Filed to story: Billionaire Bride’s Revenge (Vera & Howard)
Victor’s cold voice broke through Samuel’s thoughts. “Keep an eye on them and stay updated on their activities.”
“Understood, Adams,” Samuel replied promptly.
Meanwhile, Vera had just gotten home and was about to relax in bed when her phone rang unexpectedly. It was Tricia calling.
Vera barely had any friends, and Tricia Guerrera was one of the few she considered a true friend. They had enjoyed shopping and high tea together, but they hadn’t spoken in a month. Feeling curious, Vera answered the call, wondering what had prompted Tricia to reach out now.
Vera answered, slightly puzzled, and Tricia’s cheerful voice filled her ear.
“Hey, Vera, what have you been up to? I’m throwing a birthday party tomorrow. Will you be able to make it?”
Clutching a pillow on her bed, Vera responded with a tinge of sarcasm. “I think I’ll pass on the party tomorrow. After all, I’m not the Montgomery family’s daughter anymore. These events typically attract crowds from wealthy families.”
Previously, Vera mingled easily with such groups, but since the revelation about her parentage, she had become the target of their jokes.
Tricia brushed off her concerns, insisting warmly, “You might not be a Montgomery by blood, Kat, but you’re still my dear friend. Would I look down on you for something like that? Plus, it’s been ages since we last met. I really miss you.”
Vera’s expression wavered with uncertainty.
Upon sensing her friend’s hesitance, Tricia’s voice grew even more persuasive. “Please, come keep me company. It might be my last party here. My parents are planning to send me overseas after my birthday. It’ll be harder to see each other then.”
Caught off guard, Vera asked, “Going abroad?”
The person next to Tricia nearly laughed out loud but managed to stifle it. Tricia shot a sharp look at her, silencing her before she could jeopardize the ruse. After giving her friend a warning look, Tricia acted disappointed and sighed deeply.
“Exactly! I’m leaving right after the party. Don’t you want to see me one last time before I go?”
Vera’s hand tightened around her phone, reflecting her internal struggle. Finally, she responded, “Okay. Send me the address.”
“You better not miss it,” Tricia said.
Vera agreed and hung up, unaware that her response was met with immediate laughter on the other end. One of the group members managed to ask between giggles, “Tricia, did Vera Montgomery really agree? She’s not going to stand us up, is she?”
Tricia smirked victoriously and confidently declared, “She’s a fool who clings to the idea of friendship. She’ll definitely show up now that she gave me her word.”
“Then we’re in for a treat tomorrow.”
The people in the room laughed again.
With a disdainful gaze, Tricia said, “Vera, I can’t wait to see your downfall with my own eyes this time.”
The following day, Vera put on a classic black dress. Following the address Tricia had sent, she arrived at the party venue on time. To her surprise, the guards at the entrance blocked her way.
“You’re not on the list. You can’t come in.”
“Entry is restricted to those with invitations only. Do you have one?”
Vera was taken aback by the guard’s question. Tricia hadn’t mentioned needing an invitation during their call.
She furrowed her brows and muttered, “Hold on, I’ll call Tricia.” Vera tried reaching Tricia by phone, but there was no response.
Faced with no other option, she turned back to the guards. “Tricia is my best friend. She invited me, but she’s not answering her phone right now.”
The guards’ expressions hardened, clearly skeptical of Vera’s explanation. One of them replied sternly, “Without an invitation, we simply can’t let you in. Didn’t you hear us the first time? We can’t just allow anyone who claims to be Miss Guerrero’s friend inside. What if it’s someone with bad intentions?”
Vera’s expression soured as she pressed her lips together tightly. She tried calling Tricia once more, but again, there was no answer.
As guests with invitations flowed into the party hall, Vera stood alone outside, drawing curious glances and whispers.
All of a sudden, a shocked voice resonated from behind her.
“Vera, is that you?”
When Vera turned around, she saw Adela Tucker approaching. They had met before but weren’t closely acquainted. Vera waved.
Adela approached and handed her invitation to the guard who had stopped Vera.
“She’s my friend. May we enter together?”
Adela had noticed Vera’s predicament the moment she exited her car.
After the guard inspected the invitation, he nodded and allowed them to enter.
Looking earnestly at Adela, Vera expressed her gratitude. “Thank you for your help just now.”
Adela dismissed the thanks with a casual wave and linked arms with Vera, leading her forward. “Don’t mention it.”
Inside, Vera scanned the familiar faces around her, recognizing many old friends. Among the crowd, she spotted Lily.
As Vera began to search for Tricia, she was surprised to see her walking over to thank everyone for attending her birthday party.
When Tricia noticed Vera, her expression changed drastically, and she shouted, “Who let this woman in? Get her out of here!”
Her sharp voice captured everyone’s attention instantly. Whispers spread as all eyes turned to Vera, and she felt a chill run through her.
It appeared that Tricia had orchestrated the birthday party to humiliate her.
Lily approached and spoke softly. “Tricia, is there a misunderstanding here between you and Vera? Weren’t you good friends before? Why do you want to kick her out?”
Realizing the situation, Adela quickly came to Vera’s defense.
“Yes, we are good friends. You can’t just mistreat her because her circumstances have changed. She came here to celebrate your birthday with you. Why are you being so cruel?”
“You don’t understand anything! You have no right to judge me!” Tricia retorted, glaring at Vera.
“When the Montgomery family worked with the Guerrera family, she abused her position as a Montgomery to bully me. She’d boss me around, send me on errands, and even threatened me to keep quiet about it,” Tricia declared.
These accusations caused everyone to look at Vera with disdain.
Vera, on the other hand, was visibly displeased. Tricia was lying.
Acting surprised, Lily said apologetically, “I’m sorry, Tricia. I didn’t mean to dredge up such painful memories. We were all under the impression that you two had a great relationship.”
Tricia said nothing, clenching her teeth as if enduring profound injustice.
Adela gently patted Tricia’s shoulder and offered insincere comfort. “The past is the past, and Vera has already faced the consequences. I still hope you two can reconcile.”