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Chapter_84
A Slut Playing the Victim
The air in the room was thick with tension, and I could feel Matthew’s gaze on me, sharp and cold. He sensed something was about to erupt. His eyes narrowed as he asked, “Honey, what are you doing?”
I met his gaze with unwavering calm. “What do you mean? You’ll find out once Melanie arrives. It’s not me causing trouble. It’s her.”
Matthew’s eyes flicked to Ivanna, a flicker of suspicion crossing his face. “What’s going on here?” he demanded, trying to get control of the situation.
Ivanna stood firmly behind me, her arms crossed. Her voice was cold and biting as she replied, “You’re asking me? Maybe you should ask your dear sister when she gets here.”
The tension in the room thickened, and the atmosphere became suffocating. It was clear: I was the unwelcome guest here, the one about to bring the storm, and Matthew had no clue what was coming.
The door opened, and Melanie strolled in, her steps deliberate, her expression as smug as ever. The moment she saw the room full of people, her eyes flickered with irritation. Her gaze locked onto mine, and she glared at me like a predator.
“Chloe, what are you up to? What’s all this about?” Her tone was syrupy sweet, masking the malice underneath.
I wanted to rip into her, to expose her in front of everyone. But I held back. Instead, I stared her down and said, “You’ve done something extraordinary, Melanie. I’m here to take note of your achievements. Are you scared now?”
“Scared?” she sneered. “Why would I be?”
Before she could continue, I could practically see the gears turning in her head, trying to manipulate the situation. She smirked and turned to Matthew. “Matt, this woman made you a cuckold today. Some guy carried her off in broad daylight. It’s been two hours now, and who knows what they did! I certainly don’t!” She emphasized the word “did,” as though trying to paint the situation as something much worse.
The words felt like a slap, but they barely had time to hang in the air before Ivanna acted. Without warning, her hand shot out like lightning, connecting with Melanie’s face in a sharp, resounding slap.
“Ah!” Melanie shrieked, stumbling backward and holding her cheek in disbelief.
The room fell into stunned silence. Matthew and his family looked on in shock, their eyes wide with a mix of fear and confusion. Melanie’s parents were the first to react, demanding, “What’s going on? Why are you being violent?”
Matthew, recovering from the shock, quickly barked, “Ivanna, have you lost it? How dare you make a scene in my office?”
Ivanna didn’t back down. Her eyes blazed with fury as she shot Matthew a look that could cut glass. “Matthew, you bet I’ve lost it. So what? Are you upset because I slapped her? If you dare, take her side and slap me back. I’ll give you credit for having some guts!”
Melanie’s hand hovered over her reddened cheek as she glared at Ivanna. “Who gave you the right to hit me?” she spat.
Ivanna wasn’t having it. “You’ve slapped my best friend, and you have the nerve to play the victim after doing something so disgraceful? Woman, you deserve more than a slap. Don’t push your luck!” Her voice was venomous, and every word stung.
“Do you dare confront Chloe in front of me? Try it, and I’ll rip your mouth out. What’s the matter? You’ve got the guts to do things but not to admit it?” Ivanna’s words cut straight to the heart of it all. She wasn’t afraid of Melanie, and she wasn’t afraid of Matthew either.
Matthew looked from Ivanna to me, his gaze filled with confusion and a touch of anger. “Speak! What has she done?” he demanded, clearly believing I was the one stirring up trouble.
I met his gaze head-on, my voice sharp and filled with righteous fury. “You should ask her!” I shouted. “She’s the one who’s been causing all of this!”
Matthew hesitated for a moment, his jaw tightening. The shift in his demeanor was subtle but noticeable. He was starting to sense the gravity of the situation. “Everyone, leave,” he said finally, his voice firm. “This is a family matter.”
The people in the room exchanged uneasy glances, sensing the tension, before they quietly exited. They knew something was about to break wide open, and they weren’t interested in being part of the fallout. Johnson, who had been observing from the sidelines, discreetly started to leave as well.
I called out to him, my voice cutting through the air. “Johnson, please stay! We need an outsider to see if I’m causing trouble. I won’t take the fall for this! Aren’t you the right-hand man of the Murphy family? I want you to bear witness!”
Johnson froze, realizing he had no choice but to stay. With a quiet nod, he walked back into the room and took a seat.
Now, with the room cleared and everyone who mattered present, there was no turning back. The game had changed. The gloves were off. And Melanie? She was about to face the consequences of her actions—whether she liked it or not.