Chapter 65 Chapter 65

Chapter 65 Chapter 65
Sabrina’s fingers trembled as she scrolled through the interview clip for the third time.
Averie and Darian sat beside each other in the hospital garden, sunlight falling across their intertwined hands as they firmly debunked the contract-marriage rumor. The reporter she paid was now smiling and praising their “strong bond.”

Her heart rate spiked and her throat burned with rage.

“Useless fool!” she screamed, hurling her tablet across the room which hit the wall with a crack.

Her breathing came in short bursts. She paced back and forth, her long nails scraping the edge of her vanity.

She grabbed her phone and dialed , her partner in crime’s number, Tyler.

He picked on the second ring. “Sabrina…”

“Did you see that?” she said with barely restrained breath. “I mean the interview?! I thought luck was finally shining on us but still they managed to wriggle out of it! Im very sure they are in some kind of contract. That's the only explanation for the sudden love facade” she rushed out, barely breathing.

Tyler sighed. “Calm down.” his voice was undeniably cool.

“Calm down?!” She laughed bitterly. “Don’t you know that we have no time to waste?”

“Sabrina,” Tyler repeated, calm as stone, “listen to me. I told you from the start that attacking them publicly won’t work. Darian is too smart for that and that’s why we need a strategy.”

She sank into her chair, chest still heaving. “Then say something useful.”

“The company secured a massive international contract,” He said. “A deal that will determine who the old man favors as his successor.”

Her breathing slowed. “Go on.”

“My brother is leading it but I’m already in position. All I need to do is sabotage his part subtly. Nothing that can be traced. When it falls apart, I will step in, save it, and present myself as the more capable leader to Grandfather.”

A cold smile formed on Sabrina’s lips. “Then do it.”

“I’m already working on it but you need to keep quiet for now. Don’t stir the waters more.”

“Fine,” she hissed. “But make sure they lose everything. And that Averie…” she seethed.

Tyler cut her off. “Focus on the goal. Leave Averie out of this.”

Sabrina sucked her teeth but didn’t argue.

When she hung up, she threw her phone on the bed and muttered:

“If only I had kept that evidence properly.”

Her vision dimmed briefly with regret because the old phone which had all the evidence against Dr.Levie was long gone with the years. Including the audio.

It’s been so long and she lost it when she moved houses and misplaced the box. She had flipped her entire apartment upside down that day but never recovered it.

“That fool,” she muttered, jaw clenched.

She stood abruptly and grabbed her phone again. One person left to pressure. She put a call through to Levie who answered with a lazy tone. “Sabrina. I knew you would call.”

“You betrayed me,” she said coldly. “After everything I helped you with.”

“You helped me?” Levie laughed. “You mean the way you threatened me back then? Please.”

She gripped the phone tighter.

“I can destroy your license,” she threatened. “You know I can.”

“Oh, really? Then where’s the evidence?” His voice sharpened suddenly. “Because if you had it, you wouldn’t be dragging this stupid rivalry for years.”

Sabrina didn’t breathe because she felt caught in the worst possible situation and so she hung up without a word.

Her hand shook from embarrassment.

BACK AT THE MANSION>>
Darian’s car pulled into the driveway while a Police car followed behind.

The maid stood at the entrance, wiping her hands on her apron nervously.

Darian walked right up to her. “We found the leak.”

Before she could process the words, the officers stepped forward.

“You are under arrest for unlawful possession and distribution of private family documents.”

“What? No…no, sir, sir please!” she begged. “I didn’t mean to…!”

Averie turned away, her heart heavy. Betrayal from inside the house hurt the most.

The officers dragged the maid away as she screamed their names.

Darian noticed the sympathy wearing Averie over so he wrapped an arm around her shoulders. “It’s over.”

She nodded, though her eyes were misty. He then led her to the couch gently. “Sit. You need to rest.”

She obeyed, leaning back. Darian knelt in front of her and placed a hand on her stomach.

“Little one,” he said softly, “tell your mommy she’s overthinking again.”

Averie laughed lightly. “Stop that. And it’s a girl.”

He raised a brow. “A boy.”

“Girl.”

“Boy.”

They bickered lovingly for nearly a whole minute until her phone rang.

He saw that it was Carmine; He stood and said, “I’ll take this.”

She watched his expression shift as he listened. “Tomorrow? Why so sudden?”

Carmine said something sharp, and Darian pinched the bridge of his nose.

“Fine. I’ll prepare.”

Averie touched his hand when he returned, she could tell what was happening “Go. I’ll be fine.”

He kissed her forehead slowly while rubbing her belly along the line. Averie giggled.

THE NEXT MORNING 
Darian’s assistant came early, hauling his suitcases. Carmine arrived moments later, dragging enough luggage for a month-long vacation.

Averie folded her arms. “You came to the house instead of waiting on the way?”

Carmine scoffed without shame. “Traffic. I didn’t want delays.”

“Right,” Averie said in a sweetly sharp tone.

Darian noticed the tension. “Averie… don’t.”

And so she stepped forward, fixing his tie slowly, deliberately so Carmine would feast and choke. Indeed, she hated the sight. Darian smiled and rested a hand on Averie’s waist then kissed her on the lips.

“I’ll be back before you miss me.”

“I’ll miss you the moment you enter that car,” she replied softly.

Carmine looked away quickly, swallowing bitterness. She couldn’t fight the moment because it was too intimate.

Darian finally left with Carmine as Jayden drove them to the airport.



THE HOTEL IN THE STATES

When they arrived in the States, Carmine guided Darian to the hotel’s front desk with confidence.

“Reservation for Carmine and Darian Graham, two rooms,” she announced.

The clerk typed for a moment, then frowned.

“I’m sorry… we don’t have any reservation under that name. I don’t think you booked correctly hence it was cancelled”

“Cancelled?,” Carmine said quickly. “Please check again.”

He shook his head. “Only one room is available.”

Carmine pressed a hand to her chest dramatically. “Oh no… what now? We can’t possibly….”

“It’s fine,” Darian said with a calm shrug. “Book the room.”

“Darian, but there’s only one bed…”

“You take the bed,” he answered immediately. “I’ll sleep in the lobby.”

She blinked. “What? No, that’s ridiculous…”

“I’m married, Carmine. The ridiculous thing would be me sharing that room with you” he said, his tone shutting her down.

She swallowed disappointment and forced a smile. “Of course. What do I expect?”

Carmine clenched her jaw so hard her teeth ached.

“How will I even start with what I’ve planned? Once we finish things here and return home, he’ll be hers forever”