Chapter 101 Ginny's Pov Gasps echoed through the hall, followed by a sharp wave of murmurs and disbelieving whispers. The once-admiring crowd turned cold, eyes sharp, judging, ravenous. Like wolves catching scent of blood.I watched Rhea as the recording repeated itself, her scandalous voice swirling around the room like poison laced in silk.Her lips trembled. Her knees looked like they might buckle, “T… That’s not me.” She whispered, barely loud enough to reach the microphone, “That’s not me! I never said that! Someone… Someone’s framing me!”She turned toward the crowd, arms trembling at her sides, “I swear! That’s not my voice! It’s fake, someone is setting me up!”Her voice cracked. Her eyes glistened.And right on cue, the tide began to turn.“She looks devastated…”“But what if she’s telling the truth?”“That technology exists now, doesn’t it? Deep Fakes, AI?”“Poor girl…”I narrowed my eyes, the disgust curling in my chest as a few soft-hearted fools started to murmur pity f
Chapter 100 Ginny’s Pov My hands smoothed over the fabric of my emerald green dress, the same one I had custom-made. I’d imagined this day a hundred different ways, all with me standing on the podium, being at the center of attention while gazing down on Rhea and watching her shake in anger. However, by some freak incident, I had to stand at the side to watch instead. But it doesn't matter, things will fall into place at the end. I glanced at my reflection in the window and gave a small smile. I looked beautiful. Elegant. Powerful. Exactly how I wanted to look today.“You’ve been quiet.” Rachel, said from the passenger seat, turning slightly to look at me, “Are you nervous?”“Not in the slightest.” I replied, fixing a loose curl that had fallen over my shoulder.She hummed softly, “Is Rhea on her way?”I fought the urge to roll my eyes. Of course she’d ask. “Kevin messaged me about fifteen minutes ago that they are on their way.” I said smoothly, pretending to check my phone, even
Chapter 99Rhea's Pov I woke up with a scream.My eyes snapped open, lungs heaving for air as if I were drowning, and for a moment, I didn’t know where I was. The light above me was soft, golden, not blinding like the camera light. My hands shot up to my throat, expecting fingers wrapped around it, choking me.There was nothing, just air. Yet I couldn't stop the sob that tore out of my chest.“Rhea.”The voice shattered the panic like glass. I turned sharply and saw him sitting beside the bed. Alaric. His eyes were wide, horrified. He reached for me carefully, cautiously, like he was afraid I’d flinch.I didn’t.The moment his arms wrapped around me, I collapsed into them. He held me tightly, rocking me gently like I was something fragile and precious. His hand ran up and down my back in slow, soothing circles, whispering things I couldn’t even process at first. His warmth seeped into my bones, breaking through the numbness that threatened to swallow me whole.“I’m so sorry.” He whis
Chapter 98Rhea's Pov “What’s so funny?” Kenneth asked.I took a deep breath, composing myself. I tilted my head and smiled as I looked around, “This… this is the big plan, isn’t it? To drug me. Record me. Blackmail me. Ruin me. You bastards actually thought you’d win like this?”“Trust me, sweetheart.” Doyle said, rising from the couch, “We’re about to win in every way that counts.”I shook my head slowly, “No, you’re not. Because you don’t know who the hell you’re messing with.”Lennox scoffed, “Really? You’re locked in, drugged up, and outnumbered.”“I’ve been underestimated before.” I said coolly, “And everyone who’s done it lived to regret it. So right now, if you let me go, I'll forget any of this ever happened. You'll keep your position as board members and I won't report you to the police.” Bullshit! The moment I'm able to get out of here, you guys are going behind bars! Lennox smirked, his eyes trailing down my body like I was a piece of meat on a butcher’s slab, “We’ll t
Chapter 97 Rhea's Pov “I am.” I replied smoothly and took a real drink. It was only a little bit of whatever it was he poured inside the glass that was in there so I just drank it all. My throat burned and I shivered once again, the uncomfortable feeling intensifying. I gripped the glass tightly, my palms trembling. Kevin leaned closer, “Relax, babe. You look tense.”I didn’t reply. The heat was intensifying. My hands began to tingle. My vision shifted slightly, not blurred, not yet, but distorted. Like I was underwater.“Kevin.” I said, forcing the words out calmly, “What’s in this?”He gave me a look, mock surprise with a trace of amusement beneath it, “What? Just your drink. I wouldn’t drug you, Rhea. What do you take me for?”Fuck. I knew that Kevin might be planning to drug me but what kind of drug did he use? Just a little drink and it was already this potent?! I stood up a little too fast and almost fell again, but I shook my head frantically to try to clear my eyes a bit,
Chapter 96 Rhea’s Pov It was one day to the party and things were busier than ever. The interior designers that were brought made a mistake and we had to start it all from the beginning and the invitations weren't sent out completely. It was a disaster but thankfully, everything had been resolved, even though it was already very late. After all the designers left, I locked the doors and went outside, took a deep breath then stared at the night sky. It was very breezy. “Miss Rhea.” One of the security guards I hired came to me, a smile on his face. “Ah, Mister. I'm sorry for keeping you out until this late. It was not my intention to.” I apologised. He waved his hands dismissively, “It's not your fault. Also, I could tell how frustrated you were. But everything turned out okay in the end, didn't it?” “Yes.” I nodded, “It did. I'll entrust the keys to you. Please make sure that no one is able to break into this place. I'm having a bad feeling already.” Immediately I