My Cousin Could See Through Every Lie We Told Chapter 09

My Cousin Could See Through Every Lie We Told Chapter 09

For a while, Tessa played the part perfectly. 

But I was sensitive enough to catch the flicker of hostility behind her eyes. 

Since I’d dropped that hint to Detective Carter, the police had stopped calling on her for help as often. 

Tessa had been pacing around the house, anxious and restless. 

I just waited for her to make her move. 

Finally, it happened. 

An investor showed up at the house, pitching a massive stake in the family business. 

Tessa leaned in, her voice a sugary whisper. 

“Emma, he’s not lying. He can actually help the company.” 

I pretended not to see the greed glinting in her eyes and gave a slow nod. 

“If you say so, Tessa, then it must be true.” 

I immediately told my parents the deal was solid. 

They glanced at Tessa, saw her satisfied nod, and signed the contract on the spot. 

Within days, the company’s revenue doubled. 

My parents held Tessa’s hands, showering her with praise. 

“Tessa, if you say it’s good, it’s golden. Once the profits climb a bit more, we’re buying you a house.” 

They remembered to look at me, but only as an afterthought. 

“And Emma, we’ll buy one next door so you two can look out 

for each other.” 

I felt nothing. 

I just curled my lips into a fake, practiced smile. 

In a few days, they’d see Tessa’s true colors. I just hoped they’d be able to laugh when it all came crashing down. 

The day of the gala arrived. 

Everyone in the room had heard whispers of Tessa’s gift. 

They swarmed my parents the second they walked in. 

“You two are so blessed. You already had one brilliant daughter in Emma, and now you’ve officially welcomed Tessa 

into the fold.” 

“We’re beyond jealous.” 

My parents beamed, clutching Tessa’s hand with pride. 

“It’s our honor that she calls us Mom and Dad.” 

“With her ability, she could succeed anywhere, but she’s loyal. 

We raised her, and she knows how to pay us back.” 

“As for Emma, she’ll be taking over the family business soon, and she’ll need Tessa’s help.” 

My blood ran cold, but I was used to it. 

It had been this way since I was a kid. 

I rolled my eyes, bored, waiting for the main event of the night. 

I caught Tessa’s eye in the corner–she was smirking at me, her gaze filled with undisguised triumph. 

I blinked, then returned the smile. 

Was she really that clueless? 

The sooner you start laughing, the harder you hit the floor 

when you lose. 

The ballroom doors flew open. 

My father’s assistant sprinted in, drenched in sweat, gasping 

for air. 

“Mr. Vance, Mr. Jacobs… he’s gone! He cleared out the 

accounts and vanished!” 

The room went dead silent. 

My father’s face drained of all color. He grabbed the assistant by the lapels, his voice a strangled rasp. 

“He told me we made a million in revenue yesterday!” 

“I put everything… I put every cent into that investment!” 

The guests started whispering, their voices jagged and cruel. 

“The Vances were on such a hot streak, I thought Crestview Metro had a new star player.” 

“They went all–in? They’re bankrupt!” 

“Wait, didn’t they just adopt that daughter who can detect lies? How did she miss that?” 

My father spun around, his eyes locking onto Tessa with predatory intensity.