Chapter 3 Scheme Exposed
Chapter 3 Scheme Exposed
Beatrice clutched Victor’s sleeve, her voice weak. “Victor, Annabel’s young–she’s never liked Lillian being here, so she’s not happy about this baby.
“Another kid means less inheritance for her. Don’t blame her, it’s just not meant to be for us to have a son.”
Yvonne, the maid, hurried over with a hot towel, wiping Beatrice’s sweaty forehead. She muttered, “Miss Annabel’s so careless–she got back today, I was just checking on her, and she pushed me away!”
Lillian piled on, sobbing loudly. “Annabel, we would never take your inheritance–you didn’t have to do this!”
Her wails were so loud, they brought every maid in the villa, their footsteps echoing as they gathered to stare.
Victor’s face twisted with rage as he yelled. “You monster–get to the ancestral hall and reflect on yourself now!”
Beatrice gripped Victor’s hand tighter, her voice faint. “Victor, get me to the hospital first–whether our son makes it or not, promise you won’t blame Annabel!”
“Beatrice, our boy’s going to be fine!” Victor said softly, stroking her hair gently.
Annabel laughed sharply, the sound cutting through the room.
Victor’s head snapped up, his glare fierce. “What’s so funny, you monster? You’ve got the nerve to laugh? I’ll deal with you later!” he growled, his fists clenching as he turned back to Beatrice.
As Victor carried Beatrice toward the door, Annabel’s voice rang out, cool and calm. Hold up!”
“Beatrice, I heard Yvonne gossiping with the other maids a few days ago–want to hear it?” she asked, her tone light, her eyes sharp as she tilted her head.
Beatrice’s jaw tightened, her face twisting in pain–she just wanted to get to the
hospital, not deal with this.
Yvonne’s face went pale, sweat dripping as a bad feeling hit her.
Annabel’s lips curved into a sweet, dangerous smile. “Yvonne said your baby’s stillborn, Beatrice–should we lock her up for saying that? Funny thing, she might be right. about that dead baby!”
She pulled out her phone, ready to play a recording.
Beatrice’s face went white, and she lunged for the phone. “Annabel, what are you talking about? The baby’s innocent! He doesn’t deserve this!”
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Chapter 3 Scheme Exposed
Sir, Ma’am, that’s a lie. I never said that!” Yvonne cried, dropping to her knees, hands clasped, begging.
Beatrice, seeing she couldn’t grab the phone, switched tactics, tears streaming. “Victor, my stomach–it hurts so bad! Get me to the hospital, please, our baby!”
Victor’s patience broke. “Get to the ancestral hall now!” he yelled.
Annabel laughed coldly and hit play on her phone.
“Mrs. White, due to the baby’s abnormal position, he may be dead now. We can’t detect a fetal heartbeat anymore,” a calm voice said.
“No way. My baby’s fine! He’ll be fine!” Beatrice’s recorded voice snapped, frantic.
“Mrs. White, this is the ultrasound report. And… my condolences,” the voice continued, steady.
“You quack, how could this be…” Beatrice’s sobs wailed, desperate.
The room went silent, everyone frozen, the air heavy with shock.
Annabel slipped her phone back into her pocket, her voice casual. “Dad, Beatrice knew the baby was stillborn all along!”
Victor’s excitement for his son turned to fury–he pushed Beatrice out of his arms. Beatrice, is this true?” he asked, his voice shaking.
“No, it’s not…” Beatrice stammered, tears falling harder as she shook her head.
She wailed, “It’s fake–my baby’s not dead, he’s not!”
She screamed, her voice shrill, like she couldn’t even convince herself.
Annabel’s heart was cold–she tossed the final blow lightly. “I could fake a recording, sure, but an ultrasound report? That’s harder!”
She threw a paper into Beatrice, saying, “Still not convinced? A hospital check now will prove it!”
After her rebirth, Annabel planned ahead–she’d grabbed proof of the stillbirth before coming back to the White family villa.
“No, this can’t be real!” Beatrice whispered, staring at the report, her body swaying like she might faint.
“Victor!” she cried, grabbing his arm in panic. “Annabel killed our baby–she’s jealous of how much you love him! She wants him dead–don’t listen to her!”
Lillian rushed forward, tears streaming. “Dad, Annabel’s scared you’ll punish her, she won’t admit. Please, get Mom to the hospital!”
Victor wouldn’t believe his son was gone–he still cared for Beatrice, but his rage focused on Annabel, his eyes burning.
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Chapter 3 Scheme Exposed
He swung at her face, yelling, “You monster. You hurt her, and now you’re lying about it! What’s next, killing all of us and bolt?”
Annabel saw someone familiar from the corner of her eye. Her body stiffened, and she forgot to dodge, taking the slap hard. Blood trickled from her lip as her cheek stung.
Walter White hobbled in on his cane, his old eyes sharp with displeasure as he looked
at the chaos.
“What’s going on here?” he asked, his voice rough but heavy with authority, silencing the room.
Lillian jumped in first, her voice heavy with fake sobs. “Grandpa, Mom was just worried about Annabel, but she pushed Mom down the stairs and now she’s lying, saying the baby is stillborn!”
Beatrice let out a timed whimper, her face pale, while Victor nodded darkly, his look hacking Lillian’s story.
Annabel’s eyes shimmered with unshed tears, but she pulled herself together fast, walking to the TV with purpose.
Under everyone’s confused stares, the screen lit up, showing clear stairwell camera. footage–Beatrice’s fall, no push involved.
“Got anything to say now?” Annabel asked, her voice steady.
Her gaze moved from Beatrice to Victor. The blood on her lip made her look fierce yet
hurt.
“I never touched her, not once, but I still got slapped for it. Now what? Am I suppose to thank you for that?” she said, her tone sharp as she crossed her arms.
“Oh, and let’s not forget–the maids can slander me whenever they want!” Annabel added, her voice thick with sarcasm.
She laughed bitterly, shaking her head, then turned to head upstairs, her steps slow and deliberate.
Victor’s face burned, shame hitting hard as he opened his mouth to speak.
Walter slammed his cane against the marble floor. “Get her to the hospital now!” he barked, his voice heavy with authority.
“And one more thing–the White family doesn’t keep maids who talk too much!” Walter said, his tone final, his eyes narrowing at Yvonne.
His words landed like a verdict–Yvonne dropped to the floor, her face pale, trembling in panic.
Beatrice, caught in her own drama, didn’t look at Yvonne. She sobbed to Victor, “I was just scared you’d blame me for not taking care of our son!”
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Chapter 3 Scheme Exposed
Annabel shut her door, blocking out the chaos, her face cold.
She knew this was just the beginning, and with Beatrice’s smooth talking, it’d all fade like always.
The next morning, Annabel went downstairs for breakfast, her mind planning her next step.
Lillian walked in from outside, looking rough, probably up all night.
Seeing Annabel, Lillian rushed over, her lips shaking. “Annabel, hit me–just slap me!”
She begged, grabbing Annabel’s hand and swinging it toward her own face. “I messed up yesterday, misunderstanding you–I’m so sorry! Slap me, please, it’ll make me feel
better!”
Annabel stood still, not moving, watching Lillian’s act with a cold, detached stare.
“Annabel! How dare you hit Lillian?” Victor’s angry roar came from the doorway, his footsteps charging closer.
Before Annabel could react, her hand was pulled hard, forced into a slap that smacked across Lillian’s cheek.
“Annabel…” Lillian gasped, stumbling back two steps, touching her red cheek as tears welled up “I was apologizing–why’d you hit me?”
She turned to Victor, who was shaking with rage, and sobbed, “Dad, Annabel’s just mad–don’t blame her! It’s my fault for being in the way, boo–hoo…”
Victor’s heart twisted. “Apologize to Lillian–now!” he yelled.
AM
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.