Chapter 1 The Night Of Conspiracy

• || LEAH's POV ||
• I had no idea how long I had been locked up in that dark storage room.
• All my devices were confiscated by my stepmother Clara, and I had no way to track the dates or time. I even had no idea what I did wrong.
• Her ways with me have never changed since childhood. In the past, whenever she was in a bad mood or little me disobeyed her orders, she would be locking me up in the room. I cried myself to sleep and some passed out in fear.
• Suddenly, a maid flung open the door of my bedroom, throwing a shabby gown at my feet. The clink of the chain unlocking still echoed in the silence. The light outside the door stung my eyes that hadn't seen light for a long time. Instinctively, I raised my hand to cover them.
• " You better get dressed fast girl. Miss Ivy's engagement party is starting."
• Look, even the maids in this house treated me like garbage because of my stepmother.
• I dragged myself slowly up from the ground. The floor beneath my feet felt too cold and a dark room welcomed my vision.
• Dragging my starved body to my main bedroom, I found my phone lying in a corner, still silent. The date on the display showed that one week had passed already. One week, I was locked up in that dark storage room. It shocked me that there was not a single call or message from my boyfriend.
• Panic rose in my heart. I tried calling him a couple of times but no one answered. Before I could redial his number, a sharp voice reached my ears,
• " Where is that whore? Is she ready or not? Does she want to pull off a show in front of the guests?"
• The voice belonged to my stepmother who always had a way to force me. I dropped the phone in a panic and started redressing again. By the time, I was done with my dressing, my family had already left for the venue. An old family car was waiting for me in the courtyard to take me to the venue.
• But by the time, I reached the venue, the engagement was already over. Then I came across a scene that I never imagined in my lifetime.
• Then I spotted the newly engaged couple!
• My sister beaming like a new bride, a massive diamond ring glistening on her finger as she posed for the cameras. She clung herself to a dashing man, Dash Remington.
• My boyfriend!!
• The love of my life!
• The man whom I trusted with my whole heart!
• The moment our eyes met, my stepsister introduced Dash to me with a smug smile, pretending to sound casual and cool,
• " Dear Sister. Let me introduce you to Dash. He is going to be your brother-in-law."
• Although she sounded innocent, I could see the victorious glint in her eyes. Her voice cut through my heart. I muttered lowly,
• " Con.. Congratulations... brother-in-law."
• I blurted through my clenched teeth, each word sounding like venom on my lips. Tears blurred my eyes but I forced them. In no way, I was going to let them enjoy my tears.
• The moment, I was done with my greetings, I dashed to the restroom to hide my tears. Today was my 21st birthday and it was the gift that I got.
• Betrayal from the man that I loved!
• Betrayal from my family!
• After I cried myself to vent my emotions, I didn't know how many hours I was there. As I walked out of the bathroom, a familiar voice hit my ears,
• " Leah! "
• Then I saw Dash standing in the hallway, watching me intently as if I was the precious jewel in his eyes. Just like the old days when he used to tell me how much he loved me.
• But I felt nothing for this man except pure hatred. Turning on my wheels, I attempted to walk away without speaking. Within a few moments, Dash rushed in front of me and blocked me my way.
• He wore a black tuxedo, tall and effortlessly handsome as if he was some living model walking out of the Magazine. I would have devoted myself to him if It was in the past. But all I felt was now pure disgust for him.
• Dash spoke almost pleading, staring at my face,
• " I understand that you are upset, Leah. But trust me, it was all my parent's doing."
• I replied coldly, not even bothering to glance at his face,
• " Step aside, Mr. Remington. You are blocking my way."
• Dash repeated his words, running a hand through his hair,
• " Trust me, Leah. It wasn't my choice. My parents wanted me to marry Ivy instead. I can't upset them, you know."
• I snapped at his words, scoffing at his lies,
• " Why are you explaining this to me? I don't care what you have done. Leave. Me. Alone."
• Dash sounded desperate as he tried to convince me again,
• " You have to trust me, Leah. I agreed just for the sake of alliances and reputation in the business. We can still be together...in secret..."
• Together? Really? After he has engaged to my sister? Did I trust the wrong man all this time?
• I narrowed my eyes at his words, disgust crawling to my skin. I sneered at his words,
• " Are you done with your blabbering? Now please go back to your banquet. Your loving fiancee must be looking for you."
• I tried to walk away again but Dash pulled me in, my back hitting his chest. He pleaded in a seducing voice, trying to trap me again,
• " Don't just walk away, baby.."
• I clenched my jaw tight and jerked him off harshly, his touch making me disgusted,
• " Don't ever touch me again, Dash. You are my brother-in-law now. Don't make me hate you more. It is inappropriate for you to touch or hold me like that."
• " WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON HERE?"
• Ivy's voice snapped from the other side, her stormy footsteps coming within a few moments. I closed my eyes in irritation. It was the last thing that needed to happen today.
• She came close to me and threw me aside, my knees hitting the floor. Before I could manage to get up, a hard slap landed on my lips, leaving my lips bleeding. Ivy shrieked out in rage, clutching Dash's arms,
• " You whore!! How dare you try to seduce my man?"
• I stayed calm to trigger her rage further. I sneered at her words, replied with a mocking smile,
• " Then keep your fiance in your handbag."
• Her face grew red in anger and jealousy. She raised her hand and tried to slap me again,
• " You... bitch.. How dare you try to steal my man?"
• Before her hand could reach me, Dash caught it in mid-air. Dash chided, anger rising on his features,
• " IVY!!"
• She pouted her lips, faking tears in her eyes,
• " How dare she touch you?"
• I wasn't interested in her fake drama anymore. Casting her one last cold glare, I headed back to the banquet, all the way feeling Ivy's jealous eyes on my back.
• After I grabbed the wine, I saw Ivy entering the banquet with Dash. As soon as she saw her mother, she ran up to her, probably to complain about me again. They kept glaring at me as they talked.
• I shook my head with a sigh and sipped the wine a little. After a few sips, I felt something burning in my head. The world around me began to spin and I could no longer stand on my feet.
• Why did I get drunk so easily? Was it spiked?
• Before I could drag myself out of the party, I fell unconscious on the floor.