Tous les chapitres de : Chapitre 21 - Chapitre 30

Sophia’s POVI picked up my wine and took a sip. “I’ll be leaving soon. I have something I need to handle.”“So soon?” Vivienne asked.“It’s already dessert time. Just wait a little longer,” she said, winking at me.The butlers arrived with trays of treats and a large cake.Vivienne rose to her feet. “I’ll take the pleasure of serving you, Astrid,” she said, cutting a slice for me.“Thank you,” I replied.The moment I took a bite, my skin crawled and my stomach churned violently.I slowly raised my head and all their eyes were on me.There’s nuts in this cake, and I’m allergic to nuts, and only Mattoe knows about it.“You know,” Vivienne said with a smile, “Mattoe once mentioned Sophia is allergic to nuts. So to prove you’re not Sophia… nuts were added to the cake.”I smiled calmly. “I didn’t know I came here to prove myself.”“It’s just to shut Vivienne’s big mouth,” Mattoe said quickly.I'm glad no one could hear my heartbeat, because the fear inside me was loud enough to betray me.

Sophia's POV Mattoe rushed to his mother. This was the first time he had seen her lose control publicly."Mom!" He called, tapping her cheeks continuously.Someone handed him a bottle of water and he quickly sprinkled it on her face. And she slowly opened her face.This is my moment. I smirked faintly and walked towards the stage, picking up the microphone."Please everyone, we need to calm down. This video could be manipulated. We live in a digital age where anything can be edited to destroy reputation.Mrs. Robert has spent years fighting against domestic violence. Let's not judge her for a 30-seconds clip without context."The crowd slowly became quiet, and they began nodding in agreement.From the crowd someone shouted, "Yes! Mrs. Robert can never do such a thing! they're trying to tarnish her image!"Others joined him in saying yes.I smiled happily, with this I know they will trust me completely now. And I'll destroy them from inside bit by bit, until I get what I want.Mattoe

Third Person's POV Nathaniel’s fingers dug into Magaret’s shoulders as he slammed her against the wall.“How dare you send someone to raid my house!?” he roared.“I didn’t!” she gasped, struggling in his grip. “I swear I didn’t!”He released her suddenly and she staggered.Nathaniel swept everything across the dressing table angrily. Bottles, perfumes and jewelry crash loudly to the floor.“Ahhhhh!” Magaret screamed, covering her ears.The door burst open instantly.“Mom, what's going on!” Vivienne and Mattoe rushed in.“It’s nothing!” Magaret snapped quickly.“Both of you should get out!”They hesitated looking at each other.“I said get out!”The door shut as the both of them left.Magaret straightened slowly as she held her throbbing shoulder. “You need to calm down."Nathaniel laughed out loudly.“Calm down? I should calm down with all the evidence of crime I had committed gone. Everything, Magaret, including yours. All of it has been stolen” Her face changed immediately.“Wha

Sophia's POV“I can help you,” I said, leaning back into my chair.Relief flashed across Vivienne’s face so quickly.“But on one condition.”Her smile faded instantly. “What condition?”I tapped my fingers lightly on the table, watching her instead of answering immediately.“You know how Sterling Harrington & Cole operates,” I said casually. “They don’t just review your résumé.”Vivienne nodded. “Yes, I know they’re very strict.”“They investigate everything,” I continued. “Family history, public reputation, private scandals. Anything that could stain the firm’s image.”Her fingers slowly loosened from the edge of her handbag.I tilted my head slightly. “And right now your family’s name is everywhere.”Vivienne's face fell, and her earlier confident look was no longer there.“Don’t panic, Vivienne,” I said gently. “There’s still a way out.”She leaned forward immediately.“People believe the video was manipulated and that works in your favor for now.”“For now?” she repeated.I gave

Mattoe's POV The air in the living room changed in a split second.Vivienne’s breath hitched beside me but I didn’t turn immediately.“What exactly,” my mother repeated, her heels clicking slowly against the marble floor as she descended, “did the two of you overhear?”I finally looked up.She stood halfway down the stairs with one hand resting lightly on the rail and her expression was calm.“It’s nothing important, Mom,” I said, but my voice betrayed me. It trembled slightly.A small smile curved on her lips.“That’s interesting,” she replied softly.I don’t know where Vivienne found the courage, but she exploded.“We overheard your conversation with Nathaniel!”The room went silent instantly. For a moment, my mother didn’t move. Then she continued descending down the stairs, slowly.“Why should I suffer for the crimes you committed?” Vivienne shouted, her voice shaking now. “Why should I stop chasing my future because of you?”“That’s enough, Vivienne,” I snapped, turning toward