Chapter 5 Next Plan

After hanging up, Esther glanced at her phone and saw it flooded with notifications. Overnight, she'd somehow become an internet sensation.

The moment news broke that the Davenier family had cut ties with her, old scars and rumors resurfaced like wildfire. An old video of her had gone viral-Rowan, the Davenier family's golden boy, had caused a drunken scene at a bar. Esther had rushed over to handle it, only to get caught in a scuffle with some local thugs. The dim bar lighting blurred her face, but her sharp reflexes and clean moves were unmistakable. Paired with the current family scandal, the site's traffic nearly crashed.

The comments were vicious:

"Genetics are a curse. No matter how you raise someone, trash is still trash. Just look at her face-all those scars!"

"Chloe didn't even grow up with parents and she still turned out elegant. Meanwhile Esther fights like she belongs in a gang."

"Adopt at your own risk. You spend a fortune and end up raising a criminal."

"Honestly? Alan did the right thing. She's ungrateful-he had no choice."

"She'll be out on the street in no time. No family, no money-karma's a b*tch."

"Why worry? If she's hungry, she'll just rob someone. Lock your doors, people-she's got the face of a thief and the fists to match."

Ha.

They wanted to ruin her-completely erase her future with the Westvale family, kick her out, and drag her name through the mud.

And all because she refused to give up a man.

Not one of them cared that she'd nearly died for that family.

A cold chill ran down Esther's spine. She hadn't cared much for the Westvale family or Evander before, but now? After seeing how low they'd stoop?

Now she didn't want to let them win.

Just as she finished scrolling, her phone rang. It was Kendall. No hello-she jumped right in.

"Esther, I talked to my lawyer about those bags and money you gave me. I don't have to return anything. And I already told Chloe-she doesn't mind I took your gifts, now that I've switched sides."

Esther didn't say a word.

Kendall continued anyway, voice dripping with smugness.

"If you're petty enough to want them back, go ahead-sue me. Post that recording if you want. But those gifts were bought with Davenier family money. Chloe says technically, they're from them. Even if you make it public, it'll just make you look pathetic. Anyway, bye."

Click.

Like she was just delivering a message.

Kendall had stepped right over Esther to cozy up to Chloe. She'd never been a soulmate, but she had once been sincere. And that stung.

Fine.

So be it. No more mercy.

At first, Esther had only wanted to get some satisfaction-take back the gifts, make a point. But now? Kendall was getting cocky, thinking she had the Davenier family backing her?

Esther picked up her phone and dialed.

"Tell Mr. Astor we're dumping all Bond family shares. No more investments. And stop approving their loan applications, immediately."

A moment later, Emma texted back, laughing: [So the fake bestie finally took off the mask, huh?]

Esther replied: [Anyone who dares bully me-even if it's just a fly-I'll crush them. I'm already sending someone.]

Three minutes later, Judy's call came through again. "Hey babe, didn't I tell you not to pull the trending posts? The internet remembers everything. Why let those bastards get away with lying? I'm about to drop some hard evidence and crush them for good!"

"It's not me!" Esther opened her phone, confused. All the trending topics she'd seen earlier had vanished without a trace, as if no one had ever posted them.

"Look again. The internet has no memory now."

"All deleted?"

"Looks like we've been hacked."Judy was speechless.

"Whoever did this must be handsome!" Judy jumped up, energized. "What's the plan now?"

"Seduce Evander!" Esther smirked. If they hurt her, then fine- "Isn't Chloe desperate to marry Evander? Bring it on! It's just a man-does Chloe have the monopoly on stealing men?!"

"...I'm giving you a thumbs-up for that."

"Check who helped with the hack. We'll return the favor later."

"Leave it to me!"

They always repaid both debts and grudges.

...

At the CEO's office of Westvale Group, Levi nervously spoke up, "Mr. Westvale, Miss Chloe Davenier is here. She says she wants to apologize to you in person."

"Apologize for what?" Evander was sitting at his desk, zooming in on photos on his phone, not even looking up. His expression was unreadable.

"She said the Davenier family's announcement cutting ties with Esther caused a huge online backlash, embarrassing you. Everyone in our circle knows about your relationship with Esther. They've already contacted the people who posted and gotten the posts taken down..."

"No need." Before Levi could finish, Evander interrupted, standing up. "Tell her to stop deleting posts. Because I... have been completely blacked out."

Levi: "..."

...

On the first floor of Westvale Group, Esther changed into a sleek black dress that made her porcelain skin look even paler. The rose-shaped scar on her cheek made her look icy and formidable. She hadn't made an appointment-she was here to talk business with Levi.

Her joke about seducing Evander was just that-a joke. But seducing money? That was serious. Money was so much sweeter than men. Yet fate had a cruel sense of humor.

Right at the entrance, she ran into Chloe sitting in the waiting area. Esther wanted to ignore her, but Chloe suddenly sprang up and blocked her path.

"What, you really think Levi spoke for Evander and said you're the future Mrs. Westvale? Esther, wake up!"

"And if I am?" Esther looked at her coldly, a mocking smile playing on her lips-cocky and unyielding.

"Even if you were, it'd be pointless. This is Westvale Group, not the Davenier family. No one here's been fooled by you for twenty years..."

"Miss Chloe Davenier, sorry, our CEO doesn't have time to see you."

Chloe was just about to lecture Esther using her Davenier heiress status when the company receptionist stepped in politely.

"Please, Miss Davenier, come this way."

"No, thanks. I'm in no hurry. I'll wait here until he's free..."

"Miss Davenier, this way, please."

Before Chloe could finish, the receptionist's gesture interrupted her. Thinking the receptionist invited her to wait in Evander's reception room, Chloe started following her.

"Thank you!"

But-

"I invited Miss Esther Davenier, not you."

The receptionist bowed slightly, respectful but firm, cutting straight to the point. "Sorry, both your last names are Davenier. My mistake-I didn't clarify earlier."

"Miss Esther Davenier, please come this way."

***