The Billionaire’s Sudden Bride
Chapter 180
Victoria stumbled backward, genuinely shocked. “Sophie, please, calm down. It’s me! Your best friend!”
“Best friend?” Sophie spat, her voice raw. Friend? THIS IS ALL YOUR FAULT! ALL OF IT! GET OUT!
Victoria looked utterly lost, turning helplessly toward Anna. ‘I don’t understand. What happened?”
Anna stepped forward, her expression carefully controlled. “Victoria, maybe you should go. The guests are probably wondering what’s happening, and it’s still your birthday party. I’ll take care of Sophie.”
“But she’s my friend, Victoria protested weakly. ‘I can’t just-
“Victoria,” Anna cut in firmly. “Go. Deal with your guests. This is still salvageable, but not if everyone starts gossiping. Sophie needs space right now, and you need to manage damage control downstairs
Victoria hesitated, glancing between Sophie’s sobbing form and the door. “Okay,” she finally conceded. “Take care of her. I’ll handle things downstairs.”
As Victoria left, I lingered by the doorway long enough to hear Anna’s gentle voice.
“Sophie, it’s okay. Let it out. Just cry if you need to.”
Sophie’s sobs intensified. “Why? Why me? What did I ever do to deserve this?”
“Sophie,” Anna asked carefully, “what exactly happened? How did you end up here? Weren’t you supposed to be watching Charles Windsor?”
Sophie let out a bitter laugh. “Watching him? Victoria told me to keep him company, to make sure he drank the drugged champagne. But she didn’t warn me what kind of man Charles Windsor is!”
I slipped away, not needing to hear more. I already knew the story: Victoria had intended for me to be in Sophie’s place, with Charles Windsor as my supposed “companion” when the door was dramatically thrown open. A convenient scandal to destroy my reputation once and for all.
But Victoria had clearly underestimated everyone involved–me, Anna, and especially Charles Windsor.
The ballroom atmosphere had shifted dramatically by the time I returned. Guests clustered in tight groups, whispering behind champagne flutes while darting glances toward the entrance.
I went to find Victoria.
“Summer,” she said tightly, approaching me with stiff steps.
“Victoria,” I replied calmly. “You look upset. That’s a shame–it is your birthday, after all, I can’t imagine what could possibly ruin such a perfectly planned evening.”
Her eyes flashed with barely contained fury. “Don’t. Don’t you dare.
Don’t what?” I asked innocently. “Express concern for my sister on her special day? Or sympathize that your best friend appears to have gotten herself into quite a situation upstairs? It must be difficult, having your birthday celebration marred by such an
unfortunate incident.”
Victoria’s fingers curled into fists at her sides. “You… you have no idea what I’m going through right now.”
1/2
Chapter 180
“Actually, I think I do,” I replied, my voice hardening. “You’re upset that your carefully orchestrated plan backfired spectacularly. You’re devastated that instead of me being humiliated tonight, it was your friend Sophie who got caught in your trap.”
Victoria’s face contorted, a war between denial and rage playing across her features. “You don’t know what you’re talking about. I
Tiever-
‘Come on, Victoria,” I cut in, dropping all pretense. “I know you drugged my champagne tonight. Did you honestly think I wouldn’t realize? Your little tricks are getting predictable. Drugging people seems to be your go–to move these days.”
“You-
Victoria spluttered, her voice dropping to a furious hiss. “You knew? You knew all along?
I nodded, a cold smile playing on my lips. “You reap what you sow.”
Victoria’s face twisted with hatred. “You bitch,” she snarled, forgetting herself entirely. “You knew what was going to happen and you just let Sophie-
“Well, well, what do we have here?”
Charles Windsor’s smooth voice cut through our confrontation like a blade.
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