Chapter 214 214

Chapter 214 214
Chloe came down the stairs a few minutes later, dressed in her robe, her hair damp from a quick wash. The scent of her vanilla body lotion drifted faintly through the air.
Lucius sat on her couch, one arm stretched lazily across the backrest, a glass of wine already in his hand like he'd always belonged there.

She crossed her arms. "You could've waited outside, you know."

He turned his head, eyes glimmering with that familiar teasing calm. "And miss your dramatic reaction? Never."

She rolled her eyes and sat opposite him. "You said you found the person behind the fake news?"

Lucius's expression shifted, the amusement fading into something harder. "Yes. It was Alexa."

Chloe froze. For a moment, her mind went blank. "What?" she whispered, shaking her head slowly. "That's not possible. Alexa wouldn't..."

"Oh, she would," Lucius interrupted smoothly. "And she did. She leaked the story through an anonymous PR handler. Paid them double to spread the narrative that you threw your father in jail out of revenge. I traced the transfer myself."

Chloe's jaw tightened, disbelief turning to fury. "Unbelievable. After everything I've tolerated from her..."

Lucius leaned forward slightly. "That's not even all."

Her eyes snapped up to his. "What do you mean?"

"She's not working alone." He set down the glass with a quiet click. "Alexa's just signed a partnership deal with your biggest rival, Clarisse Delacroix."

Chloe's breath caught.

Clarisse Delacroix, the founder of Delacroix Skin, is her most ruthless competitor. The woman who'd spent months undermining Chloe Luxe through subtle media digs and overpriced influencer campaigns.

Lucius continued, his tone deliberate. "The papers are already being drafted. It's a merger, Clarisse brings the brand, Alexa brings the marketing network. Together, they'll try to bury your company's reputation and build something on its ashes."

Chloe sat there, her hands curling into fists on her lap. "She's trying to destroy me," she whispered, her voice trembling with rage.

Lucius watched her quietly, then said, "No. She's trying to be you."

Chloe looked up at him, eyes glossy but burning. "Then she just declared war."

Lucius smirked faintly. "Good. Because you've been too calm lately. It's time she remembers who she's dealing with."

Before Chloe could reply, the front door opened.

Angela stepped into the living room, her warm expression fading as she sensed the heavy air between her daughter and Lucius. 

"What's going on here?" she asked carefully, glancing from one to the other.

Lucius rose to his feet politely, setting his glass down on the table. "I was just leaving," he said smoothly, but Chloe lifted a hand.
"No. Stay."

Her voice was sharp, too sharp. Angela blinked, confused "Chloe, what's wrong?"

Chloe turned to her, fury finally breaking through. "What's wrong?" she repeated, her voice trembling. "I'll tell you what's wrong, Mom. Alexa, your boyfriend's daughter just leaked a fake story to the press, saying I put my father in jail because he remarried! Do you know what that's doing to my company? My image?"

Angela froze, her lips parting. "What? That can't be..."

"Oh, it can," Chloe snapped, cutting her off. "And she didn't just stop there. She's now teamed up with Clarisse Delacroix, the woman who's been trying to destroy my business for months!"

Lucius stood silent in the background, eyes flicking between the two women.

Angela shook her head, her voice weak. "Chloe, I'm sure there's been some mistake. Alexa wouldn't..."

"Don't!" Chloe's voice cracked. She pointed at her mother, tears of fury glistening in her eyes. "Don't defend her. I told you to stay away from these people. I told you, Mom!
But you wouldn't listen. You kept saying Daniel is a good man, that Alexa has changed, that I should try to forgive. And now look!"

Angela swallowed hard, her hands trembling. "I didn't know, Chloe. I..."

"No, you never know!" Chloe shouted, slamming her palm on the armrest. "You never listen. You never see them for what they are until it's too late. I hope now you finally see who they truly are."

The silence that followed was thick. Painful.

Angela's eyes watered, her voice shaking. "Chloe, I didn't mean to hurt you. I only wanted peace... for all of us." Chloe turned away, brushing a tear off her cheek. 

"Peace doesn't come from trusting snakes, Mom."

Angela stood there for a moment, guilt and sorrow twisting in her expression. Then she nodded faintly, whispering, "I'll talk to Daniel."

"Don't bother," Chloe muttered, her voice breaking. "Just stay away from them. Please. Before they destroy everything."

Lucius finally spoke, softly but firmly. "She means it, Angela. Alexa isn't playing nice anymore."

Angela nodded again, eyes glassy, and quietly left the room.

When the door closed behind her, Chloe sank into the couch, pressing her palms over her face.

Lucius watched her in silence for a moment, then said in a low voice, "You know... anger suits you. But revenge will look even better."