Rejected by Three, I Chose Revenge Chapter 06
The morning after the disastrous engagement party, a text message lit up my phone.
‘Darling sister, Vivian’s message read. ‘I’ve arranged a special family dinner tonight to welcome Caleb properly. Do try to be on time.
I stared at the screen, my stomach knotting. Vivian never called me ‘sister’ unless she was planning something cruel. The dinner wasn’t a welcome-it was
an ambush.
The Whitman estate’s dining room had been transformed for the evening. Candles flickered in antique silver holders, casting a warm glow over the table sey with our finest china. Vivian had outdone herself, arranging everything perfectly-from the hand-picked orchids to the seating chart that somehow placed e
at the far end from Caleb.
Welcome to our home, Mr. Vance, Vivian gushed as Caleb entered, his wheelchair gliding silently over the marble floor. She wore a deep burgundy dress that
complemented her golden hair, looking every bit the lady of the house. ‘I’ve taken the liberty of arranging a family dinner to properly celebrate your engagement to our Hazel.’
Caleb’s eyes swept the room, calculating as always. ‘How thoughtful of you, Miss Whitman.’
‘Miss Whitman?’ Vivian laughed lightly. ‘Oh, please call me Vivian. We’re practically family now!
Throughout dinner, Vivian played the perfect hostess, refilling wine glasses and engaging Caleb in conversation about everything from art to business trends. Each time she spoke to him, she leaned forward slightly, her cleavage visible in her low-cut dress.
‘You know, she said, serving Caleb a piece of chocolate souffle, ‘Hazel has always been so… fragile. I worry about her handling the responsibilities of the
Vance name.’
I kept my expression neutral as I took a sip of wine. ‘I’m stronger than I look, Vivian.’
‘Of course you are, she replied with false sweetness. ‘But Mr. Vance needs someone who can represent his interests in society. Someone who understands
how to navigate our world.’
She rose suddenly, reaching for the wine bottle. ‘Let me refill your glass, Mr. Vance.’
As she leaned across him, her heel caught on the carpet. With a practiced gasp, she stumbled forward, her body falling toward Caleb’s lap.
I held my breath, watching.
Caleb’s reaction was immediate-his hand shot out, steadying her elbow but keeping her at a firm distance. His face remained impassive.
‘Careful, Miss Whitman, he said coolly. The carpet can be treacherous.
Vivian straightened, a flash of frustration crossing her face before she composed herself. ‘Thank you for catching me.
‘Miss Whitman, Caleb replied, his tone making it clear the subject was closed.
I caught his eye across the table, and for a moment, something like understanding passed between us.
After dinner, Richard called me into his study. The room smelled of leather and expensive cigars-a scent that had always made me feel small.
‘I wanted to show you the program for the anniversary gala; he said, sliding a leather-bound document across his desk
I opened it carefully. The Whitman Group’s 50th Anniversary Celebration was printed in gold leaf across the cover. Inside, Richard’s speech was highlighted.
‘This is your opportunity; he said smoothly. ‘I’ll be talking about family values, legacy, and continuity
I scanned the pages, my heart sinking. There was no mention of acknowledging me as his true daughter or revealing Vivian’s origins.
‘This isn’t what we agreed, I said quietly.
Richard’s smile didn’t reach his eyes. We agreed I would acknowledge you publicly. This does exactly that-it acknowledges you as part of the Whitroso family’
‘You know what I mean,’ I insisted. ‘You promised to tell everyone that I am your biological daughter and that Vivian is-
‘Careful, Hazel’ His voice hardened. ‘Remember who controls this company. Remember who can still call off this marriage’
I nodded stiffly and left his study, my mind racing.
Later that night, I slipped back into Richard’s study. He wasn’t there, but I knew he’d return soon-he always worked late on Thursdays.
I positioned myself behind his desk and waited.
Thirty minutes later, the door opened. Richard entered with a glass of whiskey, settling into his leather chair without noticing me in the shadows.
‘Father?’ I said softly.
He jumped, spilling his drink. ‘Hazel! What are you doing here?’
‘I need to know the truth, I said, activating the recording app on my phone. ‘Are you going to honor our agreement at the gala?’
Richard sighed heavily. ‘Hazel, be realistic. I can’t possibly make such an announcement. Think of the scandal!
‘So you never intended to keep your word?’
‘It’s not about keeping my word,’ he said dismissively. ‘It’s about protecting this family. Vivian is the face of this company now!
‘And I’m just the convenient sacrifice, I finished for him.
He didn’t deny it.
The next morning, I locked myself in my room with the financial records from TechNova that Lucas had given me. I needed something-anything-that could
give me leverage.
Page after page of numbers swam before my eyes until something caught my attention. A series of transfers from TechNova’s research fund to offshore accounts. Small amounts, carefully spaced out, but adding up to millions over the past year.
I cross-referenced them with personnel records and found matching signatures on approval forms-all from executives loyal to Richard.
My hands trembled as I realized what I’d found. This wasn’t just sloppy accounting-this was deliberate fraud.
I quickly photographed every page and sent them to Caleb’s encrypted email.
‘We need to talk, I typed in the subject line.
As I waited for his response, I stared out my window at the Whitman estate grounds below. Somewhere out there, Vivian was probably planning her next
move against me.
But for once, I had something she didn’t-ammunition. And at the gala, I intended to use it.
