All Chapters of The Betrayal Within: Chapter 11 - Chapter 18

Olivia Smith slipped into a seat at the back of the room, her eyes fixed intently on the unfolding drama. With her heavy makeup and transformed appearance, she blended seamlessly into the crowd. The past two years had been kind to her, honing her features into a more defined, sexy, and beautiful version of herself. Her skin glowed with a radiant, glassy sheen, a far cry from the dull pallor she once had. As she watched, a mixture of emotions swirled within her. There was a sense of satisfaction, even vindication, but also a hint of sadness. She had come a long way since her darkest days, and this moment marked a turning point. Meanwhile, Lucas and Maddie were struggling to contain the situation. "Who spread these false allegations?" Lucas demanded, his voice rising in indignation. The press corps wasn't having it, however. "Are you suggesting it was all a lie?" one journalist pressed, skepticism etched on their face. The room erupted into a cacophony of questions and

Daniel nodded politely, his expression courteous, but offered no further explanation, as he walked away. The sales associate efficiently wrapped the dress and handed it to Olivia with a smile. Olivia accepted the bag, aware of the subtle attention from others, but her confidence and poise remained unwavering. She turned to leave, the soft rustle of the bag accompanying her as she walked out. Outside, the bright sunlight and fresh air greeted her, a welcome change from the boutique's air-conditioned atmosphere. Olivia's heels clicked on the pavement as she walked to her car. She felt relieved as she settled into the driver's seat and drove away. *** In the Macy's parking lot, a stunning blue Bugatti Chiron gleamed in the sunlight, its sleek design and vibrant color drawing admiring glances from passersby. The sports car was one of the most expensive in the world, and its presence commanded attention. Meanwhile, a man sat in the driver's seat, his eyes closed as he rest

Lucas felt a wave of discomfort wash over him as he quickly removed his hand from Olivia's touch. The brief contact had sent a spark of electricity through his body, and he couldn't shake off the feeling that Olivia had done it intentionally. He breathed a sigh of relief that no one had noticed the exchange, not even Maddie, who was too engrossed in her conversation with the others to pay attention. As the evening drew to a close, the guests began to bid each other farewell and head home. Lucas waited until the crowd had thinned out before making his exit. He drove home with Maddie in silence, his mind replaying the events of the evening. Once he arrived home, Lucas headed straight to his study, seeking solace in the familiar surroundings. He walked over to the liquor cabinet and poured himself a glass of scotch, the amber liquid glowing in the dim light of the room. He took a sip, feeling the burn of the alcohol as it slid down his throat. As he sat down in his leather armch

When Olivia arrived home, she was alone, Matilda had probably gone to sign the documents. She decided to do some research on Julian George, the man who had offered to invest in her fashion business.She quickly pulled out her phone and started searching for information about him online. Her eyes widened in shock as she scrolled through the results. "What the hell!" she exclaimed, her voice echoing through the empty house.She immediately dialed Matilda's number, her heart racing with anxiety. "Matilda, please don't tell me you signed the documents," Olivia shouted on the phone, not even bothering to say hello.Matilda's calm voice was on the other end of the line. "I already did. What's wrong?" she asked, sounding puzzled.Olivia's anger and frustration boiled over. "Oh no... Why didn't you show me a picture of him so I would know who he is?" she asked, her voice rising.Matilda sounded confused. "I don't know. And I d