I Became the Billionaire's Fake Lover to Get My Revenge
Chapter 70: Dread

Chapter 70: Dread

I can’t believe this, Anna thought, trying to steady her breathing so she could better hear the conversation. How did Susanne even get in here without being noticed?

It was baffling. The vineyard was protected by an advanced security system. Unless someone had helped Susanne gain access...

William? Anna’s eyes widened as she clasped both hands over her mouth to stifle a gasp. Could this be his doing? If so, then he had truly outdone himself this time. Helping Susanne sneak into the estate—his own girlfriend’s party—was recklessly careless.

But then again, if this was his doing... he must have had a reason. A plan. An agenda.

Fine, she told herself, exhaling slowly. Let’s see what this is all about.

"How nice it must feel," Susanne’s voice rang out—low, raspy, and sharp, like a rusted blade dragged across stone. "Strutting around, attending your fancy parties while I’ve been dragged down and buried alive! Tell me, how much did my brother spend on this charade? Probably enough to keep me afloat for a month!"

Marienne let out a slow sigh and crossed her arms, stepping forward with a cold deliberation. Her gaze swept over Susanne, assessing her with visible disdain. The woman was dressed entirely in black—a black mask over her chin, a cap pulled low over her hair. She was still desperate to hide herself from the world.

That’s the same outfit she wore to the Golden Room, Anna noted from behind the hedge, peering cautiously through the leaves.

"What business is it of yours how much he spent?" Marienne sneered, her tone thick with contempt. "As long as not a single penny is wasted on your pathetic, freeloading lifestyle anymore, I’d say it was money well spent."

"What?" Susanne blinked, clearly taken aback by the blunt retort.

Marienne took another step closer, her gaze turning glacial—sharp enough to cut, as though she hoped her stare alone could slice through Susanne.

"You’re finished," she said coolly. "No place left for you in high society, in your own family, too... You’re simply done for."

"You fucking bitch...!" Susanne hissed through gritted teeth, her fury erupting as her fists clenched at her sides. She leaned in until their faces were nearly touching. "How dare you talk to me like that!"

"Like what?" Marienne didn’t flinch. Her lips curved into a wide, confident smile.

"Tell me—who are you to act superior?"

She leaned back slightly, tilting her head as if to give Susanne a better view of her—though the shadows of the approaching night made it hard to see clearly.

"You’re nothing but a scandal now—a criminal." Her voice was dripping with venom, her tone almost mocking. "I did you a huge favor by bailing you out, yet you are greedy, as always."

She then sighed, raking her fingers through her hair. "Do you think I came to this party on a whim?" She let out a sharp, humorless laugh. "No, darling. When the trees begin to fall, I’d rather be standing beside those swinging the axe."

"Of course you would." Susanne sneered, refusing to back down. "It’s just like you—to suck up to whoever holds the power. Just like you did with Anna, cozying up to her just to get closer to Robert and me."

She paused, waiting for a reaction—but Marienne merely frowned, a bitter smirk twisting her lips.

"Do you really think someone like her will ever let you in?"

Now Marienne was clearly furious. A dark shadow passed over her face as she nearly barked back at Susanne.

"And what’s so wrong with me trying to get into her circle? You were always the one dragging everyone down with your reckless bullshit! You’ve been a liar and a homewrecker for as long as I’ve known you—and I think it’s about time your lifestyle came back to bite you in the ass!"

"Ha!" Susanne’s eye twitched in irritation. She looked utterly incredulous.

"You calling me a liar? You, of all people?"

She stormed forward again, closing the space between them. Her entire body was trembling with rage. "Have you already forgotten that you’ve been living one giant lie your entire life, Mary?"

"Don’t you ever call me that again!" Marienne hissed, each word laced with a dangerous warning.

Mary. Anna repeated the name silently, her brows furrowing as a flicker of recognition sparked in her memory. I thought ’Mary’ was just a nickname... but judging by her reaction, there’s more to it than meets the eye. I wonder what it means.

"Aha," Susanne sang mockingly, her lips curving into a triumphant grin as she finally struck a nerve. "So you do still fear the truth slipping out. Well then—" she lightly slapped Marienne across the cheek, her voice dropping to a threatening murmur, "why don’t you give me the money I need... and your little secret stays buried?"

This is getting interesting, Anna thought with a smirk, watching the scene boil over with tension. Maybe if Susanne keeps pushing her, I’ll finally uncover the secret Marienne is so desperate to keep hidden—and save myself the trouble of getting close to her. Two birds with one stone.

"Suddenly so quiet?" Susanne sneered, landing another round of sharp slaps across Marienne’s cheek—this time, harder, more deliberate.

"All I need from you is a weekly wire transfer, and I’ll disappear. Just a little hush money... Mary."

"I said... don’t call me that!" Marienne exploded, her voice ringing out so suddenly and violently that Anna flinched, a startled gasp escaping her lips.

But what happened next stunned her even more.

With all restraint vanishing, Marienne balled her right hand into a tight fist and swung. The punch landed squarely on Susanne’s temple, sending her stumbling back until she crashed into a row of wine barrels lined beneath the grapevines—and collapsed.

Anna gasped again, her hands flying to her mouth as she stared in horror.

Marienne stood over Susanne’s crumpled, unmoving figure. Her chest heaved with ragged breaths, fists trembling, her knuckles white. Her eyes, gleaming with fury, remained locked on the lifeless woman, dark with something sharp and dangerous.

Then, a voice cut through the night.

"Miss Rochester?"

Marienne froze and turned slowly toward the sound, her wide eyes brimming with a mix of shock and dread.

"Chloe..?"