Chapter 94
Vanessa paced her living room, as different thoughts ran through her head.
She couldn’t stand how effortlessly Zabelle had turned the situation around, making herself look noble and virtuous while making Antonio look innocent.
The loser didn’t even talk about the video in detail and what he was doing with her.
She only released a stupid statement and everyone was eating it up.
Grabbing her phone, she dialed a number she hadn’t called in werks, and it rang twice before a familiar voice answered.
“What do you want, Vanessa?” The irritation in Jeremy’s tone was clear.
Vanessa smirked despite her foul mood. Perfect, she thought. If anyone could understand her frustration with Zabelle, it was Jeremy.
Their relationship had been rocky for some time, as they hadn’t been speaking to each other, but his issues with Antonio made him a useful tool.
“I assume you’ve seen the news,” she began, her voice smooth as silk
“I’ve seen it,” Jeremy replied curtly. “Antonio’s was getting dragged for cheating, then suddenly he was saved by your sister. What’s your point?”
Vanessa flopped back onto the couch, and she looked at her nails which needed a manicure before continuing.
“Doesn’t it annoy you? How do they always come out looking like heroes? Zabelle swooping in to save the day, Antonio playing the misunderstood victim.” Her voice dripped with disdain.
“It’s nauseating”
Jeremy was silent for a moment, but she could hear the faint exhale of his breath. “What are you getting at, Vanessa?”
Her lips curled into a sly smile as she could tell the idiot was coming around. “I’m saying, maybe it’s time they both went down as a couple
“Be clear,” Jeremy snapped in irritation, as she still wasn’t getting to the reason why she had called him. “What do you want from me?”
If it wasn’t because he was going to be useful to her, then she wouldn’t be putting up with his rude behaviour.
“I know you’re angry about Antonio and how he is now with Zabelle. Don’t pretend you’re not,” she said,
-Work together with me. This is an opportunity to hit him where it hurts. If we manage to throw some serious death on Antonio, something undeniable, it won’t matter how many flowery posts Zabelle writes. They won’t be able to spin their way
out of iL
“And you think I’d risk everything to help you?” Jeremy scoffed. I’m not stupid, Vanessa. I can tell there’s a hidden reason for your offer.”
“Think about it,” she pressed, her voice low and persuasive.
“You hate Antonio just as much as I hate how Zabelle always manages to come out on top. If we work together, we can take them both down.”
There was another long pause, and Vanessa held her breath. Jeremy was calculating, always weighing his options.
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Chapter 91
If she could convince him that they shared a common enemy, he might just join her.
“I’ll think about it,” he said finally, his tone guarded.
Vanessa’s grin widened. It wasn’t a commitment, but it was enough for now. “Good, I’ll be in touch.”
She ended the call, tossing her phone onto the cushion beside li
The storm brewing inside of her showed she wasn’t done with Zabelle or Antonio, not by a long shot. And if Jeremy decided to join her, their perfect little world would come crashing down
With a satisfied hum, she poured herself another glass of wine, ready plotting her next move.
With or without Jeremy’s help, she was going to reduce Zabelle to nothing.
Gabriel leaned back in his chair as his dark eyes were fixed on the tablet screen in front of him.
The news headline was boldly displayed across the screen, and was accompanied by a photo of Antonio with Zabelle.
“Scandal Rocks Power Couple: Antonio Caught in Alleged Cheating Scandal.”
A slow, cruel smile spread across Gabriel’s face as he tapped the screen to read the article, savouring every detail
This was exactly the kind of chaos he thrived on and this was what he wanted to see more of
“So,” he muttered to himself, “things aren’t as picture–perfect as they seem.”
The thought of Zabelle in distress brought him a twisted sense of satisfaction, as it had been a while since it had happened.
This was definitely news for someone. Without wasting time, he stood and made his way out of his mansion.
He arrived at the house in no time, and he headed straight to the dimly lit basement where his captive was held.
The air was cold and heavy with silence as Gabriel descended the stairs.
At the far end of the room, his captive sat slumped on the floor, his hands, and legs bound while his head was lowered.
As soon as the man heard movement, he looked up and as he saw Gabriel, his eyes darkened.
Gabriel stopped in front of the captive, his polished shoes clicking against the floor, and he crouched slightly, just enough to meet their eye level.
The man tried to attack him as always, but his hands weren’t long enough to do that, and Gabriel laughed mockingly.
“It’s a bad day for our dear Zabelle, isn’t it?” he said, his voice dripping with feigned sympathy,
“I’m sure you’ve seen the news–or rather, you haven’t, given your accommodations,” he mocked.
The captive tried to attack once again, his eyes dripping with hatred
Gabrielchuckled, standing upright again.
“Oh, don’t give me that look. Even though you’re not acquainted with the outside word, I let you know everything you need
to know,” he said.
“And I thought you’d want to know that Antonio, her shining knight, has been cheating on her,” he informed the man, who shook his head in denial.
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Chapter 94
“Don’t believe me, see for yourself,” Gabriel tilted his head, after which he showed the captive his phone.
“She’s destined never to be happy. Imagine the heartbreak, the humiliation she’s facing. The man she thought would love her doesn’t he laughed.
“And here I thought,” he continued, “she’d finally found happiness. But no. Looks like your Zabelle is just as miserable, and 1 didn’t have to do anything.”
The captive’s jaw tightened, but he said nothing. Gabriel noticed and leaned closer, his voice dropping to a low murmur.
“You must feel so powerless. Stuck here while she’s qut there, facing the world alone. It’s a shame, really but don’t worry, her father will take care of her.”
Gabriel conveniently avoided mentioning Zabelle’s public statement defending Antonio.
Why spoil the narrative? Gabriel wasn’t interested in the truth. As far as the captive was concerned, Zabelle was heartbroken about everything.
“Oh, look, my time here is up. But don’t worry, I’ll keep you updated about everything that happens.”
He turned to leave but paused at the doorway, throwing one last glance over his shoulder.
“Sleep well,” he said, his smile returning. “If you can.”
With that, he climbed the stairs, the sound of the heavy door closing behind him echoing through the room, leaving his captive in silence once again
As soon as he got out, the smile on his face darkened as Zabelle wasn’t as broken as he thought if she had the energy to release the statement that was changing people’s opinion towards Antonio.
However, this was something he could capitalize on, but how was the question.
Antonio had tightened security, and it was almost impossible to get close to Zabelle.
If he wasn’t able to penetrate from the outside, he would have to do so from the inside.
