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TWENTY: He's A Step Ahead
Last Updated:
2024-07-04 20:47:27
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The Surrogate's Vendetta TWENTY-ONE: Know Your Place
"Why are you so determined to defend Dylan, huh?" Juniper demanded, her voice low but as freezing as the Arctic. "Is it because you're also entangled in a secret affair with him? Is that why you're so eager to protect him?" At that point, she couldn't care less what bridge she was setting ablaze or the consequences of her accusations, all she wanted was to serve a little amount of the bitter meal being dumped on her plate. And boy. . . that one was so good! The stunned expression on Chloe's face was one that would live rent-free in her head till death do them part. Recovering from her dazed state, Chloe roared with rage, "What?! What the fu—" she restrained herself, glancing at the elders before breathing deeply to regain her composure. "What are you insinuating, Juniper?" Juniper shrugged slightly, her voice drenched in unadulterated sarcasm as she answered, "Oh, nothing, really. Just that the man you're so dying to defend told me himself that he's been sleep
Last Updated : 2024-07-05The Surrogate's Vendetta TWENTY-TWO: A Shocking Secret About The Clermonts
[YOU'RE ALREADY TOO INVOLVED WITH THE CLERMONTS. DON'T TAKE DRASTIC MEASURES OR YOU WILL DIE. LAY LOW!] Juniper's heart slammed violently against her chest as the note slipped from her trembling hands, drifting to the floor like a fallen leaf. Instantly, her legs lost their vitality, and she crumpled into a heap right next to it. Her body began to tremble as the sinister message seeped into her very being, leaving her weak and helpless. Who was exactly this mysterious tormentor, leaving these unsettling notes in her room? Apart from the first note that had greeted her on her first day moving into the mansion, she had received a few others, warning her to leave the mansion while she still had the chance. Now, THIS. . . WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON IN THIS MANSION? She'd never had any doubt about The Clermonts from the first day, but considering recent events, she was starting to grow wary of them, and this mysterious note only added to her anxiety. WHAT
Last Updated : 2024-07-08The Surrogate's Vendetta TWENTY-THREE: CEDRIC IS BACK!
CHLOE WAS ANTOINE'S BIOLOGICAL CHILD?! No matter how many times Juniper repeated the words in her mind, she could neither believe nor comprehend how that was possible. If Chloe was indeed Antoine's biological daughter, did that mean Antoine had a secret affair with the housekeeper, Florence, while still being married to Celine, Vivienne's mother? No, that could not be the case, given the fact that Vivienne and Chloe were about the same age, and according to their family's history, Antoine had married Celine when the girls were twelve—which, therefore, ruled out the affair part. But what made matters even more confusing was that Florence had already been working for the Bellerose family before anyone knew of Antoine's existence, so how exactly did she get pregnant for a man she never knew existed in the first place? Unless. . . She gasped sharply as the epiphany struck her like a lightning bolt. Hold up, could it be that. . . Antoine and Florence already had a prior relatio
Last Updated : 2024-07-09The Surrogate's Vendetta TWENTY-FOUR: Excruciating Heartache
Juniper almost had a heart attack when Chloe appeared at the doorway like the sheer image of the Death prepared to send her on an express train to hell. She gasped sharply out of alarm, taking startled steps backward. Chloe's intense gaze pierced straight into Juniper's very soul, and then, suddenly, she burst out in a bitter raucous laughter before she began to loom towards her with intentional strides. "You know when Dylan told me you were meeting with my boyfriend without my knowledge, I thought perhaps he was losing his mind—'cause, I mean, you're not stupid enough to try something that audacious with me. . . but turns out he was right after all." Juniper's breath hooked in her throat, it was as if she'd forgotten how to breathe making her lungs throb from oxygen deprivation. As Chloe stood right in front of her, blocking off her view of Cedric, she dragged her feet backward as Chloe continued to fill in every slight gap she created between them. WHAT WAS GOING ON?
Last Updated : 2024-07-11The Surrogate's Vendetta TWENTY-FIVE: Her Royal Majesty
Juniper felt like a toothpick in the arms of the muscle-bound man as she struggled fruitlessly to be liberated. Her outcry was lost in the throat, subdued under the weight of the humongous hand of her abductor, clenching ever so tightly over her mouth. Earlier, she'd been so engulfed in her anguish that she didn't notice she was being followed, and as her abductor took her away, she realized he wasn't the only one tailing her. There were men in smart midnight black suits with similar buffed-out builds just like her abductor, standing alert around four cars right behind hers, and among them was a luxurious black limousine. She wasn't sure why she was being abducted or where they were taking her, but she needed no clairvoyance to know that she was in big trouble. As they reached the limousine, one of the men pulled the door open as her abductor propelled her into the car, slamming the door shut. The instant her mouth was released, Juniper began to scream her lungs out for help
Last Updated : 2024-07-14The Surrogate's Vendetta TWENTY-SIX: Controversy In The Mansion
Back at the mansion, Chloe was spitting fire and brimstone, her anger and aggression explosive as she recounted her horrific day to her family. She paced back and forth across the living room floor, her heavy footsteps making the walls tremble, like a wild animal caged and ready to burst free as her words poured out like venom, threatening to consume everything in their path. "I just can't understand why she'd try to sabotage me like that, after all the kindness I've shown her." Chloe roared, her eyes blazing with fury as her voice ricocheted off the walls. "What if she'd succeeded. . ." She paused, her mind racing with the dire possibilities. "What if she had succeeded in making the Crown Prince fall for her tricks. . . if she had won his affections. . . where would that have left me? God! The very thought sends shivers down my spine!" With each heated word, Chloe's anger seemed to grow, filling the room with an almost tangible intensity. Her family watched her with
Last Updated : 2024-07-16The Surrogate's Vendetta TWENTY-SEVEN: Leaving The Bellerose Mansion
The sky was already a deep shade of indigo and twinkling with stars when Juniper finally arrived at the mansion. Under different circumstances, she would have found the beauty of the starry sky breathtaking and even considered the day a good one. But it wasn't! It was an awful day that left a sour taste in her mouth, and she wished she could just blink and it would erase like it never came. With a subtle limp, Juniper made her way into the mansion, suppressing a moan with each step she took. She had made a stop at the hospital to have her cut treated, but her leg still throbbed like hell. The doctor at the emergency room had questioned her about the injury, but she had fabricated a story about accidentally cutting herself with a cleaver. Though the doctor raised a skeptical eyebrow, he hadn't pushed the issue further, thankfully. Instead, he had recommended that she be admitted for observation or undergo further checks to ensure both she and her unborn child were unharmed. Wi
Last Updated : 2024-07-18The Surrogate's Vendetta TWENTY-EIGHT: Juniper's Tragical End?
"I'm keeping the child!" Juniper found herself declaring with all the confidence she could summon. A surge of conviction propelled her forward, and words began to flow from her lips like a river. "I'll raise him, at least until he's old enough to understand. I think every child needs their mother. Yes, he isn't biologically my child. But, I've given him a home within me. I've felt his tiny kicks, his gentle stirrings, and with every passing day, our bond grows stronger. I'm prepared to nurture him, love him, and sacrifice for him. And that, to me, makes me his mother." Antoine cleared his throat "Juniper. . ." "I know what you're about to say," Juniper interjected reasonably. "You're about to say that raising a child is a daunting task and that a Bellerose deserves to be raised in luxury and comfort—which I clearly do not have. And I agree. But, Mr. Clermont, the child needs more than just material comfort. He needs the love, protection, and devotion of a mother. Som
Last Updated : 2024-07-21
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The Surrogate's Vendetta NINETY-FIVE: He's Not The Villain
Juniper was beyond relieved when she finally made it to the Royal Palace. It was nearly a fatal attempt trying to get passed the reporters, protesters, and very angry fans, who swarmed the major roads leading to the palace. In fact, it was a miracle she'd made it out in one piece— Though she couldn't say the same for her car. She still wondered why the public was still hassling her concerning the issue of Audrey's supposed suicide. The media had already revealed to the public that she had nothing to do with it and her charges were dismissed, but why did it seem to aggravate the issue even more? Someone was definitely fanning the flame in her direction, and she didn't need to think twice to guess who it was. Juniper sighed deeply as walked down the corridor to her room. Since she wasn't in the best state of mind, her major aim was to get everything behind her for now, retire to her room, and hope tomorrow turned out better. Socializing with anyone in the palace wa
The Surrogate's Vendetta NINETY-FOUR: The Truth Behind Audrey's Death
Chloe didn't want to believe a word Juniper had said, but for some reason, it continued to bother her. Though she knew her father and what heinous things he was capable of, she refused to believe he had a hand in Audrey's death. Tears streamed down her face as she sped towards the Bellerose Mansion. She never realized how much Audrey meant to her until now she was gone forever. She still couldn't believe she was never going to see her again. Why was everyone close to her experiencing such misfortune except the person she desperately wished it for? Why wasn't Juniper the one dead instead of Audrey? Or was her hunch correct after all? Was Juniper the mastermind behind all these bad things happening to them? Who was she coming for next? HER?!!! Subconsciously, Chloe's sorrow gave way to a cold-gripping terror to manifest. She never thought there would come a time she'd feel so terrified by Juniper, but from the latest turn of events, she was starting to realize that
The Surrogate's Vendetta NINETY-THREE: "They might've won, but we'll be back."
Jerome braced himself for a tongue-lashing the moment he was summoned to the Station Commander's office, knowing he was in for a severe rebuke. He had expected this reaction from the very moment he chose to disregard his superior's directive. As soon as he walked in, the Station Commander's face turned red with anger. He sprang to his feet and hauled a journal at him. "You had one simple task, Detective Luc," the Commander thundered, his voice echoing through the room. "Your orders were clear: 'Do everything in your power to charge Juniper Laurent with the crime of blackmail.' And yet, what did you do? You let her go?!" Jerome swiftly caught the book before it made contact with his face. He maintained a collected attitude as he strode towards him. "I let her go because she wasn't guilty of the crime, sir," he said level-headedly, placing the book back on the table. "There was no solid evidence to hold her to the crime, sir. Are you suggesting I charge someone for what the
The Surrogate's Vendetta NINETY-TWO: The Interrogation
Juniper breathed a silent sigh of exhaustion. She already expected the cops would come for her, but not this soon— and especially not Jerome Luc. She tilted her chin defiantly, her gaze meeting his squarely "Am I being arrested?" "No, ma'am," he responded calmly. "We just have a few questions to ask you." "Great," she retorted. "If I'm not being arrested, then it's okay to go to the station all by myself, right?" "Of course, ma'am," he replied with a sigh. "Whenever you're ready." That was all Juniper needed to hear before she spun on her heels and returned from where she came from. Back in her bedroom, she punched in Camille's number and called her. "Hey, Camille. I don't think I can make it to your place now. The cops came for me, accompanied by your friend, Jerome. I'll head first to the station, please get our lawyer ready—" Just then, the twin doors to Juniper's bedroom swung open with a sudden burst, and in came a seething monarchess. "Juniper L
The Surrogate's Vendetta NINETY-ONE: Audrey's Death
Juniper's hand dropped to her side as she stood frozen in front of the TV, her eyes fixed on the screen in horror.___ "Tragedy has struck the Clermont Family," The news anchor announced, his tone calm and solemn. "Audrey Clermont, the talented A-list actress and second daughter of the esteemed Clermont Family, was found dead on the grounds of her home early this morning. Report alleged a handwritten suicide note was discovered on the rooftop of her house, where it is believed she took her own life by jumping to her death. The suicide note suggests that the late actress had taken her own life due to the constant blackmail she'd received from the Young Prince's mother of Forêt-bleue, Juniper Laurent, who allegedly had requested a huge sum in exchange for keeping her secret silent. Shockingly, Audrey had once been in the adult movie industry, under the pseudonym, Kiki Miles, and this was realized at exactly 1:00 am today when an X-rated video starring the late actress was
The Surrogate's Vendetta NINETY: The Deadly Secret
DINNER TIME AT THE BELLEROSE MANSION. . . Audrey had initiated a family dinner to catch up on each other's lives— a ploy she'd come up with to retrieve the flash drive from her father's safe— but Chloe being Chloe made the entire dinner about herself, going on and on about her struggles in the palace. . . and her sheer hatred for Juniper. "That witch is up to something, trust me," Chloe rambled on, waving her cutlery in the air. "'cause, tell me why she was all cozied up to Dylan, and all of a sudden his secret was divulged to the public." Florence, who was hanging on to every word her daughter spoke, nodded her head in agreement. "You're right," she said barely above a whisper. "Not to mention how the Dupont kid mysteriously disappeared into thin air." "If you ask me, I don't think Dylan ‘mysteriously disappeared into thin air’," Chloe countered pointedly. "His family must have snuck him out of the country way before the cops came for him. He's their only child, there's no way
The Surrogate's Vendetta EIGHTY-NINE: "There's no BUT. I like you too..."
After receiving that bleak call from Camille that morning, Damien had barely concentrated throughout the competition. He could think of nothing else but her. In fact, it had taken all that was holy for him to actually come first place. He left the stadium right after claiming his gold medal and the first thing he did was rush over to Camille's place to check up on her, only to find her house empty. He rang her countless times but her phone was switched off— which was totally unlike her. He was so worried that he remained there at her front gate, leaving numerous voicemails, and hoping that she returned home as soon as she received them. After hours and hours passed by, panic set in. He began to pace restlessly in front of his packed car, glancing at his phone at every second. "God! Where the hell is this woman?" Damien whispered to himself, his voice inundated with concern and anxiety. "Hold on! What if. . . what if she'd been on her way to the pharmacy and coll
The Surrogate's Vendetta EIGHTY-EIGHT: A Half-hearted Alliance
"NO! NO FREAKING WAY!" Juniper and Camille yelled in unison. It was a good thing Juniper had reserved the entire coffee shop so that they could sit and discuss in private without being conscious of others. Because with the way they shouted, the other customers would've thought they were insane. Juniper's gaze blazed as she threw her forefinger in the face of Jerome Luc who was sitting next to Audrey in their table of four. "There's no way we're working with him." "Exactly. Cops can't be trusted," Camille agreed with her. She then turned her piercing eyes at Jerome. "Why the hell are you EVERYWHERE?" But Jerome flashed her a smug smile, shrugging his shoulders. "It's a small world, I guess," he said casually right before taking a sip of his coffee. Audrey's eyes blinked in confusion. "Wait! You guys know each other already?" "Yeah, it's a long story," Juniper responded dismissively, her eyes narrowed as they locked on Audrey. "How exactly do you two k
The Surrogate's Vendetta EIGHTY-SEVEN: Confronting Audrey
THAT SAME EVENING. . . Juniper stood at the front door of Audrey's house, waiting for someone to answer the door. She'd bid her time the week, waiting for Audrey's arrival and the rightful moment to confront her. And today was the day. She was NOT leaving here without what she came for. In no time, the front door swung open and Audrey appeared before her, holding her son in the crook of her arm. She hesitated for a moment, her eyes widened. "J- Juniper?" She stuttered, her tone filled with surprise and confusion. "What brings you here?" But Juniper's countenance remained calm. Her chocolate-tinted lips morphed into a huge smile as she fluttered her fingers at her. "Hello, Audrey. It's been a while." When Audrey didn't respond but continued to stare at her with skepticism plastered on her face, she chuckled to herself, tilting her head to the side before asking, "Can I come in?" Snapping out of her dense mode, Audrey nodded in return ushering her into the house. "Oh, I
