His Perfect Scapegoat

Chapter 4: Conquering the Devastation

Betty’s POV

Despite the mansion's magnificence, it initially felt cold. I was in the living room, surrounded by luxury that I had never experienced before. It was my refuge now. My siblings crowded around my father, who sat in the armchair with his face unreadable.

The silence was broken by Matthew saying, "You've come home." There was a mixture of relief and resolve in his voice. "And you won't have to handle this alone."

With a stutter, I said, "I'm not used to this—having a family that cares." "But I'm prepared for combat."

Amelia moved nearer and grasped my hand. "Good, since we're prepared as well."

My dad gave a nod. You're Caldwell, Betty. We rebuild instead of collapsing. Despite his attempts to destroy you, Justin misjudged us.

"Now what do we do?" I looked at them and inquired.

Matthew grinned. We have a long-term approach. He is unaware of the connections between his and our businesses. He won't have a leg to stand on after we're through.

"And you'll have access to all the resources you require—lawyers, investigators, everything," Amelia continued. He won't anticipate the leverage we have.

I felt hopeful when I heard how confident they were. I was no longer just Betty Anderson. Betty Caldwell was my name, and I wasn't fighting by myself.

Justin's idyllic environment started to fall apart in the meantime.

After a moment of hesitation, his helper entered his office. Mr. Grayson has pulled out of the Anderson-Caldwell project, Mr. Anderson. He mentioned recent...developments as a cause for concern.

"What?" Justin's face was white, and his tone was harsh. "Call him right away."

"I tried already," she said, shifting uneasily. "He doesn't answer the phone."

The thud of Justin's fist hitting the desk reverberated throughout the quiet room. Looking up from her tablet, Clara sat on the leather sofa.

Her voice was tight with concern as she questioned, "Justin, what's going on?"

"Betty's relatives," he snarled. "They're pulling the rug out from under me by using their power."

Clara scrunched her brows. "Perhaps we ought to retreat. Things might get messy.

Justin gave her a chilly look. "No. I'm not going to back down. Betty believes she has triumphed, but she is unaware of her opponent.

Clara feigned a grin, but her posture betrayed her apprehensive tightness. Justin was losing control of his universe, and this was just the beginning.

I met Ethan Stone that night. He was cool, collected, and refreshingly direct—everything Justin wasn't. Behind him, the city lights glittered as we sat in a private lounge of one of his opulent hotels.

"Betty Caldwell," he said in a silky voice. "I've heard great things about you."

I tried to hide my nervousness as I answered, "Hopefully nothing too terrible."

"Quite the opposite," he answered, grinning slightly. Considering that you were thrust into the fire, you conducted yourself surprisingly well. That's the reason I'm here.

"Mr. Stone, why are you here?" With a hesitant tone, I asked.

"Give me a call, Ethan." "And Justin Anderson is a mutual enemy, which is why I'm here."

I scowled. "Why would Justin matter to someone like you?"

Ethan narrowed his eyes and leaned back. "Let's just say that we have a lengthy history together. A few years ago, he went too far, and I've been waiting for the appropriate opportunity to make amends.

"And you believe that I am that moment?"

He gave a nod. You possess a personal connection that I do not. We can destroy his kingdom piece by piece if we work together.

I examined him, looking for any hint of dishonesty. Rather, I discovered a man with a mission.

I questioned, "What's in it for you?"

Ethan grinned. "Justice, contentment, and perhaps a little retaliation." For you, however, it's about taking back your life. Consider it, Betty.

There was a glimmer of hope for the first time in weeks.

I said cautiously, "I'll give it some thought."

“Take your time,” he said, getting to his feet. However, not excessively. Justin isn't the kind to wait around.

I couldn't help but feel a weird sense of trust in him as he was leaving. Perhaps this was the start of a partnership that would transform everything.

I ended up wandering around the Caldwell estate later that evening. I was drawn to the old study on the third floor of the house, which was a labyrinth of secrets and memories.

The room was dusty and had not been used in years. I ran my fingertips over the bookshelves, looking at the titles.

At that moment, I noticed a little, secured drawer integrated into the desk. Curiosity overcame me, and I discovered that the key was still in the lock.

I discovered a Confidential folder inside. As I opened it and saw several documents, my heart raced. At first glance, they looked like old contracts and bank papers, but one name attracted my attention: Justin Anderson.

Flipping through the files, I discovered facts about unlawful dealings, bribery, and money laundering all related to Justin and his family. But there was something much more surprising. A handwritten note from my late mother.

“To Betty,

If you’re reading this, it means the truth has come to light. The Andersons are dangerous, and they’ve betrayed us before. Use this information wisely—it might destroy them. Love, Mom.”

Grasping the note, my palms shook. Mom had been aware. She had attempted to keep us safe from them, and now it was my responsibility to complete the task she had begun.

I shut the folder, my thoughts racing. This was the secret—the evidence I required to reveal the true nature of Justin and his family.

However, power also brought danger. I had just declared war, and the Andersons would not be defeated easily.

I said, "Game on, Justin," into the silent room as I stood there, the realization beginning to seep in.