Chapter 17 Playing the victim
Behind the Billionaire's Mask!
Chapter 16
Victoria's POV
"So, he's the bastard that cheated on his girlfriend with an older woman," I said, staring at the pictures Jaxon handed me. The image of Alex, Sophie's boyfriend, smirking beside a woman who looked at least a decade older, burned into my mind.
"Yes," Jaxon replied.
"The ex-boyfriend is a fool. He didn’t realize he was pushing his girlfriend right into the arms of a billionaire," I mused, my thoughts swirling with malicious delight. "What if he found out that his ex-girlfriend got married to someone like Julian?"
I turned to face him, the corners of my lips curling into a sly smile. "Oh, it would bother him. Especially when he sees those pictures."
I moved to the pictures on the table, a picture of Sophie and Julian, I had asked someone to stalk them to report all their moves to me, and he had taken pictures.
I’m not ready to lose Julian, not to that poor rat of a woman. If I have to play dirty to keep him, then so be it.
I had a plan forming, one that would make sure Sophie would regret ever taking Julian away from me. After all, in a world where love was a battlefield, I was prepared to fight dirty.
"Jaxon," I said, glancing back at him, "make sure these get into the right hands. "
Jaxon raised an eyebrow, but he remained silent, knowing better than to question my motives. He was my secretary, after all. I appreciated his discretion; he never pried into my schemes, merely executing my commands with efficiency.
I leaned back, the thrill of the game coursing through me. "Add this." I said, picking up an envelope that contains everything about how rich Julian is from my shelf. "The more chaotic, the better."
With every revelation, I was one step closer to turning the tables, and I relished the power that came with it.
"Get my car ready, I am planning my next move." I said, looking at Jaxon. "And get the makeup artist here." I said, looking at Jaxon. His eyes flicked to the envelope, then back to me.
He nodded and headed for the door.
I smiled at my plans. I could almost hear the gears turning in the back of my mind, plotting each move like a chess master.
The door swung open again, and a flurry of brushes and palettes followed the makeup artist inside. She looked at me, her eyes wide with anticipation. "Good afternoon, ma. What’s the vision for today?"
I smirked, leaning forward. "Something pitiful. I’m going to need to look very pitiful, like i had cried for days."
The makeup artist blinked, momentarily taken aback. But the glint in my eye must have conveyed my seriousness, as she quickly nodded and began laying out her tools.
"Right, I can do that," she said, her voice steadying. "A look of sorrow, with just the right hint of vulnerability. Understood."
As she worked, I let my mind drift back to the images of Sophie and Julian. A bitter taste rose in my throat. They had no idea what was coming.
With each stroke of the brush, I envisioned my plan unfolding. I would play the role of the wronged woman. It would make Sophie look like the villain, a homewrecker in a story that would sell headlines.
The artist stepped back to assess her work, tilting her head as she adjusted the final touches. "You look incredible," she said, a hint of awe in her voice. "Truly heart-wrenching."
I smiled through the tears she had expertly crafted. "Just the way I want it."
As I slid into the backseat of my car, I felt a surge of anticipation wash over me. Jaxon took the passenger seat up front, glancing back at me through the rearview mirror. "Where to next?"
"Let’s make a scene," I replied, my voice low and filled with purpose. "Take me to Julian's grandfather's house."
This was showtime!
As we approached Julian's grandfather's sprawling estate, my heart raced with a mix of excitement and nerves. The grand entrance loomed ahead, adorned with manicured hedges and elegant fountains that glimmered under the afternoon sun.
Jaxon parked the car discreetly down the driveway, and I took a moment to gather my thoughts. I adjusted my hair and wiped away the fake tears that the makeup artist had so expertly crafted. This was my moment, and I had to sell it.
I stepped out of the car, my heels clicking against the cobblestones, a sound that echoed my determination. The grand front door swung open before I could knock, revealing Julian’s grandfather, a distinguished man with kind eyes that narrowed as he took in my appearance.
“Victoria?” he asked, his voice screaming surprise
I hesitated, letting the weight of my fabricated distress settle over me. “Grandfather,” I began, my voice trembling just enough to elicit sympathy. “I—I-”
“Why are you here?” he asked, stepping aside to invite me in. I could see curiosity and concern etched on his face, and I knew I had him right where I wanted him.
As I entered, I glanced around the opulent interior, taking in the lavish decor that spoke of wealth and history. I could almost feel the power radiating from these walls, and it fueled my resolve.
“Please, have a seat,” he said, gesturing toward a plush armchair. I sank into it, allowing a few tears to escape for effect. “What’s going on?”
I took a deep breath, summoning my most sorrowful expression and knelt down. “I am sorry, grandfather, I...I...am sorry for calling off the engagement with Julian. I...I was threatened. The man i left with had approached me and warned me to stay away from Julian. He said that if I didn’t, something terrible would happen to him. I couldn’t bear the thought of losing him.”
His brow furrowed deeper, and I could see the protective instincts kicking in. “Who threatened you? Victoria. You need to tell me everything.”
I let a fresh wave of tears spill over my cheeks. “Ethan! He was interested in me, but when I rejected him, he became aggressive,” I said, clutching my hands together as if trying to hold back the storm of emotions. “He cornered me outside a café, and I swear, I’ve never seen that kind of rage before. He told me that if I didn’t leave Julian, he would make sure I regretted it—make sure Julian regretted it, too.”
Julian’s grandfather’s expression shifted from concern to anger, his protective nature fully awakened. “How could he do this? How could someone threaten you like that?”
“I don’t know, Grandfather! I thought I could handle it, but then I realized… I can’t put Julian in danger. I love him too much,” I said, letting the last words linger in the air, my voice trembling with feigned vulnerability.
He paced the room, his hands clasped behind his back, clearly deep in thought. “We need to involve the police.”
"He had been arrested back in the state, for human trafficking and i had also confessed about how he treated me to the police. That was why i was able to come back to New york grandfather." i said, letting a few more tears fall.
Julian’s grandfather’s eyes widened in disbelief. “Human trafficking? Victoria, that’s serious. You should have told me, then. It's been four years already.”
“I didn’t want to burden anyone!” I exclaimed, my voice rising slightly, just enough to convey desperation. “I thought I could handle it myself, but it’s all too much. I just want to protect Julian.”
He paused, his expression softening as he placed a hand on my shoulder. “You’re not a burden, my dear.”
I laughed inwardly. My first plan had succeeded. I needed Julian’s grandfather on my side in getting back with Julian.
The game has just begun!