billion book
Chapter 51
Janie’s complexion shifted like the turbulent sea. Estrella, cool as a cucumber, reached into her bag, pulled out her smartphone, and flicked through the gallery before presenting it to Janie with a nudge. “Isn’t that Hunter in the photos?”
With a skeptical glance at Estrella, Janie took the phone, her fingers brushing against the cool screen.
“Just swipe left and right for more,” Estrella prompted with a hint of mischief in her voice.
Janie looked up, then back at the screen, her eyes scanning the images that would shatter her world. In a heartbeat, her face turned ghostly pale, and her body began to tremble, the phone in her quivering hand nearly slipping to the floor.
The photos depicted Hunter, strolling through town with Ruby, dining in quaint cafes, shopping for trinkets, and more importantly, with a pair of twin boys who looked about five or six years old. The images painted a picture-perfect portrait of a happy family of four.
Janie flicked through more photos, each one a knife into her heart – Hunter with Ruby, with her and the children, all taken in foreign lands. Her mind was a whirlwind of disbelief and betrayal.
Hunter and Ruby? Impossible. How could this be?
Ruby was more than just her best friend. She was Janie’s younger cousin, a decade. younger than her. Ruby was always so gentle, and willing to listen to Janie’s advice. Ruby had even claimed to be a die- hard bachelorette, swearing off marriage for life. Yet here she was, already having played house with Janie’s husband, coveting Janie’s very life..
With shaky hands, Janie turned to confront Ruby, who was also there, having been invited. to this fateful gathering.
Ruby, caught under Janie’s furious gaze, swallowed hard and asked with trepidation, “Janie, what’s wrong?”
The moment Ruby finished her question, Janie flung Estrella’s phone at her. “You home-wrecker, you bitch! To think I trusted you like a sister, and you… you seduce my husband. How could you betray me!”
Janie’s voice quivered with rage and disbelief.
Damita and the others were stunned, frozen in place until they snapped out of it and rushed to Janie’s side. “Janie, what’s going on? What happened?”
Paula, too, was beside herself with worry, grabbing hold of Janie. “Mom, what’s happening? You’re scaring me.”
Janie, barely able to control her trembling finger, pointed accusingly at Ruby. “This woman
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seduced your father, and they’ve had twins behind our backs!”
“Ruby, you won’t get away with this.” Janie spat out, her voice seething with venom.
The thought of Hunter’s betrayal, let alone with Ruby, was too much for Janie to bear. Even with her flair for drama, this revelation was beyond her control.
Paula, upon hearing her mother’s words, grabbed the discarded phone and, without a second thought, lunged at Ruby. “You bitch! I’ll tear you apart!”
The memory of her strange conversation with Estrella came flooding back, the cryptic hints about what she and her brother would inherit. Everything clicked into place.
“Paula, you have to listen to me. Let me explain!” Ruby pleaded, covering her face with her hands.
“Bitch! How could you do this to my mother?” Paula cried out, her anger mixing with her mother’s,
Janie, unable to swallow her pride, joined in, slapping Ruby across the face”
you or your sons off the hook, Ruby.”
will not let
“Through her tears, Ruby insisted, Janie, I never meant to hurt you. Hunter and I truly love each other. I never intended to break up your family. I was just envious of your happiness, and Hunter was such a good man. I only wanted to be a part of your lives.”
But her explanations only fanned the flames of Janie and Paula’s fury, and the beating intensified.
The onlookers, witnessing the chaos, hesitated to intervene, murmuring among themselves about Ruby’s betrayal and ingratitude. Only Damita remained calm, attempting to pull mother and daughter aside. Janie, Paula, whatever it is, can wait until after the Lamont Corporation’s annual gala.”
But Janie and Paula were beyond reason, blinded by their rage as they continued to unleash their fury on Ruby. Their commotion drew the attention of the entire assembly, turning the gala into a spectacle. The press, sensing a story juicier than any corporate announcement, turned their lenses toward the unfolding drama..
Damita, realizing the situation was spiraling out of control, sent Melinda to fetch Hunter
and Erin.
Hunter and Erin arrived to a scene of chaos, pulling the brawling family members apart. Erin, with a face like thunder, barked, “Can’t this wait until after the celebration? Must you ruin tonight’s event?”
He had been wary of Estrella causing a stir, but instead, it was Janie and Paula who had lost their composure.
Paula, tears staining her cheeks, turned to Erin, “Ein, this woman seduced Dad! She even had twins with him.”
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Erin’s face darkened with fury, but he composed himself, sternly saying, “We will discuss this at home.”
With Erin and Hunter’s intervention, the drama concluded as abruptly as it had begun. But. the damage was done. The Lamont family’s festive night ended in shambles, their dirty laundry aired for all to see, thanks to the unstoppable tide of gossip flooding social media.
Estrella, humming a tune and accompanied by Jesse and her parents, descended the stairs, a spring in her step.
Witnessing Estrelle’s satisfaction, Autumn scolded her. “I knew it. You were up to no good. Look at the mes
you’ve made of the Lamont family’s celebration. Indeed, Estrella had promised a surprise, and she had delivered nothing short of a bombshell.
Estrella sighed, the exasperation clear in her voice. “Mom, I swear this has nothing to do with me. I didn’t push Hunter to chase skirts, nor did I egg Janie and Paula on to throw punches. As a lawyer, I’m all about letting the truth shine for everyone to see.”
Autumn shot back, her tone a mix of weariness and frustration, “Whatever you say, you’re always right. I can’t win against you.”
From the sidelines, Jesse chimed in, trying to bring peace to the fray. “Estrella’s in the clear tonight. Besides, it was Janie and Paula who started poking the bear. If there’s any blame to pass around, it’s on them for not keeping their cool.”
Estrella had Janie and Paula’s number, alright. She didn’t need to lift a finger to make the Lamonts the talk of the town. Those two were doing a bang-up job all on their own.
Autumn thought about it and realized that it was indeed the case. Estrella provided them with evidence, and how this matter would unfold and conclude was entirely up to them.
As the group made their way to the parking lot, Estrella’s phone erupted from her bag. She fished out the device, her face clouding over as she checked the screen.