The Billionaire’s Sudden Bride
Chapter 178
Anna’s POV
The bathroom tiles pressed against my palm as I watched Summer prek through the cracked door. My heart hammered–not from fear, but from the twisted path my life had taken. Here I was, helping the woman I once tried to destroy.
“I think they’re gone,” Summer whispered, turning back.
“You should go,” she said decisively. “Victoria will get suspicious.”
“Right.” I nodded, composing myself. “I’ll head back first.
The ballroom’s opulence was suffocating–crystal chandeliers dripping from the ceiling, champagne flowing like water. I approached Victoria, who was scanning the crowd with predatory alertness.
“Well?” she demanded immediately. “How’d it go?”
“Relax, I already took her to the rest room. She’s completely out of it didn’t even put up a fight. The lie slid smoothly from my lips.
Victoria’s red lips curved into a satisfied smile. “Perfect.”
“What about Charles?” I asked, scanning the room. “Did Sophie handle him?”
“Not sure yet. Sophie hasn’t texted back, but the paparazzi are in position.” Her eyes glittered with malice. “We can head over soon.”
“You’re sure this will work?”
“Oh, please. Trust me,
Anna. This time we’ll finally get our revenge. Summer’s going to wish she’d never been born.”
Victoria’s gaze fixated on my face, her expression shifting to fake concern.
“Anna, when are you getting that reconstructive surgery?” she asked.
I brushed my fingers over the scars, my eyes hardening. “After this is finished. Joe promised he’d take care of it.”
“Good. Don’t worry, Anna. Tonight will make everything worth it.”
I forced a grateful smile, knowing how little I cared about revenge anymore. All I wanted was Brandon’s guarantee that Watson Group and me would be safe.
The ballroom doors swung open, and Alexander entered. Victoria immediately perked up.
“Alex!” she called, latching onto his arm. “You finally made it! Working so late–aren’t you exhausted?”
I didn’t miss the flash of irritation that crossed his face before he masked it.
“I’m fine,” he replied, his smile not reaching his eyes. “Just running late. You’re not angry, are you?”
“How could I be? You’re working so hard, providing for us! Oh, Alex, so many friends came today–even Summer showed up! Let me introduce you around!”
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At Summer’s name, Alexander pupils dilated noticeably. Interesting thought. He still cares.
After parading him around, Victoria checked her watch and texted : “How’s it going with Sophie? Any updates?”
I replied: “Probably done by now, but Sophie hasn’t responded to me either.”
Frowning, I tried calling Sophie. No answer. Uneasiness settled in my stomach.
Victoria turned to find Alexander staring across the ballroom. She deliberately gasped, snapping him to attention.
“What’s wrong?” he asked, instantly alert.
“Nothing, really. I just realized I haven’t seen Summer in a while…”
She turned to me with calculated casualness. “Anna, have you seen summer?”
I stepped into my role. “Didn’t I just take her to rest? She was pretty wasted. But it’s been thirty minutes. Strange she hasn’t come
back.”
“Victoria,” I added, “shouldn’t you be cutting your cake soon?”
“You’re right,” Victoria nodded. “It’s about time. It’s just Summer…”
Alexander straightened. “I’ll go check on her. She’s your sister–she shouldn’t miss something this important.”
Victoria’s eyes lit up with triumph. “That’s so thoughtful! I’ll come with you!”
As they departed, I felt curious eyes turn toward me. Show time.
“Victoria’s gone to get her sister Summer,” I announced loudly. “She was here earlier, you know.”
The statement hung in the air, loaded with implication. Victoria paused at the doorway.
“Anna, please entertain everyone while I check on Summer!”
“No problem!” I called back with a bright smile.
The moment they disappeared, the guests descended on me.
“I’ve heard Summer and Victoria never got along,” one socialite probed.
“Don’t you remember?” another added. “At Victoria’s engagement, Summer caused a scene. Something about sisters fighting over the same man–it was all over Page Six.”
“Anna, you must know the inside story,” pressed a third.
I widened my eyes, adopting a gossipy tone. “Do you really want to know? Why don’t we all go see for ourselves? I have a feeling tonight’s going to be quite… entertaining.”
Like moths to flame the crowd drifted toward the door. I hung back, calling Summer quickly to confirm she was safe before deleting the call log and following.
I rounded the corner to see Victoria and Alexander in conversation.
“Alex, don’t be angry no matter what Summer says,” Victoria was pleading. “I invited her partly to apologize, but also hoping she
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Chapter 178.
might meet someone suitable here. I know I’ve been selfish, but I love you so much!”
“I don’t blame you,” Alexander finally said. “Whatever she says, I won’t lose my temper.”
Victoria nodded. “Summer should be resting in that room.”
Alexander reached for the door, but Victoria caught his wrist. “Let me,” she insisted, knocking lightly.
“Summer? Are you in there? It’s Victoria. Cake–cutting time!”
Silence greeted her.
“Maybe she’s asleep?” Victoria suggested innocently.
She knocked again–and then it happened. We all heard the unmistakable sounds: breathless moans, rhythmic movement, a woman crying out in pleasure.
Victoria’s face flushed dramatically. “Oh! I think we have the wrong room!”
Alexander’s expression darkened instantly, his hands clenching into fists.
“This is your birthday,” he growled. “I rented this entire floor. There shouldn’t be anyone else here.”
Victoria positioned herself between Alexander and the door. “Alex, calm down. This must be a mistake.”
“Summer wouldn’t…” Victoria continued, her voice trembling. “She’s not that kind of person!”
“Move,” Alexander commanded, his voice like ice.
“Alex, no! People are watching!”
I stepped forward with the crowd, watching the drama unfold. Alexander shot Victoria an accusatory glare.
“It wasn’t me!” she protested. “I didn’t invite them!”
Victoria turned to face us with perfectly feigned surprise. “Anna, what are you all doing here?”
“Nothing,” I stammered. “They were just-
“Oh, we got bored,” interrupted a socialite. “All the important people disappeared, so we thought we’d see what was happening.”
A woman’s voice cried out from behind the door–a sound of such raw intensity that it sent uncomfortable shivers through the
crowd.
Victoria’s face crumpled with embarrassment. “Everyone, this is all a misunderstanding. My sister just had too much to drink and needed to rest.”
“Resting?” sneered another guest. “If that’s resting, perhaps Victoria should call her sister out. It seems inappropriate for her to miss her own sister’s birthday, doesn’t it?”
A bold guest stepped forward. “If Victoria won’t knock, perhaps we should do it for her!”
Alexander blocked the way. “Nobody touches that door,” he snarled.
“Alexander, the guest argued, “we’re only trying to help-”
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“What are you all doing here?”
The voice calm and unmistakably familiar–cut through the tension like a knife.
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