Ascension Of The Villain
Chapter 54 - 54: Impulsive Decision

Vyan clutched his jaw where Iyana's fist had landed, a dark bruise already forming. Blood trickled from the corner of his mouth, but he made no unnecessary movement with the cold dagger pressed against his throat.

"What have I done to deserve this... pleasure?" he managed to choke out, his voice strained but mocking.

"Stop pretending like you have no idea!" she snarled, pressing the blade a fraction closer. "You played me like a fool, blackmailed my father into selling off my brother, and—"

"Wait, I didn't blackmail him," he pointed out. "I offered a deal like any normal person would, and he accepted. Besides, I was merely helping your family out."

"That's even worse!" she shouted, her voice shaking with rage. "Especially when you are the one who got us into all of this! Do you know how humiliating it is to know that my family accepted help from you of all people?!"

"Was it really that humiliating?" he asked, his tone soft, almost gentle.

"Of course!"

"Good," he said, the sudden change in his demeanor catching Iyana off-guard.

A slow, chilling smile spread across Vyan's face, and he began to laugh. The sound was cold and hollow, sending shivers down her spine.

"That was my intention," he chuckled, his eyes gleaming with malevolent delight. "Tell me, does it shatter your fragile pride to know that your father chose my help over his faith in you?"

She gritted her teeth, her eyes burning with unshed tears.

"Does it make you want to scream in frustration, knowing that if your father had waited just one more day, he might have seen you succeed?"

Her grip on the dagger tightened, her knuckles turning white as his words struck her like venomous barbs.

His palm reached up to caress the side of her face, his touch vile and repulsive. "I must say, I love this expression on you," he drawled slowly.

"Why..." A tear finally slipped from her eye, the sense of failure overwhelming her. "Why do you despise me so much? What have I ever done to you?" she whispered, her voice trembling.

In an instant, his expression darkened, fury igniting in his eyes.

He grabbed her wrist, flinging her dagger aside, and straightened up. Twisting her arm behind her back, he yanked her close, their bodies almost merging.

"Why, you ask," he seethed, his gaze piercing into hers. "How can you even ask me that, Iyana? Was I so insignificant that you don't even remember what you did to me?"

Her face clouded with confusion.

"Wow," he scoffed. "You really are... the worst."

Iyana took a moment to think before she spoke, "All this just because I am getting married to Prince Easton?" She only repeated what Sienna had fed her.

Vyan's grip tightened around her wrist, making her wince. "If only it were that simple, Iyana," he snarled, his voice dripping with venom. "I would be throwing confetti if it was just about your wedding."

His eyes narrowed, and the pain in his red-rimmed gaze made her heart ache.

"You were saying you felt humiliated because I fooled you? Imagine my delight discovering you were deceiving me for four whole fucking years."

His voice was a blade, each word cutting deeper.

"The years I thought were the best of my life? A mirage—a sick joke, courtesy of you."

As her confusion grew, Vyan let her go, almost flinging her wrist away as if she were diseased. "So yeah, that's why I despise you. Happy now?"

He turned to leave, unable to stomach her presence any longer.

Iyana stood rooted to her place, her mind a maelstrom of chaos.

What is he talking about? Deceived him for four years? What reason would I have for doing that to him? I am not such a terrible person, am I?

"Your Grace!" she called out, desperation tinged in her voice. He stopped but didn't turn around. "Would you please tell me what I did?"

His look of pure disgust made her feel dirty. "Playing the amnesia card now? Really, Iyana?"

She pursed her teeth, and in that moment, she made an impulsive decision—one that she might come to regret.

Despite her better judgment, she blurted out the truth, "I really am suffering from amnesia."

Vyan chuckled. "Oh, let me guess, is this the latest and greatest trap you have come up with?"

Iyana swallowed hard and said, "No, seriously. I have lost all my memories, Your Grace. It happened about a year ago. Right when I was relocated to Ganlop, I had this accident, and poof! My entire past, it was gone."

She further added, "I wouldn't have even known my name if it weren't for the help of my subordinates."

"Good story," he gave a slow, mocking clap, "Maybe you should write a book: The Melodramatic Lies of My Life."

"Your Grace, it's the truth," she insisted, her eyes wide with sincerity.

"You have already fooled me once. Do you really think I am going to fall for your sob story again?"

"Please, what would it take for you to believe me?" she asked, frustration tinging her voice.

"Alright, give me one good reason why I should believe you," he countered, arms crossed.

"Well, I—" she stammered, her brain doing an impression of a blackout. "Um…"

She scratched her cheek, looking as sheepish as a wolf caught in a chicken coop. "Can I have some time to think about it?"

Vyan rolled his eyes. "Good luck crafting a lie elaborate enough to trap me." With that, he stormed out of his office.

Iyana slumped into his chair, facepalming with enough force to make a noise. "He is right. If I wronged him so badly in the past, why would he believe me? Ugh, but I still need to know our past from him or it's going to drive me nuts."

She sighed, feeling utterly lost. "What should I do?"

That's when a light bulb flickered to life above her head, and her face lit up with a mischievous grin.

"Yes! This will definitely work!"