Chapter 154: Low-Effort Lie
Amanda's POV
The phone jolted me awake.
"Amanda! Your room's completely trashed! Are you okay?" Stephanie's panicked voice cut through my grogginess.
Rage shot through me. Nicholas King. That bastard. Good thing I'd switched rooms last night.
"I'm fine. Changed rooms. Coming up now." I kept my voice level despite the fury building inside me.
I hurried upstairs, a strange excitement brewing beneath my anger. Let's see them try to pin this on me.
A crowd had gathered outside my old room. Inside was chaos—bed overturned, belongings scattered everywhere. These pathetic people really thought they could intimidate me?
"Amanda! Thank God you're safe!" Stephanie rushed over.
"Must've been dogs," I said coldly, eyeing the onlookers.
The hotel manager approached, face stern. "Ms. Davis, you'll need to pay for damages."
Anger burned in my chest. "Why would I pay for something I didn't do?"
"It's your registered room—"
"I didn't book this room. I'm staying downstairs. And there are hallway cameras you should check before accusing me." My words came out sharp, clipped.
Sophia stepped forward, her fake concern making me want to scream. "Amanda, the manager's doing you a favor. If they check cameras, you might end up embarrassed."
So Sophia was behind this with Nicholas. I stared directly at her. "What would I have to be embarrassed about? Unless you know something I don't?"
Her composure faltered. "Since Amanda has nothing to hide, let's check the security footage."
In the security office, footage showed Nicholas following me into my room. Triumph flashed across Sophia's face.
"Wow, Amanda. Alone with a man at night? Desperate to climb the social ladder?" Her smugness made my blood boil.
"Keep watching," I said, ice in my voice.
Minutes later, Nicholas exited, walking awkwardly, face contorted. I couldn't suppress my satisfaction.
"Ten minutes? That's your scandal?" I laughed. "Your mind goes straight to the gutter. Personal experience?"
Fury blazed in Sophia's eyes. "Why were you alone with him?"
"You should know. Wasn't it your suggestion for business?" I kept my tone professional despite wanting to slap her smug face.
"Then why did he leave looking... hurt?" Sophia pushed.
"He tried to get physical after I exposed his schemes. I defended myself." The memory of his shocked face when I twisted his arm behind his back almost made me smile.
"You seem very concerned about Nicholas. Something going on between you two?" I asked sweetly.
Sophia's expression twisted with rage.
The footage then showed three men entering my room at 1 AM with a keycard. Vindication surged through me.
I turned to the manager. "Explain how they got a keycard. Mine was with me."
He stammered, "They... they must have stolen it!"
"To trash a random room? How convenient." Disgust dripped from my words.
His phone rang. After answering, his face drained of color. "Ms. Davis, let's forget this incident. My apologies."
Before I could respond, police burst in. "Who reported a disturbance?"
The manager tried to dismiss them, but I stepped forward, determination flooding me. "The evidence is in the footage, officer."
The police identified the suspects but couldn't connect them to Nicholas. It didn't matter. I knew who was behind this.
-
The next day during warehouse inspection, Nicholas's eyes practically shot flames when he saw me. His injury from last night clearly hadn't healed—he still walked with a limp. His discomfort gave me quiet satisfaction, though I maintained my professional demeanor. "If your warehouse equipment meets standards, we can proceed with the contract."
Nicholas responded through gritted teeth: "Much appreciated, Ms. Davis!"
As expected, the inspection revealed his products failed completely. Just as I prepared to announce the results, Sophia interrupted: "Amanda, do the devices really need to be that precise? Nicholas's equipment seems fine to me, and the price is reasonable. Let's sign."
I laughed internally. This woman never quits. I kept my professional expression: "As Sterling Group's adopted daughter, if you wish to sign the contract, I can't stop you. I only represent Blackwood Group's position."
Sophia pretended to be disappointed as she told Nicholas: "I want to help you, but Amanda refuses. Nothing I can do."
Her fake sympathy made me sick. She was clearly trying to shift blame to me, keeping Nicholas's hatred focused on me. Such a basic move.
"Ms. Davis misunderstands," I said with a cold smile. "Though this is a three-party collaboration, both Blackwood and Sterling retain independent decision rights. I'm rejecting Nicholas on behalf of Blackwood, but you're entirely free to sign with Sterling independently."
My words hit Sophia like a slap. Nicholas's eyes immediately lit up with hope, fixed on her. I twisted the knife: "Even though our companies are collaborating, Sterling can absolutely follow its own contract procedures. Didn't you just say you wanted to help Nicholas? Here's your chance."
Sophia's smile froze, panic flashing in her eyes. Her plan to blame me backfired, with the responsibility landing squarely back on her shoulders. Cornered in front of everyone, she could only save face: "Of course, Nicholas has worked hard. These devices are nothing for Sterling."
As soon as she finished speaking, Sterling Group's representative turned pale and pulled her aside: "Miss, Amanda is the medical expert here! Mr. Sterling specifically said to defer to her judgment. If we accept these substandard devices, we could lose a fortune!"
Sophia's face darkened at being contradicted by her own staff. Nicholas quickly jumped in: "Ms. Davis, you promised to support me! These devices can go exclusively to Sterling. Let's sign now!"
He deliberately provoked her: "You're Sterling's future leader! This small investment means nothing to someone of your position!" Then he turned on the representative: "Who do you think you are? I'm talking to your boss's daughter—what right do you have to interrupt?"
The representative sweated profusely: "Ms. Davis, we shouldn't listen to him. Amanda is the professional here, we should—"
"Amanda, Amanda!" Nicholas cut him off. "Who does she think she is? Must Ms. Davis always defer to her?"
Watching Sophia fall for such obvious manipulation, I inwardly shook my head. She waved dismissively at her representative: "These devices seem fine to me. Amanda just has a personal grudge against Nicholas and wants to make things difficult."
The representative looked helplessly toward me. Though I disliked Sophia, I took my professional responsibilities seriously: "These devices lack even basic precision. They'd be nothing but trouble."
Nicholas's face flushed red: "You're talking nonsense! Ms. Davis, Amanda just wanted to sleep with me. I refused her, so now she's smearing my reputation!"
My stomach turned watching Sophia believe such a ridiculous lie. She actually said: "Prepare the contract now. I'll sign immediately."
Nicholas couldn't hide his delight as he escorted Sophia to prepare the paperwork.
The representative approached me in desperation: "Ms. Davis, these devices are defective! If I let this contract go through, I'll be fired!"
"Call Robert Sterling," I suggested calmly.
As he prepared to dial, I asked: "Does Sophia hold any actual authority at Sterling?"
"No," he shook his head. "Though Mr. Sterling sent her to participate in this collaboration, she has no real power..."
Halfway through his sentence, realization dawned. His eyes widened, mouth falling open. "Wait. You mean that..."