Chapter 8 - The Betrayal
With Julian sitting in a federal holding cell awaiting trial with no bail, Vanessa found herself entirely alone.
She had tried to check into a luxury hotel downtown, but her cards were still blocked. She had tried to go back to her parents, but the scandal had already hit the local high-society gossip blogs. No one wanted to be associated with the pregnant mistress of a disgraced, embezzling tech bro who tried to rob the Sterling family.
Desperate, Vanessa did the only thing a parasite knows how to do: she tried to find a new host.
I found out through the grapevine that she had attempted to attend a charity gala, trying to rub elbows with wealthy older men. But Arthur’s influence was absolute. When she approached the entrance, the event organizers politely but firmly turned her away. She was blacklisted from every country club, every charity board, every high-end restaurant in the city.
A week later, I received a pathetic, rambling voicemail.
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“Clara, it’s Vanessa. Please... I have nothing. Julian lied to me too! He told me you were terrible. I’m pregnant, I’m sleeping on my friend's couch... can’t you help me? You have so much money.”
I deleted the voicemail. I didn't hate Vanessa enough to destroy her personally—Julian had done a fine job of doing that for me. She would have to learn how to survive in the real world, without stolen cashmere coats and stolen husbands. Karma had handled her perfectly.
