Chapter 4
Lexie sent me a message.
She found the surveillance footage showing a hotel staff member spiking someone's drink.
In the original plot, it was Nicole, the Walton family heiress, who bribed the waiter to spike the drink.
Even without knowing the plot, I'd have guessed she was the prime suspect.
She and I never got along. In our circle, she constantly competed with me, even resorting to dirty tricks.
She paid classmates to isolate me, framed me for bullying.
One time, an hour before a campus gala, Nicole tore my performance costume to shreds so she'd steal the spotlight.
To snatch a spot in an international piano competition, she even hired people to kidnap me so I'd miss it.
She and I later fought over the same man.
My decision to study abroad was partly because of her.
I was no pushover. When someone set me up, I retaliated.
With a perfect, poised smile, I pressed the doorbell at the Waltons' place.
"Oh, Kristen. Who are you here to see?" Nicole's mother, Eleanor Walton's voice rang out from the intercom.
I said, "I'm here to see Nicole."
"Sorry, Kristen, but Nicole's out shopping with her friends today. If you need anything, I'll have her come find you another time," Eleanor replied.
Eleanor knew about our feud and was wary. Too bad her daughter never got her smarts.
"Who says I'm not here? I'm right here! Mom, let her in already." Nicole called out sweetly.
"Nicole, don't say anything rash, okay?" Eleanor murmured.
Soon enough, the front door swung open.
I walked right into the Walton family's villa.
Nicole tossed her thick, golden hair, impossibly smug as ever.
"Well, if it isn't Kristen Sharp. What do you want? Shouldn't you be off somewhere playing lovebirds with Liam?" She sneered.
She added, "Wait, I keep forgetting. Liam's got himself a broke loser now. He didn't show any respect to you. You should've seen how ridiculous you looked at the party."
Nicole covered her mouth, stifling a laugh, her eyes absolutely dripping with ridicule.
"Yeah, it's true. He went for some broke loser, and not you." I threw the jab back, barely bothering to look interested.
That one definitely struck a nerve. Nicole's face soured for a split second.
Honestly, I just didn't get it. She lived here, so she should have a better read on things than I do.
Liam was not someone to rely on.
Sure, he was the Harmon family's golden boy, and maybe he got something special.
But no person would tolerate his moral failings.
Nicole was spoiled rotten at home. She had an obsession with always grabbing what she wanted.
She spent her whole youth competing with me. Did she really want to spend her married life fighting off every side chick and homewrecker out there?
"What? Did you seriously come all the way here just to throw shade at me?" Nicole snapped.
"Please, maybe focus on winning Liam back from that penniless girl before you come at me with the attitude," she added.
I leaned in and whispered, "You did it, didn't you?"
Nicole's pupils shrank, and she stepped back several paces. She stared at me.
"I have no idea what you're talking about," she said.
She totally gave herself away with that reaction.
I'd thought maybe after all these years, she'd finally get a clue.
I smirked. "Don't pretend. Don't you think I know your tricks?"
I glanced over at the house staff hanging around in the living room.
Then I grabbed Nicole's hand and headed straight upstairs.
"Hey, what do you think you're doing?" Nicole hissed. She shook me off.
"Do you want your shame made public?" I said, my voice icy and clearly annoyed.
In public, she'd never admit to what she'd done.
In her private room, she'd let down her guard and confess. That was exactly what I wanted.
Nicole was at a loss for words.
After thinking a moment, she huffed and stalked off into her bedroom.
She closed the door firmly behind her, making sure no one outside could overhear us.
Nicole just came right out and admitted it.
She was so naive, I almost felt bad for taking revenge… almost.
"Yeah, I did it. She just got lucky that night and managed to slip away," Nicole admitted.
She frowned. "Seriously, what does that woman even have that makes Liam so obsessed with her? If Liam had picked you, I would've accepted it."
She added, "But I just can't stand it. Tiana's just an ugly, low-class nobody. I'm way prettier, way more elegant, and way more charming than she'll ever be."
"What does she have that makes Liam fall for her?" Nicole's voice was thick with bitterness.
She practically spat out Tiana's name, her teeth clenched in anger.
Jealousy and hatred had warped her beautiful face into something ugly.
We might both be cast as the resident mean girls, but she put my villain game to shame.
She played the role of a vicious, spoiled rich girl with zeal.
"She swooped in and stole your guy while you were off studying abroad. Aren't you even a little pissed about that?" Nicole sneered.
I replied, "Angry? Why should I be? She showed me Liam's true nature. I realize he isn't that great. Honestly, there's really nothing special about him."
Nicole scoffed. "Yeah, right. You're just acting tough."
I let out a short laugh. "Whatever. Suit yourself."
Nicole snorted and said, "Kristen, why don't we join forces? Kick that chick out. For me, you're the only real rival worth my time."
"Sure, whatever," I replied, just brushing her off.
As soon as I left, I anonymously sent the surveillance video and recorded audio to Liam.
Of course, I edited the audio slightly, removing my own voice.
Nicole had already done herself in with her own confession.
It wouldn't stand up as hard evidence, but enough for Liam to know.
A prideful, prickly man like Liam would imagine everything.
If he knew the missing Tiana had suffered that night, his most likely reaction would not be pity but humiliation.
He'd see his woman had been tarnished, and he was betrayed.
Tiana would inevitably suffer.
As for Nicole, let her await retribution.
Liam was the type who never let a grudge go. He would make her pay.
All I had to do now was head home and wait for the drama to unfold.