his gaze.


    As the perfect, cheerful, CEO David, he didn¡¯t have it in him to disrespect these ladies. And at the same time, he was cautious and curious.


    Zaria gave him a slight bow. "Welcome home, Mr. Blackwood. May I take your briefcase?"


    He stared at her for a long second before shaking his head, a small, polite smile on his face. "No, thank you. And you are?"


    "Zaria, sir," she replied. "One of the household staff."


    David was stunned. Househelp staffs?


    He glanced toward the other girls, each perfectly positioned, posed like living sculptures. There was confusion in his face, but also a strange glint.


    Anita never accepted househelps in the past. Why all of a sudden?


    Knowing that he wouldn¡¯t get an answer if he remained standing here, he began walking.


    When he stepped into the foyer, the scent of roasted duck and rich wine sauce wafted in like a promise. Lillian stood waiting by the entrance to take his coat. Skye offered him a warm towel for his hands.


    None of them smiled. None of them said a word more than necessary.


    David blinked, confused.


    Just how many where they? And why were they so gorgeous?!