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Chapter 9: Unseen Bonds
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2024-11-15 18:32:27Related chapters
In The Smoke-Filled Room Chapter 9: Unseen Bonds
Opening the door to a nicely furnished bedroom, his face soft, he gestured for Violet to enter. "Violet, this was my sister's room. My father has been renovating it over and over with the hope that one day she would come back. It's your room now."Violet's eyes widened as she took in the spacious room: soft lavender on the walls, with delicate silver Shannon accents that shimmered in the light. A huge plush bed sat in the center of the room, dripping in fine linens. Tall windows looked out over the gardens, and above hung a small crystal chandelier, casting a warm glow throughout the room."Thank you, Clyde," Violet whispered, still drinking in the sight around her.Clyde gave her a small smile. "I'll be in the room next door if you need anything."She nodded, trying not to let her excitement get the better of her until he was gone. The moment he went out and closed the door, she broke into a grin as she ran to the bed and threw herself on it. The bed was like a cloud, and she plunged
Last Updated : 2024-11-15In The Smoke-Filled Room Chapter 10: The Plan Unveiled
Eva was pacing around her grand room, waves of anger emanating from her. Another vase flew across the room and crashed into the wall. Tony grimaced, ducked his head slightly, and looked with wide eyes at the shattered pieces on the floor."Jesus, Eva," Tony cursed under his breath. "You don't need to break everything.""Don't even mention Jesus right now!" Eva snapped, clearly furious. "All that so-called evidence you presented backfired completely! And you're lucky that Clyde's father is still clueless or you'd have been out of a job right now."Tony tightened his fists, his cool faltering because the pressure was building up. "I've done everything you asked. How did I know he would go all guns blazing to protect her?"Eva's glare sharpened. "If you want that promotion, you'll have to try a little harder, Tony. You need to prove, once and for all, that this Violet is an imposter." She paused, crossing her arms as she gave him a withering look. "What do you even know about her, anyway
Last Updated : 2024-11-17In The Smoke-Filled Room Chapter 11: Unmasking the Truth
Eva stepped out of Violet's room, her hand clutching the strands of hair pulled from Violet, an expression of grim satisfaction etched on her face. Sharon, her mother, was waiting in the hallway; a smug expression played on her face as her eyes swept the evidence in her daughter's hand."Finally," Sharon whispered, a sly smile diffusing into her lips. "This will be our ace of spades. Till Friday, she will be identified as an imposter, and nothing will prevent Clyde or his father from acknowledging it."Eva nodded, and her eyes glinted. "I just can't wait to see the look on their faces when it all comes out. This charade ends now."The two women quickly made the arrangement to have the DNA sample sent out to a lab in which they had a high degree of confidence, knowing full well the results that would come from it would reveal Violet to be an outsider. They were already envisioning the scene: Clyde's father filled with disappointment and shame, Violet humiliated and cast out. Everything
Last Updated : 2024-11-17In The Smoke-Filled Room Chapter 12: A Birthday to Remember
The grand hall at the West mansion was something to behold, decked out to the nines to celebrate Violet's birthday. Chandeliers sparkled from above the well-laid tables, while soft murmurs of chatter filled the room; guests in their best, mingled with each other celebrating this occasion. Violet stood near Clyde, her unease masked beneath a polite smile. She wasn't accustomed to so much attention, and although the mood was celebratory, she had the nagging thought that disaster was imminent.Clyde leaned into her and spoke in hushed, comforting tones. "Relax, Violet. This is your day. Try to enjoy it.Before she could respond, their father, Robert West, stepped onto the stage. The room fell silent, and all eyes turned to him. He commanded attention and radiated warmth, and everybody was drawn to him."Thank you all for joining us tonight to celebrate a very special occasion, my daughter Violet's birthday." His voice was filled with warmth and pride, sparked a thunderous applause that s
Last Updated : 2024-11-17In The Smoke-Filled Room Chapter 13: The Birthmark Revelation
The air was heavy in Clyde's stepmother, Eva's, gaudy office. Eva sat behind her desk, her features contorted in irritation. Sharon, Eva's daughter, paced back and forth, while Tony sat in the corner, tapping his fingers on the armrest of a chair."We can't just sit and watch Clyde and Violet take everything away from us!" Eva declared, her palm slapping the desk. "They're ruining everything we've built!"Tony leaned forward, a sly smirk tugging at his lips. "I know Violet is an imposter. That DNA test was edited.""Yes, Mum!" Sharon chimed in, her eyes gleaming with malice. "They must have tampered with the results, but we can't let them win."Eva sank back in her chair, her eyes narrowing in thought. "That reminds me the real Violet has a birthmark on her back. Tony, are you positive Violet doesn't?"Tony was silent for a moment, then shook his head. "No, she doesn't. When we were dating, I never saw anything like that."An evil smile curled Eva's lips. "That's it. We'll use that to
Last Updated : 2024-11-17In The Smoke-Filled Room Chapter 14: Boundaries Redefined
Violet sat in Clyde’s office, nervously fidgeting with the hem of her blouse. She still wasn’t entirely sure how she’d ended up in this position. Clyde had called her that morning, and before she could wrap her head around what was happening, he’d casually announced, “You’re my assistant now.”That sounded simple enough, but Violet wasn't naive. She knew this would be anything but an ordinary job with Clyde's stepmother and stepsister lurking around every corner. Things had started well enough: Violet had sorted Clyde's schedule, fielded a few calls, and even managed to impress him with her multitasking. Her moment of bliss was short-lived as his stepmother, Sharon, and stepsister, Eva, burst into the office. "Violet," Sharon said with honey-tinged venom, "why don't you fetch us some coffee? Two sugars for me and cream for Eva."Violet hesitated, looking over to Clyde, who was too busy on his laptop. "Didn't you hear her?" Eva snapped, flipping her hair. "She said coffee." Viol
Last Updated : 2024-11-25In The Smoke-Filled Room Chapter 15: The Trap
Clyde's stepmother, Sharon, sat pacing up and down in her excessively elaborate living room. The shining red varnish on her nails tapped against the champagne flute with rhythmic precision. Her mind took her through plots and subplots. Across her, on the plush velvet couch, sat her daughter Eva, who regarded her mother with a mixed expression of admiration and impatience.We've tried everything," Eva said, flipping her hair over her shoulder. "The DNA test, the birthmark, every angle we've used to discredit Violet has backfired. She's practically untouchable now." "Not untouchable," Sharon corrected tartly, her eyes narrowing. "We've just been going about it the wrong way. If we can't prove she's not Violet West, we'll ruin her another way. We'll take her down along with Clyde.Eva's eyes widened in interest. "What do you mean?"Sharon smiled-cold, calculated. "People already think it's suspicious how fast Clyde and Violet have become such close allies. Whispers have started regardin
Last Updated : 2024-11-25In The Smoke-Filled Room Chapter 16: The Return of Lily
The grand West mansion sizzled with anticipation when the sleek black car swung into its driveway. Clyde's ex-fiancée, Lily Harrington, got out, perfectly manicured fingers adjusting her designer sunglasses. She looked upon the estate with a calculating smirk; her sharp features gleamed brightly in a fusion of beauty and menace. She had returned to claim what she felt belonged to her, and she wasn't leaving without a fight.Sharon and Eva were already concocting their next move against Violet inside the mansion. When the butler announced Lily's arrival, both women exchanged knowing glances. "Perfect timing," Sharon said with an arching smile. "She's just the ally we need."Eva's eyes shone with mischievous intent. "Lily always managed to get a rise out of Clyde. If anyone can help us drive a wedge between him and Violet, she can." The ReunionLily sashayed into the grand living room, her heels clicking against the marble floor. Sharon and Eva rose to greet her, their expressions w
Last Updated : 2024-11-26
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In The Smoke-Filled Room Chapter 29: Tony bad intentions
The evening air was cool as Violet strolled down the quiet street, lost in thought. Her visit with Olivia earlier had lifted her spirits, but everything else weighed heavily upon her. She decided to take a longer route home, enjoying the solitude and the rare peace it brought her.Unbeknownst to her, there were shadows lurking nearby. Three men, in dark clothes, waited in the alley just ahead. They exchanged glances, their smirks an outward expression of their malicious intentions."Tony said to make it quick," one of them grumbled, adjusting his grip on a length of metal rod.An AmbushShe turned the corner, and the men stepped out, blocking her path. She froze. Her heart pounded as the lead man sneered.Well, look who's all dressed up and fancy," he sneered; the venom in his voice was unmistakable. "Tony sends his regards."Violet's eyes widened in surprise at the mention of her ex-boyfriend. "Tony? What does he want?" she asked, attempting to keep her voice from shaking despite the
In The Smoke-Filled Room Chapter 28: A Claim Too Far
Violet stared at the woman, her body tense, her breathing shallow. The night was colder now, the air heavy with uncertainty. The woman stepped closer, her features clearer under the dim glow of the streetlamp. Her eyes were sharp, and her face was etched with a life hard-lived.I'm your mother, Violet," the woman said quietly, a sad edge to her tone. "I've been looking for you for years."Violet stepped backward, her instincts warning her not to believe too quickly. "My mother?" she repeated, doubt lacing her voice. "That's impossible. My mother. she." Her words trailed off, memories of her childhood pain flashing before her eyes.The woman's face softened, as if she knew Violet was unsure. "I know this is a lot to believe, but it's true. Your father, he never wanted you to know about me. He took you from me when you were just a baby."Violet's chest tightened. "And now you expect me to believe you? After all these years, you just show up and claim to be my mother? Why now?The woman'
In The Smoke-Filled Room Chapter 27: Whispers of Betrayal
The grand lounge of a high-end hotel was the place where Sharon and Eva had decided to hold their secret meeting. The air was thick with the smell of leather and aged bourbon, and the low hum of conversation lent an air of secrecy to the surroundings. Around a polished table, a group of the company's prominent shareholders sat, each looking curious yet wary.Sharon, in a navy blue suit that commanded respect and oozed authority, stood at the head, with a serene yet scheming smile on her face. Eva sat beside her, composed and sanguine, but inside her heart bubbled with excitement."Thank you all for coming," Sharon began, her voice warm yet calculated. "We're here today because we're concerned about the future of West Enterprises.A silver-haired man at the table, Mr. Langston, leaned forward. "Concerned? What do you mean, Sharon? Richard and Clyde have been running things quite smoothly."Sharon gave a soft, almost pitying smile. "That's the perception, yes. But the truth is far more
In The Smoke-Filled Room Chapter 26: A Day Out with Jacob
The morning sun burst through the curtains of Violet's room in ribbons of gold, cast upon the walls. Violet stood at the window, sipping her tea, when a knock on the door jolted her out of her reverie. Placing the cup down, she walked over and opened the door to find Jacob standing in the doorway, his usual charming smile illuminating his face."Good morning, Violet," he said, a playful lilt in his voice. "I hope I'm not disturbing you.""Jacob?" she said, surprised. "What brings you here so early?""I figured you could use a break," he replied. "How about some shopping? My treat."Violet hesitated. It had been a while since she'd gone anywhere for herself. Still, Jacob's enthusiasm was contagious, and before she knew it, she was nodding."Alright," she said with a small smile. "Give me a few minutes to get ready."Jacob drove them to the city in his sleek car, the atmosphere light and easy. He hummed along to the radio as Violet gazed out the window, the scenery shifting from quiet s
In The Smoke-Filled Room Chapter 25: A Visit to the Past
The night was still, with the moon reflecting its silvery light upon the West mansion. Violet stood at her room door, her heart pounding against her chest. The air seemed thick with secrets, and her restless mind had been hounded by memories of her childhood. She had to go back-to that very town where she grew up and everything started.She pulled a thin cardigan over her shoulders, grabbed her small purse, and crept out of her room. Her footsteps were light against the polished floors as she tiptoed past the other rooms, careful not to wake anyone. Her breathing was shallow, her nerves taut like a string ready to snap.Unbeknownst to Violet, a pair of sharp eyes had followed her every movement. Eva had grown ever suspicious with the secrecy of her friend and thus had kept tabs on her. She watched as Violet slipped out the side door and disappeared into the cool night.Eva smirked. "What are you up to, little miss perfect?" she whispered low. She took her coat and quietly followed, he
In The Smoke-Filled Room Chapter 24: Too Intimate for Siblings
Two weeks had passed since Sharon's accident, and the West household had adjusted to an uncomfortable routine. Sharon was still trying to regain her memory, which irritated Eva. Every day, Eva sat by her mother, guiding her, eager to put together the pieces of Sharon's memories.The air was thick in Sharon's room as Eva sat beside her bed, holding a glass of water. "Mom, think harder," she said. "You said you were going to show Dad something important before your accident. Try to remember what it was.Sharon furrowed her brows, her fingers clutching the bedsheet tightly. "I don't know, Eva," she said, her voice laced with frustration. "It's all a blur. I remember walking… the pool… and then nothing."Eva sighed and stood, pacing the room. "Mom, you have to try harder. This isn't just about us anymore. Violet and Clyde… they're taking over everything. We need to stop them."Later that evening, as Sharon lay alone in her room, fragments of her past began to resurface, like pieces of a b
In The Smoke-Filled Room Chapter 23: Weight of Regret
Clyde sat alone in the dimly lit study, the room heavy with the silence that had become his constant companion. His fingers traced the edge of an old photograph, one that had been tucked away in a drawer for years. It was a picture of him and his real sister, the sister he hadn't seen since that fateful day when she disappeared from his life.His heart ached as he stared at the photograph, a haunting reminder of what had been lost. The girl in the picture was so young, her eyes filled with innocence and hope—eyes now lost to him, vanished into the depths of time and circumstance.Clyde could still remember that day with painful clarity. It had been a few months before his mother's death, and the family had been at a turmoil. He had been so wrapped up in his own little world, too focused on his own problems to notice the cracks forming in their home. But his sister, she saw it all-the cracks between their parents, tension in the air, changes creeping in unnoticed by everyone else.Her
In The Smoke-Filled Room Chapter 22 Eva returns
Eva clicked her heels sharply against the shiny floor as she strutted her stuff through the private lounge of the airport and finally finished her call. The business trip had gone better than expected, sealing deals that boosted her reputation and, more importantly, her control within the company. Confident and satisfied, she looked forward to catching up on the drama that no doubt had unfolded back home.As her driver pulled up to the mansion, a silence Eva was unfamiliar with greeted her. Generally, the household buzzed in activity and whispers; today, it was subdued. Eva's brows furrowed as she entered the grand foyer, knowing full well in her instincts that something was off.A maid approached her hesitantly, her hands clasped nervously. "Welcome back, Miss Eva. Hope your trip went well."It was fine," Eva replied briefly, shrugging off her coat. "What's going on here? It's too quiet."The maid hesitated, looking around as if she was unsure whether to say anything. "It's about Mrs
In The Smoke-Filled Room Chapter 21: An Unwelcome Arrangement
The dining room of the West family buzzed with conversation, where Violet had sat quietly with her hands folded in her lap. He had just sprung on her that her future husband's family would visit later in the evening, and it had made Violet agree. But with a knot deep down, her mind kept up with better reasoning that it was her necessary step to enter their family.Across the table, Clyde sat rigidly, his jaw clenched as his gaze remained fixed on Violet. Every word she had spoken earlier about accepting the marriage arrangements echoed in his mind, fueling a wave of anger and pain he could barely suppress.“I’ll do it,” Violet had said earlier, her voice steady but devoid of enthusiasm. “If this is best for the family, I’ll accept the marriage arrangements.”Richard beamed, seemingly pleased. "Excellent, Violet. This will strengthen the West name and see that you are well taken care of."Clyde had barely been able to contain himself at the time. The thought of Violet marrying another
