Chapter 75 Schemes

Chapter 75 Schemes
JADE

I got home to my tiny apartment I rented since moving out of Crimson, threw my coat on the chair, and poured myself a drink.

My hands were shaking. With anger and jealousy. I couldn't pinpoint the specific emotion causing the shaking.

Amelia had Jeremy Santoro.

Blind, pathetic, helpless Amelia had landed one of the most powerful men in the city.

And I wanted him.

I'd been lying to myself. Lying to the girls at the meeting. Lying about not caring.

However, the truth was that I had always noticed Jeremy Santoro. Every time Jeremy Santoro entered Crimson, I couldn't help but be drawn to him. I had always pondered what it would be like to be his chosen one.

He was dangerous. Powerful. Rich. He was everything a man should be.

And he'd barely looked at me. Had requested Amelia instead. Had made it clear from the beginning that I wasn't what he wanted.

But that was before. At that time, Amelia was simply another girl at Crimson.

Now she had him. Really had him. Living in his house. Wearing nice clothes and being protected by him.

And I wanted that. Wanted him. Wanted everything she had.

I drained my drink and poured another.

I could have him. I knew I could. I was prettier than Amelia. I Could see. Could do things for him that she couldn't. I had the potential to be the ideal partner for a man such as Jeremy Santoro.

I just needed to get rid of her first.

I needed to show Jeremy what he was missing. I wanted to show him what he could achieve if he stopped wasting his time on someone who was broken and helpless.

I felt compelled to present myself to him.

I pulled out my phone and scrolled through my contacts. Found the number I needed.

Marco. The man who knew everything about everyone who came through his doors.

I texted: Need to speak with you tomorrow.

His response arrived five minutes later, stating, "My office." 2pm. This better be important.

It is. I texted back.

I put the phone down and smiled.

Tomorrow, I'd talk to Marco. Find out everything he knew about Jeremy and Amelia. Their history. Their relationship. Their weaknesses.

And then I'd make my move.

I'd make Jeremy Santoro notice me. Want me and choose me.

And Amelia—blind, pathetic Amelia—would lose everything.

Just like she deserved.

VICTORIA

I drove through the Santoro estate gates, my hands tight on the steering wheel.

Jeremy had to listen. He had to understand.

I'd made a mistake with Matteo. A stupid, drunken mistake. And now I needed Jeremy more than ever.

Needed this engagement. I desperately needed the protection this engagement offered.

I parked and stared at the east wing. Where Jeremy lived. His private quarters were located there.

If the rumours were accurate, Amelia, the blind girl, resided there.

I'd heard the whispers. From staff. From people who'd seen them together.

Jeremy Santoro was keeping a woman in his wing. Young. Blind. Dependent on him.

And he was serious about her.

Serious enough to reject me. To refuse to make our engagement real.

I needed to see her. I needed to understand what Jeremy saw in her.

I climbed out of the car, straightened my dress, and walked to the front entrance.

The guard recognised me. "Ms Castellano, Is Mr. Santoro expecting you?"

"No. But we need to talk. It's urgent."

He hesitated. Then: "I'll let him know you're here."

He made a call. I waited.

Five minutes later, Jeremy appeared. Looking annoyed. Tired. He was not at all happy to see me.

"Victoria. What are you doing here?"

"We need to talk."

"I thought I made myself clear the other day."

"Please, Jeremy. Just—give me ten minutes. That's all I'm asking."

He stared at me for a long moment. Then: "Fine. Ten minutes. My office."

He led me through the house. Not to his wing. He guided me to his office located in the main building.

He made it clear that this was not a personal matter by taking me to his office instead of his house.

Inside, he closed the door and leaned against his desk. Arms crossed.

"What do you want, Victoria?"

"I want—" I stopped. Started again. "I made a mistake. With Matteo. I cheated. He found out. He left me."

"I know. You told me."

"And now I need this engagement. Need you. Need—" I stepped closer. "I need us to be real, Jeremy. Not just an arrangement. Real one."

"No."

"Why not? We get along. We understand each other. We could make this work—"

"Because I don't want you." His voice was flat. Final. "I told you. I found someone. Someone I care about. I am committed to this person.

"The blind girl, Amelia."

His expression didn't change. "How do you know her name?"

"People talk. Staff gossip." I moved closer. "She's living in your wing, Jeremy. Everyone knows. Your father knows. Antonio is aware. How long do you believe you can maintain this confidentiality?

"As long as I need to."

"And what happens when they force you to choose? What happens when your father insists that you terminate the relationship? What happens when the family determines she's a liability? I touched his arm. "You'll lose her anyway. However, if you make our commitment genuine, if you marry me as you are expected to—you may retain her. As a mistress. Hidden and safe. I won't care as long as we maintain appearances."

He pulled his arm away. "You think I'd do that to her? Make her my secret? My hidden thing?"

"I think you'd do whatever it takes to keep her alive. And in our world—being a secret is safer than being public."

He was quiet for a long moment. Considering.

"No," he said finally. "I'm not marrying you, Victoria. And I'm not making Amelia my mistress. I'm—" He stopped. "I'm figuring it out. But whatever the solution is, it doesn't involve you."

"Jeremy", I called him pleadingly.

"Get out." He said and refused to listen.

"Please—"

"I said get out." His voice was dangerous now. Cold. "You made your choices. You cheated on Matteo. He broke up with you, and you think I would not find out. You decided you'd rather have convenient than real. Those are your consequences. Not mine."

"If you don't marry me, people will ask questions. Will wonder why the engagement ended. Will investigate. And they'll find out about Amelia. About her living here. About—" I stopped. "I could tell them myself. I could ensure that everyone is informed."

Jeremy moved so fast I didn't see it coming. One second he was across the room. The next he was right in front of me. So close and threatening.

"Are you threatening me?" His voice was quiet. Deadly. "Are you threatening to expose Amelia?"

"I'm just—I'm trying to make you understand—"

"Understand what? That you're desperate? That you'll hurt an innocent girl to get what you want?" His hand gripped my arm. Not painful. But firm and controlling. "Listen very carefully, Victoria. If you say one word about Amelia to anyone—if you spread rumours, if you talk to the press, if you so much as mention her name to my father, I will destroy you."

"You're bluffing," I retorted, trying to maintain my calm.

"Try me. I have resources you don't even know about. And I will use all of it to ruin you if you threaten her." He released my arm. "Now get out. And don't come back unless you're invited."

I stumbled back. Shocked and scared.

I'd never seen this side of Jeremy. The truly dangerous side. The mafia heir didn't ask nicely.

"I'm sorry," I whispered. "I didn't mean to."

"Yes, you did. But you'll regret it if you follow through." He opened the door. "Leave. Now."

I left. I practically sprinted to my car.

My hands shook as I started the engine.

Jeremy was serious about Amelia. More serious than I'd realised. Serious enough to threaten me. To choose her over everything else.

Which meant I needed a different strategy. A better plan. I needed a strategy that avoided direct confrontation.

Because Jeremy Santoro had just made it very clear: Amelia was off-limits.

And anyone who threatened her would pay.

I needed to be smarter. More careful. More strategic.

But I wasn't giving up.

I drove away from the estate, my mind already working on a new approach.

If I couldn't threaten Amelia directly, I'd find another way. Another angle. I would find someone else who could assist me.

I needed someone who shared my desires.

I needed someone who harboured the same hatred for Amelia as I did.

I just had to find them.