Chapter 48 Revenge tastes sweeter if served cold!
Chapter 048
RAVENNA
"Let the game begin."
Samantha twirled her glass of wine beside me, a smug smile playing on her lips as the video began on the projector.
I could not help but smile at the heartbroken look spreading across Darius's face as realisation dawned on him.
This was it. This was the moment we had been working towards for weeks.
The video playing on the massive screen showed Richard Pike sitting alone in his office.
The footage was clear enough to see every detail. Every expression on his face.
He was on the phone, his voice carrying through the speakers with perfect clarity.
"I have tried being reasonable," Richard's voice came through. "I offered them a generous bribe. More than generous. But they refused. They actually refused me."
There was a pause as the person on the other end spoke.
"Then we have no choice," Richard continued, his tone cold. "We need to erase them from the equation permanently. This contract is worth millions. I am not letting some self-righteous fools stand in my way."
Gasps erupted throughout the ballroom. People turned to each other, whispering urgently. Some looked shocked. Others looked fascinated. All of them were watching the screen with rapt attention.
I glanced at Darius. He had gone pale. Actually pale. His eyes were fixed on the screen, his jaw clenched so tight I thought his teeth might crack.
The video continued.
Another scene. Richard in what looked like a private meeting room with several men I did not recognise. They were discussing logistics. Details on how to make a murder look like an accident.
"We need it to be clean," one of the men was suggesting. "No evidence and witnesses. It'll be just an unfortunate tragedy."
"Can your people handle it?" Richard asked.
"They have handled worse. Trust me, by this time next week, your opposition will be gone. And that contract will be yours."
Richard smiled. "Good. Make sure it is done properly. I cannot afford any mistakes."
The ballroom had erupted into chaos now. People were no longer whispering but were talking loudly. Some were pulling out their phones. Others were making their way towards the exits.
Darius was pacing. Actually pacing back and forth near the stage. He kept looking at the screen. Then at his father. Then back at the screen.
"Turn it off!" he was yelling. "Someone turn off the bloody projector!"
But nobody could. Because I had locked it remotely. The video would play until the very end, and there was nothing anyone could do to stop it.
Richard stood frozen on the stage. His face had gone from confident to shocked to something that looked like pure panic.
He was staring at the screen like he could not believe what he was seeing.
The video showed more conversations and evidence. Each scene is more damning than the last. It all includes financial fraud, blackmail, threats against competitors and bribes paid to government officials.
It was everything. Every dirty secret Richard Pike had tried to hide.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the video ended. The screen went black.
Relief washed over Darius's face. But the damage was already done.
Everyone in that ballroom had seen what Richard Pike was capable of. They had heard him discussing murder like it was a business transaction.
The murmuring had become a roar. People were angry, confused even whilst demanding explanations.
Richard cleared his throat. The sound was amplified through the microphone still attached to his lapel.
He hit the glass he was holding with a spoon, trying to call everyone to order.
"Ladies and gentlemen," he began, his voice shaking slightly. "Please, let me explain."
The crowd quieted, though the tension in the room was palpable.
"What you just witnessed was the handiwork of my enemies," Richard continued, his voice gaining strength. "That video has been edited and manipulated. It is designed to bring about my downfall and destroy everything I have built."
Some people looked sceptical. Others seemed willing to consider his explanation.
"I promise you," Richard pressed on, "I will find out who did this. And they will be punished severely. This is nothing more than a vicious attack by people who want to see me fail."
But I could see it in their faces. Some of them believed him. But many did not. They had seen the evidence, heard his voice clearly and no amount of excuses would erase what they had witnessed.
Samantha leaned close to me. "I think it is time we made our exit."
"Agreed."
We set down our champagne glasses on a nearby table and started moving towards the door.
The crowd was still in disarray, making it easy for us to slip through unnoticed.
We were almost at the exit when a hand grabbed my arm.
I turned to find Darius standing there. His eyes were blazing with fury and accusation.
"Did you have a hand in this?" he demanded, his voice low and dangerous.
"I have no idea what you are talking about," I replied calmly, though my heart was racing.
"Do not lie to me, Raven. Did you do this?"
"You are accusing us of something you have no evidence for," Samantha interjected, stepping between us. "That is quite bold of you, Darius."
"I know you did this," Darius snarled, his attention shifting between us. "I can feel it. This has your mark all over it."
"Then prove it," I challenged, pulling my arm free from his grip. "If you are so certain we were involved, prove it. Show everyone here your evidence."
His jaw clenched. Because he could not prove it. He had suspicions but no proof.
"If I find out you had any part in what just happened," he breathed, his face inches from mine, "you will not like what I am going to do to you. Do you understand me?"
"Is that a threat?" I asked sweetly.
"It is a promise."
"Then I suggest you start looking for your evidence, Pike. Because threats without proof are just empty words."
I turned and walked away, Samantha at my side. We made it through the doors and out into the cool night air.
The moment we were in the car, Samantha let out a whoop of victory. "We did it! Did you see their faces? Did you see Richard trying to explain it away?"
"I saw," I confirmed, starting the engine. "But Darius knows. He does not have proof, but he knows."
"So what? He cannot do anything without evidence. And we were careful. We left no traces."
"I hope you are right."
As we drove away from the venue, I could not shake the feeling that this was just the beginning.
That what we had set in motion tonight would have consequences neither of us could fully predict.
But for now, we had won. We had exposed Richard Pike in front of everyone who mattered.
We had shown the world what kind of man he really was.
And the look on Darius's face when he realised what was happening? That alone had made every risk worth it.
Revenge, as it turned out, tasted even sweeter than I had imagined.