DEMI
"Ashton, believe , I didn’t do it. I know nothing about the recent posts on Billion-Err." Even while I kept pleading, I completely understand why no one would believe .
"If you didn’t post it and Liam couldn’t have posted it, then you must have another partner with access to the blog. Please Demi, you have to find a way to take it down and debunk that article. PLEASE."
His voice is teetering dangerously between a desperate plea and a finite warning, or maybe the last bit is just in my head. Tears shimr in my eyes as I pace around with my hand in my hair. No one is listening. Why would they? Who would believe I didn’t know Liam had another accomplice apart from ?
"I’ll go see Liam. Can you make that possible? I need to talk to him and get so answers. Maybe I can get him to call off this expensive prank..."
Ashton breathes heavily on the other end of the phone. "He’s getting out today. You can go visit him by noon. Make him fix this sohow. Things are...Look, punish , okay? I have no problem with you exposing my secrets or the things I’ve done in the past but Demi, you’re targeting the wrong people. Highlighting Josh’s paternity like this...my mother...I’ve kept her safe from this bitter truth for years." His voice shakes as he fends off the tears. "For her to find out about father’s infidelity like this...she’s broken, Demi. She’s heartbroken. Her condition is getting worse by the hour."
I dry my eyes. There’s no point insisting I didn’t do it when everyone is thoroughly convinced. I’m starting to rue my threat to Asher which must have fueled Ashton’s doubts.
"I’ll speak to Liam." I end the call and sink down on the couch. "Why won’t they believe ? I DIDN’T DO IT!"
Anna rubs my shoulders in circles and consoles as I break down crying.
"Why is this all happening now? I was just about to wrap things up and turn a new leaf. Why did everything have to fall apart? Ashton and his brothers bla . Their mother is in a bad state. Brett won’t spare now. He’ll co after with everything he’s got. How could Liam fool like this?"
"Just talk to him first and hear his explanation."
"What good will that do? All the evidence I submitted regarding Josh’s paternity has been leaked, including recordings of the quads talking about Josh and their father. There’s no coming back from this. There’s no way to debunk this. The damage is already done." More tears stream down my cheeks. "Whoever is behind Billion-Err is leaving cryptic ssages and teasing at another major reveal, Anna. I wonder what they’ll drop next. I am so scared. I feel so helpless and without control over how the plot of my own revenge unfolds."
Anna pulls into a tight hug. "I took the day off. Let’s go see Liam together and find out why he would allow this to happen."
***
Ashton’s hair reveal has done more than afford a break from social dia hate. So many speculations were born from his action including the thought that the quads might all have natural black hair and if that is true, then maybe the dark haired man kissing in the leaked photos could be none other than my husband, Ashley.
Apologies have been swirling from different blogs to while my in-laws continue to get bashed for not openly refuting the cheating allegations levied against . With Brett’s own affair now in the open, I am being painted a victim once more who has been suffering in silence under the weight of injustice being ted out by my in-laws within the four walls of the mansion.
Reporters hound Anna and I outside her ho.
"Mrs. Rollins, what do you have to say to your in-laws who allowed you to suffer unjustly from a false accusation?
"Can you confirm that Ashley is the one kissing you in the photos?"
"Mrs. Rollins, is the divorce still happening or all will be forgiven?"
"What do you have to say about your father-in-law’s leaked affair with Kristy Randall and his other son, Josh Randall? Did you also know about this? What other secrets are there within the mansion?"
"Mrs. Rollins, blink twice if you need help untangling yourself from the Rollins family!"
Anna and I rush into Maddox’s car and zoom off, leaving the reporters behind.
"Are you okay?" Maddox asks, watching from the rearview mirror.
"I’m fine." I huff, staring out the window. Thankfully, his car’s windows are tinted. The truth is I am not. I am worried and scared. I may not have posted the articles but that doesn’t matter, especially when the Rollins family is convinced I did. I am surprised Brett hasn’t sent any of his lackeys to co grab yet. Maybe he’s avoiding more drama in case reporters capture my kidnap or Anna cos forward to complain that her best friend had been kidnapped by none other than the Rollins family. That must be it. My in-laws are afraid of stirring more scandals by attacking .
Or perhaps it’s the fact that I know a bunch of their well-hidden secrets and might spill even more if antagonized? Could that be Asher’s take?
"We’re here." Maddox announces after about fifteen minutes of silent driving. I compare the address of the beautiful house in front of us to the one Liam texted.
"He lives here?" Anna gaped with her mouth hanging open.
"He’s Spellman’s heir, rember?" I remind her.
"Right. I keep forgetting."
As we step down from the car, the gate opens. Liam erges in sweats and a Tee-shirt. His hair appears freshly washed and styled. Unlike his usual warm smile, he regards with a stern expression.
"Demi, you can co with . The rest can leave."
"What?" Anna gasps.
"Did I stutter?" Liam snaps with a harsh deanor. He seems different from the man I’ve always known. Fear curls up my belly till it tangles around my neck like a noose. I force myself to be brave for whatever I am about to discover.
"Maddox, please drop Anna at your mom’s. I’ll join you all soon." I kiss Anna’s cheek and hug Maddox before falling in step with Liam. While the gate is being shut, I shoot Anna a quick, reassuring smile that I will be fine.
Liam’s ho is just as impressive as the mansion with respect to the ornate furnishings. His living room is riddled with conspicuous statents of luxury like a three-tiered chandelier spilling gold light across a marble flooring I probably could eat food off of. He ushers to a seat and reclines in his with one foot crossed over the other.
The off white couch looks inviting but this isn’t a social call so I decline and remain standing.
"Trust , you’re going to need to sit down for this one."
I can tell from his eyes that he isn’t bluffing. Hesitantly, I sit down. His smile is unnerving as he takes in.
"You’re in good spirits for soone who just got out of prison."
He chuckles. "I am, actually. It’s sothing in the air, or perhaps the news in the air. Tell , how does it feel to see Brett gnawing at his fingertips in confusion, to see the quads running back and forth like headless chickens with no surefire plan to bury their sha? Ah, I don’t know about you but watching them and their business crashing and burning puts on cloud nine."
"I know you didn’t post the article on Billion-Err. Are you going to tell who you instructed to do it?"
He eyes narrow. "Why do you appear more bothered by the WHO than the success we just copped? We’ve been trying to hit those billionaires where it matters for months and all we ever did was tickle a feather in their nostrils. One article and we’ve got them sneezing blood, Demi. I thought you’d be more ecstatic than this."
"I DIDN’T SANCTION IT."
"YOU DIDN’T HAVE TO." He snaps back at . "It’s MY blog, rember? I had the tool and the ans to make them pay for the humiliation they put through, and I did!"
My chest tightens. Did he just say the blog was only his?
"Who posted the article, Liam? Who else has your passwords?"
"I do." Mila says, walking in gracefully with two glasses of white wine. She offers one to her brother and makes herself comfortable next to him on the couch.
Mila? This shouldn’t be a surprise but sohow, I am still shocked.
"She’s been in on it this whole ti? You told both of you were estranged. Why’d you lie to ?"
"You left no choice, Demi. I told you from the beginning that our plan may have started because of you but it wasn’t only about you! We started off great but soon, I realized you couldn’t be trusted to pull this off alone. I needed to make other plans to ensure you don’t fuck things up and leave to hang dry."
When I turn to stare at Mila, she rolls her eyes. "I wasn’t supposed to get mixed up in this. I just wanted my brother back to his rightful place in the family. You were losing focus on your goal and getting sidetracked by your feelings for Ashton. I had to step in to break that up. I understand, Demi. I see why you’d fall for him but you should have had your fun and kept your head in the ga. That family sucks. I don’t get how you can still feel sympathetic towards them after everything they’ve put you through."
I lurch to my feet. "You had no right to call shots without running it by first, Liam, not when I am the face of this operation! I am the one getting the heat for all the drama out there. My cover’s blown and Brett considers his undoing. He’ll co for . I am pulling the plug on our deal. Do what you can to restore your image before your father but count out of it!"
Brother and sister exchange amused looks before Liam drops his glass and leans forward with a small smile. "This is going to break your heart but I’ll tell you anyway. This plan was never about you, Demi. To be fair, you’re a negligible piece in the grand sche of things. You think we ran into each other accidentally? I’ve been collecting data on all the families who have been deeply wronged by the Rollins clan. You were probably experint number fifty-two. Before your drunken stunt, I’ve had other girls accuse the quads unsuccessfully. We needed soone inside the family and when you successfully got accepted as their daughter-in-law, you got the role on our end. It had nothing to do with the tragic loss of your parents. You’re not the only one who has lost a dear one at the hands of that family, neither is your loss more tragic than that of other victims."
Hate clouds his expression as he glares at . I am reeling in shock over the words coming out of his mouth. Mila closes a hand over her brother’s to calm his nerves while I plunk down on my seat.
They’ve been using this whole ti?
"Walk away if you want but your absence won’t be missed. It won’t change a thing either." She tells with a lazy shrug. "You’ve served your purpose."
"And what’s that?" I ignore and query Liam.
"As much as I want to overthrow the Rollins family, I don’t plan on sullying my na or my family’s reputation in the process. I needed soone to hang the bla on in case shit hits the fan..." He bites down on his lips.
"You chose , the nobody, an easy bait." I finish his words.
"Sorry, Demi. If things you had never have taken your eyes off the goal, things would have worked out perfectly without having to hang the noose on your neck. We could have achieved so much together. You could have avenged your parents at the very least and rid the country of those poisonous vipers called the Rollins family."
Sick of hearing more, I surge to my feet and try not to stumble. "You’re one to judge. YOU LIED TO , Liam. EVERYTHING WAS A LIE FROM THE START." Tears glisten in my eyes. "How could you rope into this knowing what I’ve been through? You took advantage of my misery to fulfil your selfish plot against our mutual enemy." I pad away my tears. "If I have learnt anything so far, it’s that all billionaires are assholes and will screw you over to get whatever they want. You guys are no different from the monsters you’re after; YOU’RE THEM! Who’s going to rid the country of the Spellman bloodhounds, huh?"
"Danvarr needs us. We are better than your fucking in-laws!"
"Guess what? My fucking in-laws used to say the sa lines all the ti and now their karma is at the gate. You Spellmans must be on track for yours!"
"You wish. I’d like to see you try to stop ." Liam challenges with darkened eyes. "You can’t stop this or . You have no clue how many people are involved in this ga, even people that you’d reckon are dead or don’t exist, like the quads’ little sister for instance." He chuckles as my eyes widen in shock. "Yes, they have a biological sister and if I can call anyone my true partner in cri from day one, it’ll be HER! She wants nothing more than to take that family down, including her corrupted brothers!"
Ashton and his brothers have a biological sister? I can’t believe she exists let alone being behind this grand sche with Liam.
"A sister? You’re bluffing."
Liam chuckles. "You seem to be forgetting our latest post on Billion-Err regarding the adopted quads or are you just delusional to think that the man you love could never keep such a secret from you?" He springs to his feet. "Anyway, I’d keep an eye out for the next post if I were you. My partner is royally pissed at you for stalling for this long under that mansion without any serious harm done to the Rollins family or their reputation. Let’s just say she’s ready to show you how to crumble an empire in a few days." With a devious smile, he holds out a hand to his sister. "She thanks you for your service though, Demi Branson. We all wish you good luck with absolving yourself of the bla before the entire Rollins family and Danvarr."
My legs tremble all the way ho. This can’t be happening! Liam didn’t just say all of that to . I must be dreaming.
By the ti I get to Anna’s place, she pulls into a warm embrace.
"You took so long I had to rush ho to await your arrival. Are you okay? What did Liam say?"
All I can do is mumble incoherently.
"I’m so sorry, Demi. I know how you must feel. Liam is an asshole for dragging your parents’ death prematurely into this."
"What?"
She blinks, a tad bit confused. "Billion-Err is on a roll. They’ve just teased about hidden murders committed by the Rollins family. Demi, they ntioned the shopping mall accident; your parents!"
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