Chapter 589
Chapter 589
After the alliance between Helena and Louisa was sealed, the three of them got down to business.
In the study, Louisa, Julian, and Helena sat together, voices low.
"I've figured out Lorelei's plan."
Helena set a stack of documents on the table. "She wants to use a marriage arrangement to get me into the Tudor family — then use that foothold to muscle in on their business. At the same time, she's working with Gareth on the Getty side, slowly eating away at their assets. Once she controls both families, all of Silverlight City is hers."
"Ambitious."
Julian gave a cold laugh. "Too bad she's playing the wrong hand."
"So what we need to do is make sure her plan falls apart completely."
Louisa's fingers tapped lightly on the table, her eyes sharp. "Helena, stay close to Lorelei. Keep playing along. Then find the right moment to let Echo in on what she's really after."
"Tell Echo?"
Helena blinked.
"Exactly." Louisa nodded. "Echo's stubborn, but she's not stupid. The moment she finds out Lorelei's been pushing this marriage to swallow the Tudor family's assets, she'll shut it down."
"But will Echo believe it?"
"She will." Julian stepped in. "My grandmother cares about one thing above everything else — the Tudor family's legacy. Anyone who comes after it answers to her first."
Helena nodded slowly, turning it over in her mind.
"Alright. I know what to do."
"One more thing." Louisa added. "While you're at it, start collecting evidence of Lorelei's back-channel dealings with Gareth and Dominic. We'll bring it all out at once when the time comes."
"Understood."
Something lit up in Helena's eyes.
"But be careful." Louisa held her gaze, voice steady. "Lorelei is sharp. If you slip up in front of her — even once — everything we've built falls apart."
"Louisa, don't worry." Helena's voice was firm. "I've been at her side long enough to know how to play the game. She won't suspect a thing."
Julian watched the two women from the side, a quiet smile crossing his face.
"Looks like Lorelei's finally met her match."
"Obviously." Louisa raised an eyebrow, a confident smile tugging at her lips. "She thinks she's the one running the game. She has no idea she's the one being played."
---
Once the plan was set, Helena left.
She returned to the Getty estate and made a point of being the picture of obedience in front of Lorelei.
"I did as you said. I went to see Julian." She kept her eyes down, her tone deferential. "But Julian — he only has eyes for Louisa. He won't agree to the marriage."
Lorelei's expression shifted.
"Useless." The word came out low, sharp. "Can't even handle one man."
"I —"
"Enough." Lorelei waved her off, impatient. "Go to Echo. As long as Echo gives the word, Julian won't dare refuse."
"Yes."
Helena lowered her head. Behind her eyes, a cold smile flickered.
Just wait, Lorelei.
---
She went to find Echo soon after — and made sure to let Lorelei's plan 'slip' at just the right moment.
"Mrs. Tudor... honestly, I don't want to marry into the Tudor family." Her voice carried a faint tremor, her eyes cast down. "But Lorelei told me — if I marry in, it would help her take control of the Tudor family's assets. I... I didn't feel like I had a choice."
Echo went still.
"What did you say? Lorelei wants to take control of the Tudor family's assets?"
"Yes." Helena nodded, her eyes reddening at the edges. "She said once she has both the Tudor and Getty families under her, all of Silverlight City will be hers. Mrs. Tudor, I... I couldn't live with being the one who destroyed this family."
Echo's face went cold.
It clicked.
Lorelei hadn't been pushing this marriage for the good of either family.
She'd been using it as a door — a way to walk straight into the Tudor family's assets and take them.
"Lorelei." Echo's palm hit the table. Her whole body was shaking. "She actually dared to come after my family."
"Mrs. Tudor, please don't be upset." Helena moved quickly to her side. "I had no choice but to tell you. I couldn't let the Tudor family be hurt because of me."
"You did the right thing, child." Echo patted her hand, her voice softening. "Leave the marriage to me. Lorelei won't get what she wants. Not while I'm here."
Helena kept her head down.
The corner of her mouth curved — just barely.
Step one. Done.
---
Echo called Opal herself not long after, making it plain: the marriage between the Tudor and Getty families was off.
Lorelei got the news mid-sip of her coffee.
"What?" She was on her feet in an instant, face drained of color. "Echo called it off? Has she lost her mind?"
"She said she no longer wants the families joined." Helena stood with her eyes lowered, her expression carefully neutral — while inside, she was smiling.
Lorelei's hands trembled.
She knew something had gone wrong. She just couldn't figure out where.
She had no idea her own piece had turned against her.
"Damn it." The coffee cup hit the floor and shattered. "That old woman — how dare she go back on her word!"
"Please don't upset yourself." Helena kept her voice soft, her posture small. "Maybe Echo just needs more time. We can find another way."
"Another way?" Lorelei let out a sharp laugh. "Echo's already spoken. The marriage is dead."
She paced the room, her expression darkening with every step.
The marriage plan was gone. Her first move toward the Tudor family had failed.
She would have to start over.
What she didn't know was that every move she made was already inside Louisa's calculations.
---
At that moment, Louisa and Julian stood at the window, watching the city lights bleed into the dark.
"Step one." Louisa's lips curved. "Done."
"Yeah." Julian took her hand, his voice quiet. "Time to close the net."
"Almost." Louisa nodded, a cold gleam passing through her eyes. "But we can't get careless. Lorelei's cornered now — and cornered people do desperate things. She'll come up with something new."
"I know." Julian pulled her close. "Whatever she tries, I'm right here."
Louisa leaned into him, something warm settling in her chest.
She knew this wasn't over.
But she wasn't afraid.
She wasn't fighting alone.