Scott froze abruptly, pupils contracting violently. “You… what did you say?”
My smile widened, but it never reached my eyes.
“Do you really think that car crash years ago was an accident?”
“It was your dear friend’s carefully crafted ‘coronation gift‘–meant to wipe you off the Lopez family map.”
“And your First Love, Maria, was the ‘present‘ meant to send you off.”
Scott’s lips trembled, unable to form a single word.
I savored his crumbling expression before continuing leisurely. “My brother got tipped off in advance.”
“He gave me two choices.”
“First: stand aside and let you perish. He’d clean up your mess afterward.”
“Second: this very plan I’m executing now.”
“A sacrificial gambit to pull you from the mud and restore you as the Lopez heir.”
“I chose the second path.”
“I gambled my legs, my dancing career, for a shot at your sincerity.”
“Turns out I lost everything.”
Staring straight at him, I spoke each word with cruel clarity. “So Scott, I owe you nothing. You destroyed my entire life.”
He collapsed like a puppet with cut strings, muttering incoherently. “Impossible… Maria wouldn’t…”
“Wouldn’t?” I scoffed coldly. “Go ask her yourself.”
“Ask how much she took from your rivals to stage that show.”
“Then ask if she’s been laughing at you all these years.”
Russell stepped out, shielding me while glaring down at Scott. “Mr. Lopez, game over.”
“From today, Kimberly and you are strangers.”
“Harass her again, and I’ll make you disappear from New York.”
He led me into the car, tires screeching as we sped off.
0.0%
07:55
Chapter 6
Through the rearview mirror, Scott shrank into a pitiful speck.
Amanda stood beside him, fidgeting helplessly, stunned by the revelation.
Inside the car, Russell handed me an invitation.
288 (Vouchers
“Next week, the French Royal Ballet performs in New York. Their principal–your old rival–saved you the best seat.”
I took the gilt–edged card bearing the name: Anna.
My worthy opponent from international competitions, now a cherished friend.
A faint warmth pricked my eyes. “Russell… thank you.”
He ruffled my hair like childhood days. “Silly girl, since when do we stand on ceremony?”
“Everything you’ve lost–I’ll help you reclaim it piece by piece.”
