Ties of Betrayal

Chapter11: A Shadow of Doubt

The roar of the jet engines hummed in Alexander's ears as the plane descended over the glittering lights of Paris. He leaned back in his seat, staring out of the window, but his mind wasn't on the city below. It was on her. Victoria.

It had been weeks since their last cold, obligatory visit to his grandfather's estate, and he had barely spared her a thought—until recently. But now, something was different. Her name was surfacing in places where it didn't belong: boardrooms, charity events, even social circles.

"What the hell is she doing?" he muttered under his breath.

He hadn't expected her to play this kind of game. Victoria was supposed to fade into the background, like a shadow—a mere formality. She was the woman who had loved him foolishly, the one who had taken what wasn't hers. He had thought she'd stay out of his way, content with whatever crumbs he tossed her. But instead, she was making moves.

Alexander's jaw clenched as he flipped open the newspaper, the headline glaring back at him: "Mrs. Pierce Steps Into the Spotlight: Is the Quiet Wife Taking Over?"

He crushed the paper in his fist, anger boiling under his skin. Taking over? Was this a game to her? She had already taken everything from him—his freedom, his life with Lily—and now she had the audacity to parade around in his name, acting like she belonged?

Alexander slammed the paper onto the table and stood up, pacing the small cabin of the jet. He couldn't believe it. He had underestimated her. The woman who had once looked at him with stars in her eyes was now playing a much more dangerous game. But it didn't matter. No matter what moves she made, he wasn't going to fall for her schemes. He despised her.

Meanwhile, back at the mansion, Victoria was playing the role of Mrs. Pierce flawlessly. She attended meetings and events with an air of confidence that caught even the most seasoned businesspeople off guard. She was no longer the star struck girl who had once dreamed of a fairytale wedding. She was a woman on a mission.

But behind her poised facade, there was still a flicker of vulnerability. Every time she opened a newspaper, her heart sank a little lower. The photos of Alexander with Lily—smiling, holding hands, living the life Victoria had once imagined for herself—were everywhere. The media couldn't get enough of their secret rendezvous.

Still, Victoria refused to crumble. Every time her chest tightened with pain, she reminded herself of her new plan. She wasn't here to win Alexander's heart anymore. That dream had died the day he left her standing alone outside the courthouse. Now, she was here to win the game.

Late at night, she sat in the quiet of her bedroom, going over the notes she had taken from her meetings earlier in the day. She was learning fast—faster than anyone had expected. With each passing day, she gained more respect in Alexander's world, and while he was busy playing house with Lily, she was building something more permanent—something he couldn't ignore forever.

Back in Paris, Alexander was starting to feel the pressure. His advisors had been calling non-stop, leaving messages about Victoria's growing influence. He had ignored them at first, brushing it off as nothing more than gossip. But now, with every passing day, it was becoming clear that Victoria wasn't just a temporary nuisance.

"Sir, we need to address the situation back home," one of his closest confidants said over the phone. "Mrs. Pierce—she's been attending key meetings. She's starting to make decisions in your absence. The board is paying attention."

Alexander's grip tightened on the phone. Decisions? Victoria? He wasn't sure whether to laugh or scream. This wasn't part of the plan. She was supposed to be a placeholder, a way to keep the family happy. But now, she was acting like she had earned the Pierce name—like she had any right to wield that kind of power. "She's overstepping," he said, his voice cold. "Handle it."

But when Alexander returned to New York, handling it wasn't as easy as he thought. Victoria had done more than just attend meetings; she had made an impact. The people who worked for him—the people who had once dismissed her—now spoke of her with a kind of wary respect. She had managed to slip through the cracks while he was away, and now she was a force to be reckoned with.

The first time Alexander saw her after his return, he expected to see the same wide-eyed girl who had followed him around like a lovesick puppy. But when she walked into the room, she was different. Her eyes were sharp, her posture strong, and there was a quiet confidence in her that hadn't been there before.

Victoria met his gaze with a calm, unreadable expression, her chin held high. There was no hint of the girl who had once adored him. For the first time, Alexander felt a flicker of something other than anger—a flicker of doubt.

The tension between them was palpable. They spoke in clipped, formal tones, exchanging only the necessary words during their visits to his grandfather. Victoria was careful, never stepping out of line when the old man was around, but Alexander knew she was biding her time.

He hated it. He hated her. But deep down, a small voice in his mind whispered that maybe—just maybe—he had underestimated her, And for Alexander Pierce, that was unforgivable.