Chapter 22
She struggled and screamed, but the team overpowered her, taking her to the hospital.
As soon as they got there, the doctors. performed the procedure under strict orders, ensuring the baby’s fate was sealed as Julie’s final card was taken from her.
She was then transferred to a secure wing, heavily guarded to prevent any escape attempts.
Julie sat in the courtroom weeks later, her
once–confident demeanor reduced to a
shadow of its former self. The evidence. against her was overwhelming: financial records, video footage, and testimonies from employees she had wronged.
When the verdict was read–guilty on all counts–Julie broke down in tears. She looked toward the gallery, hoping to catch a glimpse of Anthony, but he was not there.
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Anthony sat at the corner of the dimly lit bar, his phone glowing faintly as he watched the livestream replay of the press conference.
The revelation of Julie’s schemes and the public backlash against her should have brought him satisfaction.
Justice had been served. Yet, an unshakable weight settled in his chest–one. that no amount of vindication could lift.
“It’s finally over,” he muttered under his breath, swirling the glass of whiskey in his hand.
Just as he leaned back, Zach approached him, a smug grin plastered on his face.
“What a circus, huh?” Zach chuckled, sliding into the seat opposite him. “But hey, why drown in stress? I can introduce you to a new woman. Someone way better than Julie. What do you say?”
Anthony’s gaze shifted to Zach, his
expression darkening with every word his
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so–called friend uttered.
Anthony‘ s mind raced back to the beginning. It was Zach who had introduced
Julie into his life, who had vouched for her, calling her trustworthy.
That one introduction had set his life
spiraling into chaos. I left him, his company nearly collapsing, the
manipulations, and the confrontation with his family.
But then, Zach sat across from him as if none of it mattered. As if he had not played a key role in ruining everything Anthony
had built.
Anthony slammed his glass down on the table, the sound making Zach flinch. He stood abruptly, grabbing Zach by the collar and pulling him close.
“It’s all your fault,” Anthony snarled, his voice low and venomous. “You brought Julie into my life. You introduced. me to her, knowing full well what kind of
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person she was.”
Zach smirked, raising his hands in mock. surrender. “Woah, calm down, Anthony. Since when did I disturb you? If I recall correctly, I was doing you a favor.
“You wanted an heir, remember? A beautiful woman who could give you what Daisy couldn’t. And what did I do? I delivered.” He laughed bitterly. “You should be thanking me, not trying to strangle me.”
Anthony‘ s grip tightened. “You ruined everything.”
Zach snorted, his confidence unwavering.
“Listen, mate. Blame me all you want, but you‘ re just deflecting. The truth is, the real problem was never Daisy, Julie, or me. It’s you.”
Anthony’s eyes narrowed. “What are you talking about?”
Zach leaned in closer, a smug grin spreading across his face.
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“Wanna know a little secret?” He lowered his voice. “Julie sacrificed so many nights. trying to conceive your heir. But no matter how many times you two did it, nothing worked. Guess why?”
www
Zach tapped his temple mockingly. “It‘ s not her. It’s you.”
Anthony froze, his breath hitching.
“She got desperate,” Zach continued, his voice dripping with mock sympathy.
“Thought maybe she was the problem, so she came to me. Just once, you know, to see if she could get pregnant.
“Guess what? It worked. One try. Easy as that.” He leaned back, laughing darkly.
“But then you went ahead and killed the child we created. What a waste. Poor Julie.”
Anthony’s face contorted with rage, hist chest heaving.
“Oh, perhaps I should get Daisy pregnant for you instead of Julie, right?” Zach
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taunted.
“Insolent bastard!” Anthony roared, his voice echoing through the bar.
