Chapter 4 4. It's starting now!

"How's the plan going? Is everything going smoothly?" asked Olivia, Andrea's best friend who currently lives in Australia and owns a technology company. He developed the best antivirus in the world, and his expertise in the internet and technology made him a highly skilled hacker.

To this day, no one has been able to surpass him, so major companies hire his services for both hacking and antivirus work.

She was also the one who helped him send an anonymous message to Jessica. She also helped him delete all the CCTV footage from that hot night with Michael several years ago, which resulted in Andrea getting pregnant and having Sonya.

"Smooth. Jessica won't miss this chance to humiliate me. By the way, thank you for your help."

"You're my friend, so helping you is my duty! It's late, go rest!"

"Alright, I'll hang up now."

"Don't forget to let me know if you need anything."

***

Far away in the Netherlands, in the luxurious mansion of the Van Houten family, Daniel, Andrea's uncle, was video calling Andrea.

Andrea's tablet screen showed her uncle, Daniel Van Houten, a silver-haired trillionaire exuding an aura of wisdom and strength. Beside him sat his wife, Elizabeth, an elegant woman with a warm smile.

Behind them, their son, Harry Van Houten, 28 years old, gazed at Andrea with a playful expression.

"Andrea, my dear, how are you?" Daniel's voice sounded gentle, but there was an unmistakable serious undertone. "Is everything going according to plan?"

Andrea forced a smile, even though she knew they could read her like an open book. "I'm fine, Uncle. Everything is going... smoothly."

"Smoothly? Really?" Elizabeth interjected, her gaze filled with love yet demanding honesty. "We know this isn't easy for you, dear. You've always hated this path."

Harry, who was naturally extroverted, chimed in. "Andrea, why don't you just tell Michael Smith the truth? Why go about it this way? This... isn't ethical."

"Ethical?" Andrea laughed sarcastically, a laugh that didn't reach her eyes. "What's ethical about my life, Harry? What's ethical about how Jessica and her mother ruined my life? By giving me fertility drugs and getting me pregnant? What's ethical about the fact that my daughter is dying and the only cure is in the sperm of the man who almost married Jessica, the woman who wants to destroy me?" Her voice sharpened, shedding a bit of her calm facade.

"We understand your situation, honey," Daniel tried to calm her. "But being honest could save you from bigger problems later. The Smiths... they're starving lions, ready to tear anyone apart for power. If they find out about Sonya, about your daughter and Michael..."

Daniel stopped mid-sentence, no need to continue. Andrea knew what he meant. Custody battles, scandals, and perhaps, they would take Sonya away from her.

"That's exactly why, Uncle," Andrea cut in firmly.

"I can't take that risk. I don't want Sonya to be a pawn in their dirty game. They'll take her from me, I'm sure of it. I'd rather play dirty, plant the seeds without them fully realizing it, than beg for mercy."

"This is a trap, Andrea," Elizabeth warned, her worried expression impossible to hide. "You're not just trapping Michael for Sonya, but you're also destroying Michael and Jessica's engagement. Are you ready to face the storm that's coming?"

"I've prepared myself for this, Auntie," Andrea replied, her voice cold and resolute once more. "A storm? I'll be the storm itself."

Harry sighed, worried about his cousin. "Michael Smith isn't a fool, Andrea. He'll figure this out sooner or later. And when he does, he won't stay silent. Do you need me to come protect you?"

"No need, dear Harry," Andrea replied, a mysterious smile curving her lips. "That's the interesting part, isn't it? He might hate me for the rest of his life, and I won't say I gave him a child. But at least Sonya won't get a wicked stepmother like Jessica."

Daniel and Elizabeth exchanged glances, worry evident on their faces. They knew Andrea was a strong woman, but this battle involved too many powerful people.

"Alright, son," Daniel finally said, his voice resigned yet supportive. "We won't stop you. But remember, we're always here to protect you. Don't forget that. Remember that Sonya is still waiting for her bone marrow transplant."

"I know, Uncle. Thank you for helping me take care of Sonya," Andrea replied, feeling a little warmth spreading through her heart. They were the only family she had who truly cared.

"You're my daughter. How could I ignore Sonya? She's my first granddaughter. Harry hasn't been able to give me a grandchild yet." His joke made Harry frown in annoyance.

"Oh, by the way, Glenford Alinskie sent his regards. He came by with lots of gifts for Sonya. Your daughter really loves Glenn..." Harry quickly shared information about the man who had been pursuing Andrea. That man was Glenford Alinskie, a close friend of his cousin.

"Don't even try to set me up with him! There's no way the heir to a wealthy family would marry me. Our social status is already so different. I'm a woman with a daughter, while he's still a bachelor who's the object of desire for all the women there."

Andrea knew her cousin's intentions, but she couldn't accept Glenn's pure love because of the difference in their social status.

"Come on, Andrea! Love is blind! He loves you sincerely; he knows how cold you are and how you've created such a wide distance between you..."

"Harry, don't bother your sister. Let her choose what's best for her." Daniel immediately defended Andrea. The middle-aged man didn't want Andrea to feel pressured by Glenford, his son's best friend.

"But he's handsome and truly loves you, sis! He even genuinely cares for Sonya." Elizabeth immediately hit her son's arm to stop him from putting more pressure on Andrea.

Poor Andrea was already tired of all the problems she was facing right now. She didn't need any more pressure about love and marriage.

"Enough, if it's meant to be, it will be. Don't keep pushing your sister, Harry!" His father threatened angrily.

"Oh, come on, I'm just giving my sis some advice so she can choose the right man. Why would he want to choose a jerk who's just playing with him?" Harry scoffed at Michael, whom he thought was very stupid. He couldn't even get CCTV footage from the night he was set up by his own cousin.

Until now, Michael had never been able to deal with Brian Smith, who always interfered in his life.

This was being monitored by Harry, who wanted to investigate his future brother-in-law. Michael was a fool who was only handsome and rich, but his abilities were far below his own.

The call ended. Andrea stared at her reflection on the now-dark tablet screen. Her face looked tired, but her eyes sparkled with determination. Last night's insemination mission was just the beginning.

Now, she had to ensure the seed took root, and then she would begin dismantling the entire snake's nest known as the Donovan family.

"Jessica," Andrea whispered, the name tasting like poison on her tongue.

She steps to the window of the hotel room she's renting, gazing at the towering buildings. In one of those buildings, Michael Smith might be planning his revenge.

And in another building, Jessica might be waiting for her revenge because she had stolen the man who was her fiancé, unaware of the time bomb that had just exploded beneath her feet.

Andrea smiled thinly. This was going to be an interesting show. And she, Andrea Van Houten, was the director.