Chapter 3

THE IMMINENT PLOT 

Julian stood near the edge of the low lit terrace of a luxurious bar, his gaze fixed on the skyline. The city energized with life below, its lights flickering like stars in an endless ocean of ambition and chaos. It was a fitting metaphor for his life: always striving to outshine, to conquer.

He sipped his drink thoughtfully, waiting for his guest. His plan was unfolding perfectly—or so he believed. The sound of approaching heels made him glance over his shoulder. Victoria Sinclair, the picture of elegance with her raven-black hair and piercing green eyes, walked toward him. Her presence commanded attention, but tonight there was a touch of desperation in her manner.

“You’re late,” Julian said calmly, shaking his drink.

Victoria smile scornfully, as she leaned against the railing. “Some things are worth waiting for, Julian.”

“Are they?” he replied, raising an eyebrow. His tone was friendly, but his sharp gaze was examining her. “Let’s not waste time. You wanted to meet me. Here I am. Talk.”

Victoria’s confidence quiver for a moment before she braced herself. “It’s about Alexander.”

Julian’s lips twitched, his amusement evident. “Of course, it’s about Alexander. What else would it be?”

Victoria’s jaw tightened. “Don’t mock me. You know how things ended between us. I made a mistake, and I want a second chance.”

Julian amused, his voice laced with mockery. “A mistake? Is that what you call getting caught in a hotel room with another man?”

Victoria drew back, but she quickly recovered. “I didn’t love him, Julian. Not the way I thought I did. I was young, foolish—”

“You’re still foolish if you think Alexander will forgive you,” Julian interrupted, his tone commanding. “That man doesn’t give second chances. He is rigid, don't you see it?”

Victoria crossed her arms, her eyes narrowing. “You sound bitter, Julian. Did he steal something from you too?”

Julian’s expression darkened. He stepped closer to her, his voice dropping to a low growl. “He took everything, Victoria. He merged my father’s company with his. My dignity. My future. All because I dared to challenge him. Alexander Blackwood doesn’t play fair, and neither will I. I won't rest until I place him on my footstool” He vows.

The tension between them was perceived. For a moment, neither spoke, the weight of their shared animosity toward Alexander filling the silence.

“What’s your plan?” Victoria finally asked, her voice softer now, almost suspicious.

Julian smirked, the cold calculation in his eyes sending a shiver down her spine. “I’m going to destroy him. But I can’t do it alone.”

Victoria tilted her head, intrigued. “And what do you need me for?”

Julian took another sip of his drink before replying. “You still have access to his inner circle. People trust you, despite your... history. I need information. Weaknesses. And you’re going to help me find them.”

Victoria hesitated. “And what do I get out of this?”

Julian’s smirk deepened. “Revenge. And maybe, just maybe, a chance to win him back.

Victoria’s eyes widened with interest. “You think I can win him back?”

“I think Alexander is too arrogant to believe someone like you could hurt him again. Use that to your advantage,” Julian said, his tone persuasive.

Victoria considered his words, her mind racing with possibilities. “Fine,” she said after a long pause. “But I want to know everything. What’s your real end game?”

Julian’s gaze turned cold. “The end game is simple: I want to ruin him. Take everything he values and leave him with nothing. And you’re going to help me do it.”

Victoria, shocked, nodded in disapproval “You intend to ruin him to nothing. The man I planned to be with.”

“No, Sophia,no. I mean I want to take away some resources that he prided himself about. If we can subdue his power, perhaps you could claim him back to yours and my possession will be mine “

Victoria nodded slowly, a twisted sense of purpose taking ground in her mind. “And what about the Carters? They’re tied to Alexander now, aren’t they?”

Julian stiffened slightly at the mention of Sophia. His mind involuntarily drifted to her: her quiet perseverance, her attractive eyes, the way she carried herself despite her situation. He shook the thought away, unwilling to let emotions overshadow his judgement.

“Yes,” he said, his voice colder now. “And they’ll be collateral damage.”

Victoria raised an eyebrow, noticing the change in his tone. “Collateral damage? That’s all they are to you?”

Julian avoided her gaze, looking out at the city again. “What else would they be?”

The question hung in the air.

____

Two years ago, Alexander had walked into a five-star hotel, his mind engrossed with a lucrative business deal. He’d been meeting an investor, a man whose approval could stabilize a major merger for Blackwood Enterprises.

The meeting had gone well, and Alexander had been feeling unusually generous. On his way out, he decided to pay Victoria a surprise visit, his fiancée at the time, who had mentioned she’d be at the same hotel for a spa appointment.

He made his way to her suite, luxurious building. But as he approached the door, he heard surpressed voices and laughter. Curious, he knocked.

The door opened slightly, revealing Victoria in a silk robe. Her smile weakened when she saw him.

“Alexander,” she said, her voice high-pitched and nervous. “What are you doing here?”

Alexander frowned, his sharp instincts picking up on her uneaseness. “I was nearby. Thought I’d surprise you. Aren’t you going to invite me in?”

Before she could respond, a man’s voice called out from inside the suite. “Victoria, who’s at the door?”

She looked shocked, shaking immediately.

Alexander developed a sense of impatience toward her, his eyes narrowing as he took in the scene: a man jumping on the bed, shirtless, a bottle of champagne on the nightstand.

The betrayal hit him like a punch to the gut. “Is this some kind of joke?” he asked, his voice freezing.

Victoria tried to explain, but her words were disorganized,her excuses hollow. Alexander didn’t stay to listen. He walked out, leaving her behind without a second look.

That night, he ended their engagement.

__

Victoria pulled herself out of the memory, her heart is filling with shame. “He won’t forgive me,” she admitted softly.

“No,” Julian agreed, his voice matter-of-fact. “But that doesn’t mean you can’t make him pay.”

Victoria nodded, her resolve solidifying.

“What about the Carter family? You said they’re tied to him. How?”

Julian wavered, his thoughts returning to Sophia. He had met her by chance during one of his schemes to gather information on Alexander. She was different—honest, kind, and utterly unaware of the war rising around her.

“They’re nothing,” he said finally, dismissing his feelings. “Just pawns in a much bigger game since she drop me, rejecting my proposal.”

Victoria wasn’t convinced. “You hesitated. Do they mean something to you?”

“No,” Julian said firmly. “Focus on the task at hand, Victoria. Don’t complicate things.”

Victoria smirked, sensing there was more to Julian’s story than he was letting on. But she didn’t went any further. For now, they had a mutual aim: bringing Alexander Blackwood below them.

********

Victoria Sinclair was resting on her opulent chaise lounge, absently flipping through channels on her oversized flat-screen TV. The sound of a news anchor’s voice caught her attention, and she turned up the volume, her wine glass resting carefully in her manicured hand.

“Breaking news this evening: Billionaire Alexander Blackwood has announced his engagement to Sophia Carter, the daughter of late businessman Williams Carter. Sources close to the family describe this as a union to strengthen ties between the two families, though details remain scarce.”

The screen transitioned to a picture of Alexander, perfectly dressed in a tailored suit, his piercing gaze directed at the camera. Beside him was a smaller image of Sophia, her shy smile almost swallowed by the luxuriousness of his presence.

Victoria suddenly sits up , her wine glass almost falling. Her breath hitched as her mind busting to process what she was seeing.

“Engaged? To her?” she hissed, her grip tightening around the stem of her glass.

Her phone sat on the coffee table, mocking her with its silence. Without further patience, she snatched it up and dialled a familiar number.

It rang twice before Julian’s calm, calculated voice came through. “Victoria. What is it now?”

“Turn on the news,” she snapped, pacing up and down the room. “Right now.”

There was a silence, followed by the faint sound of Julian switching on his TV. She heard the anchor’s voice echo faintly through the phone before Julian spoke again, his tone laced with disbelief.

“You’ve got to be kidding me.”

“I wish I was,” Victoria said sorrowfully. She stopped pacing, her nails buried into the armrest of the chaise. “That’s her, isn’t it? Your little Sophia.”

“She’s not my anything but everything,” Julian replied, his voice colder than usual. “But yes. That’s her.”

Victoria let out a humourless laugh, her frustration foaming over. “Unbelievable. That little mouse gets to play house with him. Do you know what this means, Julian?”

Julian’s silence was answer enough.

“It means Alexander wins again,” Victoria continued, her voice rising. “And you—what were you even doing? Weren’t you supposed to be pulling her strings, keeping her on your side?”

“I didn’t expect this,” Julian admitted, nodded sorrowfully . “The collapse of Mr. Carter’s company was supposed to weaken their family, make her desperate enough to follow my lead. Instead, it’s handed over to him on a silver platter.”

Victoria’s laugh was sharp and scornful. “And now he’s creating it like some formal union. The media’s eating it up. ‘Billionaire rescues a lady in distress.’ It’s disgusting.”

Julian breathed out, his frustration is clear. “This isn’t just about them. It’s about what this means for my plans. Alexander gains another asset—her family, her loyalty. And I…” He died down, his voice laced with anger.

Victoria’s voice calmed, though her anger was still still remain. “So, what do we do now?”

Julian leaned back in his chair, his fingers tapping melodiously on the desk. “We adapt,” he said finally. “This changes things, but it doesn’t end them. If anything, this engagement gives us more opportunities to strike.” 

“How?” Victoria asked, doubtful.

“Alexander’s pride will be his downfall,” Julian said. “He’s displaying this engagement like it’s some great achievement. But it’s a pretense, Victoria. He doesn’t love her—this is a business deal, nothing more. If we can expose that, turn her against him…”

Victoria laugh scornfully, her confidence returning. “And you think she’ll fall for you instead?”

“I don’t need her to fall for me,” Julian replied sharply. “I just need her to doubt him. If we can plant the right image of Alex to her, this whole deception will dissolve”

Victoria nodded slowly, her mind already working through the possibilities. “And what about me? What’s my role in this?”

Julian’s voice turned cold. “Keep your enemies close, Victoria. Make yourself useful. Alexander doesn’t know about our partnership, and we’re going to keep it that way.”

“And Sophia?”

“She’s a pawn,” Julian said scornfully. “A means to an end. Don’t get too intensify about her. We will manipulate her mind and take her down.”

Victoria’s lips twisted into a cunning smile. “Oh, don’t worry. I doesn't want her near us. But I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t enjoying this mess. Watching Alexander squirm when his perfect little world falls apart, his position go down… It’ll be delicious.”

Julian gloated, though his tone remained harsh. “Enjoy it all you want. Just don’t forget the goal.”

“I won’t,” Victoria p

romised, her voice wrecking with venom. “This time, he won’t see it coming.”

The call ended, leaving both of them in their separate corners, plotting their next moves.