Chapter 173
“You Want War, Dulcie? Then Bum ”
The world was finally catching fire–and I was the one holding the match.
The scandal detonated faster than I anticipated. Then my phone rang one evening.
Unknown number. I already knew who it was I
I didn’t answer right away. Let her suffer another few seconds. Another breath in her burning world.
I pressed “accept”
Before I could say a word, she screamed.
“YOU EVIL, SICK BITCH!“”
I moved the phone a few inches from my ear eyebrows raised.
“You posted that photo?! You humiliated me! You ruined Reagan! You-
“Oh Dulcie,” I said, calm as poison. “You think I ruined you? No. This is just the opening act.
She choked on her own breath. “You think you’ve won? You think this means anything?! Reagan will destroy you once he finds you. He–he
still loves me!
I laughed. A soft, cruel sound.
“He almost killed you, didn’t he?” I said sweetly. “Did you enjoy bleeding on marble floors, Dulcie? Was that love? Or just the end of your fairytale built on my ashes?”
She went quiet So I continued.
“You’re barren. The world knows it. You’re fucking with his father. The world knows that, too. And you have nothing now. No power. No company. No child. No heir. Just scandal and shame stitched into your name.
“You think you’re better than me?!” she hissed. “You’re nothing but a fake. You died. You should have stayed dead!”
I smiled. “But I didn’t
She let out a breath like she was breaking.
“I will find a way to fix this,” she snarled. “I’ll spin it I’ll rebuild everything you tried to take.”
I laughed again, bitter and sharp.
“Take?” I echoed. “Dulcie, I didn’t try to take anything. I already did. Sixty–five percent of your fashion line belongs to me. You’re not even allowed to use your own name in branding anymore. You’re done.
“You you bitch. You played me. You used me!“”
I leaned back, savoring every crack in her tone.
“I did more than that,” I said slowly. “You see, you didn’t just kill my father, Dulcie. You killed my mother. You poisoned my twin sister. You destroyed my family.”
“You’re delusional.“X
“No,” I said. “I’m just finally awake. And I swear on every breath in my body, I will drag you to hell. You stole my life. I’m going to burn yours down to the foundation. Just wait for awhile, dear.”
“You’ll never get away with this,” she snapped.
“I already have,” I whispered.
Then hung up.
I tossed the phone onto the velvet cushion beside me and let out a breath I didn’t realize I was holding. Salvatore stood nearby, arms crossed, watching me with that half–smile he wore when I got dark
“You good?” he asked
“Better than good,” I said. “She finally knows what fear tastes like.
The trap was set. And this time, it was personal
d to I stood in my office wrapped as the encrypted feed flickered life. Salvatore was at my side, arms crossed, his face carved from stone. The estate in Provence–one of my oldest shell properties–waited like a loaded gun. Reagan had followed the thread, just as I knew he
The man was predictable when he was despertol
He stormed into the chateau like he owned it, like he still ruled the world. That familiar arrogance coiled in his shoulders, fists clenched like violence was his last currency. The door slammed behind him, locking automatically.
And then–the lights dropped.
Silence Except for the soft hum of the projector warming up.
He turned, confused. On the far wall, the projection flickered to life.
Not our wedding. Not our old memories.
No.
12:42 PM I
