Chương 9: Unraveling Deception

Astra emerged gracefully from the car, her footsteps echoing lightly on the pathway as she approached the imposing front door.

With each step, a surge of nerves coursed through her veins, intensifying the closer she drew to her destination. She inhaled deeply, attempting to steady herself before pressing the doorbell with a delicate touch.

Barely a heartbeat later, the door swung open, revealing the familiar figure of the butler. His face lit up in genuine delight upon seeing Astra standing there.

"Young mistress, how are you?" he inquired, his voice warm and welcoming.

Astra returned the butler's smile, a mixture of apprehension and anticipation tugging at her lips. "I'm okay, uncle. How have you been?"

His eyes crinkled with affection as he responded, "I missed you; your grandmother did too."

Astra's smile softened into a bittersweet expression. "I missed you guys too. Is she having breakfast?"

"Indeed, she is," the butler affirmed, leading Astra into the luxurious mansion. Guiding her through the opulent corridors, he finally ushered her into the grand dining room.

Astra's gaze swept across the elegant expanse of the room, finally coming to rest upon the regal figure seated at the head of the table – Camila, her beloved grandmother.

Seventy years old, yet possessed of an ageless beauty that seemed to defy time itself. Strands of blonde hair cascaded like spun gold, framing a face that bore the weight of countless experiences, a testament to the wisdom of decades lived.

As her eyes locked onto Camila's striking blue orbs, Astra's heart swelled with a mix of reverence and affection.

Her grandmother was a living embodiment of grace, an exquisite presence that held the power to captivate anyone's attention.

The aura of youthful vibrancy that enveloped Camila was striking, making her seem more like an elder sister than a grandmother.

Her innate elegance and refined demeanor were flawlessly complemented by her tasteful attire, each ensemble meticulously chosen to emanate an air of sophistication.

Camila's sartorial choices were a testament to her timeless allure – a fusion of past and present, seamlessly blending ageless elegance with contemporary charm.

Astra found herself in awe of the way her grandmother effortlessly straddled the realms of tradition and modernity.

In a world where humans commonly lived up to 450 years, it was a peculiar experience for one's elder relatives to resemble more a big sister than a grandmother.

Astra recognized the blessing that their extended lifespans brought. Gone were the days of fleeting existence, replaced by the promise of a life well-lived.

While the past had seen humans confined to a mere 105 years, the present allowed for a richer tapestry of experiences, an opportunity to savor moments that would have once been considered fleeting.

As Astra gazed upon her grandmother, a mix of emotions swirled within her – gratitude for the longevity they enjoyed, nostalgia for the bonds they shared, and guilt for severing ties with her.

The butler's voice reverberated through the corridor as he announced, "Master, the young mistress is here."

With a graceful bow, the butler discreetly closed the heavy door, leaving Camilla's gaze fixed on the entrance. Her eyes met Astra's, and at that moment, she sensed the palpable nervousness that had settled upon her granddaughter's shoulders.

Astra's hesitant steps carried her closer until she knelt before Camilla, performing three reverent kowtows as a gesture of humility and respect.

Remaining on her knees, Astra's gaze remained locked onto Camilla's, her expression a blend of remorse and determination. "I'm sorry. I know now that everything you said was the truth. I should've listened to you instead of cutting you out of my life."

Astra's voice wavered with genuine contrition as she continued, her eyes briefly lowering. "I'll do whatever I need to earn your forgiveness."

Camilla's heart ached at the sight of her granddaughter's vulnerability, the weight of past decisions etched onto Astra's features.

"Rise," Camilla's voice was gentle yet firm, coaxing Astra to her feet.

But Astra hesitated, remaining on her knees, her gaze fixed downward. Camilla, a picture of grace, stood up from her seat and extended her hand to Astra, her touch offering support and solace.

With Camilla's assistance, Astra slowly rose, her eyes glistening with unshed tears, emotions threatening to spill over.

A tender smile curved Camilla's lips as she regarded Astra, her voice imbued with understanding and compassion. "You don't need to earn my forgiveness, dear."

Astra blinked in surprise, the weight of her guilt momentarily lifted by Camilla's words. As the realization settled in, Camilla continued, her voice carrying the weight of years of wisdom and experience. "You had just lost your mother, and all you had left was your father. It's normal that you defended him, especially after your mother made you promise to take care of him."

Astra's breath hitched, the memories of that pivotal moment resurfacing with clarity. Astra's mind was a whirlwind of emotions, caught in a storm of revelation and realization.

Her grandmother's knowledge left her stunned; the fact that Camilla knew the truth resonated with her in ways she couldn't fully comprehend.

She swallowed the lump in her throat, the weight of her own denial and the raw honesty of her confession hanging heavy in the air.

"Deep down, I knew that Silas had become someone else and that all he cared about was his new family," Astra's voice trembled with a mixture of vulnerability and regret, "but I was in denial."

Camilla regarded Astra with a mixture of compassion and concern, her eyes reflecting the depth of her understanding.

As she settled into her seat, she leaned forward slightly, her gaze a gentle invitation for Astra to share more. "What happened?"

Astra's heart raced as she handed her cell phone to Camilla, the video playing out the painful truth that had been hidden from her grandmother's eyes.

Camilla's expression shifted, her eyes darkening with each passing moment as the gravity of the situation unfolded before her.

When the video reached its heart-wrenching conclusion, Camilla's hands clenched into fists, the anger and protectiveness emanating from her every fiber.

Pushing back her chair, Camilla rose with a steely resolve, an ominous edge to her words. "I'm going to kill that bastard for daring to lay a hand on you, for a whore and a filthy liar."

Astra's heart raced, a mix of fear and desperation urging her to intervene before Camilla's anger spiraled out of control.

She moved swiftly, positioning herself in Camilla's path, her voice laced with urgency. "What are you doing?"

Camilla's words dripped with venom, an unfamiliar edge to her tone that sent a shiver down Astra's spine. "I'm going to kill that bastard…"

In that charged moment, Astra knew she had to redirect Camilla's attention to quell the fire of vengeance before it consumed them both. Her voice trembled, but her determination was resolute as she implored, "Don't go; just listen to me first. There is so much I need to tell you."

Astra's words hung in the air; the tense silence that followed seemed to stretch indefinitely. Slowly, Camilla eased back, her rage subsiding, but her curiosity piqued.

Astra's heart ached with relief as she seized the opportunity to bridge the gap, to share the hidden truths that had been buried beneath layers of pain.

With cautious steps, Astra moved closer, her voice a fragile plea. "It's important, life and death important."

Camilla's tension gradually eased, her body settling back into the chair she had risen from. Astra's shoulders sagged as she released a breath she hadn't realized she was holding. As Camilla regained her seat, Astra felt a renewed surge of determination.

Taking a steadying breath, Astra began to unravel the intricate web that had ensnared their lives. "Sophia and Silas' meeting wasn't random. It was orchestrated."

Camilla's brow furrowed, her curiosity now thoroughly piqued. Astra seized the moment to shed light on the shadows that had haunted them. "Didn't you think that it was a big coincidence that of all the things Violet could study after high school, she specialized in architecture?"

Camilla's response was contemplative, her words a measured acknowledgment of the strange twist of fate lingering in the background. "It is."

Astra's words flowed with urgency and revelation, each syllable unraveling a meticulously woven tapestry of deception and manipulation.

"It's because she and her mother have been preparing for the past three years," Astra's tone carried the weight of unveiled truth, her words casting light on the calculated scheme in motion. "As soon as Violet wasn't a minor anymore, her father stopped paying child support since he wasn't obligated to. Sophia saw the Architectural Digest cover of Silas and my mother a few days later and decided to seduce him."

Camilla's expression shifted from curiosity to disbelief, her features a canvas of astonishment as she absorbed the sinister plot that had been unveiled.

The magnitude of Sophia and Violet's malevolent intent was beyond anything she had anticipated, and a chilling realization crept over her.

"She knew that Silas would easily fall for her as he had before," Astra's voice held a note of resignation, a stark reminder of the depths to which their enemy would stoop. "She was planning to get rid of my mother once Violet graduated, but mother fell sick. She bided her time until she passed. A week later, she pretended to bump into Silas and convinced him to marry and hire Violet."

Camilla's mind raced to catch up with the revelations, her thoughts a whirlwind of shock and indignation.

The sheer audacity of the plan, the lengths to which Sophia and Violet had gone, unfolded before her eyes, leaving her utterly incredulous.

"During those three years," Astra's voice held a mix of exasperation and revelation, "Violet strategically befriended the idiotic Solaris Twins, leveraging their misguided support as a means to secure a formidable ally. And then, with a calculated move, she ensnared Alexander, using her charm to manipulate his affections."

The gravity of Violet's cunning maneuverings was laid bare, the intricate web of alliances and calculated moves coming to light.

"With the backing of the Solaris twins during the meeting with them for their newest project," Astra's tone turned somber, her words painting a picture of calculated power play, "Violet intends to cement her influence even further on the board of directors. Silas, blinded by his own short-sighted judgments, has been singing her praises to the shareholders. This misguided show of support only strengthens her position."

Astra's words resonated with a quiet frustration, as if the pieces of an evil puzzle were finally falling into place. Camilla's fingers tightened slightly on the armrest of her chair, her gaze unwavering as she hung onto every revelation.

"As the impending merger looms closer," Astra's voice held a note of urgency, her words punctuated by the tension that had gripped their lives, "Violet knows that her conniving mother will wield her influence over Silas, coaxing him into a decision that would oust me from the equation. And once I'm out of the picture, Violet's ascent would be nearly seamless."

The room seemed to resonate with the gravity of Astra's words, the shadows of deceit and ambition cast against the walls. Camilla's eyes, a mirror to the turmoil of emotions swirling within her, held a steely determination.

"With the unwavering support of the board of directors," Astra's voice rose with a mixture of resolve and apprehension, "Violet would effortlessly ascend to the position of president within Orian Arch."

Only through the lens of rebirth, Astra's perspective shifted, revealing the harsh reality that had eluded her before.

It became painfully clear that Sophia and Violet had orchestrated a meticulously planned assault on their lives, spanning three long years.

Astra's realization when she was back in time was akin to a piercing light cutting through the shroud of deceit that had veiled their intentions. She never stood a chance.

Driven by a voracious hunger for luxury and power, Sophia and Violet displayed an unwavering willingness to manipulate, deceive, and claw their way to the top.

The depths of their ambition were matched only by the darkness of their methods, leaving no moral boundary unbreached.

Yet, amidst the shadows of their treacherous intentions, Astra's resolve burned like a beacon of justice.

She had emerged from the ashes of naivety, armed with a newfound clarity and strength. The path of retribution lay before her, a road she was prepared to tread with unyielding determination.

Before the final reckoning, Astra was determined to impart a profound and unforgettable lesson upon Sophia and Violet.

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