Chapter 122:
Austin’s gaze was unflinching as he replied, “I don’t believe in leaving debts unpaid.
And I have questions—questions only you can answer.” His voice carried a quiet authority, one that dismissed any thought of refusal.
The murmurs around them grew louder as the crowd’s curiosity reached its peak. Yelena sighed, feeling the weight of their stares. “Fine. Let’s just get this over with.”
She climbed into the car, her movements careful and deliberate, and Austin followed close behind.
Inside, the space was undeniably opulent, but his presence seemed to fill it entirely, leaving her feeling hemmed in.
His long legs stretched out comfortably, yet Yelena sat stiffly, turning her gaze to the window to avoid the intensity of his eyes. As the car pulled away, the whispers and exclamations from the crowd faded into the background.
“Bella!” Madonna’s voice was brimming with disbelief as she nudged her friend. “Wasn’t that Yelena just now? Getting into that car? And not just any car—a Rolls-Royce Phantom! When did your family get something like that?”
Bella hesitated, her expression darkening as a plan began to form in her mind. She had finally caught Yelena red-handed! From her vantage point, Bella couldn’t see the man’s face clearly—his back was to the crowd—but it didn’t matter. Yelena was obviously involved with someone rich. This time, there would be no room for Yelena to wiggle out of it.
Swiftly, Bella pulled out her phone and snapped a photo of Yelena stepping into the car.
The image was crisp, undeniable proof—or at least enough to spin a narrative.
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Bella glanced at the luxury vehicle as it disappeared down the road, her lips curling into a satisfied smirk.
“Actually, that’s not my family’s car,” Bella said, her voice light but calculated. “I think Yelena might have made a new friend. I’ve seen a car like that dropping her off at home before, too.”
Madonna’s eyes widened in shock. “Wait, are you saying she’s got a boyfriend? And he’s loaded?”
“I really don’t know,” Bella said, her tone laced with feigned innocence. “But if Yelena did have a boyfriend, don’t you think she’d tell the family? Instead, she keeps denying it. I even heard her say the guy was just an Uber driver.”
Madonna frowned, her mind already working to fill in the blanks. “Why would she deny it? Unless… he’s someone she shouldn’t be seen with? What if he’s married or something?”
Bella, sensing victory, chose to stay quiet, letting Madonna’s thoughts spiral unchecked. Silence was her weapon—if Yelena confronted her later, Bella could easily claim she’d never said anything outright.
Madonna shook her head in disapproval. “Honestly, how scandalous! Who knows what kind of mess she’s gotten herself into.”
Bella merely smiled, the picture on her phone a silent trophy. Once again, she felt like she had the upper hand.
The car ride was steeped in silence, with neither Yelena nor Austin speaking. Yet the quiet wasn’t calming—it was charged, weighed down by the sheer presence Austin carried. Yelena couldn’t help but notice how imposing he was. He sat there, unmoving, like a lion at rest—not roaring, not baring its teeth, but radiating a power that demanded attention. He didn’t need to say or do anything to dominate the space; his presence alone was enough.
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