Chapter 19
On the day Anthony kicked Julie out, she spent the night sobbing uncontrollably in the hotel room she had hastily checked into.
The harshness of Anthony’s dismissal replayed in her mind on a loop. He had held nothing back, his anger and disgust palpable as he ordered the staff to remove hér from the Manor.
Julie hugged her knees to her chest, her tears staining the silk robe she had packed when she thought she would be staying with Anthony for good.
Just weeks ago, she had felt untouchable, confident that she had wrapped Anthony around her finger. But with one revelation -the DNA test–her world had shattered.
“How could he do this to me?” she
whispered bitterly into the empty room.
By morning, Julie‘ s sorrow had morphed
40% 12-39
1/9
Chapter 19
into fury. “Fine, Anthony. You want to throw me away like trash? I’ll make sure you regret it,” she muttered through gritted teeth as she powered up her laptop.
She had always known her position was not secure. From the moment she stepped into Anthony’s life, Julie understood that she was playing a high–stakes game.
She was never the legitimate Mrs. Harris, merely the mistress who had managed to seduce Anthony at his most vulnerable–a man desperate for an heir.
Julie opened her email and started. combing through files she had saved for months, stolen from Anthony‘ s private correspondence.
Julie had been privy to sensitive details. about the internal workings of the Harris Group. She knew its weaknesses, the corruption festering within, and the financial loopholes that Anthony trusted her to manage.
40% 12:39
2/9
)
Chapter 19
Julie also knew enough about his business. dealings to cause significant damage, and she was not above using that knowledge to her advantage.
Since everything she had gotten from Hawaii–the moment she had secured her
place in Anthony‘ s life, worked only temporarily.
Yes, it had been a flawless plan on Julie’s part. Anthony had been tense for weeks, overwhelmed with work and frustrated over his marriage‘ s shortcomings.
Julie had taken advantage of the cracks in his resolve, planting subtle seeds of doubt about my ability to give him an heir.
“You deserve happiness, honey,” she had said one late evening in the office, her voice soft and empathetic. “You deserve a family–a legacy. If she can’t give that to you… maybe it’s time to move on.”
Her words lingered in his mind, and when the opportunity arose for a business trip to
40% 12:39
3/9
40
Chapter 19
Hawaii, Julie had made sure she was part
of it.
Hawaii was paradise. The pristine beaches, the turquoise waves, the balmy nights–it was all meticulously planned. Julie had ensured that every moment was perfect, every detail tailored to/
Anthony‘ st guard.
On the third evening, they dined under a cabana overlooking the ocean, the moonlight casting a soft glow over the waves. Anthony had been unusually quiet, sipping his whiskey as he stared at the
horizon.
“What’s on your mind?” Julie asked, her voice gentle but probing.
Anthony sighed, leaning back in his chair. “I don’t know, honey. Sometimes I feel like I’m running in circles. My family expects so much from me, and I feel like I’m failing them.”
Julie reached across the table, placing her
40% 12:39
4/9
12:39
Chapter 19
40
hand lightly over his. “You‘ re not failing anyone, honey. You‘ re one of the most brilliant men I’ve ever met. If anything, they’re failing you.”
Her words were calculated, each one designed to chip away at his defenses. And as the night wore on, Anthony’s resolve weakened.
Julie stepped closer, her voice dropping to a whisper. “Tell me, what can I do to make you happy?”
Without thinking, Anthony leaned closer and kissed her.
The kiss was hesitant at first, but Julie knew better. She knew that was her chance to secure her place in his life.
That night, in the privacy of their luxurious suite, Julie made sure Anthony felt like he was in control, even though she was the one orchestrating every move.
She whispered promises of devotion, planting the idea that she could give him.
40% 12:39
5/9
Chapter 19
everything he desired–an heir, loyalty,
love.
By the time they returned to London, Julie was confident she had Anthony right where she wanted him.
However, Julie did not get what she
wanted, so she tried several times until the test pack she bought showed two lines on
it.
So, when it finally succeeded, she did not expect to be thrown away like that.
Julie’s lips curled into a bitter smile as she recalled those moments. “I played you perfectly, Anthony,” she murmured.
“And now you want to throw me away like I’m nothing?”
Her fingers flew across the keyboard as she crafted an email laced with veiled threats, attaching incriminating documents that could shake the foundation of Anthony‘ s
company.
Julie’s lips pressed into a tight line. Her
40% 12:39
6/9
Chapter 19
mind was sharp, calculating her next
move.
She grabbed her phone and scrolled through her contacts until she found the
name she needed. Zach Stevans.
Zach, a tech–savvy IT specialist, had been known for his expertise in cybersecurity. So, Julie dialed his number, her fingers trembling slightly.
“Julie?” Zach’s voice came through the line, casual but curious. “Haven’t heard from you in a while. What’s up?”
Julie cut to the chase. “Zach, please help me again.”
He chuckled. “Again? Didn’t think you’d call me unless it was important.”
“It is,” she replied, her voice firm. “I need access to Harris Group’s internal IP. You‘ re the only one I trust to pull this off.”
There was a pause. “Wait, are you asking
40% 12.40
7/9
12:40
Chapter 19
me to hack into Harris Group? Are you out of your mind? That’s a one–way ticket to jail, Julie.”
Julie leaned against the edge of the desk, her tone dropping to a whisper. “Zach, listen to me. I have dirt on Harris Group that can change everything.
“You’ve seen how corrupt that place is. And besides…” She hesitated before delivering the bait. “I’m willing to pay you handsomely. Enough to disappear if things go south.”
Zach scoffed. “This sounds messy, Julie. What’s in it for you?”
..She smirked, her confidence returning. “Anthony threw me away like garbage, and I’m not about to let him or his precious empire get away unscathed.”
There was another pause before Zach finally sighed. “Alright. But if I do this, I want double the payment upfront. And if we get caught, you take the fall.”
40% 12:40
8/9
Chapter 19
Julie’s grin widened. “Deal. I’ll send you half now, and the rest once you‘ re in.”
That evening, as Zach worked, Julie pulled up social media on her phone. She crafted a post that would release just enough information to spark rumors and suspicion using her fake account.
[Behind every empire lies a scandal waiting to surface. The truth about Harris Group is coming. #Exposed #TruthWillOut]
She hit post, watching as the hashtags began trending almost immediately.
“Game on, Anthony,” she whispered. “Let’s see how well you play without your precious empire.”