Chapter 58: The manipulation
Ava stared at the file, her heart swelling with appreciation. Nicholas had acted swiftly, even before she had fully explained her situation. She felt a sense of security as if everything wasn’t entirely falling apart. But there was more to ask. Her one issue was resolved, but it wasn’t the end.
Nicholas shifted uncomfortably as her silence thickened. He expected to see excitement and delight in her face, but she said nothing. "If something is not right or if you want to change anything, we can talk about it," he offered cautiously.
Ava shook her head, dismissing his concern. "No, it’s perfect. I’ll have my father sign the deal." She shut the file and lifted her head, her eyes locking with his. "You mentioned you were checking the surveillance footage from the Hotel Siera. Did you find anything?"
Nicholas sighed, his expression falling into one of dismay. "She went to meet him at the hotel that day, but she didn’t stay long. Just handed him some cash and left. But she forgot her phone there, and that’s why her location was showing there."
"What?" Ava exclaimed with disbelief. "But wasn’t Brian dating Gianna? If it wasn’t her, then who was with him?" She grew restless. Proving Gianna’s presence at the hotel with Brian was crucial to clearing her name. "Are you sure Brian isn’t lying?"
"Loyalty isn’t something you can expect from a man like him," Nicholas said scornfully. "Both Brian and Gianna are playing each other, using one another for mutual benefit. Brian isn’t doing good in his career—no new projects, no money. Gianna’s helping him financially, and in return, she is using him to her advantage."
Ava’s stomach churned with disgust. She had known Gianna was manipulative, but this was beyond her imagination. Gianna claimed that she loved Dylan, but she secretly had an affair with Brain to fulfill her selfish desires.
Ava felt her skin crawl at the thought. She clenched her fists, feeling the bitterness rise. How far would Gianna go to destroy others and get what she wanted? Lies upon lies, all while pretending to be innocent.
"I interrogated Brian." Nicholas’s voice cut through her thoughts. "He told me everything. He has been helping her in conspiring against you, providing her with the contact information for the thugs as well as a hacker."