Chapter 9 LILITH : 1284 ( Vouchere But before she could bring it down , my father caught her wrist midair . " Enough , Evelyn . " She stiffened , whirling toward him . " You're defending her ? Of all people , you should know better the consequences of the stunt she just pulled ! " " It's exactly because I know that I'm stopping you ," he bit out , clearly trying his best to remain calm . " Look around , Evelyn , " " All eyes are on us . What do you think they'll say when they see you hitting her ? " " We'll talk about this later . But no Purchase completed My mother visibly calmed at his words . Watching my dad half hug and pat her back comfortingly , I found their relationship enviable . Yet as their daughter , I felt no joy - only a bleak sense of irony . Setting aside the fact that I orchestrated tonight's reveal , I was still the biggest victim in all this . Betrayed by the two people I had trusted most - my fiancé and my best friend . But it somehow didn't even occur to my parents to ask if I was okay . All they cared about was their reputation and how this might affect the Caldwell - Scott alliance . 08:48 Chapter 9 289 ¡ Vouchera And to think , in my past life , I'd genuinely believed that despite their shortcomings , they loved and cared for me . How foolish . How pitiful . I swallowed the bittemess rising in my throat and blinked back the sting in my eyes . [ They do love you . ] May's voice echoed quietly in my head . With how quiet it had been , I'd almost forgotten the system was even there . Its words made me pause . Clearly , my emotions had spiraled again - May wouldn't have read my thoughts otherwise . ' Maybe you're right , ' I replied silently . " They do love me . But in my opinion , it's like my past love for Brandon - utterly insignificant in the grand scheme of things . ' Meanwhile , the montage on the screen continued , transitioning from one time - stamped photo to the next . Each shot was taken at a different location : an upscale hotel lobby , a private yacht deck , and even their respective apartments . With every new image , the room's gasps and murmurs grew louder . " Isn't that ... Claire ? " " And the man ... that's Brandon , right ? " " I thought he was engaged to Lilith Caldwell ... " " What the hell is going on ? " " Their official engagement was the real reason we're all here . But with this ... can it still on ? " go 08:48 Chapter 9 Of course not . : Tonight , I would make sure the Caldwell - Scott alliance was shattered beyond repair . But before that ... I turned toward Claire and Brandon , still standing in the midst of their social circle . Earlier , they were all smiles , clinking glasses and laughing while conversing . But now ? 280 Vouchers Claire stood frozen in place , her entire body trembling and , her skin so pale that not even her foundation could hide it . Beside her , Brandon was no better . He had the look of a man who'd just had the rug yanked out from under his feet . His jaw was tightly clenched and his eyes wide with disbelief . The satisfaction that bloomed in my chest at the sight was almost addictive . So this was what it felt like ... to slowly and methodically crush your enemies and then , watch them crumble under the weight of their own sins . Then our eyes met - mine and Claire's . In the next moment , she rushed towards me and grabbed my arms in a tight grip . She and my mother really had a preference for this part of my body , I thought humorlessly . I have one complaint though - could they not keep their nails shorter ? 08:48 Chapter 9 : 288 Vouchers My arms were definitely going to bruise from all this digging . " It's isn't it ? You're behind this ! " she shook me from side to side , making my head spin . you , Before I could speak , she continued her one - man show , her voice cracking and eyes unfocused . " No wonder you seemed different tonight . You even wore another color . I should ' ve known ... I should've sensed something ... " Staring down at the panicked woman in front of me , it suddenly hit me - this version of Claire was only twenty - two . A fresh college graduate . She was not yet the battle - hardened schemer in her late thirties . She hadn't learned how to compose or steel herself for exposure or the consequences of her actions . Her mental fortitude was still weak . But if she thought that would make me show mercy ... she was terribly mistaken . There's a particular saying I once read from somewhere : Showing kindness to your enemies is being cruel to yourself . With the same strength she used to grip me , I tore her hands away from my body . Who knew ? Maybe she could also drain my luck by touch . Better safe than sorry . " My dear bestie ... " I leaned forward with a faint smile , whispering against her ear . " I hope you liked my gift . " Those words worked like magic . 5721 08:48 Chapter 9 :. 288 Vouchers Her eyes cleared up instantly , then widened in shock . " It really was you ! " The disbelieving expression on her face deepened my smile . She probably couldn't understand how I - someone she probably considered dimwitted - had not only discovered her affair with Brandon but had also kept it quiet and planned this reveal behind her back , without slipping once . Alas , she would never understand . After all , this was a plan crafted from the blood , pain , and lessons of my past life . " But don't worry , " I added , stepping back slightly . " I still have one more gift for the both of you . " " Actually , it's the highlight of tonight's event , so you can look forward to it . Rest assured , you won't be disappointed . " Right as I finished , the screen changed again . " It seems like you don't have to wait anymore , " I arched a brow , straightened up and gestured lazily upwards . " It's already here . " The final blow . Claire's panic and uneasiness was almost tangible as loud gasps echoed across the ballroom once more . But as the main protagonist , she could neither run away nor hide from this game . She had to see for herself . 70.019 08:48 Chapter 9 288 Vouchers The scene that followed was exactly like I anticipated . The moment her gaze landed on the screen , she crumpled to the floor like a pile of fabric , her face white as a ghost . Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!