Chapter 102: Don’t want you to get hurt
"There’s no point in crying now," Sylvia said, her gaze fixed on Orabela. "You made a foolish mistake. Lucius isn’t just any man; he’s always one step ahead," she added, setting her phone on the small table with the speaker turned on.
Orabela choked back her tears, her voice quivering. "What am I supposed to do now? Everyone’s turned against me, and Layla has taken everything," she said, wiping her tear-streaked cheeks.
"Do nothing," Sylvia advised calmly. "You can’t let your jealousy show in a way that rises suspicion. Instead, play it the other way."
Orabela’s brows knitted as she rubbed her eyes. "What do you mean?" she asked, confusion clouding her face.
"Show everyone that you were wrong all along," Sylvia said. "Let your actions speak for you. People pay more attention to what they see than what they hear. And for heaven’s sake, don’t do anything reckless again. Layla is clever—she didn’t report you to the police for her own benefit, but don’t think she won’t if circumstances change, especially with Lucius holding that incriminating audio," she emphasized, her eyes narrowing as she tapped the armrest with her nails.
Orabela swallowed hard, trying to push down the lump in her throat. "That’s what terrifies me the most," she admitted with a trembling voice. "Can you do something about the recording? Get rid of it somehow?" She knew she was asking for the impossible, but desperation left her asking about it.
Sylvia shook her head, a shadow of frustration crossing her features. "That’s out of the question. I can’t even get close to Lucius; he’s made his threat clear, and I have no desire to draw suspicion to myself. But think, Orabela—Layla likely won’t send you to prison anytime soon. It would damage your father’s company, and after the scandal involving Layla’s mother’s attempt on her life, their image can’t withstand another blow," she reasoned, analyzing the situation from all sides.
Orabela’s face fell, but she nodded slowly, accepting the grim reality. "I understand," she whispered, wiping at her eyes with the back of her hand. "Thank you, Sylvia, for listening. It means more than you know."
Sylvia’s expression softened for a fleeting moment. "Anytime. But be smart, Orabela. Take care of yourself," she said, ending the call.
As the phone screen went dark, Sylvia let out a sharp exhale. "Unbelievable. I can’t believe she’s this foolish," she muttered, running a hand through her hair.
Doubt crept into her mind, making her wonder if she’d chosen the wrong ally. She knew that approaching Lucius was a dead end, but there was another path to consider—Layla.