Chapter 29: The day before the article was released.

Chapter 29: The day before the article was released.
Chapter 29: The day before the article was released.

Dara stalked back to her room. She would need to think of something fast!

After Ian left, Nancy sent Isabelle up to inform Dara of dinner. Without knocking, she waltzed into her room.

“Hey…..it’s almost dinner time. Come down to the dining hall.”

As Dara stood, she feigned sadness.

“Ms. Isabelle….is there a reason why you hate me so much?”

Isabelle turned around to see a crying Dara. Annoyed, she rolled her eyes.

“Look girl….those tears don’t work on me. I don’t give a shit about you one way or another, but my brother’s reputation means everything! As head of this family he can’t be caught in some type of scandal! You had no right to seduce him! Cassandra-”

“Cassandra cheated first!”

The words flew out of her mouth before she could even catch herself! Too late to put the worms back into the can; Dara quickly formed a plan!

“What did you say!”

Isabelle glared at Dara in disbelief.

“M-Mrs. Keller….she…..she cheat-”

“I don’t believe you! As much as Cassie loved my brother there’s no way!”

Dara broke down in tears.

“It’s true Ms. Isabelle! She cheated first! She became angry when Ian started being nice to me….it was only because I saved his life! But Mrs. Keller accused us of having an affair. But I swear! We were innocent!”

Isabelle stared in shock! She couldn’t believe her ears! Cassandra betrayed her brother! Noticing her expression change, Dara continued.

“I tried to explain to her over and over that Mr. Keller was just grateful for my saving of him, but she screamed she didn’t care. I don’t know when she met him, but she had an affair with someone named Ayden Crawford.”

Isabelle’s eyes nearly popped out of her head! Ayden Crawford! The man responsible for her brother getting kicked out of the family! THAT’S who she had an affair with! Isabelle's eyes darkened.

“Are you telling me that bitch cheated on my brother with the enemy!”

Now, three days had passed since Isabelle learned the “truth” about Ian and Cassandra’s divorce. Dara filled her in on everything that happened. Including how Cassandra even brought her “lover” to the divorce hearing and how he was the reason she moved to the East. Isabelle was furious!

“That dirty fucking bitch! How dare she humiliate my brother like this!!”

Dara secretly smiled smugly as she watched Isabelle pace back and forth with anger.

‘Stupid girl. That didn’t take much.’

Isabelle looked at Dara with a confused expression.

“Why wouldn’t my brother just tell us what happened?”

Dara wiped the tears out of her eyes.

“He still loves Mrs. Keller. Also, he didn’t want to embarrass her….he knew if this got out, everyone would assume HE was the one that betrayed HER. Afterall, I am carrying his child.”

Isabelle’s brows furrowed. Dara had a point. Cassandra could spin this and make Ian the bad guy.

“Call her Davis! That bitch isn't a Keller anymore! So she thinks she trap my brother! We’ll just see about that!”

Isabelle looked at Dara, her eyes filled with mixed emotions.

“I’m not sure if I can trust you just yet. I thought that bitch Cassandra loved my brother and yet here we are! But you did save his life….you want him to marry you yes?”

Dara’s eyes widened in surprise.

“I-I….I love your brother Ms. Isabelle….but I also want what’s best for our son….so yes….I want to marry him.”

Isabelle smirked.

“Then leave it to me. My brother is going on a business trip tomorrow….he’ll be gone for about five days. By the time he gets back….I’ll have you looking like the saint of the East.”

Isabelle left after that leaving Dara smiling with glee!

“Yes!!! I’m a fucking genius!! How’s that Eric! I’ll be Mrs. Keller soon after all!”

Dara danced and twirled around the room thinking about her new life to come!

The next day, Ian called Dara while he and Eric were heading to the airport.

“How long will you be gone?”

Dara feigned ignorance as Ian told her about his trip.

“About five days….no more than seven. I’m heading to the North to finalize this deal…..when I get back….we need to talk.”

Dara could feel her nerves heightened. That “we need to talk” sound like a bad omen.

‘Shit! He’s made up his mind hasn’t he! That fucking sister plan better work!’

Dara seethed inwardly as she maintained her mask.

“Of course. Anything you want Ian.”

Ian smiled with guilt. He was grateful to Dara, and he cared a great deal about her, after all….she did save his life. But these past five months made one thing painfully clear…..he was still in love with Cassandra. He at least had to try to win her back. The baby wasn’t due for another four months…..he would have that much time to try. If he couldn’t win her back before the baby was born, he would marry Dara.

“I’ll see you soon. Take your vitamins and behave.”

“Bye.”

Dara hung up the phone irritated! Isabelle better be right about this plan!

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Isabelle sat in a secluded corner in the bustling café as she waited for someone to arrive. She was able to find Cassandra’s new social media page with the help of her P.I. As she scanned the pics, she became more furious with each stroke.

“How fucking dare she! This bitch is just living it up in the East while my brother suffers!!! Enjoy it while you can….you and your little business…..‘Sandy’.”

As she sipped her latte she anxiously looked at her phone. The time was now 12:30pm, her guest should be arriving soon. Suddenly, someone walked up to the table.

“Um….Ms. Keller?”

Isabelle looked up and smiled.

“That’s me.”

The man smiled and sat down while extending his hand.

“Great! I’m Jason Royer, reporter for the I.I.W. It’s a pleasure to meet you. I understand you have a juicy story for me?”

Isabelle smiled sardonically. It was time to bring that bitch Cassandra down!

“As a matter of fact I do! It’s about my brother, his whore wife, and the woman that saved him.”

The reporter’s eyes widened with shock! He had no idea this was going to be the story! Anxious, his fumbled through his bag pulling out his recorder. As Dara began to tell the reporter a solacious tale of lies, betrayal, infidelity, and near death experiences. The reporter couldn’t believe what he’d heard! If it had been coming from any other person other than a member of the Keller family, he would have laughed hilariously and dismissed them!

“A-And you’re sure this is the truth?”

Isabelle’s eyes darkened.

“Don’t insult me Mr. Royer. You think I would come here just to lie on my brother and his whore wife! Here’s a copy of their divorce certificate.”

He scanned over the document, eyes wide. It was the truth….Ian and Cassandra Keller were divorce!

“And you’re sure she was the one who betrayed him?”

Isabelle was getting pissed off! He had one more time to question her validity and she would take her story to another source!

“Mr. Royer, if you’re going to keep questioning me….perhaps I should go elsewhere.”

Jason Royer panicked! There was no way he would let this story escape!

“No, no! I apologize! I just wanted to make sure! I don’t want to cause any problems!”

Isabelle raised her eyebrow.

“Report the story the way I tell you and you won’t cause any problems. In fact, you’ll be a hero for breaking this story first! And in return…..I’ll pay you five million dollars.”

Jason Royer’s eyes practically turned green from greed as he smiled brightly! In addition to breaking the scandal of the year, he was getting paid millions to do it!!

“You can count on me Ms. Keller!”

Isabelle stood and smiled cooly.

“I look forward to reading your juicy story. Have it posted by tomorrow.”

With that, Dara put her sunglasses on and walked out of the café, leaving an anxious Jason scrambling to get to work.