Chapter 166
Vivian
By the time I finally reached home, my emotions had traveled through the entire spectrum of human suffering. What had started as crushing disappointment at the auction had morphed into a dull numbness during the long drive, only to crystallize into something far more dangerous: cold, seething rage.
The memory of Grandma Eleanor's gentle but firm dismissal kept replaying in my mind like a broken record. "Perhaps it would be best if you gave them some space to sort things out."
The diplomatic phrasing couldn't disguise what she was really saying: Get lost, Vivian. You're in the way of their love story.
Why was it always Aveline who got everything? Why did one mistake—one moment of poor judgment—have to define my entire existence? And why did I have to endure those looks from her, that insufferable mixture of pity and superiority, like she was graciously bestowing charity on some pathetic creature?
I don't need your sympathy, Aveline. I don't need anything from you.
The front door hadn't even closed behind me before Mother's shrill voice cut through the air.
"Oh my, what an absolutely dreadful expression!" Monica appeared in the hallway, her eyes gleaming with malicious delight. "We watched the livestream, darling. How impressive that Orion would spend ten million dollars just to make Aveline smile! When exactly do you plan to inspire that level of devotion?"
I moved past her without responding, but she followed like a predator who'd caught the scent of blood.
"Not that you should take it too hard," she continued with false sweetness. "Sometimes life is simply unfair. You'll never measure up to Aveline—that's just reality. And your precious boyfriend Dwayne? He'll never come close to Orion's level either."
The words were wrapped in velvet, but they hit like glass shards. My hands clenched into fists as I spun around to face her.
"What did you just say to me?"
"Nothing you haven't figured out already," Monica replied with a theatrical shrug. "This world rewards the ruthless, sweetheart. You either fight for what you want, or you get trampled underfoot. How do you think Aveline managed to capture Orion's attention? The girl knows how to manipulate men's hearts—I have to admire her technique."
I was seeing red now, my arm actually drawing back to slap her, when Richard came rushing out of his study.
"What's all this shouting about?" He shot Monica an exasperated look. "Can't you keep your voice down for five minutes? You weren't nearly this dramatic when Aveline was living here!"
As if summoned by fate, his phone chimed with a text message. Richard glanced at the screen, and his entire demeanor shifted from irritation to excitement.
"Actually, don't worry about any of this, princess," he said, his face breaking into a grin. "Our financial troubles are about to be solved. I'm transferring everything to our overseas shell company as we speak. Once that five million from Orion's loan is safely moved, we'll be able to extract it without any complications."
The casual way he discussed financial fraud barely registered through my emotional haze. Everything felt distant and unreal, like I was watching someone else's life unfold in slow motion.
I climbed the stairs to my room in a trance, Monica's cruel words still echoing in my head. Nothing seemed to matter anymore—not the auction, not Orion, not even my own family's casual corruption.
Then my phone rang.
Dwayne's face appeared on the video call screen, flushed red with alcohol and fury. This was the first time he'd initiated contact in weeks.
"Fucking bastards!" he slurred, raising a bottle to his lips. "Ten million dollars to make that bitch smile! Does Orion think money grows on trees? Here I am, scraping by in Europe like some kind of refugee, while he throws around cash like it's confetti!"
"So what?" I replied flatly. "Some people are just born lucky."
"Fuck that!" Dwayne spat, taking another aggressive gulp. "There's no such thing as luck—there's only who's willing to fight for what they want." His expression shifted into something that might have been a smile if it weren't so vicious. "Don't worry, baby. My father and Charles are already making moves against Orion. The pretty boy's days are numbered. His CEO position is waiting for me, and when I get back, I'll be living his life while he's begging for scraps."
"And then what?" The words came out more lifeless than I'd intended. "I'm tired of all this. Maybe I should just leave this place entirely."
Dwayne's eyes narrowed dangerously. "You're upset about that whore Aveline, aren't you? Let me tell you something—you'll never have any real status as long as she's around. She'll always be the comparison that makes you look small."
I was about to snap that I didn't want to hear about shadows and comparisons, but his next words stopped me cold.
"But there's a solution to that problem. We could just... remove her from the equation."
The casual way he said it made my blood freeze. For a split second, I allowed myself to imagine it: a world without Aveline. No more unfavorable comparisons. No more pitying looks. No more watching everyone I cared about choose her over me.
The thought was intoxicating.
Dwayne must have seen something shift in my expression because his grin widened. "That's right. I know people—professionals who handle these kinds of problems. All we'd need is for someone to get her to the right location. After that..." He made a casual throat-cutting gesture.
The reality of what he was suggesting hit me like ice water. I jerked back from the screen, my heart hammering.
"You're insane!" I managed to gasp, fumbling to end the call.
But even as the screen went dark, that treacherous thought lingered in my mind like poison: A world without Aveline.
For the first time in my life, I understood what it meant to have a devil whispering in your ear.