Chapter 5: The Mistress Who Wanted My Life
Victoria Hale had always wanted everything I had.
I just never realized how badly.
The first time I met her, she smiled at me.
She complimented my dress.
She told me how lucky I was to have Daniel.
She acted like my friend.
But behind that smile was jealousy.
I saw it clearly now.
She didn't want Daniel because she loved him.
She wanted him because he represented everything she wanted.
Money.
Power.
Status.
My life.
Two days after Rachel contacted us, Victoria appeared outside Carter Global Holdings.
She wasn't invited.
But she came anyway.
The security team informed me immediately.
"She says she needs to speak with you.""
I almost refused.
But something told me to let her in.
I wanted to see the woman who helped destroy my marriage.
I wanted to understand her.
Victoria entered the office wearing designer clothes and perfect makeup.
But for the first time, she didn't look confident.
She looked worried.
"Emily.""
I remained seated.
"Victoria.""
She looked around the office.
The admiration in her eyes was obvious.
This was the world she wanted.
The world she thought Daniel could give her.
But he couldn't.
Because Daniel himself was about to lose everything.
"I need your help.""
I almost laughed.
"You need my help?""
She swallowed.
"Daniel is angry.""
"That surprises me.""
"He thinks you are destroying him.""
I stared at her.
"I didn't destroy Daniel.""
My voice was calm.
"He did that himself.""
Victoria looked uncomfortable.
Then she said something I didn't expect.
"I didn't know.""
I raised an eyebrow.
"Didn't know what?""
"That you were Alexander Carter's daughter.""
There it was.
The reason everyone suddenly cared.
Not because I was hurt.
Not because I was betrayed.
Because I had power.
I leaned back.
"Would you have treated me differently if you knew?""
Victoria looked away.
She had no answer.
And that answer told me everything.
"I loved him.""
The words came out quietly.
I studied her face.
"Did you?""
She looked offended.
"Yes.""
"No.""
She looked at me.
"You loved what he could give you.""
Her expression changed.
"You loved the mansion.""
Silence.
"The money.""
Silence.
"The lifestyle.""
I stood.
"And when he told you I had nothing, you believed him because that made it easier for you to replace me.""
Victoria's eyes filled with anger.
"You think you're better than me?""
"No.""
I looked at her.
"I think I was foolish.""
That surprised her.
"I trusted someone who didn't deserve it.""
For a moment, neither of us spoke.
Then Victoria whispered:
"Daniel lied to me too.""
I froze.
"What?""
She laughed bitterly.
"He told me everything was already finished between you two.""
My expression remained cold.
"He said you refused to leave.""
"He said he was trapped.""
"He said he was going to marry me after the divorce.""
I stared at her.
Because for the first time, I saw the truth.
Daniel had not only destroyed me.
He had manipulated her too.
Victoria sat down.
"I thought I was winning.""
Her voice broke.
"But now I realize...""
She looked around.
"He never planned to give me anything.""
I said nothing.
Because sympathy was complicated.
She had hurt me.
She had enjoyed my pain.
But she was also another person Daniel used.
Before she left, she stopped at the door.
"Emily.""
I looked up.
"I know you probably hate me.""
I didn't answer.
She continued.
"But if you destroy Daniel...""
A pause.
"Make sure he knows it wasn't because of your father.""
My eyes narrowed.
"Then why?""
Victoria looked at me.
"Because of you.""
After she left, I stood alone in the office.
Her words stayed with me.
Because she was right.
This wasn't about money.
It wasn't about revenge.
It was about proving something.
Daniel believed he could erase me.
He believed my kindness was weakness.
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He believed my silence meant surrender.
He was wrong.
