"I saw the conference video today, luce mia." Owen's voice boomed from Leonica's phone as she had him on FaceTime. "You did great." "I know." CLeonica's answer as she finished changing into her to be and sat in front of the camera. "I know I did good because everything went according to plan. Well, everything but Florence's appearance." She muttered the last part, but Owen caught on quickly. "Florence Winslow? The reporter who you had an interview with? What of her?" He asked.
Leonica contemplated telling the entire story. For sreason, she felt like telling Owen about Jamil wasn't the smartest choice. It was like Owen held an unspoken vendetta for the male.
But then again, maybe she was over thinking it. Owen wasn't that type of person, and holding a grudge for someone he barely knew wasn't something he'd do.
So with a shrug, she spoke. "Florence works for Jamil Vanadas," This words were enough to get Owen feeling more alert than he previously was. "Her questions seemed kind of..." Leonica knitted her brows, trying to place her finger on the right word. "Rehearsed. Every line sounded as if she had planned that one question over and over in her head. But even that wasn't as disturbing as the fact that Jamil happened to show up after the conference." Owen's expression was dark and serious, and it didn't go unnoticed by Leonica. "Owen?" "Sorry, I got a bit distracted." He flashed her a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes. "And what did Vanadas want?" Now Leonica really doubted if she should say what Jamil really wanted. She knew that look on Owen's face. He was Jealous.
"Nothing important," She brushed it off. "Anyway, enough about me, how's your trip going?" Owen shrugged. "Sas usual, boring and tiring. Although the shot is meant to wrap up next week." "I see," Leonica hummed as she reached out and grabbed her laptop. "So, you should be back hby next week, right? Wanna get dinner withwhen you're back?" "Would love to luce mia. I have rehearsals to get back to, but be sure to callif you need anything." "Will do." Leonica said and reached for her phone, about to end the call when Owen spoke up.
"Doa favor, luce mia?" When she hummed, giving him the green light to continue on, Owen added. "Please be careful around Jamil. He's up to something, I can tell." Leonica smiled. "I know, but don't worry. I can handle myself." "I know you can, but I can't help but be concerned. After all, with everything going on, he can suddenly decide to capitalize on the opportunity." "Capitalize on the opportunity?" Leonica repeated more to herself rather than asked a question, as a bunch settled in.
"Yeah. Is everything alright." "Yeah, I just...thought of something. I'll talk to you later." "Sure luce mia. Good luck at the party." "Thanks. Bye." She said and hung up, instantly proceeding to flipping her laptop open and pulling up one of the articles concerning Irene's appearance. Then she checked the IP address from where the article was sent and compared it to the other IP addresses and all of them lead back to one single culprit. Herox Media Company's IP address.
"Damn it, Vanadas." Leonica mumbled to herself. "You're just too desperate, aren't you?" The more she thought about it, the more her anger boiled.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtIt was just too obvious. Jamil's been using Florence and his media company as a way to smear her father's nand make it so that the public would turn against the Romero's. But what did he hope to gain from this? Her affection? Surely he didn't think that if her family suffered such a tiny blow he could show up as her knight in shining armor, save her and have her falling into his arms, begging for his love. Ha, just the thought of that was fucking revolting! But thankfully Leonica didn't have the attention to ponder all about her scummy ex boyfriend, instead, she wondered; just how many people were in on Irene's appearance.
After the security feed she had watched, it was obvious that Irene had an accomplice, so just who were they? And what was Jamil's involvement in this entire thing? Was he a pawn like Irene? Manipulated like she was to release all those posts? Leonica sighed as her brain started to hurt. So many things were going on, and it was hard for her to keep track of everything.
She really hated it when things got out of hand like this.
'Ah, I just want peace already.' She thought as she closed her laptop and tucked herself underneath her duvet.
Five accomplices, ten, or even twenty, all of them would be the same.
As long as she had the means to take them down, then that's all that mattered.
And she did have the means.
So all she had to do was wait patiently for them to slip up.
And her target in particular was their lose end, Irene Rosewood.
The day of the introduction party had arrived in the blink of an eyes. The venue, a large manor built on the hills a far corner of Norway was beautifully decorated and big enough to accommodate all the guests and reporters that had been invited.
It was a sight that would have made Irene feel like a fish out of water, if not for the fact that she had been getting a taste of this sort of life while being married to Arvan.
However, her mood wasn't as bright mood as her surroundings. She had a scowl on her face, the moment she spotted Leonica walking through the entrange double door, Benjamin and Cassandra both at her side, smiling lovingly at their daughter.
Their legitimate daughter.
Although she had first entered the Romero family with intentions of pulling Benjamin down, which hadn't changed, Irene couldn't help but feel of the family Leonica had. They seemed, no, they were perfect. Too perfect. And that, was supposed to be hers, the thought once again crossed her mind, blooming like a rose in its blooming season.
She, along with her mother, was the one meant to have such a happy life. So what right did Leonica and her mother, have to cand steal that away from her.
Her hands tightened. She wanted it back, all that belonged to her and she was going to get it back.
"Miss Irene, are you alright?" Meredith, who had been standing beside her, asked after having watched her expression of hatred directed towards Leonica.
"I'm fine," Irene replied, her words coming out harsh as she turned and noticed a few people whispering and pointing at her.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏm"...the resemblance is evident, I'm sure she's the illegitimate child." One of the elites closest to Irene, said.
"I don't know," Another shook their head, giving Irene a look of scrutiny that she did not miss. "She's not as pretty as their original daughter."
"Oh please," The aristocrat who had started the conversation laughed loud enough for her to hear. "No bhe can compare to Ms. Romero, E especially an illegitimate child like her." The conversation, or rather the insults, had her blood boiling and her hands shaking. Illegitimate child. Fake. A child born out of wedlock.
The words were endless, and all of them were thrown at her at her very own welcoming party! Irene was burning from head to toe with embarrassment. So much so, that she had to chug down an entire glass of wine to calm herself down.
But even that, the aristocrats found fault in.
"How uncultured." Another woman muttered under her breath, not knowing Irene was just a few meters away from her. "She drinks wine like a barbarian." "It's not surprising, seeing as she didn't get a good education, much unlike Leonica Romero." A man, a noble from one of the big families, spoke, causing the others to laugh.
Irene felt humiliated and enraged. The nerve these people had, talking shit behind her back when she was just right there! And the cause of it all, the person they were constantly comparing her to, was Leonica.
As if on cue with her thoughts,
Irene's eyes scanned the crowd and found Leonica, except she was bit taken aback when the younger T female was already staring at her, a smirk playing on her lips, almost as if she knew all that was being said.... No, she knew all that was being said! And to make matters worse, she gently raised the wine glass in her hand and gave Irene a toast.
This act caused a nerve to snap in Irene's brain, flipping on a switch that gave only one command at the moment.
To get back all that Leonica had stolen from her. Her perfect family, reputation, daughter's attention and even her ex husband, all of which Leonica had taken away from her for her own pleasure. But from now on, she was not going to let Leonica win. No, not again.
It was her turn to shine. To have it all while Leonica was left with none.