Chapter 35
“Rosemary nearly got killed because of this bitch. If she hadn’t shamelessly clung to Austin back then, do you really think he’d be short on women?” Ivan glared at me, his eyes dark with hostility, his lips curling into a sneer. “What, got dumped by him and couldn’t wait to find another man to shack up with at a hotel?”
My brows furrowed slightly. I cast them a cold glance and replied evenly, “So checking into a hotel means you’re here to sleep with someone? Then what are you two doing here–incest?”
“You wanna say that again, bitch?” Ivan roared, eyes locked on me like he was ready to tear me apart.
A lazy smile tugged at my lips. I continued, “Rosemary isn’t even part of the Herrera family, and you don’t really look like you belong to the Hill family either. Maybe you should get a DNA test to see if you’re actually siblings. That way, coming to hotels together would be more convenient.”
The air went dead silent for three seconds. Ivan’s hand shot up, aiming for my face, but Juliet grabbed his arm in time. “Don’t stoop to her level, Ivan. She’s just some fatherless bastard–no need to waste your breath on her.”
Something inside me clenched. My mind went blank for a second.
Juliet and Ivan were Amanda’s relatives, so it was clear she had badmouthed and humiliated me plenty in front of them.
“You’re right,” I said smoothly, locking eyes with Juliet. “No point in arguing with someone their own parents didn’t even want. It’d be beneath you.”
Juliet wasn’t actually the daughter of the Hill family. Beckham, Amanda’s older brother, had brought her home one day.
Beckham’s wife suspected Juliet was his illegitimate child and secretly tried to get a DNA test done.
But Beckham stopped her. Under pressure, he admitted Juliet wasn’t his but his younger brother’s–an unwanted pregnancy with a girl who hadn’t even turned eighteen. If that ever got out, it would’ve destroyed his brother’s life and the entire Hill family’s reputation.
Backed into a corner, Beckham’s wife had no choice but to accept Juliet as her own and tell everyone they were twins.
However, Juliet’s biological father had never even considered claiming his daughter, and as for her mother, she had never even met her.
Juliet had no idea about any of this, but she always felt the difference in how she was treated.
Her so–called mother was distant. Her grandparents outright disliked her. If Juliet hadn’t been born, their precious son wouldn’t have spent years hiding abroad, refusing to come home.
For a while, I actually pitied her. But that changed the moment she and Rosemary kept testing my patience. It was at that time that I realized sometimes it was an extremely foolish act to have sympathy for someone’s pitiful life story.
Because some people’s cruelty had nothing to do with their tragic backstories.
Maybe it was fate that Juliet and Rosemary shared a similar name meaning and an eerily similar history. Maybe that’s why they got along so well.
But in my eyes, Juliet was leagues ahead of Rosemary–manipulative, ruthless, and utterly self–serving.
Juliet had completely ruined Ivan. He used to be the favored son of the Hill family, but under her subtle influence, he turned into a useless, reckless punk who spent his days drinking and gambling.
Meanwhile, Juliet played the role of the sweet, well–behaved golden girl. Teachers adored her. She even got into a top university in Newton City. That alone raised her status within the Hill family.
Tears welled in her eyes as she clutched Ivan’s arm. “Don’t be mad, Ivan. Even Rosemary can’t handle her. If we get into it with her, Austin will definitely be pissed.”
What a masterclass in manipulation.
Ivan had always liked Rosemary, but he knew damn well she was only interested in Austin.
And Juliet suddenly brought up the names of two people, which naturally intensified the hatred in Ivan’s heart.
Juliet had done this before–pitting him against people, using him like a weapon. It seemed that she was not the first time to take advantage of Ivan. Because as long as Ivan completely self–destructed, Juliet would secure her place in the Hill family.
Beckham was all about business. He owned several tech companies, and Juliet clearly wanted in. But for that to happen, Ivan had to be out of the picture.
“Trying to get your brother to do your dirty work? You’re such a good daughter, Juliet.” I turned to Ivan, my smile widening. “There are security
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12:58 PM
Chapter 35
cameras everywhere. If you hit me, think about what happens next. Every time you lose your temper, someone gets leverage over you. Ring a bell?”
“Laurel, stop talking nonsense.” Juliet’s eyes widened, her lashes wet with unshed tears. “Are you trying to turn my brother against me?”
“You sound nervous,” I said, arching a brow. “Guilty conscience? I’m just stating facts. After all, everyone in the Hill family loves your brother, don’t they? No matter how smart you are, he’s still in your way.”
Ivan’s glare darkened, unwilling to believe a word I said. He shouted, “Quit trying to stir shit up, Laurel.”
I looked at him like he was the biggest idiot I’d ever met. And I sighed. “You’ll understand when you lose everything.”
With that, I stepped into the elevator. Ivan stood frozen, only snapping out of it when Juliet tugged on his sleeve.
Too late. By the time Ivan moved, the doors had already closed.
Inside my hotel room, I let out a slow breath, pulled out my phone, and sent Alex a message. [Juliet and Ivan are at Bluestar Hotel.]
Barely two minutes passed before my phone rang. “You okay?” Alex’s voice carried a hint of urgency.
I blinked, stretched lazily, and said, “Would I be texting you if something happened?”
After a moment of silence on the other end of the phone, Alex said, “I’ll send the driver over.”
“Thanks, but I’m already in my room.” A thought crossed my mind, curiosity getting the better of me. Then I asked, “Why are they here?”
“I told you already. The party’s tomorrow,” Alex replied, his voice calm and distant.
Something in my stomach twisted. My breath hitched slightly. “A party? The whole Herrera family’s coming?”
Alex fell silent for a moment and explained, “Tomorrow is my birthday.”
My mind went blank. I forced myself to stay composed. “A family dinner, right?”
“I invited a lot of people.” Alex’s tone was light, almost casual.
My pulse quickened. A bad feeling settled in my gut. “What are you planning?” I asked carefully.
“Are you scared?” Alex said.
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