Chapter 10: Unveiling Secrets
"I still couldn't believe Mr. Lorenzo actually wanted to marry that dull chit!"
Sophie Madison paced back and forth inside her lavish bedroom. A deep frown etched on her temples as she released her frustrations to her best friend and confidante, her mother.
"Why her?" She whined, raking her dainty fingers in her luscious curls in exasperation. "I'm much prettier, way hotter! Why would he want her instead of me, Mom?"
"I couldn't answer that. My mind's equally blown too." Valerie bluntly replied, her elegant brows meeting halfway in chagrin. "It's hard to fathom why he refused a beautiful swan within his grasp and instead chose an ugly duckling."
"What do we do now?" Sophie cried out in alarm. "Once Phoebe marries him she'll be untouchable and she'll eventually become Superia's Chairwoman!"
Valerie finished her champagne in one audacious gulp and glared at her. "Do you really believe the king of the business world would want to marry that nitwit?" Her lips curled into a mocking smile. "Once the thrill of the chase was over and he got what he wanted he would gradually lose interest and just discard her like trash just like what he did to the rest."
At last Sophie stopped pacing back and forth to her mother's relief. "You really think so Mom?" She asked, her eyes wide and hopeful.
"That's highly possible considering his reputation. Mr. Lorenzo is a smart man so why would he settle with a woman far below his social stature? Of course, he would want to marry a woman he could be proud of to show everyone. Why would he settle for a woman like Phoebe when he had a sea of fine gems to choose from."
Relief rush through Sophie like a tide. "You're right. There's no way he was actually infatuated with her." Her ecstatic shriek filled the room and she had a brilliant idea. "Perhaps if I destroy Phoebe's reputation he would stop wanting her!"
A wicked smile formed on Valarie's lips. "That's exactly what I'm thinking. If we do that we'll be hitting two birds in one stone. She'll be stripped of her inheritance and Mr. Lorenzo would stop going after her."
"I'll do everything in my power to achieve that."
"But you need to hurry!" Valerie retorted in alarm. She tilt her head to the ceiling and let out a heavy sigh. "We are running out of time, Sophie. Soon enough, I'll be unable to hide my pregnancy, everyone will find out Edward's not the father, and we'll be kicked out of the estate."
"You're asking for the moon. It's all your fault. You should have used protection!"
"Don't blame me… I never expected to get pregnant by a much younger man after a fleeting one night stand."
Heaving a resigned sigh, she realized there was no use crying over spilled milk. "I'll do my part and I expect you to do the same, Mom."
"Before anything else Sophie , you have to cover our tracks and remove any possible evidence left that will connect us to Superia's missing funds."
Breath hitched in Sophie's throat and she paled under her skin. That's the last thing she would wish to happen. She thought as cold fear crawled down her spine.
Once they found out Valerie was responsible for embezzling funds from the company, it's all over for them.
"We're at the edge of a cliff. With things as it is, if someone tries to investigate the trail would directly point at us."
Sophie swallowed hard and she slumped on the sofa.
"I don't fear being discovered embezzling funds though." Valerie continued after regaining some of her composure. I could always get away with it easily. However, once the link between the missing funds and what happened to Catherine Sheldon nine-teen years ago goes out in the light we never know what could happen to me."
"D-do you think! D-do you think they will discover that you are involved?"
Valerie nodded. "That's why I'm asking you to speed up things before it's too late to save your mother." Releasing her empty glass, she placed them on top of the glass table so she could place a hand on Sophie's cheeks.
"Do you want your Mama to go to jail?" She asked.
"No." Sophie mumbled tearing up.
"Then will you do everything to protect Mama?"
She nodded her head. There's no question for that. After the lengths her mother went through to save her from hell, she couldn't let her down.
"Then do as I say Sophie… Eliminate Phoebe in the picture while I find a way to get rid of Edward and we could live happily ever after when they are gone.. The sooner It's done the better."
Phoebe had taken everything from her. Sophie thought, biting her bottom lips and clenching her palms until her knuckles turned white. And now her very existence threatened to rob her of a loving mother.
No fucking way she'll be a sitting duck and let that happen!
She'll do everything in her power to eliminate threats in their lives even if she had to sell her soul to the devil.
"Mom, I want you to tell me the truth…" Slowly, she lifted her head and stared straight into her mother's eyes. The question had been bothering her for years and now's the first time she had the courage to express them.
Valerie waited in silence.
"Tell me, Mom… What actually happened between you and Phoebe's Mother?"
Valerie was surprised at first but she immediately concealed it beneath a bitter smile. "Catherine and I used to be best friends but she took everything from me just like Phoebe took everything from you… She had the wealth and beauty while I ended up in the scum, trapped with a man who abused me for years."
She swallowed the lump in her throat. "What happened that night…. Is it an accident Mom?"
"No." Valerie admitted. "You don't have to know the details honey…. But I killed her… I did that for you so I can give you the life you deserved…"
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone