LGHTNOVELBOOK Chapter 5: Dark Machinations
HARLOTA VIXY COUTINHO
|Docemois 19, 300 | 14 PM|
I stormed down the grand staircase, my heels clicking sharply against the polished marble floor, echoing my turmoil.
Each step felt heavy with indignation, as if the weight of my family's misfortunes pressed down on me.
The opulent decor of the mansion mocked me—golden chandeliers casting a warm glow over walls adorned with portraits of my ancestors, who looked down with both pride and pity.
I paused near a window, the late afternoon sun streaming through, illuminating the dust motes dancing in the air.
For a brief moment, I felt a flicker of doubt.
Was it really worth it?
But the thought of Blithe's smug face pushed me forward.
That girl, with her perfect hair and effortless elegance, had everything I desired, and that was simply unacceptable.
As I reached my father's study, I took a deep breath, trying to steady my racing heart.
I had seen my father in various moods—joyful when he recounted tales of our family legacy, somber when reflecting on my unknown mother's absence—but today, he was a tempest of fury.
The door swung open with a crash, startling a flock of birds perched outside, their wings flapping wildly as they took to the sky.
"Dad, you won't believe what that spoiled girl did!" I exclaimed, my voice thick with indignation.
I thrust my hands on my hips, my posture reflecting the defiance bubbling within me. "She insulted me and even had the audacity to mock our family! She clearly doesn't respect you, Dad!"
My father, Don Victor Coutinho, looked up from his cluttered desk, his brows knitting together in frustration.
His cane, an old relic with intricate carvings, tapped against the floor as he stood abruptly. "What!?" His voice resonated with disbelief, his eyes wide, reflecting both shock and anger.
My father's lineage was a tangled web of ambition and scandal.
The illegitimate son of Rayland del Rosario, he had navigated the murky waters of family politics with a constant chip on his shoulder.
I had heard whispers about how my father had been draped in shame, forced to marry Cressida Marquise for her wealth to secure his place in the world.
Though Cressida was my legal mother, the identity of my own birth mother remained shrouded in mystery, leaving a void in my heart that I both resented and longed to fill.
Now, left alone to raise me after my mother's departure, my father carried that weight with him, fueling his resentment towards the Del Rosario family.
"That child has grown so arrogant!" he exclaimed, his frustration palpable.
"She's worse than her insufferable parents!" He slammed the end of his cane on the ground, the sound reverberating through the room, and I felt a thrill of excitement at his anger.
It was a testament to my father's protective instincts, a reminder that we were in this together.
"Don't worry," he said, a glint of determination sparking in his eyes. "I have everything planned already. One day, everything will be ours."
"Really, Dad!? What's your plan?" I leaned closer, my heart racing.
The thought of finally having power made my pulse quicken.
I admired my father's cunning nature, the way he could turn his dreams into reality with a flick of his wrist.
My father pulled away from me, rummaging through the stacks of papers on his desk with frenetic energy.
My anticipation grew as he uncovered a file, handing it to me with excitement.
As I opened it, my eyes widened at the sight of contractual papers—two sets, each representing a path to my desired future.
The original agreement gleamed with potential, the ink still dark and vibrant.
It detailed Blithe's arranged marriage, a union set up when she was just a child.
My heart raced as I realized the implications.
The second document was a fake, crafted with my father's careful hand.
He was planning to tamper with Blithe's marriage arrangements!
As I scanned the documents, a storm of emotions swirled within me.
Blithe was originally engaged to the son of her parents' family friend, but that boy had vanished under mysterious circumstances—probably dead.
Now, my father intended to orchestrate a new engagement—one that would align perfectly with our schemes.
"Listen closely, Harlota," he said, lowering his voice conspiratorially, a darkness creeping into his tone. "We need to find a replacement fiancé—someone who can be easily controlled. Once they're married, we'll ensure Blithe has a tragic accident."
"An accident?" I echoed, my voice barely a whisper, a thrill shooting through me.
I leaned in, the gravity of our plan electrifying the air around us. "What do you mean?"
Father's eyes glinted with malice as he explained, "Something that looks real but is entirely staged. We'll make it seem like she was in the wrong place at the wrong time. No one will suspect a thing."
A wicked smile crept onto my lips, the thrill of the impending betrayal igniting a fire within me. "And once she's gone, I can marry the new groom?"
"Exactly," father said, his grin widening, infectious in its enthusiasm. "You'll step right into her shoes. The wealth will flow into our hands, and we'll finally have what we deserve."
"Wow, Dad! With this, we'll definitely get everything in no time!" I beamed, excitement bubbling within me.
The thought of power and wealth, just like Blithe, filled me with fierce determination.
I could almost taste the victory, sweet and intoxicating.
"We'll manipulate the story," father continued, his voice dropping to a whisper, drawing me further into our dark scheme. "We'll present ourselves as grieving family members, left to pick up the pieces. No one will question it."
"Brilliant!" I exclaimed, feeling a wicked thrill coursing through me. "They'll think we're just trying to help, while we're really stealing everything from her!"
"Yes! Once the wedding is over, we'll execute the plan. Blithe will never see it coming." Father's tone was firm, filled with satisfaction, and I could see the gleam of ambition in his eyes, mirroring my own.
I leaned in closer, my heart racing with the thrill of the plot. "So, who's the new groom? Do we have anyone in mind yet?"
"I have a few candidates," he replied, tapping a finger on the desk as he considered. "Someone ambitious but easily manipulated. We need to ensure his loyalty. Once we have him, we can move forward."
The excitement buzzed through me, a dark promise of power and wealth just within reach.
"Let's make this happen, Dad!" I urged, my voice brimming with enthusiasm. "We'll have everything we've ever wanted!"
With each passing moment, the pieces fell into place, and the thrill of our plan enveloped me like a shroud.
Blithe's downfall would be our rise, and I couldn't wait to see it all unfold—our twisted ambition taking root in the shadows, ready to blossom into a dangerous reality.