A soft voice filtered into the air but sounded demonic to Venessa, slashing her train of thoughts.

Whose voice would it be other than her....precious.... twin sister...

Due to what was roaming in Venessa’s mind, she didn't realize that she had already walked to the hallway, unaware that Valerie had been trailing her the moment she arrived.

Turning to face her sister, Venessa tightened her grip on the gift bag, forcing out a formulaic smile.

‘’ Hello, dear sister,’’ she greeted insincerely, clasping her palms behind her.

Only she could explain the amount of restraint and energy it took her to stop herself from bouncing on Valerie like a starved beast!

The heartbreak and humiliation inflicted on her..........she would never let go of settling it with them!

Valerie, in her white bubble gown that showed off her milky, flawless skin, twisted her lips, lowering her gaze at Venessa’s outfits.

A sharp glint of envy glimmered in her forest green eyes, which was swiftly caught by Venessa.

Although green with envy, she secretly admitted the pitch colored sarong skirt highlighted Venessa’s hourglass figure with the black sweetheart top pushing out some of her porcelain blossom. Even with a minimal makeover, her facial features were still exquisite, resembling a doll.

‘Impossible! How can she be prettier than me?’ Valerie's mind raced, unable to hold back her face turning grim.

‘’ What? Envy got your tongue?’’ Venessa taunted, narrowing her eyes.

‘’ You took everything from me, now you want my beauty?’’

Asking that, she moved a step closer to Valerie elegantly, while lowering her voice, ‘’ Dear sister, I just realized you are someone who takes it to the wire. After successfully winning over my ex-fiancé, you want more? I wonder how foolish Logan would feel if he ever realizes what kind of a person you are?’’

‘’ Well, he would never know. And do I need to remind you who Logan is to you now?’’ Valerie raised her chin arrogantly.

Her gentle face had long faded away; you would think she was a different person from yesterday.

Snorting, Venessa shot back in a calm tone, ‘’ Do you think at this moment I care about him? Valerie, I have let you take things that don't belong to you, but Logan would be the last! What I think you should focus more on is how to protect your secret faces from Logan. He could treat me that way for an accusation, but once he realizes who you really are, I can say you will be doomed.’’

She chuckled, shaking her head with fake sympathy.

Perhaps she had been too lenient and always let Valerie have her way. Previously, she thought her twin sister would change and hoped for her parents to accept her warmly; maybe things would have been different. However, it seemed she was thinking too much.

‘’You............’’ Valerie’s nostrils flared, her fingers trembling as they pointed to Venessa furiously.

‘’ Is that so? At least I am better than you. What do you have left, Venessa? The next thing I will be taking is your face and soul. Take a deep look at yourself, you can't even fight for what you claimed to love. You are so incompetent, I won over Logan and everything else! Even our parents despised you. I am the significant one here, so did you just say I have to worry?’’

Her words appeared to have some effect on Venessa as her composure faltered slightly, her jade eyes dimming.

Valerie leaned against the wall lazily, watching Venessa’s face shifting between deep concealed emotions, and curled the corner of her lips coldly.

' Venessa should always be below me,' she thought to herself.

‘’ You should be grateful, I am taking what doesn't belong to you, dear sister.’’

Her aim was to be the one getting the spotlight and most favored, so she could trample on her sister.

Suddenly, Venessa fisted her palms until her knuckles turned white, and without a word, she turned away to walk out of Valerie's.

Now was not the right time to let out her weakness in front of her twin sister.

Moreover, she wanted to respect her grandfather's special day.

‘’Heyyy, I am not done..........ahhhh!’’

..............

Meanwhile, in a warmly lit room located upstairs in the mansion, two men sat calmly across from each other, with an intricately carved chessboard filling the space between them.

The aroma of freshly brewed tea sipped into the air from a decorated porcelain tea pot, placed on an ornate side table, and accompanied by two delicately crafted tea cups.

With the two men sternly focused on their position on the chessboard, each debating inwardly about their next strategic move, it added more tension to the atmosphere.

‘’ Lorenzo, don’t go any further, I am too old and no longer good at this.’’ An energetic voice rang out in the room as an aged man laughed heartily. He commended, rubbing his white beard, ‘’ No wonder Old Magnus always boasts of you.’’

The man being referred to lowered his head without a change in expression.

‘’ Thank you, grandfather.’’

Naturally, the man was Lorenzo, and the aged one was Venessa’s grandfather, Jack Swayer, whose birthday banquet was held today.

‘’That old brat couldn't come, so he sent you here instead! Hphm, I am glad you are present, but you youngsters should have your time.’’

Taking a sip from the tea poured into the cup, he let out a relieved sigh and waved his hand down.

There was a hint of satisfaction on his wrinkled face, but on a closer look, one could catch sight of a melancholy glimpse. It was as if he felt some peace, but was concerned about something.

This was well observed by Lorenzo, who studied the old man with his black eyes quietly. Before he could part his lips, a vibrating sound came from his overcoat pocket.

Reaching out, he took his phone and checked the name displayed on the screen. Without hesitation, he rose from his seat and strolled to the balcony, then pressed the answer button, ‘’ Grandfather.’’

‘’Lorenzo! Have you seen Old Jackie? You must extend my wishes to him. I couldn't make it, but you should stand for me. Don't get him worked up.’’

Lorenzo listened calmly to the person at the other end of the call, who was his grandfather, and gave a slight nod. ‘’ I understand, grandfather.’’

‘’In that case, you can take this chance to get a woman of your choice. Remember, it will all end in six months. Do you want your empire to be in ruins?’’ His grandfather added, reminding him in a low pitched voice.

This was a secret that couldn’t be overheard or revealed to anyone.

With his grandfather’s reminder, Lorenzo’s soulless eyes deepened, his grip on the phone tightening.

The realization that only six months were remaining left a deep feeling in him. He pondered if that would be enough to achieve his aims..

‘’ If you can’t get a woman today to sire your heir, then I will consider Lila. She is.......’’’

Beep beep!

The call came to an abrupt end as soon as Lorenzo heard the person his grandfather had mentioned. He had no plans of taking any woman apart from his life savior, whom he was still searching for.

Regardless of the time left, his life savior was the only person his heart could lean towards.

After the call, Lorenzo moved back to where Grandpa Jack was, but the latter was already standing, as if waiting for him.

‘’ You should listen to what Magnus is saying. I would have introduced my granddaughter to you, but unfortunately, things are the way it is.’’

He sighed, his expression revealing some of the emotions he was struggling with.

Just then, some loud, unharmonious voices were heard, seemingly coming from the hallway. Without hesitation, the two men headed out of the room, advancing towards the hallway....