Chapter 50: Blackmail
Carmen’s POV
Vale was still standing on the podium as I rapidly blinked, trying to get my eyes to adjust to the light. The governor was surrounded on all sides by his aides, like a human brick wall that couldn’t be broken down.
Vale looked annoyed, though he hid it pretty well behind a smile, as the host of the event hurriedly walked up to the podium and grabbed the mic for a moment.
"We apologize for the inconvenience that has occurred. It was a technical glitch that has now been fixed and will not happen again," she promised, though the fearful look in her eyes betrayed her words.
The governor was here, and they had messed up. Their reputation was on the line, and it would take a lot of press maneuvering to make sure the media didn’t eat them alive.
Moreover, the other high-ranking people in the room didn’t seem to be taking the technical glitch in stride either. They were pissed, even though they masked it beneath polite smiles.
"This has never happened before in the history of a hotel," she continued, "...and I guess, as humans, we will always be prone to mistakes," she enunciated carefully, trying to downplay it as a one-time error.
The governor was still surrounded by his aides, but unlike before, it no longer seemed like they were trying to push him toward the main entrance of the hall.
"Please... the event has only just begun. Enjoy it," she implored, flashing a grand, almost seductive smile that could charm not only men but women too.
"The donation segment will take place right after," she added, handing the mic over to Vale, who would speak for a few minutes before they moved on.
But just as she handed the mic to Vale, the lights suddenly flickered off again.
The gasps this time were more subdued, yet just as shocked as before.
I shook my head, wondering if Nico’s plan was to give the host a heart attack before he took the man he wanted.
Again, most of the shouting came from the direction of the hall where the governor stood, as his aides scrambled to protect him.
It was clear they no longer cared whether the lights came back on, as they immediately began leading the governor out of the building—someone somehow producing a large enough lamp to light the way.
The governor was leaving, heading toward the exit, and I had just turned my gaze back to the podium when I realized that Vale was gone.
Did he leave too? was my first thought, only for my eyes to widen as realization struck.
Of course. That was Nico’s plan.
With the governor leaving at the same time, no one would think twice about Vale disappearing too.
I was impressed. I couldn’t help it as I stared at the now-empty podium through the darkness.
No one stood on it—but maybe he had simply stepped down.
The lights flickered back on, and it became obvious that Vale was nowhere to be found, along with some of the men who had been with him.
The host looked like she was about to faint, and it was only her years of experience that kept her upright as she returned to the podium, her back straight and a soft, practiced smile on her face.
"The governor has been called away for an important meeting, and Marken Vale had to accompany him," she said, piecing together a believable explanation as she continued speaking—delivering a speech about how they would proceed in their absence because it was the noble thing to do.
Some people were more annoyed than others, but no one made a scene.
I stood there with a drink in my hand, though I didn’t dare take a sip.
I was bored. The interesting part was over, and all I wanted was to meet up with Nico and find out what would happen next—but I didn’t even know where he was.
Hopefully Vale is as important as he thinks, I thought, a bit worried about what would happen once everyone realized he was missing.
Did I worry that he would end up dead?
No.
I didn’t have the luxury of worrying about other people. If whoever he was connected to was as dangerous as I suspected, then the assassination attempts would only get worse.
I stood there, listening as the host went on about the security of the event before transitioning into the donation segment of the gala.
I had just zoned out, standing idly on my feet, when I heard footsteps approaching me—which was strange, since everyone else remained still, preparing to let their money speak for how much access—and favors—they would get.
At first, I assumed it was Aran, only to glance sideways and see Bianca standing right beside me, a soft smile on her face.
"Hello!" she beamed, and it took everything in me to smile back like I meant it.
She wore a red dress that accentuated her curves, and her black hair was styled into soft curls pinned elegantly atop her head.
"Bianca," I responded with a polite smile that didn’t reach my eyes.
She held a glass of red wine, her lips painted a matching shade. She looked magnificent—her face carrying those soft, innocent, almost Asian-like features.
I felt a flicker of jealousy as I turned my gaze back to the podium, only for her to pass a small folder to me.
I hesitated for a moment, debating whether or not to take it—but I did.
Curiosity got the better of me. It wasn’t like she could hide a literal bomb inside it.
I took what felt like a slightly larger envelope and opened it.
Only to freeze.
Inside were pictures—clear, detailed images of Nico and me kissing in the hospital parking lot, and even at the restaurants where he had kissed me.
They were vivid. Intimate. His hands on me, his lips pressed against mine—there was no doubt about what we were doing or what we intended to do next.
How she managed to get such pictures without Nico noticing was one thing.
Why she brought them here to show me was another.
"People kiss. We’re adults," I said, keeping my tone as light as possible, even though my heart pounded wildly in my chest.
Rumors were one thing.
But having the media confirm that I was sleeping with my stepbrother—who he still legally was—was something entirely different.
Bianca chuckled softly, like she knew something I didn’t.
"We both know that by the time I’m done arranging the story, the media will hate you..." she whispered, making sure no one else could hear.
"Heck... if I remember correctly, your father is actually Nico’s father too—which makes him your half-brother," she added.
The words hit before I could stop them.
"Liar!!" I snapped harshly, anger surging beneath my skin.
She only looked at me calmly, as though I were nothing more than a child throwing a tantrum.
"Your father was never faithful while he was married to your mother. Not even a little. Why do you think he married me so quickly—even though I already had a child—the moment she died?" she said.
I couldn’t help but seethe, my composure slipping.
My mind screamed that she was lying.
But at the same time...
It was a possibility I had already considered.
