Chapter 9: A Plot Within a Plot
1218words
"I'm fine," I replied flatly, stepping aside to let her in.
"What happened?" she asked, settling onto my couch and taking my hand in hers. "How did things fall apart with Richard so suddenly?"
I feigned heartbreak. "I discovered he was only dating me to get close to my father's company."
"What?" Sophie's eyes widened in manufactured shock. "That's impossible! He's crazy about you!"
"It's true," I sighed heavily. "And I think there's another woman involved."
Sophie's expression flickered momentarily before she regained control. "Who? Do you have proof?"
"Nothing concrete, just intuition," I said vaguely. "By the way, how well do you actually know Richard?"
"Barely at all. Just casual acquaintances," she lied smoothly. "Why do you ask?"
"No reason. Just wondering." I stood up. "I'll get us some tea."
In the kitchen, I crushed two mild sleeping tablets into Sophie's cup—not enough to knock her out completely, just sufficient to lower her defenses. I returned and handed her the doctored tea.
"Thanks." She took a sip. "Emily, don't let this crush you. Breakups happen—it's not the end of the world."
"I know," I said with feigned resilience. "I just feel so betrayed."
"Men are all the same," Sophie said, patting my hand. "They're not worth your tears."
We continued talking, and gradually I noticed Sophie's eyelids growing heavy. The medication was beginning to work.
"Sophie," I said, abruptly changing topics, "did you know Richard is James Montgomery's illegitimate son?"
She blinked in surprise before nodding. "I've heard whispers about that."
"Then do you understand why he's so desperate to prove himself?"
"Probably wants Daddy's approval," she replied, her words beginning to slur slightly.
"Is that right?" I leaned forward. "And do you know why he pushed so hard for that supplementary clause that would have hurt my father's company?"
Sophie's expression grew guarded despite her drowsiness. "I have no idea what you mean."
"Drop the act, Sophie," I said coldly. "I know about you and Richard. You've been working together this whole time, using me to infiltrate my father's business."
"That's ridiculous!" She tried to stand but swayed dangerously, grabbing the sofa for support. "What... what did you put in my drink?"
"Just something to help you relax," I replied evenly. "Now, tell me the truth. How long have you and Richard been together?"
Sophie struggled to maintain her composure, but the drug was steadily eroding her resistance. "You... you're talking nonsense..."
"I know everything, Sophie." I pulled out my phone and played a recording of Richard's voice: "Sophie is my inside person. She'll help me access internal information from the Reed family."
The recording was completely fabricated—created with voice synthesis technology—but its impact was instantaneous.
Sophie's face drained of color. "That's... that's not real!"
"No?" I raised an eyebrow. "Then explain why you tried to access my father's phone and briefcase twice last night. And why your sudden interest in William Montgomery?"
Panic flashed across Sophie's face as the combination of drugs and psychological pressure began to crack her facade. "I... I was just doing what he asked..."
"So you admit it," I pressed, moving in for the kill.
"No! I didn't!" She fought through the fog, realizing her slip. "Emily, you've got it all wrong. Richard and I are just friends."
"Enough games, Sophie." I stood up, towering over her. "It's over. I have enough evidence to prove you and Richard conspired against me. If you don't want it made public, tell me everything. Now."
Sophie wrestled with herself briefly before collapsing under the combined weight of the sedative and my pressure. "Fine... yes, Richard and I are together. He approached you to get to your father's company and prove himself to James."
"What was the full plan?"
"Use you to get inside information on Reed Technologies, then exploit contract loopholes to manufacture a financial scandal that would devastate your family." Sophie's voice grew fainter. "Richard would step in as the 'hero,' earning James Montgomery's approval..."
"And then?"
"Then... he'd dump you... we'd be together officially..." Sophie's eyelids fluttered and finally closed as she slipped into a semi-conscious state.
I laughed coldly and stopped the recording app on my phone. This recording—unlike the fake one I'd played earlier—was completely genuine, capturing Sophie's entire confession.
I called a taxi and helped the barely conscious Sophie into it. Before sending her off, I administered a small dose of a counteractive drug—enough to ensure she'd forget our conversation but remember we'd spent the evening together.
Back in my apartment, I immediately sent William the recording of Sophie's confession: "Mission accomplished. Sophie confessed everything."
William's reply came almost instantly: "Excellent work. Richard will receive a special 'gift' tomorrow."
I allowed myself a small smile. Richard and Sophie's conspiracy was exposed, and now the tables would turn.
The next morning, my phone rang with Dad's call: "Emily, we have a serious situation at the company!"
"What's happened?" I asked, instantly alert.
"Someone's leaked allegations to the media claiming we falsified financial records and misappropriated funds," Dad said, his voice tight with fury. "There's a media circus outside our headquarters!"
My stomach dropped. This was Richard's counterattack—knowing he'd been exposed, he'd decided to strike first with false accusations.
"Dad, stay calm," I said with more confidence than I felt. "We have comprehensive financial records and independent audits that prove our innocence."
"The problem is they're citing internal documents that look incredibly authentic," Dad said anxiously. "If we can't refute this quickly, our reputation could be irreparably damaged."
"I'm on my way," I said, hanging up and rushing to change.
Just as I reached for the door, my phone rang. William Montgomery: "Seen the news? Richard's handiwork, of course."
"Yes," I replied tersely. "I'm heading to the office now."
"No need," William's response caught me off guard. "Just wait for the show to unfold."
Though confused, I decided to trust him. An hour later, the story dramatically shifted: a major news outlet published an explosive exposé revealing the truth—the documents had been deliberately fabricated to frame Reed Technologies. Even more damning, they provided irrefutable evidence tracing the forgeries back to Montgomery Enterprises.
I immediately understood William's "gift." He hadn't just neutralized Richard's attack—he'd completely reversed it, putting Richard in an even more precarious position.
That afternoon, Dad called again, sounding vastly relieved: "Crisis averted! James Montgomery himself called to apologize and promised a thorough investigation with severe consequences for those responsible."
"That's wonderful news," I said, feeling the tension drain from my shoulders.
"There's more," Dad continued. "James specifically requested your presence at tomorrow's board meeting. He has an important announcement to make."
"Me?" I asked, genuinely surprised. "Why would he want me there?"
"I'm as puzzled as you are," Dad admitted. "But he was quite insistent about it."
After hanging up, my phone chimed with a text from William: "Ready for a surprise?"
I typed back: "What kind of surprise?"
"You'll see tomorrow," came his cryptic reply.
My mind raced with questions. Why would James Montgomery want me at a board meeting? What was this surprise William hinted at? It seemed the long-buried secrets between our families were finally about to surface.
