Reborn as the Billionaires Secret Wife

The Trap Tightens

I was in the darkness of the home office of Ronan with my laptop on and the silence was replaced by the gentle buzzing of the city outside the window. The previous messages, the inexplicable copyright registrations, the revelations of Adrian, they all intermingled in my mind. I had been waiting years, years, to avenge myself. However, now I understood something: I was not the only person who was pushing pieces against Liora.

At least there were three forces that were directed to her. The investigative journalist, Adrian Vale, evidently possessed evidence and was ready to make her public. This had been already copyrighted by someone (or perhaps several people), leading to investigations of her songs. And here was me, who sat here, and held the last bit that could break her to ruin.

It was the first time in the history of it all that I was feeling a surge of control. Not a little--I wanted it all to go on quicker. Liora had been too long playing at pleasure, showing off what was not hers. I would ensure that she did not get time to respond.

I logged in to my old cloud account, and painstakingly went to my first demo records that I had ever recorded. All the files had the evidence: my voice, my lyrics, all melodies I had produced several years earlier when Liora was not even thinking about her album. I started making official copyright registrations of all my original songs and my hands were trembling. I was fast, yet thorough, and was filling out the required forms, uploading the recordings as evidences.

I stood and looked over at the screen. When these documents are submitted, my existence would be registered in legal books. They may be tripped over by any investigator, or worse, by Garrick. I considered this a moment and shook my head. I didn’t care anymore. Liora had robbed me of all things, including my music, dreams, and life. At last it was time to have it all back.

I looked at Ronan who was standing up against the wall with crossed arms and was watching me. He had told me before, how dangerous it was, and he had looked very grave.

Think about this, Selene, he said finally, and his voice was calm but firm. Garrick might read these filings once you file them. He could realize you’re alive. Are you ready for that?”

I stared at him, my eyes difficult. “I don’t care anymore, Ronan. He has no right to the gratification of holding me in the shade. Liora robbed me of speech, of song, of life. I will take it all back, even to their finding me.

He gazed at me a moment, and then nodded, as though he saw but was wary. “Alright. Just know the risk is high. You are putting yourself in the legal spotlight. And we know not who else is spying.

I gave a deep sigh and pressed the last submit button. My stomach turned in anticipation. The screen shuddered and in a couple of seconds an automated reply was received: Your copyright registration has been successfully registered.

I sighed, yet there was something that stopped me. There was the second line in the email, something I had never observed.

Note: Copyright request on the same works has been already lodged today.

I stood still with my fingers above the keyboard. I made a scroll downwards to the name of the claimant.

Ronan Blackwood.

I blinked.

I again stared at the screen, believing that there was some sort of mistake. But no—it was right there. His name, on record, purporting to have claimed the very same songs I had just made.

I glanced at him, and he did not alter his quiet, composed countenance. He didn’t flinch. Didn’t hesitate.

“You already filed?” I questioned, and I was sharper in my voice than I would have been otherwise.

Ronan went into the room and leaned against the desk, with his arms crossed. “I did,” he said simply. “I knew you’d want to move fast. I applied first, because somebody might have attempted to beat you to it--or because Liora had overheard of my intention, and attempted to guard herself.

A wave of relief and frustration passed through me and I exhaled. So you have been playing your game and mine had plans?

He shrugged. “I’m not stopping you. This however guarantees that when an individual learns about your filings, the system is already aware of the claim. It is impossible to be easily disputed by anyone.

I sat back in the chair, with my heart still racing. It was all going on so quick. Several forces were moving towards Liora and now Ronan had virtually provided me with a safety net. but it involved also that I must have had the utmost faith in him--and I did not like to leave any one in charge of me to so great extent, however much I might owe him.

This means, I said, with caution, that in the event that Liora and her team should attempt to file a counterclaim they will notice your name first. That buys me time.”

“Yes,” he said. “And time is what you need. You would have it be on your conditions, and not hers or anyone else.

I looked at the email message once more, the legal confirmation. The weight of it was enormous. One action had seen me claim ownership of all the songs that Liora had stolen. Provided that these allegations were true, the album would be shut down altogether. Revenge, my plan, was at hand as never before--but the danger of being discovered was great. Each move now proved to have repercussions and any misjudgment by each person could lead to a shift in the balance.

I shut the laptop and massaged my temples. “I can’t believe it,” I murmured. “Everything is moving at once… This and the article and the other claims, Adrian. It is as though the net is gathering around her on all sides.

Ronan nodded. “Exactly. This is why you need to be keen. Do not be confused by the clatter of things on your objective.

I rose and began to pace the room, and was excited and nervous. I have been thinking it over a long time, I said. All those days in that prison, all those embarrassing days, all those songs stolen away--I was getting ready. But this time it is going on at a faster rate than I had anticipated.

That is good, said Ronan placidly. The quicker it occurs the less time she is able to respond.

I ceased pacing, and stared at him. But we cannot afford to be careless. Another is evidently playing the same game. Whoever hacked my cloud previously, posted the anonymous claims, they could cause a mess when they do it before I am prepared.

Ronan tilted his head. Then we ensure that it does not happen. We control the timeline. You, me, and your submissions. Everything else? Let it fall into place.”

I sighed, and a wave of determination came over me. I had already made some initial movements, speeded up my plan, and made my legal claim. Liora could not guess what to expect, and in a short time, very short, she was going to suffer.

However, the last twist, the inclusion of the claim of Ronan, reminded me that allies could move the board in a certain way, which I did not fully comprehend yet. I must have moved very slowly, but with decisiveness.

I picked my phone again, and looked at my notifications to see whether it was moving. None, but a crawling consciousness crept into my heart. There were several involved players. And now I was certain: as soon as I should turn a step, the world would take note.

The voice of Ronan disturbed my mind. “Sleep soon. Tomorrow is a big day. All begin to move, and we must have you ready.

I nodded, and I was able to relax at last. My hand was hovering on the mouse, and it was about to open the next bunch of files, the next piece of evidence, the next step. My revenge was no longer a dream--it was something breathing and moving.

And it was unstoppable.

Until it was attempted to be controlled by another.

But right now… the trap was set.

And the initial segment was already in place.

The confirmation mail, the duplicate filing, the invisible players, they were all in the tightening web.

And I was prepared to pull the strings.