Chapter 7
“Are you ready?” Exander’s voice was low, cautious.
I stared at the mirror, at the stranger looking back at me. Gone was the soft, trusting woman who once believed in love. Nevaeh was dead. Violet had been erased. Now, Valeria Lanaster stood in their place–dangerously beautiful, exquisitely untouchable.
My fingers traced the sharp, sculpted cheekbones that weren’t mine before. The fuller lips curved into a smirk, a smirk I had never worn so effortlessly. My new emerald–green eyes- contacts, of course–held a glint of danger, of something no one could quite place but knew better than to cross.
I turned to my brother, my only family. “Tell me the truth, Evander. Do I look like a ghost of my past, or have I truly become someone else?”
Evander leaned against the dresser, arms crossed. His dark gaze studied me carefully before his lips curled into a satisfied smirk. “Not a trace of Nevaeh left.”
I let out a slow breath. “Good. That woman was a fool for loving the man who wipe off her entire family.”
Evander chuckled. “A fool, maybe. But now she’s a ghost haunting the living.” He pushed off the dresser, placing a firm hand on my shoulder. “You are Valeria Lancaster. My sister, my blood. And soon, the nightmare Benjamin never saw coming.”
The thought sent a thrill down my spine. “Speaking of which… I heard the lovebirds finally set a date.” My voice dripped with amusement.
Evander’s smirk disappeared. “Two months from now. Lavish, extravagant. Every powerful name in the business world will be there.”
I scoffed. “Perfect. I do love a good wedding.”
Evander gave me a knowing look. “You’re going to make an entrance, aren’t you?”
I twirled a lock of my now jet–black hair around my finger. “Of course, but first things first—I need to introduce Valeria Lancaster to the world.”
“Gala?” Evander guessed.
I grinned. “Gala.”
The night of the gala, I walked into the grand hall like I owned the place. The shimmering silver gown hugged every curve, the slit teasing just enough to keep them wanting more. Conversations faltered, heads turned, and I drank in their curiosity like fine wine.
I was no longer the invisible wife standing in the background. I was the storm no one saw coming.
Then, I saw him.
Benjamin Willoughby.
He stood across the room, looking sharp in his tailored suit, his hand resting possessively on Leticia’s waist. She laughed at something someone said, her sickeningly sweet voice grating against my ears.
Chapter 6
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tash se ng batone fate of cather, my careful orchestation brought us closer
Son’s Batleys we get his voice was deep controlled, but heard the curiosity
#amed, fegning mild surprise “OID But feel like ‘ve known you all my iffe.
the eyes narrowed singly, drying to place me
Lattice stepped forward, he tone clipped. “And you are?
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Afiche of recognition crossed Benjamin’s face. He had heard that name before. They all Had I made sure of it
Letice’s fake smile wavered, but she quickly masked it. “Lancaster? I don’t believe I’ve heard of your
I chuckled, 1 suppose you wouldn’t. I keep a rather… exclusive circle.” I sipped my Champagne, watching her seethe
Benjamin cleared his throat. “You seem familiar
“Do 12” I tapped my chin thoughtfully. Perhaps in another iffe.”
Pis frown deepened. The unease in his eyes was delicious.
Laticia forced a laugh. “Well, welcome to the gala. If you’ll excuse us-”
“Oh, of course. Don’t let me keep you from your… celebrations.” My gaze flickered to her King making sure she saw the amusement dancing in my eyes.
She stiffened, Benjamin hesitated
Good Let the seed of doubt take root
By the time the night ended, Benjamin’s company was in trouble.
“The investor pulled out,” Evander informed me over the phone, amusement clear in his voice. “Your little presence alone was enough to make him doubt Willoughby Industries.” I smirked, swirling the last of my champagne. “Good. Let the cracks begin.” “He’s going to start digging Valena”
Let him dig, brother. He won’t find Nevaeh.” I paused, my voice turning cold. “But he will
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The investor pulled out” Evander informed me over the phone, amusement clear in his Tove Your Attle presence alone was enough to make him doubt Willoughby Industries.”
I smirked, sweting the last of my champagne. “Good. Let the cracks begin.”
He’s going to start digging, Valeria.”
Let him dig, brother. He won’t find Nevaeh.” I paused, my voice turning cold. “But he will regret ever betraying her”
“Who the hell pulled out their investment?”
Benjamin’s furious voice echoed through his office, loud enough that even without being there, I could picture the vein throbbing in his neck.
“Mr. Willoughby, the investor refused to state a reason–just that they lost confidence in the company”
Confidence. Such a fragile thing. One wrong whisper, one shadow of doubt, and suddenly, a once thriving empire crumbles.
And I was just getting started.
I leaned back on the luxurious leather chair in my suite, swirling a glass of wine, watching the headlines flood the business news. Willoughby Industries Faces Sudden Investor Withdrawal. Unstable Leadership Suspected.
Oh, Benjamin, I was merely loosening the foundation.
“Evander,” I mused, tapping my glass. “Do it.”
My brother chuckled through the phone. “You want to invest in the company of the man who destroyed you?”
“Correction. I want him to think I’m saving him.”
The next morning, the news broke.
“Mysterious Businesswoman Invests in Willoughby Industries, Saving the Company’s Plummeting Stocks!”
Benjamin must’ve been scrambling. Trying to figure out who I was, why I helped him, what I wanted. And as expected, I didn’t have to wait long before my phone rang.
Chapter 2
