Chapter 32

Gerald's face twisted into a wicked smile as he gazed at me with a lustful look, seemingly drooling over me. He immediately picked me up and quickly walked upstairs. Bella smirked viciously as she watched Gerald carry me upstairs. "Humph, it's still too soon to celebrate!"

Victoria looked lovingly at Bella. "Are you relieved now?"

Bella pouted. "Let's wait until we get the video. Moreover, this might not necessarily threaten her!"

Victoria's eyes flashed. "If she doesn't want to be ruined, she'll know what to do!"

Bella smiled, pulling Victoria's arm. "Mother's methods are always the best!"

That morning, at the meeting, Victoria had been furious when she learned that my plan had countered Bella's. However, after calming down, she realized a head-to-head confrontation wouldn't work unless I withdrew the lawsuit and issued a statement—a daydream.

Fortunately, she had devised a plan. She installed a shielding device at home. Whenever I returned, she activated it, preventing me from contacting the outside world. At dinner, my rice and drink were drugged. As long as Gerald took me upstairs and did as they pleased, half their plan would succeed.

Gerald Hughes, a playboy capable of anything, wouldn't pass up a woman delivered to him on a silver platter. Even if I wanted to sue, no one in that room could testify for me.

Unspoken Farewell at 30,000 Feet

The camera was already installed in the room. They knew I liked taking pictures, so they devised this method. After recording everything, they could threaten me with the tape. Victoria originally intended to use me for a marriage alliance, but this "pawn," as she saw it, had proven disobedient, harming her beloved Bella. Therefore, politeness was no longer necessary.

This time, Bella had been cornered by me. However, their method worked. Possessing the video, they could easily force my compliance. Victoria coldly mused that she would be merciful and arrange for Sophia to marry Gerald if she proved obedient enough.

That night, a black Rolls-Royce Phantom sped toward the Lopez family villa. Luka had asked Martins to help me move. However, he'd finished a two-hour meeting, and I was still packing. As soon as he left the conference room, Martins urgently informed him that Sophia was going home to get some things. He agreed and asked me to let him know when I was ready to be picked up. An hour later, he couldn't reach me; my phone was unreachable. He rushed back to the company to find Luka, fearing something had happened. Had Luka's meeting been less important, he would have gone sooner.

Hearing Martins's report, Luka's face turned cold. "Go to the Lopez family villa!" he commanded.

Arriving at the villa, Luka exuded a powerful aura. A BMW was parked at the gate, which was open, suggesting nothing unusual. Yet, Luka felt I was inside.

Inside, Bella was still speaking: "After everything is over, we must make multiple backups of the video. Each of us should have one, just in case…"

Luka strode into the villa, startling the three at the dining table. Bella's words died in her throat.

Victoria reacted first. "Mr. Str…Stratovski, why are you here?"

The entire city knew Luka Stratovski, but he barely recognized Victoria Lopez. He glanced at her coldly. "Where's Sophia?" His gaze fell on the extra place settings.

Luka's pupils constricted. "Martins, search the downstairs rooms!" he commanded, then strode upstairs.

Victoria's expression changed. She chased after him. "Mr. Luka, you can't do this! This is my house!"

At the stairwell, Luka kicked Victoria into the living room and rushed upstairs. In the room, Gerald had already begun to undress me. He'd just pulled off the top of my skirt when the door burst open.

Unspoken