CHAPTER 003: The Smarter One

[DAPHNE’S POINT OF VIEW]

“Reign Montgomery.”  I read the name on the black card before looking at the man on Rae's bed. “I never thought I would one day encounter a member of the Montgomery family in this lifetime. There's no way you are crazy, as Rae claimed.” I smirk.

Rae had been foolish to have not checked his pockets for a wallet before dragging him all the way home; all she cared about was saving him but not me. I almost didn't give a shit if he died or lived till I shoved my hand into his pocket and came across a treasure. I seize opportunities when they land right at my doorstep in a tight grip.

He tsks and relaxes his back against the wall. The blankets continue to cover his nakedness. He shuts his eyes as he speaks calmly. “I should have known there is the smart friend,”

“Oh, Rae is more of the smart one between us but she can be dumb at times, like picking up a dying stranger in an alley who doesn't turn out to be a criminal but Reign Montgomery, CEO of AxB Capital. This is almost like a story straight out of a novel.” I smile curly.

“I see you are nothing like your friend. You are well informed.” He points out and damn right he is. I am nothing like Rae. We are different in many ways. She's content in living in his godforsaken apartment with crumbling bricks but I'm not. I deserve better than this shitty lifestyle. 

“Oh, I've read about the Montgomery family. Everyone in this damn city knows about the richest family in New York.” I cross my arms over my chest. “I have read your family values reputation more than anything and believe me, I've made my findings about you and it would be shitty if the media came to know what happened to you on this side of the city.”

Instantly, his eyes snap open. His grey eyes are dark and shady; my strong font nearly crumbles till he barks out a laugh. “I don't think you found enough about me, Miss Daphne. If you did, you would be trembling before me to utter such words of threat. I don't take too well to threats. especially from a little girl." His eyes are the scariest part of him. They look like they hold too many mischieves and too many secrets.

Perhaps I'm playing with fire; perhaps I will burn myself in the process but I'm ready to take the risk as long as it means I get what I want. “You don't have a choice but to agree to my terms. I have information on you that could lead to propaganda against your family.”

“What do you want?” His voice drops low and deep and it matches the cloudiness in his eyes that looked like they could drill a hole through my skull. “Let me guess, money?”

My lips split in shock. I feel insulted because he's right.

He smirks. “Is that what anyone in your position will ask for? Money. How much do you need? Does your friend know you want payment for what she did?” 

My eyes darken. “Leave Rae out of this. I was the one who freaking patched you up, Rae doesn't know the first thing about first aid or treating a wound. It's all me, if there's someone you should be grateful to, it's me.”

He tilts his head. “You are ambitious; I think I would have had use for you if we had met in a different situation.”

“I have no intention of getting tangled in your world of class and nonsense. Your family is notorious for being manipulative fuckers; only a fool would want to be tangled with you. So what is it going to be?” I take my phone from the back of my pocket and extend it towards him.

He looks from hand to my face and with a smirk, he takes the phone from me. “How much do you need?” 

“Millions of dollars. I want it by tomorrow and you gone as well. Also,  Rae shouldn't know about our deal. This is between us, Mr. Montgomery.”

He smirks again, his glint in his eyes intensifying. “You have my word, Miss Daphne.”

Without another word, I turn and walk out of the bedroom and step into the small living room and finally, I let out the breaths I've been holding in his presence. I place my hand over my chest to calm my ragged breathing.

I can not afford to be frightened now. Fate has brought a member of the Montgomery family and I cannot miss the opportunity to get what I want, get the revenge I want and what's meant to be mine. 

I only need more time and once I get clo-

“Daphne.”

My body jolts and I instantly turn to see Rae entering the little room with a paper bag of takeouts. “You are back!” 

 “What are you doing standing there? I brought dinner. Let's eat. I'm starving.” she flashes me an unsuspecting smile and goes over to the little kitchen space.

“Did you get something for our guest?”

Instantly, she brightens up, her amber eyes glimmering too brightly for a world as corrupt as this—that’s what I hate about her—her ability to smile and make it seem like everything is fine when nothing is. 

“Of course. I won't let him starve.”

I would have let him starve. I would have let him bleed to death in that alley without a single emotion. And that's what's different about us. She feels too much while the world has shattered my soul to the point I don't give a fuck about anyone.

Despite growing up in the shitty orphanage, Rae had always endured everything with a smile. I'd entered the orphanage at 13 when I lost everything with just a snap of a finger. I met her as a smiling girl and she has grown into a smiling adult despite the cruelty of this city she has also faced as a young child losing her parents. My memories as a child have stuck with me and each day, the bitterness on my tongue and my thirst for revenge grow.

“I will bring his dinner to him. He might look sick in the head but I can't allow him to starve,” she informs me and I nod, then I watch her head in the direction of her and vanish inside. 

I let out a sigh. Time is the only thing I need and once I am done, the whole world shall hear my story, and the empire will fall at my feet.