“No need to boil the water.”
My voice was colder than I realized as I pulled out the Langley family’s intercom.
“Housekeeper. Bodyguards. Restrain this woman.”
Vivienne Morrow dared to toy with my brother? Dissolute as he was, no one had the right to humiliate him.
But when I pressed the intercom, only silence answered. No buzz, no light. I pressed it again. And again. Still nothing—the security feed in the entrance hall was completely dead.
Vivienne snatched the device from my hand with a laugh. “How did you even get this?” Her eyes narrowed. “This model was discarded ages ago. Don’t tell me… you’re just some thief who sneaked in here?”
I kept my silence. I had designed this villa’s security system myself—flawless enough to detect even a fly slipping through a window. Yet now, the entire system was dead. Why?
Clapping her hands as if a revelation struck, she sneered. “I know! You’re that ex who’s been stalking Damian. Pathetic. Even after he dumped you, you still came crawling back?”
Before I could move, her heel slammed into my knee. Pain shot up my leg as I fell hard to the floor.
“Do you really think Mr. Cross still cares for you?” Her voice dripped venom. “He won’t even look at you now. Take a good look in the mirror—are you worthy of him?”
The sting in my knee sharpened my clarity. During the three years I’d been abroad, Damian hadn’t just betrayed me—he’d stolen the Langley family’s core technology and betrayed my trust.
Vivienne pulled out a newer intercom and barked a command. Within moments, bodyguards and servants rushed in. Strangers. None of the familiar faces I’d left behind.
They ignored me completely, fussing over her instead.
“Miss Morrow, calm down. You’re pregnant. Don’t upset yourself—there could be a risk of miscarriage.”
“Pregnant?” My gaze snapped to her flat belly, my voice like ice. “Is it Thaddeus'?”
“Bah!” She spat on the floor. “That loser? Don’t insult me. This child belongs to Mr. Cross.”
She smoothed her stomach with both hands, pride radiating from her. “When the baby is born, I’ll be Mrs. Cross. The Langley family—and the entire capital—will be mine.”
Damian’s?
For one foolish second, I’d hoped he was only playing games. Now, all illusions shattered. The boy who once clung to me, promising marriage when I returned… the man I trusted to protect my family… had betrayed me completely.
“What are you staring at?” Vivienne faltered under my gaze, then snapped her chin toward the guards. “Slap her! The thought of her near Mr. Cross disgusts me.”
I rose unsteadily, my voice cutting like steel. “I dare you. Look closely—I’m Cassandra, eldest daughter of the Langley family. Do I not resemble Thaddeus? I am his blood sister.”
The weight of my words froze the guards. They hesitated, exchanging uncertain glances.
Vivienne’s fury exploded. “She’s bluffing! Don’t let this pretender scare you. Hold her down! If you won’t strike her, I will!”
The guard’s grip locked around my arms. I struggled, but the difference in strength was overwhelming. A hand drew back, ready to slap me—
—and at that exact moment, the villa’s front door swung open.
