Chapter 2 NEW FACE, NEW REVENGE!
Erica DeLuca's POV
(Ten year later)
“As I was saying, this collaboration will surely benefit you and I. You get the golden contract and i get the money,” Finn Lodger said, and I smiled.
“Hmm, I want more than the golden contract. Imagine the stats. You get money, I get reputation… I want more,” I said. Finn chuckled, stared at me for a moment, then nodded.
“Sure, sure. As long as I can sign the deal with you, Erica,d I’m happy,” he said, gesturing to his secretary. She walked forward and placed a suitcase full of money on the table. I smiled wide.
“Not this. I want fifty percent of your shares,” I said. The smile on Finn Lodger’s face faded.
“Come on, that’s too pricey,” he said. I tapped my finger on the arm of the chair, swinging it casually.
“Well, it’s your call, Mr. Lodger,” I muttered, persuasive and cool, flashing my angelic smile.
“Deal,” he said. My eyes sparkled at his words. I reached out and shook his hand. “Nice doing business with you,” I said, and he smiled.
When he left the office the smile on my face faded. Jolie walked toward me and pressed hand sanitizer into my palm; I rubbed it between my hands.
“He irritates me,” I muttered through clenched teeth.
“Any news on Giselle?” I asked. Jolie nodded and pulled out a folder, flipping through the pages.
“She finally arrived in California, gracing everyone with her undying beauty,” she exaggerated and I rolled my eyes.
“She has over twenty million followers, and she recently won the Olivia Award for Best Actress,” she continued. A smile curved my lips.
“Perfect,” I said, barely containing it.
“You get the day off today,” I told her. She squirmed happily. “Thank you, Miss Billionaire,” she gushed, but I gave her a cold look and she sobered instantly.
“She’s secretly dating Carter Robinson, the CEO of HJO Construction,” she added. My heart jumped, a mixture of anger and something darker flooding me.
And my lips curled into a smile.
“My keys,” I said. Jolie hurried them into my hand. “I won’t be handling any meetings for the next two weeks,” I told her and walked out.
My heels clicked on the floor; employees greeted me with every step. I kept my head high.
I climbed into my car, staring at the company I’d built from scratch. My fingers scrolled social media, stopping on pictures of Giselle in a Fendi off-shoulder white gown, waving at fans as they screamed. My grip on the phone tightened as I read the comments.
“Oh my gosh she is so cute.”
“I wish I could be reincarnated as Giselle in my next life.”
“I love her so much, unnie.”
“She’s such an angel.”
My lashes fluttered as I read. A scoff escaped me. “Angel?” I laughed and tossed my phone to the seat angrily.
I rested my head on the car cushion, the past words echoing in my ears.
“She deserves it. Her life is ruined now,” Giselle’s words had echoed. I swallowed hard, remembering each one. I had waited so long — years.
I had to change my identity, my face, become wealthy. Only then could I get revenge. I wanted her to beg, to see everything vanish in her eyes.
I had died then; now I was hell. I was the villainess. I would end their every world… that’s why I waited until they had built their reputations, so they could watch them crumble and be able to do nothing.
“We’re here, Miss,” my driver said. My eyes popped open; the anger vanished, replaced with composed seriousness.
“Mmm,” I answered.
I stepped out of the car, letting my fair-skinned leg entice whoever waited, and finally my face came into view.
I froze when I saw who was waiting — leaning against his car, Carter Robinson, the ex who ruined the dead me: Celina Davinci.
I smirked graciously. “What a splendid visit,” I said, flashing a smile. He returned it.
“You’re as beautiful as always,” he complimented. I looked over my shoulder and clenched my teeth.
“Bastard,” I muttered under my breath and turned back to him. “Please come in,” I said, and he followed.
I removed my jacket and handed it to a maid who approached.
“Coffee,” I told her. She nodded and walked away to the kitchen.
I catwalked down the hall, swaying my hips; I knew he was staring, his gaze was intense.
To think he could still be successful after ruining a life in high school, I scoffed.
“Would you like sugar and milk in your tea?” I asked. He chuckled, almost charmingly, any woman would melt for him.
“No, plain,” he said bluntly. I hummed in understanding.
“The proposal I sent, did you have a look at it?” he asked.
“No. It’s not worthy of signing a contract with. In my honest opinion,” I said immediately, pausing in my step and turning to face him.
“It was incompetent,” I added, and then, softer: “Waffles?” I asked, watching the smile drain from his face.
“My best constructed proposal,” he said, laughing, but I saw the pain flicker in his eyes. This was nothing—just the beginning.
It was getting worse.
“Hmm, you don’t want waffles?” I asked nonchalantly, ignoring him. Panic and anger flashed in his eyes, but he masked them.
“Sure, I like waffles,” he said through clenched teeth. I smiled.
“I might reconsider if a top actress actually becomes the face of Lorenz,” I said, flashing a cheeky smile.
“By top actress you mean who?” he asked.
“Giselle,” I said, blunt and sharp. He was caught off-guard. He calculated inwardly for a moment, his eyes widening. He clapped his hands and walked toward me happily while I stepped back precisely.
“Please don’t come near, Mr. Robinson. I hate physical contact with the opposite gender,” I said; he froze.
“Oh… sorry,” he said, his pride deflating.
“If it’s Giselle you want, it’s her you’ll get. Will the contract be signed then if she agrees?” he asked.
“Of course,” I said, and his eyes lit up.
“Consider it done. Let’s meet next week,” he said. I coughed to interrupt him.
“I’m sorry, but I won’t be available for three weeks straight. I’m taking a vacation… but after that we can meet. Make sure Giselle’s spot is guaranteed in the contract,” I said. He smiled.
“Sure, sure,” he answered, walking to take a seat. What a leech, I thought inwardly and turned on my heels.
This was it — the beginning of my revenge. That’s why I needed Giselle. I was embarking on my dark plan.
They ruined my life, my dignity, my name. Now they would watch as I ruined their every world.
Soaking it in blood.
I smiled a killer smile at Carter Robinson.