Chapter 95 The switch
Veronica's POV:
I didn't know where I got the guts.
Maybe it was the confrontation with Chase. Maybe it was Laura's taunt.
Maybe it was just pure, desperate instinct taking over when logic had completely failed.
But somehow, I found myself tracking down Laura Bellamy as she was getting ready in one of the parlor rooms backstage.
She was all alone. Perfect.
My hands were shaking as I approached the door. I could see her through the partially open entrance, checking her makeup in a handheld mirror, adjusting her diamond earrings.
She was preparing for her moment of triumph on that stage.
Before she could notice me, I slipped inside and quietly locked the door behind me.
The soft click made Laura turn around, her eyes widening when she saw me.
"What are you doing? Veonica..."
"I'm sorry," I said quickly. "But I can't let you do this. Max doesn't belong to you."
"You can't stop me," Laura said, standing up from her chair. "Mr. Ashford is about to make the announcement. Everyone is already talking about it."
"Everyone knows there's an engagement," I interrupted. "But they don't know to whom. Not yet. Not until you walk out on that stage."
Understanding dawned in Laura's eyes, followed immediately by anger. "Don't you dare..."
But I was already moving, grabbing a chair and wedging it under the door handle for good measure. Laura lunged toward me, but I was faster, fueled by adrenaline and desperation.
"Security!" Laura screamed. "Someone! She's..."
I didn't wait to hear the rest. I was already out through the back entrance of the parlor room, the one that led directly toward the stage area.
All of it made my heart hammer so hard I could hear it over the crowd noise.
This was insane. This was the most reckless thing I'd ever done.
But I couldn't let Laura trap Max. Couldn't let his father manipulate him into a loveless marriage for business purposes.
Even if it meant putting myself on that stage instead.
I reached the wings of the stage and spotted Max and Theo near the stairs, both looking like ghosts. They were clearly strategizing, probably trying to figure out how to stop this disaster, but the panic on their faces told me they hadn't found a solution yet.
Senior Ashford was already back at the microphone, his voice carrying through the ballroom.
"And now, I'd like to invite my son Maximilan and his lovely fiancée Laura Bellamy to the stage so we can all properly congratulate them."
The crowd applauded.
Max looked like he might be sick. His blue eyes were scanning the room frantically, probably looking for an escape route, a way out, anything.
"Maxwell?" Senior Ashford called, taking on a slight edge when Max didn't immediately move. "Come up here, son."
Max's feet started moving, his movements were mechanical.
Senior Ashford smiled, though I could see the tension in it. "And Laura? Where is our beautiful bride-to-be?"
Max's eyes were still searching desperately for some kind of salvation.
And I gave it to him. Because he was in this mess for me, and it was only fair that I went to him.
I stepped out of the wings and walked onto that stage.
Senior Ashford's face went from confused to horrified in the span of a heartbeat.
"It's me," I said, speaking through the microphone that had been set up for the announcement. "My nickname is Laura."
That was a lie. Everyone in the room knew it. But I kept talking before anyone could call me out on it.
"I'm Max's fiancée," I continued, moving to stand beside him. "Veronica Whitmore. Soon to be Veronica Ashford."
The crowd erupted... not in applause, but in shocked gasps and immediate gossip.
Whispers spread like wildfire. Camera phones came out of their hands. This was going to be all over social media within minutes.
I'd just become that gutsy.
I purposely turned my gaze toward where I'd last seen Chase in the crowd, needing to see his reaction.
It was completely rewarding to even look at Chase. He was in horror, his eyes wide with disbelief.
This was not part of his plan. This was not how things were supposed to go.
Good.
Senior Ashford recovered quickly, his smile sliding back into place even as fury burned in his eyes. "Well," he said tightly, "What a... surprise. It seems there's been some confusion about announcements..."
But he couldn't confess the truth. He couldn't make a scene here, in front of five hundred witnesses and multiple reporters covering the event.
The paparazzi were already snapping photos, capturing this moment of family drama.
He gestured towards someone backstage, probably his assistant, then smoothly descended the stage stairs without another word.
Damage control would have to happen later, in private, where the public couldn't see. That was how elites dealt with drama.
At least for now, I have saved Max, haven't I?! I didn't let Laura and Chase win.
Max was staring at me like I'd just performed a miracle.
"You know what you just did," he whispered close to my ear. " You have committed an act of beautiful insanity. Probably both."
I smiled, looking down at the crowd who were still murmuring, and still processing what had just happened. Some were congratulating us.
Others were openly skeptical. But the narrative had shifted... the slide behind us now featured me instead of Laura.
And then my eyes found Theo.
He was standing near the stage stairs where Max had left him, and the expression on his face made my heart stop.
He looked hurt.
Those green eyes that had looked at me with so much warmth, so much patience and understanding... they were filled with pure hurt.
No... no... this is not for real... Theo... this is just a show...
I wanted to scream it out loud. Wanted to jump off this stage and run to him and explain that this was just a tactic, just a way to save Max from Laura's trap. That it all didn't mean anything. That I hadn't actually chosen between them yet.
But I couldn't say any of that and blow up the perfect cover.