Embers of Betrayal

Chapter 16: The Deception Deepens

Bernadette sat calmly in the living room as Maxim walked in, his demeanor relaxed and unsuspecting. She looked at him with a cool, determined gaze, her heart pounding as she prepared to reveal her hand.

Bernadette: (calmly, but with a firm edge) "Maxim, I need to talk to you. I know from a credible source that you've been bringing a woman home. You need to choose between her and me."

Maxim: (surprised, but trying to maintain composure) "What are you talking about? There's no woman. This is just someone trying to destroy my character. They want to keep me from taking over the business."

Bernadette: (raising an eyebrow, her tone unwavering) "Don't try to play games with me. I've seen everything. This is not just some scheme against you."

Maxim: (defensive) "I swear, there's no one else. This is all a ploy to undermine my credibility. They want you to believe lies so I can't take over the business."

Bernadette: (voice steady) "So, you're saying that the information from my source are all fabricated?"

Maxim: (angrily) "Yes! Someone is trying to sabotage me, and you're falling for it. You're just being manipulated."

Bernadette: (sighing, trying to keep her frustration in check) "Maxim, this isn't about sabotage. This is about the truth. And I need you to make a choice. Either you end this relationship with her or you're choosing her over me."

Maxim: (crossing his arms) "I'm not going to make any choice. I've told you, there's no one else. If you want to believe these lies, that's your problem."

Bernadette: (looking him in the eye) "Fine. If you're choosing to deny everything, then I have to make my own decisions based on what I know."

Maxim: (mocking) "Do whatever you want. But remember, it's your blindness and the people who want to keep you that way that are creating all this trouble."

Bernadette: (turning away) "We'll see how long you can keep up this facade."

As she walked away with he aid of her personal assistant, Bernadette felt a renewed sense of determination. Maxim's denial only fueled her resolve to see her plan through and uncover the truth behind his deceit.

Maxim stormed out of the study, his face flushed with anger. The confrontation had rattled him, and he was seething with frustration. As he paced through the house, his mind raced with thoughts of how to salvage his situation. He could hear the distant echo of his own footsteps and the muffled sounds of Bernadette's quiet resolve as she gathered her composure.

Maxim (muttering to himself, fuming): "This is outrageous! Who dares to expose me like this? She's ruining everything I've worked for!"

He reached the living room, where he clenched his fists, trying to control his mounting rage. The betrayal he had been caught in, coupled with the possibility of losing everything, fueled his anger.

Maxim (yelling into the empty room): "Who could she do this to me?No one can sabotage my plan!"

He slammed his hand against the wall, the sound echoing through the house. The walls seemed to close in on him as he grappled with the reality of his situation. He knew he had to come up with a plan, but the weight of Bernadette's evidence and her resolve made it clear that this was not going to be an easy battle.

Maxim (to himself, his voice growing cold and calculated): "I need to think this through. No one can destroy my plans. I have to find a way to turn this around."

Maxim's anger transformed into a steely determination. He knew he had to act quickly and decisively if he was going to regain control of the situation. He stormed into his office, slamming the door behind him, and began to strategize his next moves, determined to salvage his plans and keep his secrets hidden.

As he plotted his next steps, Bernadette remained in the study, her mind focused on the path ahead. She had faced Maxim's anger and was prepared for the challenges to come. The confrontation had been just the beginning, and she was ready to see it through to the end.

The next morning, Bernadette was met with a stark contrast to the usual tension in the house. Maxim, typically aloof and distant, seemed to have undergone a sudden transformation. He was overly attentive, his demeanor warm and caring. As Bernadette entered the dining room, she found the table set with a meticulously prepared breakfast. Maxim was bustling around, placing the last dish on the table, a broad smile on his face.

Maxim (cheerfully): "Good morning, Bernadette! I made breakfast for you today. I thought it'd be nice to start the day on a positive note."

Bernadette, wary of this sudden shift in behavior, maintained her composure. Her suspicion about Maxim's actions drove her to be cautious. She knew she had to stay alert and observe closely. As Maxim left the room, she discreetly activated her hidden CCTV system, which was installed throughout the house to monitor every corner.

On her monitor, Bernadette saw something troubling: Maxim was seen adding a mysterious powder into the food he prepared. The gesture was subtle but unmistakable. Her heart raced as she watched the footage, her anxiety mounting. This was not just about his infidelity anymore—there was something more sinister at play.

Bernadette (whispering to herself, her voice tight with worry): "What is he trying to do? Is he trying to poison me? This is no longer about betrayal, Maxim wanted me dead."

Determined to uncover the truth, Bernadette quickly formulated a plan. She called Carmen, the household helper, and instructed her to feed the breakfast to a stray cat that often roamed the garden.

Bernadette: "Carmen, could you do me a favor? Please take this food outside and feed it to the stray cat."

Carmen (nodding): "Sure, Maam  Bernadette. I'll take care of it right away."

As Carmen placed the food outside for the stray cat, Bernadette watched live from her CCTV as Carmen feeding. The stray cat approached the food, sniffed it, and began to eat. She waited anxiously for any signs of reaction from the animal.

Bernadette (to herself, eyes fixed on the monitor): "Come on, show me something..."

Minutes passed, and the stray cat began to show signs of distress. It staggered, its movements unsteady, and it appeared to be struggling to breathe. The cat's sudden illness confirmed Bernadette's fears—the food had been tampered with.

Bernadette (shaking her head in disbelief): "So, he really did poison it. This is beyond anything I imagined."

With a deep breath, Bernadette knew she had to act swiftly. She made sure Carmen took the cat to a vet for treatment, and then she turned her attention back to the CCTV feed, determined to gather more evidence and plan her next move. The stakes had been raised, and she was more resolved than ever to confront Maxim and expose the full extent of his deceit.