CHAPTER 4

"Thank you, attorney," Veronica beamed with a smile.

Finally, some good news. The court approved the transfer of ownership of the White Bay Resort to her name.

"The lawyers from the other camp have already been instructed to draft the transfer papers. Whenever you're ready, we will meet Sterling Industries and sign the papers," he continued.

"Do you think that can happen later today?" Her excitement was welling up. She couldn't wait to see Greg's face when she took the multi-million dollar resort from his family.

"I'm afraid not, Miss Morgan," he declined. "Things like this take up to two days. They need to check and cross-check. We also need our lawyers to examine the papers before we sign them. In case they decide to play dirty or leave loopholes, we need to spot them."

"Okay," she gave in. The last thing she wanted was for the Sterlings to gain back the control she was taking from them. If caution took years, so be it. She had enough time on her side.

"I guess I'll wait for the lawyers. The resort isn't going anywhere," she compromised with a small sigh at the end.

He had given her the important update, Veronica stood up and reached for his hand. "Alright attorney. Thank you for everything."

"My pleasure, Miss Morgan," he shook her hand.

More pleasantries were exchanged before she and her assistant left the restaurant where she met with her attorney.

"You know, I was looking forward to meeting those frauds," she remarked. Evie held her bag as they walked across the garage, moving to their car.

"But ma'am, the lawyers need to finish up with the drafts."

"I know," she dragged her hands down her face. "But I'm impatient."

"Veronica!"

Lazily, she turned her head. That voice irritated her nonetheless. "What now?"

Greg was approaching them with a bitter frown etched on his face.

"Veronica, we need to talk," he said as soon as he reached them.

"Mr Sterling," her mouth wired up, creating a mocking expression, "I do not believe we have anything to talk about."

"Yes we do," he insisted. It was obvious from his demeanor that he was angry.

"My family is about to lose an important property because of your greed," he pointed an accusatory finger at her. She found him pathetic.

"Mr Sterling," she interrupted, "during our previous conversation, you called me a bitch. Your mother also called me a grasping whore who clung to people for the wealth I can get from them. Yet, it's your family that tried to rob me," she stated calmly, without taking her eyes off him.

"Not to mention, you almost created a scandal that would've cost me my reputation.

"Don't you think I deserve more than an old resort?" With an evil look evident in her eyes, she croaked.

Greg was speechless as he stared back at her. "You whore," he broke out in a whisper.

Veronica chuckled. "Not yet, Greg. I still have things to collect from your family-"

Her sentence hung mid-way as Greg grabbed her hand, twisting it painfully.

"No you don't," he gritted. "You will return all that you have taken from us. Veronica, I will take it back with extra."

"This proves who the greedy one is among us. Greg, your family is a gang of thieves," her teeth ground against each other.

"You," he squeezed hard until there was the sound of something cracking.

"Let go of her," Evie pushed him away. Veronica rubbed her injured wrist as she glared at him.

I'll make you pay, I swear," he vowed. Fuming, Greg stormed away.

"Ma'am," Evie held her. "Do I get first aid? The joint might swell."

"No," she shook her head. Instead, she directed her assistant to make a call to someone.

"Hello, ma'am?"" Release the video."

The next morning, the news was all over the television. With satisfaction, Veronica watched the broadcast.

"Within ten hours, with alternate intervals, three sex tapes have been released from an anonymous source. Netizens are left shocked as the videos feature Greg Sterling, heir to the Sterling empire with various women…."

The newscaster went on to talk about the reactions those videos were getting and how massive the hate was spreading.

With a smile, she switched to another channel. It featured the impacts of the released sex tapes on Sterling Industries.

Smugly satisfied, she made a call.

"Drop two more later tonight. The one where he drugged those women. I want Greg's name everywhere."

Already, she was thinking of ways to get those shares in Sterling Industries. They would never sell it to her if they knew she wanted to buy them.

Gregory's escapades with different women were the perfect opportunity to get what she wanted. She was forcing them into a corner where they had to do as she wanted.

Back then, when Greg first approached her, wearing a playful smirk and throwing light flirty jokes, she knew better than to trust him. Thank God she trusted their instincts.

Over time, his family's ego grew with him. They wanted to hurt her but her vigilant self caught them.

Her plan was simple. Greg's scandal would send his company into a state of forced bankruptcy. When that happened, no one would want to associate with them. That was when she would sweep in like a hero.

Desperation would force the Sterlings into selling their shares to her.

Before they hurt her, she will hurt them first.