<b>Chapter </b><b>29 </b>


    LYDIA


    The moment Victoria Woods saw me, her entire body stiffened


    She seemed to not recognize me at first or probably, the thought her mind was ying tricks on her. Her sharp heels ached against the


    as she strode toward me, ber desi dress hugging her frame,


    The pearl ne on her neck, the heavy rings on her fingers—As usual, the made sure to stretch every penny looking best, But right now, all that effor meant nothing


    Because I was standing right in front of her. She stopped a few feet away, her eyes widening in disbeliet “Lydiar”


    I smiled, tilting my head. “Mrs. Woods” the color drained from her face, reced by anger and distaste. She looked me up and down, taking in a detail my wless drets, my expensive heels, the ne on my neck. The ne. The one the had fought so hard to buy at the auction. Fcouldn’t, miss an opportunity to show it off to her.


    Her <b>eyes </b>darkened. “This… this is impossible.” I didn’t respond, just revealed in the sight of her.


    “You died,” she whispered harshly. Her hands trembled, <b>but </b>she quickly clenched them into fists. “I saw it with my own eyes ou died in that fire.”


    I simply smiled again. “Did 17” Her nostrils red. “This isn’t funny, you worthless little–She stopped herself, But I saw it. The panic behind her eyes.


    She was afraid.


    deeply as if trying to calm dow


    “Even in death, your ghost <b>isn’t </b>wee here,” she spat venom at me. Good to see her hatred for me hasn’t dwindled a bit. “You were nothing before, and you’re nothing now. A poor orphan, a filthy disgrace who isn’t even worthy to breathe the same air as me, let alone stand in this room.”


    I said nothing. “You don’t belong here, Lydia. <b>You’re </b>not one <b>of </b><b>us</b><b>, </b>and you never will be. This ce? It’s for the powerful. The respected. Not for some street rat who should be mopping floors. And you’re sitting at the Trillions table? Ha! What <b>a </b>joke”


    I met her stare, unfazed. She let out a bitterugh, shaking her head, “How did you even get in here? Who let you in?”


    Then her eyes moved back to my neck again. Her entire body stiffened. “No,” she breathed.


    “You-“Her voice trembled with rage. “You stole it. That ne was bought by-” She cut herself off


    “You little thief,” she hissed. “I should have known. You stole it from the real owner, didn’t you?” I smirked.


    “You think wearing stolen jewellery will make you one of <b>us</b><b>?</b>” she sneered. “Do you actually believe people will ept you? That ne belongs to someone worthy, not to some disgusting little criminal like <b>you</b>”


    I still didn’t react. Her voice dropped to a whisper. “T’ll have you thrown in prison again.” <b>My </b>smirk widened.


    She took a step closer, her fingers twitching as <b>if </b>she wanted to rip the ne off my neck<b>. </b><b>But </b>before she could say another word


    The microphone crackled.


    “Good evening,dies and gentlemen,” the host <b>announced</b>. “<b>Tonight</b>, we are honoured to introduce a new member to the One Trillion Ladies Club Please wee… Miss <b>Alissa </b>Brooks.” A wave of gasps spread through the hall.


    Victoria scoffed upon hearing the name. She turned to say more but I moved towards the stage, shocking her, I could practically see her brain working trying to piece it together.


    “Alissa Brooks?” she whispered. I stared at the crowd and took notice of the <b>whispers </b>flying around. “Who is she?


    Chapter <b>29 </b>


    “Alissa Brooks? <b>Never </b>heard other.


    “She must be now money.”


    I stepped onto the stage, my biels clicking against the wooden floor. The host handed me the microphone, smding starmly. said. “We are delighted to have you join us. Hease, say a few words”


    I took the mic, scanning the crowd. My gaze found Victoria instantly. She was still frozen in ce, her face drained of color 1 meded, then turn attention to the audience.


    “Thank you,” I began. “It is an honor to be here among such powerful and respected women look forward to being part of thismunity


    Polite apuse followed. let the silence stretch for a moment, then continued, “However, before I say anything else, there is sorte


    I turned my gaze back to Victoria. “A few moments ago, I was insulted by a member of this club,” I said, my voice cold yet calm was humted, disrespected, and called unworthy, I was told that I do not belong here,”


    Gasps.


    The host immediately stepped forward. “That is uneptable. If someone <b>has </b>disrespected you, Miss Brooks, please let us know. We will ensure they are


    removed.


    I smiled as my gazended on Victoria. I tilted my head slightly. “I won’t mention names. Yet. But I will say this, I refuse to be part of a dub treated with disrespect.”


    The host quickly spoke again, her tone urgent. “Miss Brooks, please, we deeply <b>value </b>your presence here. Whoever insulted you will be dealt with immediately.” I let the words <b>hang </b>in the air.


    Then, I turned fully toward Victoria and <b>smiled</b>. “The only way I will stay…” <b>I </b><b>said </b>slowly,


    All eyes turned to the one I made eye contact with is <b>if </b>Victoria Woods kneels and begs”


    Complete, utter silence. All the color drained from Victoria’s face. The entire <b>hall </b>turned to look at her.


    Her lips parted, but no words came out. She wasn’t just humiliated. She was trapped. And I was enjoying every second of it.


    Victoria looked like she had just swallowed a ss. “Mrs Woods,” the host said, her voice careful. “I believe you heard Miss Brooks.”


    Victoria’s jaw tightened. Her nails dug into her palm. “She can’t be serious,” she muttered under her breath.


    <b>I </b>arched my brow. “Oh, I am.” Her eyes <b>snapped </b>to mine, burning with rage. I saw the war in her expression. The humiliation. The disbelief. The sheer refusal to ept that I had the upper hand.


    But she <b>had </b>no choice. If she didn’t do as I said, she would be the one thrown out.


    The club had rules. Respect <b>was </b>everything here. And no matter how much she hated me, I had the power now.


    Her hands trembled at her sides <b>as </b>she nced around. The women who once fawned <b>over </b>her now avoided her gaze. No one was going to <b>save </b>her


    Slowly, stiffly, Victoria Woods lowered herself to herknees. Gasps filled the room and her entire body <b>was </b><b>shaking </b>as she gritted out the words. “I’m sorry,” she spat. I cupped a hand around my ear. “I didn’t hear that.” Her fingers curled into fists.


    She squeezed her eyes shut, and when she opened them again, they were bloodshot with rage. “I’m sorry,” she said again, louder this time.


    “For?”


    Her teeth clenched so hard I thought they might crack. “For disrespecting you,” she choked out.


    Chapter <b>29 </b>


    Tamiled. <b>Ruch </b>better? Then, will smiling turned to the host.“appreciate the apology.


    has no respect for others”.


    Victoria’s head snapped up. The host stiffened. “Hiss Brooks, are you saying you want her removed?”


    I tilted my head slightly. “Isn’t that the tule?”


    A heavy pan


    Then, reluctantly, the host turned to Victoria, “Victoria Woods, as of this moment, you are no longer a member of the Ladies Clob


    The whispers grew louder. Victoria’s face twisted in disbelief. “What?”


    “You heard him.” I said smoothly. She shot to her feet, “You can’t do this?” she shouted. “You have no righ


    “You broke the rules,” the host said. “This club does not tolerate disrespect among its members. Please leave.


    Her chest rose and fell in short, furious breaths. Her eyes burned into mine, promising destruction. But she had lost. And we both knew it.


    She stormed out, het heels clicking angrily against the marble floor. The moment the doors shut behind her, the tension in the room tited.


    Someone pped. Then another, And then, the entire room erupted into apuse. Women stepped forward, eager to introduce themselve


    I kept my expression <b>poised</b><b>, </b><b>a </b>polite smile on my lips as I shook hands with woman after woman<b>. </b>Some congratted me on my new status, others whispered how they had never liked Victoria anyway,


    She always thought she <b>was </b>untouchable,” a <b>woman </b>in a navy blue gown said, sipping her champagne. “it’s <b>about </b>time someone put her in her ce.”


    “Alissa, dear, you must sit with us at the next event,” another chimed in, her eyes filled with admiration. “<b>We </b><b>need </b>women like you in this club”


    Inodded, keeping my responses short, I had gotten exactly what I wanted. Victoria was humiliated and kicked out


    Tentertained a few more conversations before ncing at the time, it waste. The event was still in <b>full </b>swing but I had done what i came for. There was no need to stay longer.


    Tentered the passenger seat of my Rolls Royce and the car sped off as soon as I was perfectly seated, Slipping my phone from my clutch, I sent a quick


    text to my mother


    Lydia: Tell the twins to prepare. We’re <b>having </b>victory ice cream tonight.


    A response came almost immediately.


    Mom: Tell me everything the moment you get home.


    chuckled softly, shaking my head.


    My fingers drummed against my phone, I couldn’t wait to tell my mother everything. Aber a few minutes of driving, the car finally pulled up. I was home. I made my way out of the car, adjusting my dress. Just as I reached for the <b>door handle</b><b>, </b><b>a </b>voice stopped me in my tracks.


    <b>“</b><b>Lydia</b>.”


    froze.


    That voice.


    That damnvoice.


    Slowly, I turned. Mason stood a few feet away from me. His eyes were wide with shock, locked onto mine.


    Syou are Lydia, he breathed. “I knew it. He looked reflexed?


    thought you died.