My Best Friend Bought Me a Cursed Life Chapter 03

My Best Friend Bought Me a Cursed Life Chapter 03 Twenty Million

I headed upstairs to tend to my wound.

Bella hovered by the window, still in shock. “Where are you getting the money? Cecilia’s accounts were frozen months ago. She’s got maybe three thousand in cash!”

“Who said I’m using Cecilia’s money?”

I taped a bandage across my forehead and stared at my reflection. Eyes like shards of ice. Hands steady as stone.

“You lost last time because you played fair, Bella. You don’t beat wolves by being a sheep. You beat them by being a monster.”

I opened Cecilia’s laptop and started typing.

Richard Astor’s company was teetering on the brink of collapse, but he’d stashed away some damningly dirty ledgers. In the previous life, Walter Crawford had uncovered them when he tried to swallow the Astor fortune. Bella had seen those files flash through her memory before she jumped–she just never knew their value.

She’d been too busy drowning in a seething, consuming hate.

I spent an hour meticulously compiling evidence of tax evasion, under–the–table bribes, and complex money laundering schemes. Then I sent an anonymous email to Richard’s biggest competitor–and cc’d the IRS tip line. Scheduled delivery: twenty–four hours.

I closed the laptop, my muscles screaming from hunching over it, and stretched slowly, a cold, satisfied smile tugging at my lips.

“You’re destroying the Astors?” Bella’s ghostly voice cracked. “If the family falls, you fall with them!”

“Out of the ashes, something better.” I shrugged. “The Astors are a sinking ship. I want Cecilia’s identity, not her baggage.”

A sharp knock rapped on the door. The butler’s voice trembled: “Miss Cecilia? Mr. Crawford is here. Mr. Ashtor demands you come downstairs at once.”

Bella’s face stretched into a malicious grin. “Payback’s here. Crawford’s a sadist through and through. You just stabbed his future brother–in–law–Richard’s selling you out.”

I smoothed my dress and smiled. “Perfect timing.”

Downstairs.

Walter Crawford slumped on the sofa, his bald head glistening, his bloated frame crowding the cushions as he rolled two walnuts in his clammy palm. His eyes oozed over the maid like slow, thick molasses.

Richard and Margaret flanked him with desperate smiles. Sebastian huddled in the corner, his bandaged hand clamped tight against his chest, his breath caught in his throat.

Crawford’s eyes lit up when he saw me. That gaze was sticky as a snail’s drool, utterly repulsive.

“Well, well, Little Cecilia, Prettier than the photos” He stood and reached for me

I sidestepped and took the armchair.

“Mr. Crawford, we just met. Keep your hands to yourself”

He blinked, then roared with laughter. “Spicy! I like it. Richard, you’ve raised a good one.”

Richard simpered. “So our agreement-

“Done.” Crawford waved a meaty hand. “Twenty million, as soon as she comes with me tonight.”

Margaret beamed. “Cecilia! Thank the nice man!”

I looked at these repulsive people and laughed.

“Twenty million for me?” I pulled a stack of freshly printed photos from my bag and tossed them on the table. “Mr. Crawford, you undervaluing yourself.”

The photos were scattered.

Crawford and underage girls leaving hotels. Copies of the ledgers from his illegal casino.

His face drained of all color, going ashen gray.

“How–where did you-”

“Walls have ears. And so do trash cans.” I leaned back. “These land at the police station tomorrow morning. You’ll die in prison. Given your health, that won’t take long.”

Murder blazed in Crawford’s eyes, his gaze sharp and venomous.

Yet he remained rigid, not daring to make a single move.

“What do you want?” he hissed.

“Twenty million. Wire it to my personal account. Compensation for emotional distress.” I held up one finger. “Second: the engagement is canceled. You see me coming, you cross the street.”

“You’re insane.”

“See you in court.” I reached for my phone.

“Wait!” Sweat streamed down his face, soaking the collar of his shirt. “Fine. I’ll wire it.”

Five minutes later, twenty million hit my account.

Crawford fled as if the devil were nipping at his heels, his suit jacket flapping wildly behind him.

Richard fixed his hungry eyes on my phone, his Adam’s apple bobbing as he swallowed hard. “Cecilia, the money—the company needs it-”

“Not a chance.”

Trose to my feet, my gaze locking onto my so–called family.

“That was my ransom. I just bought my freedom. As for you three…” I glanced at Sebastian. “Enjoy your last quiet night.”

Seeing this, Bella was so jealous that she broke down.