Ava's mind churned with anger as the memories played back, the unforgettable memory from this incident that occurred eight years ago, reminded her of the humiliation she had faced. It had been a nightmare.
If she remembered correctly, three days ago was the launch of 'WA GRAND,' the largest hotel in Lebron City, and the first Whitlock's hotel ever built. To commemorate the opening, Gaulin, Ava's father threw one of the largest parties that year, and since the long lost daughter of the household was found only the day before, her family decided to celebrate her return alongside.
Her father's proudest achievement had turned into her downfall. At the party, she was drugged in the most subtle way that no one would've suspected. She could still feel the burn of the drug that was stealthily applied to her skin from the plaster handed to her to cover her little injury she had obtained from a cut.
She remembered stumbling, her senses swimming, as the crowd stared, some laughing, others whispering. Reporters' cameras flashed, capturing her every misstep, publicly humiliating her.
Her family's reaction had been no better. After the incident, they abandoned her, in front of the smirking faces, and flashing cameras. They all went home leaving no transportation back for her, dismissing her as a shame on their perfect reputation. She couldn't return home alone in her sick and exhausted state, and had fallen into the perfect trap laid out for her.
Using the name of one of the Whitlock's bodyguards, a stranger had offered to help her to one of the hotel rooms, only to abandon her on one of the floors where a paparazzi patiently waited for her.
Her memory was vague because of the drug, but she could remember that the room she managed to get into was empty when she got in. This was not the same story she woke up with as the headlines of the trendy news the next morning that trended for the last three days.
[LOST DAUGHTER OF THE WHITLOCK'S CONGLOMERATE SEEN IN A HOTEL WITH A MAN]
[LOST DAUGHTER GONE BAD]
In the past, she had tried to gather evidence to clear her name, but there was no way she could. The hotel's security footage were all cleared, leaving only selected photos taken by the paparazzi, those that were in favor to their headline. She ended up going back home to meet her furious family empty handed after spending three days away from home.
.
The disturbing sting from the slap still buzzed in Ava's ears, but she didn't flinch. Like a chameleon, her mood had switched from a sad, depressed one, to a rather annoyed one.
In the past, she hadn't known then who was behind it all, nor why they'd go to such lengths. But now, she knew the mastermind behind the whole plan.
This time, things were going to be different.
Ava's thoughts turned to the envelope Maximus had given her. Lost videos, he had said. The supposed security footage that had conveniently vanished last time, now in her hands. She didn't know how and why Maximus knew about this unexpected leverage or the drug sample, and why he handed it to her, but she'd make it count.
Instead of earning her family's love, she was going to earn their respect and publicly humiliate the person who brought her downfall.
Soon, the rest of the Whitlocks filed into the lounge one after the other. Matilda's loud voice attracted them like moth to flames.
First, Caspian, Ava's third brother, the best software engineer in all of Lebron City walked into the room. His brown, honey-like eyes shifted from Matilda to Ava, and a small frown settled on his face.
"What's going on, Mum?" Noah, her second brother, the General manager of the conglomerate's voice rang from behind Caspian, his face hardening as he noticed Ava.
Matilda was about to say something, but she was interrupted by Jerome, Ava's eldest brother, the General Manager of the conglomerate's presence. A deep frown settled on his face when he saw Ava standing in front of Matilda.
Not far behind was Sasha, the preferred heiress. On seeing Ava, Sasha smiled ever so delightfully. She looked thrilled, like she'd just been handed a gift she couldn't wait to unwrap. She had been waiting for Ava's return since the night of the party.
When Ava caught sight of Sasha, her blood ran cold. Ava's jaw clenched, her nails digging into her palm as she forced herself to stay still. Everything about Sasha - the delighted smile, the satisfaction in her eyes - made her want to scream.
This girl, this monster had taken everything away from her. She ruined her life in the most crafted ways, publicly and privately smeared her name with soil, ruined her career. And when that was not enough, she had snatched away her last breath by slamming a car into her.
It took everything in Ava to resist the urge of charging toward her and making her feel even a fraction of the pain she caused her.
Jerome caught sight of the way Ava looked at Sasha and frowned even more. "Why did you come back, Ava?" His question drew Ava's attention to him. "Did you come back for another performance?" He asked sored.
Before Ava could respond, a colder voice sliced through the room. "What's going on here?"
The entire room stilled as Gaulin Whitlock strode in. His expression turned darker when he set his eyes on Ava, who hadn't been home since the night they angrily left her at the hotel.
"You finally decided to show your face," Gaulin sneered.
Hearing her father's voice, Ava couldn't stop the memory of her father's words on her death bed from playing in her head.
Ava is no longer part of the Whitlock's household. It's sickening that she still bears the Whitlock's name, but don't call me even when she's dead...
Ava's knees wobbled, but she let out a deep breath, steadying her voice. "I came back because there are things you don't know, things I intend to expose," she said calmly.
Sasha's smile faltered.
For unknown reasons, Ava's calm words seemed to rile Matilda. "Things you intend to expose?" Matilda asked mockingly. "Can you see the attitude of someone who disgraced our family? Instead of falling on her knees and seeking forgiveness, she speaks like she had done nothing wrong," she glared.
Ava's calm face hardened as she looked from Sasha to Matilda. "But I have done nothing wrong, mother" she said innocently.
In her previous life, she had been so intimidated by her family that she couldn't speak up for herself, not that her family gave her chances to. They branded her a sinner, judging her actions based on their own assumptions. But now that she had been given a second chance, not anymore. She was going to create chances for herself.
Ava could feel the glares of six pairs of eyes on her. She'd lived through their disdain once before; she'd let it crush her once. Never again.
"You've done nothing wrong?" Caspian sneered, finally speaking for the first time since he walked into the room.
Ava's gaze shifted to Caspian. He was the one brother who she held a flicker of hope for, probably because he may watch her suffer from her family's disdain, but he never involved himself. Not even when she was at the point of death. But now, hearing him sneer at her like she was no more than a stain on the family's name? That flicker of hope extinguished.
"You brought shame to this family, publicly humiliated us in front of the most influential people in Lebron City. Do you have any idea how much damage control we had to do because of your reckless actions?"
"Yes, Caspian," Ava gruffed. "I'd done nothing wrong."
Gaulin had always been a man ruled by his temper, and Ava's words stung him deeper than any slap could. He had been keeping his annoyance in check, but hearing her say those words reminded him of the humiliation he endured in front of the mayor, the city's elite, and his wealthy friends. It boiled his blood.
Before anyone could even react, he stormed toward Ava. His right hand flew through the air with so much force to hit Ava, but she was faster.
She caught his hand mid-air.