Chapter 117
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“You sure you don’t want me to take care of this mess?” Liam lifed an eyebrow as he stared at Izzy’s calm expression.
Izzy shook her head as she swirled the wine in her glass. She watched the liquid coat the sides before taking a slow sip. She leaned back against the couch, stretching her legs out. Just like her, Liam was wearing a robe, his posture relaxed, though she knew better than to mistake it for complacency.
“You could,” Izzy admitted, tilting her head slightly as Liam reached for her legs. His fingers pressed into the sole of her foot. kneading the tension away. She exhaled softly, allowing herself to enjoy the sensation. “But why rush?”
Liam’s thumbs worked against a particularly sore spot, and he smirked when he felt her toes curl. “Because I don’t see the point in dragging this out. You want Monica to pay–I can make it happen tonight.” He met her gaze. “No loose ends.”
Izzy watched him for a moment, then smiled. “And that’s exactly why you shouldn’t.” She shifted slightly, adjusting her position as she placed her empty wine glass on the side table. “Don’t you think it’s better this way? Watching them scramble, thinking they have the upper hand, only to realize–too late–that they never had a chance?”
Liam’s fingers slowed, his grip steady as he traced slow circles against her ankle. “You’d rather draw it out?”
Izzy leaned forward, propping her elbow on the armrest. “I’d rather make sure they feel every second of their failure.” Her smile widened, her fingers tapping lightly against the armrest. “I Monica or Cecil were to disappear tonight, what then? A few weeks of grief? Maybe some forced sympathy from Amalia? That’s too easy.”
Liam tilted his head, watching her.
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“But if she keeps losing,” Izzy continued, her gaze gleaming with amusement. “If she watches every opportunity slip through her fingers, if she thinks she’s finally secured something, only to have it ripped away at the last moment… That’s real punishment.”
Liam exhaled through his nose, his hand sliding up to her calf. “And here I thought I was the ruthless one.”
Izzy’s lips twitched. She reached forward, dragging her nails lightly down his forearm. “You still are.”
He studied her, his fingers pressing against the delicate skin of her ankle. “So we let them suffer.”
Izzy nodded, her smile never faltering. “Slowly. Deliberately. Let them think they have a fighting chance. Let them get desperate. Because when people are desperate, they make mistakes.” She reached for her wine glass again, though she didn’t take a sip. Instead, she twirled the stem between her fingers. “Cecil thinks she’s untouchable. She’s spent years manipulating people, controlling everything. But she’s never played this game against someone like me.”
Liam hummed, running his thumb along the inside of her ankle. “You want her to fall apart.”
“I want her to destroy herself,” Izzy corrected. “I want her to think she’s winning, to believe she’s one step ahead, only to realize she was dancing in the palm of my hand all along.”
Liam chuckled. He tightened his grip on her leg before pulling her closer, his knee brushing against hers. “Remind me never to get on your bad side.”
Izzy smirked, lifting her glass to her lips. “Oh, Liam,” she said, taking a slow sip. “You never stood a chance if you did.”
He held her gaze, his grip tightening ever so slightly before he leaned in. “Neither do they.”
Izzy didn’t reply. She didn’t need to.
09:32 Wed, Feb 12
Chapter 117
Because they both knew–Cecil and Monica’s suffering was just beginning
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Originally, she hadn’t wanted to bother with them anymore. She had moved on. She had already broken things off with Calen and taken the thing he wanted most. Monica no longer has a job and Amalia is drowning in debt. Watching them like that was satisfying.
Moreover, she’d been very busy with the project; she had no energy left to plan how to make them suffer. However, Monira just had to scheme against her, and now even Gecil thought they could pressure her into doing something.
action.
Those two really want to die, she thought inwardly. They actually brought themselves to her door and begged her to take
She let Liam continue massaging her feet as she closed her eyes and started to relax. However, this brief moment of peace was interrupted by a call.
Liam immediately answered when he saw that it was Mondo.
“What did you say?” he hissed. Seeing his reaction, Izzy straightened her back. Did something happen?
Liam shot up from the couch, grabbing his iPad from the nearby table. His fingers moved swiftly across the screen, his expression darkening. Within seconds, a live video surfaced.
Izzy leaned forward, watching as Monica’s tear–streaked face filled the screen.
“She pushed me,” Monica sobbed, her voice uneven as she clutched a tissue in her trembling hands. “She took everything from me–my dignity, my future, my child.” She hiccupped, lowering her head as if overcome with grief. “I tried to move on. I really did. But Isabella Rossi never lets people go unscathed She wanted to hurt me, and she did.”
The comments flooded in.
Monster.
Izzy Rossi is evil.
She should be in jail.
Justice for Monica!
Sue her ass!
Izzy exhaled through her nose, tapping her fingers against the armrest. How predictable.
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As if on cue, her phone vibrated beside her. She picked it up and glanced at the caller ID. Atty. Alcaraz.
She swiped to answer.
Cecil
“You were right,” the lawyer said without waiting for her to say a word. “They’re trying to use publie judgment against you.” Izzy smiled, tilting her head as she continued watching the pathetic performance on the screen. “Of course, they are. wouldn’t dare go against me legally. She knows she has nothing. Public sympathy is her only option.”
Monica sniffled on the video, her gaze darting toward the camera as if seeking confirmation that people were still listening. “I just—” She pressed a hand to her chest, pausing for dramatic effect. “I just want people to know the truth. I know, I did something wrong but.. Isabella Rossi isn’t who she pretends to be
09:32 Wed, Feb 12
Chapter 117
Izzy let out a quiet chuckle, shaking her head.
“They’re desperate,” Atty. Alcaraz continued. “This isn’t going to be a small case.”
“Good,” Izzy replied, placing her empty wine glass down. “Prepare the lawsuit.”
“On it, boss.”
The call ended.
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Izzy stretched her arms, her body relaxing once more as she turned back to Liam, who was still watching the video with mild amusement.
“Well,” she mused, tapping a nail against her thigh. “If they want a war, I’m happy to give them one.”
