54. You want to seduce him? Go on, I dare you.

Matilda received a call from Jovert, and she was annoyed by his persistence. Despite ignoring his texts and calls multiple times, he wouldn't leave her alone. Her youngest child had an accident due to their negligence, and now Jovert was demanding money from her. How rude! He had no gratitude, and even though he asked for only a small amount, he wouldn't stop bothering her. Since leaving that hellish club, her life had fallen apart. Xander had abandoned her, and she was completely ostracized. Her career was ruined, and nobody wanted to hire her because of the rumours about her relationship with Xander. Her reputation was tarnished, and the only way she could think of making money was by becoming a model for porn magazines and X-rated websites. She had aborted Xander's child because she felt it brought her bad luck. Her phone stopped ringing, and then it rang again, indicating a message had arrived. Her eyes widened as she read Jovert's text and immediately called him. 'Hello, Jovert?" she greeted him. 'Miss Matilda, did you read the message I sent?" he asked on the other line. 'Yes, sorry I didn't answer your call. I was in the bathroom and had just finished showering. Is it true?" she replied, making an excuse. 'Yes, Editor Masquerada called me and said he wants to talk to you," he answered. 'Good! Where and when should we meet?" she said excitedly. Editor Masquerada was one of her employers when she started modelling. Perhaps he saw that she was struggling and wanted to hire her again. Even though the pay was low, it was okay. At least she had income, and she didn't have to expose herself to earn money. 'He said it would be better if you could come now," he replied. 'Great, where will we meet?" she almost jumped with joy at his words. Her eyes sparkled, imagining what would happen in the coming days. All she needed to do was start from scratch and rise again. If that happened, she would still have had a chance to become one of the most famous models in the country! Ha! Brace yourself, Briella, the real battle is just beginning! I knew that child from Xander would only bring me bad luck! He gave her the address where she would meet Editor Masquerada. She dressed up elegantly and wore one of her expensive and sexy dresses. She needed to impress him now to make it easier for her former editor to accept her again. Once she was sure she looked beautiful, she left her apartment and hailed a taxi to go to the place Jovert mentioned. When she arrived, a waiter immediately greeted her and escorted her to one of the VIP rooms. She couldn't help but look around in amazement because almost everyone there was wealthy and famous. Suddenly, she felt thrilled and dreamed of walking and following the waiter. 'We're here," the waiter said with a smile, opening the door for her. 'Thank you," she said, flashing her sweetest smile. She entered the VIP room, and her smile faded as she saw who was waiting for her, pretending to be seated. 'What the fck are you doing here?" she frowned at her. All the blood rushed to her head, and she was about to approach her when two big men emerged from the dark corner of the room, staring at her as if they were ready to strangle her at any moment. 'Relax, Matty. I want to talk to you, that's all," Briella said. She gritted her teeth and could only give her a sharp look. 'Have a seat. It's embarrassing if I don't offer you a seat while waiting for my ride," she said, still smiling. She glared at her and arrogantly sat across from her. She had nothing to fear because she could scream whenever she wanted. 'I think the waiter may have made a mistake, and I'm—" she began, but she interrupted her. She raised an eyebrow. What did she mean? Briella sighed heavily and shook her head. 'I guess you don't know what's really happening, do you?" She was speechless and paused, then her eyes widened, and she glared at Briella, full of anger. That idiot! I never thought he would actually collaborate with this woman! 'What have you done to Jovert? How did you manage to deceive him into betraying me?" she snapped at her. Briella laughed sarcastically and leaned back in her seat. 'I didn't do anything to him. I asked for his help, and then boom! Here you are biting the bait," she said. She clenched her fists, and in her mind, she was already slapping the woman repeatedly. 'What else do you want from me? Don't tell me you're still consumed by jealousy because even if it's the last time, Xander still loves me?" she smirked at her. One of her eyebrows rose, and she heard Briella's faint laughter. 'And do you really think I would still chase after that man?" she laughed. 'You're too full of yourself, Matilda. You think you can easily get everything just because you're good—good at flirting. I don't know if your tiny brain still works or if the screw has come loose, and your thinking has become defective, and you're hallucinating." 'Bitch! Do you think I don't know that one of the beasts who owns that hellish club is the one behind you? Don't act innocent, Briella, because we're both filthy and swimming in the gutter!" she spat at the girl. She clenched her fists, and if her stares were deadly, Briella would have been lying lifeless on the floor by now. 'Oh, really?" a mischievous smile played on her lips. Her anger towards the woman intensified. She remained calm, seeming to enjoy the conversation. She couldn't see even a hint of irritation from her. I wouldn't act like this if what I said weren't true. She only had the courage because she was protected by whoever the devil Pontius Pilate who owned that club was! She shook her head and grinned. She could match her in this game because, in fact, she was more experienced in playing it since they had been fooling her and enslaving her for a long time. 'Why don't you introduce me to your backer? Or are you scared because you know I can steal him from you and leave you just like that?" she smirked at her. 'Don't get too excited; you'll meet him soon," she said. She laughed softly and gave her a mocking look. 'Do you know how I seduced your fiancé?" she said, imitating her posture on the sofa and crossing her left leg over the other. 'I give him what he wants—sex, wild and hot sex. Can you give that? I bet you can't because if you could, Xander probably wouldn't look for another woman to satisfy his desires. I lived in his house for almost three years, and you didn't know about it because you're stupid." That's it! That's it, Briella. Please show me that you're still hurt and jealous because I'm better than you! In her mind, she was laughing at her and repeatedly slapping her until her mouth burst. 'Do you know how it feels when a man is satisfied after you make love? He's crazy over me and always wanted to be with me than with you. You're boring, and I'm wild. I surpass you in every aspect. And even if you don't say it, I know that's the reason why you still won't leave me alone!" she raised her voice, but it didn't faze her, and her expression remained unchanged. 'Are you done?" she asked, yawning. She laughed loudly and pointed at the woman. 'Your antics won't affect me, Briella. Admit it, you're just jealous because nobody truly loves you, and—" she stopped speaking as the door opened. She grinned. 'Well, let's see if he still wants you after we meet." She slowly turned her gaze to the newcomer, and she was shocked when she saw who it was. It felt like she had swallowed a gigantic watermelon, and she couldn't swallow because she suddenly felt her throat dry up. She didn't take her eyes off the man as he approached, and his gaze went straight to Briella. H-How could this happen?! How . . . She shook her head and closed her eyes several times, hoping she was dreaming and what she saw wasn't true. 'I'm sorry for being late, wife. Have you eaten?" he asked Briella tenderly and kissed her on the lips without hesitation. Wife?! Did I hear correctly? 'I've lost my appetite. Will you cook dinner for me when we get home?" Briella asked the man, looking at her as if to say . . . Where's your courage now? 'Okay, can we go home now?" the man replied. 'This is not true!" she exclaimed moments later, trembling, and pointed at the man beside Briella. 'He's just an impostor! How could someone like President Braun El Cueva, like you?! You're fantasizing about him! You're embarrassing!" she exclaimed. Right! Who's the fool Briella's trying to deceive? Ha! Does she think I'll believe her play? She shivered at the strange smile on Briella's lips and the dark figure of the fake Braun El Cueva. 'Do you think I'll be frightened by your little show? Ha! You're stupider than I thought!" she snapped at Briella. 'Wife, can I do what I want to do with her? She still has to pay for what she did to you." She froze, and at that moment, she knew it was indeed Braun El Cueva, especially when he looked at her with sharp eyes. 'B-But h-how did this happen . . ." she couldn't continue speaking because her entire body trembled when he faced her, looking at her as if she were an ant he could crush at any moment. 'While you're busy deceiving me and planning how to bring me down, I'm also busy with the new life I have," he said. 'I met a guy who loves me at the worst time of my life. You want to seduce him? Go on, I dare you." At that moment, she looked at Briella differently, not because she was with one of the most powerful people in their industry, but because, for the first time, she felt a chill from the sharp gaze Briella directed at her. Oh my God, what have I done!