Chapter 7: Shadows of Betrayal

Chapter 7: Shadows of Betrayal

Violet's POV

The West estate had grown eerily silent in the past few days, but Violet could feel the storm brewing. Clyde's insistence that she remain calm despite Tony, Sharon, and Eva's scheming was wearing thin. The weight of the lies they were both carrying had turned into a ticking time bomb, and Violet knew it was only a matter of time before it all exploded.

She sat on the patio overlooking the expansive gardens and sipped tea, feigning to read a book. Clyde had gone to the hospital to visit his father, leaving her alone to fend off Sharon and Eva's thinly veiled insults. Yet, it wasn't Sharon or Eva that was the biggest of her worries; it was Tony.

Tony was relentless, his hatred for her new life blinding him. Every interaction with him left her uneasy, like he knew something she didn't.

As night fell, Violet made her way down the grand staircase to dinner when she heard muffled voices in the parlor. She drew closer and felt her heart race with the recognition of Tony's voice.

She's lying, Sharon," Tony hissed. "You can't just sit around and let her take everything that's supposed to be yours."

Sharon coldly laughed. "Believe me, Tony, I'm not. But we need proof. Something concrete that we can take to Richard before it's too late.

Tony snorted. "Proof? You really think that she's going to hand it over? No, we have to get creative. Already, I've been digging into her past. She'll slip up sooner or later."

"And what if she doesn't?" Eva's sharp tone cut through the conversation. "Clyde's already convinced she's untouchable. If we wait too long, we'll lose everything.

Violet’s pulse quickened. She backed away, careful not to make a sound. Clyde had warned her they’d try to dig into her past, but hearing their desperation made her blood run cold.

The Secret Weapon

After dinner, Violet found Clyde in his study, poring over documents. She hesitated at the door, unsure whether to tell him what she’d overheard.

“You’re hovering,” Clyde said without looking up.

“I heard them,” she blurted out, stepping into the room.

Clyde looked up sharply. “Who?”

“Tony, Sharon, Eva—they’re plotting to find proof I’m not your sister. Tony’s even digging into my past.”

Clyde’s jaw tightened. “Let them dig. They won’t find anything.”

“But what if they do?” she pressed. “Clyde, I’m not cut out for this. I’m not some master manipulator—I’m just trying to survive.”

Clyde stood and walked over to her, his gaze intense. "Violet, you're stronger than you think. We've come too far to let them win. Trust me—I'll handle Tony."

His confidence was almost convincing, but Violet couldn't shake the unease settling in her chest.

Tony Makes His Move

Next morning, Tony confronted Violet in the parking lot of the West building. She had come to drop off a file with Clyde, but the minute she stepped out of her car, Tony was there to face her, his smirk just as smug as before.

"Fancy seeing you here," he drawled.

Violet scowled at him. "What do you want, Tony?

Oh, nothing much," he said, circling her like a predator. "Just thought I'd let you know I found something interesting. A little piece of your past you forgot to mention."

Violet's stomach dropped. "What are you talking about?"

Tony pulled out his phone and showed her a photo-a picture of her working as a waitress at a small diner three years ago. It wasn't incriminating, but the implications were clear.

Clyde might not care where you came from," Tony sneered, "but his father? The board? They'll want to know why the 'long-lost sister' of the West family was serving burgers for minimum wage."

"You're grasping at straws," Violet said, her voice steady despite her pounding heart.

Tony leaned in closer, his voice low. "Am I? Let's see how long your little charade lasts once I show this to Sharon. She's dying to take you down."

That evening, Clyde called a family meeting. Sharon, Eva, and Tony arrived in the grand dining hall, their curiosity barely masked by their disdain. Violet sat beside Clyde, her hands clasped tightly in her lap.

I've called you all here because there's been some.unrest in the family," Clyde began, his voice even but commanding. "Certain people seem to think they can undermine me and my sister."

Sharon raised an eyebrow. "If you're referring to me, Clyde, I'm merely protecting what's rightfully ours.

"And what exactly is that?" Clyde challenged. "Because as far as I'm concerned, everything in this family belongs to all of us—not just you and Eva."

Eva scoffed. "Please. You only care about Violet because you think she'll give you an edge."

Clyde smiled coldly. "Interesting you should say that." He gestured to his assistant, who handed him a file. "Because I've done some digging of my own."

He tossed the file onto the table. Sharon’s and Eva’s eyes widened as they flipped through the pages.

“What is this?” Sharon demanded.

“Proof that Violet is exactly who she says she is,” Clyde said smoothly. “And more importantly, proof that you’ve been using company funds for your personal expenses, Sharon.”

Sharon’s face turned pale, and Eva’s mouth opened and closed like a fish out of water. But it was Tony who snapped first.

“This doesn’t change anything,” he spat. “She’s still lying, and I’m going to prove it.”

The calmness in Clyde's voice let loose, and his eyes flared. "You are done, Tony. You have been nothing but a leech ever since you first set foot into Violet's life. You are fired, and the day I catch you anywhere near her again, I'll make it a point that you don't forget it."

Tony smiled sinfully. "You think this is over? This is just the beginning.

As he stormed out, Violet felt a shiver run down her spine. She knew Tony wasn't bluffing—and whatever he had planned next could destroy everything.