The Diplomat's Payback: Dumped, Framed, And Married Up

Kiera Miller nudged the door open, wincing at the sharp creak. A thick, sweet scent hung in the air, and the entire room was swallowed by shadows.

"Danna? Danna, where are you?" She called out to her adopted sister, Danna Miller, but the silence was her only answer.

"Danna? Didn't you say you needed a change of clothes? Where are you?"

As her eyes strained against the darkness, she tripped over something and nearly lost her balance.

A jolt of panic shot through her. "Who's there?"

Before Kiera could step back, a hand-hot and unyielding-latched onto her ankle. Her scream echoed through the room.

"Who are you? Let go of me!" Kiera's words tumbled out as she fought to break free. The stranger's grip held firm, like she was caught in a vice.

"Help me, and you can have whatever you want." The voice that answered sounded rough, desperate.

Kiera jerked her leg, her voice sharp. "Get off me!"

The man ignored her plea. Instead, he lifted her effortlessly.

Her cries faded as his lips claimed hers, her protest lost in the heated kiss while her breath slowly slipped away.

Long after the night dragged on, the man finally wore himself out and slipped into a heavy sleep.

Kiera forced herself upright on the rumpled bed, steadying her breath as she fought to stay composed.

With shaking hands, she picked up the shredded pieces scattered across the floor and dressed herself with what little fabric remained.

The idea of calling the police crossed her mind for a fleeting second. But she pushed it away just as quickly.

Her future left no room for mistakes. As a rising diplomat, any hint of scandal would destroy everything she had worked for and end her career on the spot.

On top of that, the Miller family would never accept a daughter who brought disgrace to their name.

If the truth ever surfaced, she would lose far more than her reputation. Her place within the family and her future would all collapse together.

Right now, the immediate priority was to get through tomorrow's wedding.

She refused to stir chaos and turn herself into a source of ridicule.

As for the man who had taken her virginity by force... Kiera curled her hands into tight fists, her nails pressing painfully into her skin. She promised herself that one day, he would answer for what he had done.

Pulling her clothes close to hide the marks left behind, Kiera slipped out of the hotel in silence, carefully steering clear of every security camera on her way out.

What she didn't know was that the moment she was gone, Danna emerged from wherever she had been hiding and quietly entered the same room.

...

The drive home felt reckless, with Kiera tearing through one red light after another as the city blurred past her windshield.

She could not wrap her mind around it. After guarding her virginity for twenty years, it had been taken from her by a complete stranger.

A sharp ache welled up behind her eyes, and she clenched the steering wheel harder as she forced herself not to break down.

Her thoughts drifted back to the message Danna had sent earlier, and a heavy weight settled in her chest.

No matter how much she resisted the idea, the truth pressed in on her. Danna stood at the center of everything that had gone wrong.

Kiera held herself together until she reached home, where the house sat in an eerie silence.

Before she could breathe a sigh of relief, she walked past her fiance's room and froze, caught by the sounds spilling out from inside.

The door was slightly open. Oliver Harvey lay stretched across the bed with his clothes half undone, playing with himself as he spoke into his phone. "Danna. Say my name again. I love you. I only want you."

Each whispered word drifted into the hallway and struck Kiera like ice, leaving her rooted in place as shock hollowed her chest and dread crept into her wide, unblinking eyes.

"Just hold on a little longer, babe. As soon as I marry Kiera and the Miller fortune is in my hands, I'll leave her and make you my wife," Oliver murmured, his words dripping with sweet promises.

Hands shaking, Kiera hit the record button on her phone and captured every single word.

Once she finished, she strode into the room and spoke in a cold, even tone. "Oliver, would you mind repeating what you just said?"

The sound of her voice made Oliver stiffen. He tried to hide his phone in a panic.

Without hesitation, Kiera walked up to him and delivered a stinging slap across his face.

"You owe me an explanation, and it better be good," Kiera said, her voice cold and unyielding as she took a step back. She glared down at him, though her insides felt shattered.

How had her world fallen apart in just one day? What cruel twist of fate let her find out, right before the wedding, that the man she had trusted and supported all along despised her and set her up?

Pain and desperation twisted Oliver's features. Finally, after a long, tense pause, he dropped to his knees and pleaded, "Kiera, please, I'm sorry. I wasn't thinking straight. I swear, I'll change after we get married. Please give me one more chance!"

Oliver's face was a mess of tears and mucus, and whatever charm he once had was nowhere to be found.

"Not thinking straight? Do you really think I didn't hear every word? You've been plotting for an entire year to steal my family's wealth. Tell me, Oliver, do you have a heart?"

A deep, aching sorrow spread through Kiera's chest, leaving her heart heavy and raw.

After his family went bankrupt, she had pulled him back up step by step. She arranged his return as general manager, gave him the best resources she could offer, and even allowed him to live under the Miller family roof.

In the end, all she had raised was a thankless traitor.

"You think you can scheme against me? Neither you nor Danna will walk away untouched." Kiera's voice dropped, edged with fury. Her fingers curled tight, her nails biting into her skin until blood welled up.

Without warning, Oliver sprang to his feet and stepped into her path. "If you're angry, then take it out on me. Leave her out of this!"

Upon hearing that, Kiera scoffed, though a dull, lingering pain settled deep in her chest. Only now did she feel like she was seeing him clearly for the first time.

"You really treasure her, don't you? But if she knew that everything you have now came from me, would she still choose you?"

The chill in Kiera's smile and the cruelty of her words made Oliver's face burn with humiliation and rage.

He clenched his fists and snapped back stubbornly, "Danna isn't like you! Don't act like money gives you the right to judge what we have. You never loved me. All you ever did was use your wealth to belittle me..."

Before Oliver could get another word out, Kiera struck him again and silenced him on the spot.

This time, she did not hold back at all. The force of the slap sent Oliver crashing to the floor, and a red, swollen mark bloomed across his face almost instantly.

Shock froze him in place as he clutched his cheek, unable to process the ruthlessness she had just shown.

"You talk about humiliation now? When you took everything I gave you, why didn't you refuse then? You gladly accepted my money, my connections, and my help."

Kiera bent down and brushed the back of her hand against his face with open contempt. Her eyes burned with fury as she spoke.

"Do you really think you can play games with me and walk away untouched? If you dared to scheme against me, then be prepared to spend the rest of your life paying for it."

Straightening up, Kiera pulled out her phone and played the recording aloud. She looked down at him as she warned, "I don't care what you think or how you feel. Since we've already announced the wedding, it will go on as scheduled tomorrow."

Hearing the certainty in her tone, Oliver misunderstood her resolve as mercy meant to protect the Miller family's reputation. Relief rushed over him, and he nodded repeatedly, eager to agree.

"Now, get out." Kiera did not bother hiding her disgust.

Scrambling to his feet, Oliver fled the room without looking back. Left alone, Kiera raised her phone and called her secretary.

"Skylar, I want tomorrow's wedding broadcast live across the entire internet."

Inside the hotel suite, Eric Ward blinked awake, his sharp eyes instantly finding Danna. That focus alone made the air grow tense.

"Mr. Ward..." Danna stiffened on instinct, her nerves jumping to attention.

Everyone knew Eric's power reached far beyond boardrooms. He could make people flinch with a single look, and she was no exception.

"Was it you last night?" His question was direct, every syllable laced with suspicion.

Eric's stare pinned Danna in place, so intense it sent a chill through her. Despite the fear, something deeper inside her pushed back, making her lift her chin and meet his gaze.

She forced herself to nod, her voice barely more than a whisper. "Yes. Last night... it was me."

Later that day, in the executive office of Ward Group, Eric sat behind his desk, tapping out a rhythm with his fingers. He didn't bother looking up as he spoke. "Did you get everything sorted out?"

Danny Harrison, his assistant, handed over a thick file. "Yes, sir, everything's here. The investigation shows it was a setup. Every other woman who tried to see you last night was turned away. Security footage confirms-the only person who got near your room was Danna Miller."

Eric's brow drew together, the smallest flicker of doubt crossing his face. "There's no mistake? It was only her?"

His memory tugged at a single detail-a faint hint of jasmine clinging to the air the night before, nothing like the heavy, artificial perfume Danna wore that morning.

Danny placed a small disk on the desk and gave a firm nod. "I reviewed the hotel's security feed this morning. Only Miss Miller appears in the footage."

Before Eric could respond, his phone buzzed to life. The word "Grandma" flashed across the screen, and he frowned slightly.

His grandmother said, "Eric, I heard what happened last night. Since the deed is done, you need to step up and take responsibility. You're not getting any younger; it's time for you to settle down. Bring her by to see me soon, will you?"

Eric pressed his fingers to his temples and let out a quiet sigh. "Alright, Grandma."

Then he hung up and sighed.

For years, his grandmother had fussed over his love life, determined to see him settled. However, he couldn't get that faint trace of jasmine out of his mind.

After a stretch of silence, he finally spoke. "Buy some gifts for Miss Miller and drive her home."

...

Back at the Miller estate, Danna stared at the mountain of elegant boxes piled high in the foyer, barely containing her excitement.

Gleaming jewelry and the newest dresses of the season were spread out before her, but the item that made her pulse race was a velvet box, placed in her palm by the Ward family butler.

"Miss Miller, this ring is from Mrs. Ward. She'd like you to visit her soon with her grandson," the butler remarked with a respectful bow.

Doing her best to mask her delight, Danna accepted the ring with a practiced smile. "Please give her my thanks."

No sooner had the Ward family's convoy disappeared down the drive than Danna rushed to call her mother, Marissa Miller, eager to spill every detail of her triumph.

"Mom, did you see all these gifts? They're straight from the Ward family!" Danna couldn't keep the excitement from bubbling into her voice.

On the video screen, Marissa's eyes sparkled with satisfaction. "Just look at the craftsmanship on that ring. It's definitely not ordinary. Clearly, Vickie Ward has accepted you as her future granddaughter-in-law!"

Even with so much joy lighting her face, a flicker of worry crept into Danna's expression. "But... what if Kiera finds out what we did to her?"

"What are you worried about?" Marissa's smile faded, her tone sharpening with old resentment. "At this point, what can Kiera do? If people know she's lost her virginity, she's the one who'll be thrown out by the Miller family."

She paused, her voice turning sly. "If we hadn't made Eric believe he took your virginity, the Wards never would've accepted you. This was exactly the break we needed."

"Mom, you always know what to do," Danna said, grinning ear to ear.

"But you need to keep Kiera calm until the wedding is over. Just play nice for now. There's still more at stake." Marissa's voice was crisp, issuing the next command.

Despite her reluctance, Danna nodded and made the call.

"Hello, Danna." Kiera's voice came through the phone, cold as ice.

Danna's pulse jumped at the icy edge in Kiera's voice. Masking her nerves, she softened her tone, slipping into the role of the concerned sister. "Kiera, where did you disappear to last night? I waited for you in the room for hours, but it turns out I sent you the wrong number. I only realized it this morning-I'm so sorry!"

She sounded every bit the caring sibling, her voice filled with false concern about Kiera's whereabouts the previous night.

Inside, Kiera could only scoff. Between the so-called mix-up and the name Oliver uttered while he was pleasuring himself, it was impossible to believe Danna was just the innocent girl she used to know.

Deciding to play along, Kiera kept her tone even. "The key card wouldn't work, so I just went home. No need to worry. The wedding will go on as scheduled."

"That's a relief! I'd hate to mess up my role as bridesmaid. I'll go get ready now," Danna quickly responded.

As soon as the call ended, Danna's pleasant mask fell away, replaced by a chilling, secretive smile.

"Kiera..." She twisted the ruby ring on her finger, eyes glittering with a cold, scheming light. "Just wait. I'll make sure this wedding is something you'll never recover from."

At the Miller estate, Landen Miller lounged on the sofa, newspaper in hand. His lips twitched with pride as he read about his daughter Kiera's poised and commanding performance at the latest diplomatic event.

A sharp gasp from Marissa, seated nearby, broke the silence.

Landen glanced over, eyebrows raised. "What's the matter?"

Marissa fumbled to hide her phone behind her back. "Oh, it's nothing... really!"

The flimsy excuse only deepened Landen's suspicion. He extended his hand, palm up. With obvious reluctance, Marissa handed over her phone.

Splashed across the screen was a glaring headline: "Kiera Miller Marries for Love-Diplomatic Prodigy Weds Penniless Oliver Harvey!"

The public mocked the Miller family, claiming Kiera had thrown away her future for a man with nothing.

Some even accused Landen of poor parenting, predicting that the Miller fortune would inevitably slip through their fingers.

As Landen scrolled through the biting remarks, his hands shook with fury.

Without missing a beat, Marissa grabbed his heart pills, guiding one to his lips and steadying him with a gentle hand.

"Darling, it's just how things are now. Young people care more about following their hearts than making strategic matches. Even if Oliver's family has lost their fortune, Kiera still chose him because she loves him."

Landen barely had time to steady his heartbeat before Marissa's words sent his blood pressure soaring again. He jabbed a finger at the phone, voice rising with outrage. "First she begged us to let Oliver stay under our roof, and now she's going to marry him behind my back. Does she have any respect left for her own father?"

Seizing the chance, Marissa guided him back to his seat and fanned the flames. "That's just it! Kiera's being completely reckless this time. She even called in the reporters to livestream the whole wedding. Is she trying to turn the Miller name into a joke for everyone to see?"

Landen slammed the newspaper down. "She's crossed the line! If she goes through with this marriage, she can forget about ever coming back home."

The newspaper fluttered to the floor while Marissa bowed her head, hiding the satisfied curl of her lips.

...

The wedding moved forward as planned.

Clad in her wedding dress, Kiera strode to the aisle without anyone by her side.

No father waiting to walk her down the aisle, no mother there with words of love and encouragement. The seats behind her remained mostly empty-only a handful of genuine friends had turned up to support her.

Relatives from Oliver's side filled the rest of the room, while outside, reporters crowded for the best view, cameras ready to capture every second.

Oliver's breath caught as he watched Kiera approach, her elegance momentarily stunning him.

But as soon as she met his eyes with a glacial stare, he snapped back to reality, awkwardly reaching out to take her hand.

Kiera's eyes flicked toward Oliver, her fingertips barely grazing his hand-a gesture that felt more ceremonial than affectionate.

From a distance, the image they presented was far from romantic. He looked less like a groom and more like a servant at her side, dutiful but powerless.

Oliver's expression soured as a wave of whispers swept through the crowd. He leaned in, voice tight with frustration. "Kiera, what's with the act?"

She offered a calm, practiced smile. "We're celebrating, aren't we? Try not to look so angry."

His jaw clenched, the muscles in his neck tense. "I've already said I'm sorry. I gave up everything I had with Danna to marry you. Is it really necessary to make a spectacle out of this?"

Kiera's laugh was soft, but unmistakably mocking. "You still don't know your place. Your best option right now is to play along with me. Otherwise, you'll know what I'm capable of."

Oliver's boldness fizzled, and he had no choice but to lead her toward the officiant, swallowing every ounce of wounded pride.

The sight of him-crestfallen and utterly defeated-only deepened Kiera's sense of indifference.

If he'd shown an ounce of backbone, she might have considered honoring Danna's wish and letting her have him.

Instead, all she saw was a man who clung to whatever scraps he could, unwilling to let go of anything or anyone.

With her mind made up, Kiera resolved to see her plan through, exactly as she'd intended from the start.

With measured gravity, the officiant addressed them both. "No matter riches or hardship, sickness or health, through every rise and fall in life, will you remain together for the rest of your days?"

A strained pause followed before Oliver answered, his voice thin and uncertain. "I will."

"I won't." Kiera's response was calm, clear, and absolute, slicing straight through the ceremony. The entire venue erupted at once.

A member of the Harvey family shot to his feet first, face flushed with rage. "What is she pulling now? Letting him trail after her like a servant wasn't enough, and now she refuses the vow in public? Does she think we're idiots?"

Humiliation and fury spread through the Harvey relatives as several of them lunged toward the stage, only to be blocked immediately by the security Kiera had arranged in advance.

Oliver stared at her in disbelief and hissed under his breath, barely containing himself. "Have you lost your mind? Do you even understand what you just said?"

The room was packed with Harvey family members, business partners, investors, and reporters streaming the scene live.

If this wedding collapsed at this very moment, Oliver wouldn't just lose face. He would lose everything.

Most of his recent investments had only materialized because of the expected alliance with the Miller family.

That realization hit hard. Swallowing his panic, Oliver forced a smile and stepped closer, reaching for Kiera's hand. "Sweetheart, this isn't funny. A wedding isn't the place for childish jokes."

Kiera yanked her hand away, her laugh cold and dismissive. "You honestly believe I'd marry a man who cheats without shame?"