Filed to story: Billionaire Bride’s Revenge (Vera & Howard)
Lily offered a greeting and stole a covert glance at Vera. She speculated on the nature of Vera’s relationship with Victor, a significant influencer. Victor’s arrival stirred excitement among the reporters at the door, who quickly began snapping photos. Capturing him seemed far more newsworthy than the ongoing Guerrero family saga.
Victor caught Samuel’s eye and signaled. Understanding the cue, Samuel and his team swiftly confiscated the reporters’ cameras and phones. Memory cards were seized, and all stored images and videos were erased.
The reporters were dismayed but silenced, their protests stifled by the presence of armed security.
With the media handled, Samuel ushered the reporters out.
The crowded and noisy room suddenly felt more spacious.
Delmar stared intensely at the unfolding scene, disbelief written across his face as he wondered why Victor would show up. A single move from Victor had enough power to ruin the Guerrero family financially.
Attempting to mask his concern with a cordial smile, Delmar cautiously inquired, “What brings you here, Mr. Adams?”
Victor looked at him with deep, dark eyes and responded nonchalantly, “Just here to observe the spectacle.”
Those around murmured, trying to decipher Victor’s cryptic remark. Was he referring to the amusement of the situation, or specifically to Tricia’s plight?
Vera watched Lily with a blank stare, curious about how she would maintain her act.
Lily adjusted her expression and moved closer to Victor.
“Mr. Adams, we were just discussing Vera’s involvement in Tricia’s attempted suicide. The incident has captivated public attention. It’s beyond my ability to shield her,” Lily said, her tone feigning helplessness. She sighed deeply as she finished.
Vera’s lips curled into a sneer, her eyes cold.
“Lily Johnson, I have uncovered proof of your role in urging Tricia to end her life. From the start, you orchestrated this affair. It’s time to drop the act,” she said, her voice icy.
Lily’s smile vanished instantly. A chill ran through her as she met Vera’s piercing gaze, sensing her disguise was beginning to fall apart.
Lily attempted to compose herself, reminding herself not to panic. She was confident in her meticulous execution of the plan, certain that no trace was left behind for Vera to find.
A nearby reporter, eavesdropping, was all ears. His eyes widened in shock. “For real?” he muttered under his breath. Luckily, he still had his recording pen with him.
Before Lily could respond, Howard jumped to her defense, confronting Vera angrily.
“Vera, you still fail to see the error. How can you unjustly blame Lily? What does she have to do with this?”
Lily sighed and gently touched Howard’s arm.
“Howard, calm down. Bear the blame if it’s Vera’s guilt,” she said softly.
Vera sarcastically clapped her hands together, the irony thick in the air.
“Remarkable, Lily, your acting has improved lately. However, did you forget you missed a crucial figure in your story?”
Victor’s attention remained fixed on Vera, who stood resolute and unyielding, reminiscent of a steadfast pine in a harsh winter. Her smile was mischievous, portraying her as the master of the game.
Lily’s anxiety intensified as she realized who Vera was hinting at.
“Damn it! How could I overlook that person?” Lily thought, flustered.
Vera casually waved her phone and continued nonchalantly, “Chloe has spilled everything, and I’ve captured it as evidence. This story is all over the internet. Do you really think Tricia will support you once she’s able to speak?”
Lily’s expression shifted to one of alarm and distress.
As Howard listened, confusion overtook him. He burst out, “Enough with the games! Clarify what you mean!”
Vera’s lips twisted into a smile, her eyes glittering with cold irony.
She spoke sharply, each word distinct. “You orchestrated this to frame me by inciting Tricia to take her own life, leveraging public sentiment against me.”
Howard’s annoyance deepened, and he shot Vera a frosty look. “Do you really think Lily could be as malicious as you suggest? How is that possible?”
Vera’s sneer deepened as she regarded him dismissively.
“Do you honestly believe Lily is as innocent as she appears?”
Lily clenched her fists, struggling to maintain her look of hurt and injustice.
“Vera, criticize all you want if it eases your conscience. It must make you feel less guilty to shift the blame to me, right?”
Victor raised an eyebrow and commented casually, “Miss Johnson, you’d make a fine actress. Such a waste!”
Though he spoke quietly, his words carried clearly across the room.
Lily, feeling Victor’s gaze, turned toward him uneasily, puzzled by his support for Vera.
Victor typically stayed out of other people’s affairs, and Lily feared her efforts to conceal her actions would be futile if Vera truly had concrete evidence.
Surprised by Victor’s intervention, Vera looked at him briefly before turning back to Lily.
With an icy tone, she declared, “I’ve gathered the proof. We’ll see what happens when Tricia wakes. Lily, you’ll face the consequences of your actions.”
As she spoke, something seemed to dawn on Vera. She smiled thinly at Lily, who was visibly panicking. “I’ve spoken to Tricia’s doctor. She’s expected to regain consciousness tonight. Let’s see how the public reacts tomorrow morning.”
Delmar was taken aback, pondering anxiously, “Will Tricia wake up tonight? Why hasn’t the doctor informed me?”
Even Howard was momentarily surprised.
A persistent inner voice urged him to trust Vera, yet upon seeing Lily’s pale face, he dismissed it instantly. Howard had always known Lily to be innocent and couldn’t conceive of her being capable of wrongdoing.
Holding back his anger, Howard confronted Vera. “What scheme are you concocting to frame Lily this time? She’s done nothing to you. Why not just leave her be?”
Vera scoffed, questioning her past affection for a man who never truly trusted her, always opposing her without considering the facts.
“She deserves whatever comes her way.”
Disinclined to engage further with Howard, Vera approached Lily, locking eyes with her.
“Once Tricia wakes up, I’ll unveil all your deceptions. We’ll see tonight.”
Lily, visibly shaken, remained silent, unable to respond. The revelation could devastate her if the tables turned and her secrets came to light.
Vera observed Lily’s fear, sneering before turning away decisively.
Victor surveyed the room with a subtle smirk and exited the ward alongside Vera.