CHAPTER 66: ISN’T THIS A PERFECT OPPORTUNITY?

Meanwhile, back at the Ashford mansion, Lucian, Theo, Callum, Damien, and their parents were standing just a few meters away from the mansion gate, their gazes fixed on the entrance, waiting anxiously for Victoria and Mirabel to walk through it.

"Just what is taking them so long?" Callum murmured to himself, his hands clasped tightly together in a prayer-like position. "They’re both not even picking up their calls."

"You should try to calm down, Callum," Theo said, exhaling heavily as he rubbed the back of his neck. "Damien went over to the Three Alphas’ mansion. Our sisters will be back soon." He paused, his brows furrowed with unease. "But what the hell is taking them so long? Damien’s no longer answering either, and he said he’d already arrived. Should we just go over there?"

"That’s a good idea," Lucian said firmly, his voice laced with concern. "I don’t believe Victoria and Mirabel would decide to spend the night there. Even if that were the case, it would only be Mirabel. Not Victoria. They should at least pick up their calls. But since they’re not... then something’s definitely wrong." He sighed, frustration and worry heavy in his tone. "Anyway, let’s go."

Without waiting for a reply, Lucian began walking toward the gate, with Callum and Theo trailing closely behind.

"Make sure you all come back home with them," Mr. Ashford instructed, his voice sharp with authority.

But just as the three brothers were about to step past the gate, it swung open abruptly, revealing Damien standing there.

"You’re back!" Mr. and Mrs. Ashford, along with Lucian, Callum, and Theo, exclaimed in unison. They rushed toward Damien, surrounding him instantly, their eyes filled with questions and worry. Their gazes flickered toward the gate, hoping to see Victoria and Mirabel follow behind but they were nowhere in sight.

"Where are they?" Theo was the first to ask, panic creeping into his voice. "Why aren’t Victoria and Mirabel with you?"

"They’re in the Alphas’ dungeon," came Mirabel’s voice as she stepped into view behind Damien.

Everyone turned sharply to face her.

"Victoria and her bodyguard were detained," Mirabel continued, her voice sharp with tension. "Apparently, her bodyguard had the nerve to kiss Anna. Darius saw it and took it as a sign of disrespect. He later ordered Anna to be examined...he suspects the bodyguard has a hidden agenda and is convinced Victoria put him up to it."

"What?" Callum snapped, his fists clenching at his sides. "Are you serious? And what exactly is the issue now? Are the tests not done yet? And why the hell would Victoria have a hidden agenda? Are the Alphas really that dumb? She just met Anna for the first time today. Where would she even find the time to plot something that sinister?"

"Victoria may have just met Anna, yes," Mirabel responded, her tone growing colder, "but the bodyguard assigned to her by the three of you, ...already knew about Anna. That same bodyguard has been abused by the Alphas countless times. That’s why he stopped accompanying Theo to school in the first place."

She turned to Theo, her eyes sharp and accusing. "Remember how he was ridiculed, beaten down before? Even if Victoria didn’t know about his actions or didn’t give him any instructions...the fact remains that he’s now under her protection. And he dragged her into this. If he had just remained the quiet, invisible bodyguard he once was, none of this would have happened. But now, he’s put the entire Ashford family in jeopardy."

"Just what exactly is going on?" Mr. Ashford asked, his voice tight with panic. "What’s the result of the test?"

"It’s not out yet," Mirabel replied with a heavy sigh. "If it comes back negative, they’ll both be released. But if it comes back positive and proves Anna was poisoned... then our entire Ashford family could be implicated."

"Damn it!" Callum cursed, slamming his fist against the mansion gate wall in frustration. "Let’s just go over there. We should be by Victoria’s side!"

"There’s no point," Damien interjected, stepping in front of him with a grim expression. "No one is being allowed in. We just have to wait until tomorrow and hope the results come out in her favor."

He looked around at all of them, his voice laced with determination and quiet resolve. "But listen....if the result comes out positive, I swear I’ll do everything in my power to make sure the Ashford family isn’t dragged into this. That much I promise. But for now... calm down. Victoria will be out by tomorrow. We just need to have faith."

***

In an underground basement, the air was thick with moisture and the stench of rot. The walls were old and crumbling, patches of moss and green mold spreading across the cracks like veins. The stone floor was cold beneath the soles, and the dim lighting made the dungeon feel even more suffocating.

Victoria sat stiffly on the narrow bench inside the cell. Despite its large size, the dungeon was designed to isolate prisoners, with only a handful of cells, each built to hold no more than one or two individuals. Unfortunately, this time, she and Leo were the lucky pair sharing one.

She stared at him with disbelief and rising fury.

"Just what is your plan, Leo?" Victoria asked sharply, her eyes narrowing as she struggled to contain the storm building inside her. She had asked him this question over and over, yet still, he remained maddeningly silent until now.

"I told you to relax, Victoria," Leo finally replied, nonchalant, as he took a bite from a hamburger....one he had smugly retrieved from a hidden compartment inside the locket Victoria always wore. "I’ve got everything under control. The reason we’re in this dungeon is simple.... it buys us time. That tracker we embedded into the mansion....it’s working. It needs time to collect all the information we need. And being locked up here gives us the perfect cover."

Victoria stared at him like he’d lost his mind.

"What are you even saying?" she snapped, her voice rising in anger. "The Alphas suddenly accused you of poisoning just because you kissed Anna. Even if this was just a scare tactic to pressure my family, what about everyone else? You think they’ll all just sit back and watch? This is the perfect excuse for our enemies to pounce and destroy the Ashford name."

She stood, pacing now, her movements restless and full of fury.

"All it would take is one move, Leo....just one. Someone could actually poison Anna for real, just to make it look like we’re guilty! Do you understand that?" Her voice cracked slightly. "And the worst part? What if someone wants her dead just so the Alphas turn against me and my family?"

She turned to face him, her chest rising and falling rapidly. "Do you even realize that someone like Nicole would do that? Or don’t you know what she’s capable of?"

Leo finally looked up, his expression more serious now. He wiped his fingers with a napkin and leaned back slightly against the cell wall, exhaling loudly.

"Why don’t you calm down for a second, Victoria?" he said, arching an eyebrow. "I know Nicole and Mirabel made your life a nightmare. I know what they did. But let’s get one thing straight....Nicole never knew about your blood. Mirabel kept that secret from her, even though they were best friends. You were secretly sold to the Academy Council because someone discovered your blood’s ability to heal. You saved someone with it....that was what led to your downfall."

His voice dropped lower, more intense now.

"But you’ve been reborn, Victoria. This is a second chance. Even if you and Mirabel are enemies now, do you honestly think she’d let the Alphas discover your secret again? Do you really think your family would stay silent after what the Alphas did to them before?"

He leaned forward now, his tone resolute.

"You being in this dungeon is torturing them more than it is you. And if anyone remembers the first life...any of them....they won’t let you stay here a moment longer than necessary."

Victoria’s hands balled into fists at her sides. Her heart pounded. She wanted to believe him. She needed to. But her instincts screamed caution.

Leo continued, as if reading her inner conflict.

"And yes, Nicole is Mirabel’s best friend," he said quietly. "But that’s exactly why she won’t act rashly. Because if she does, it won’t just bring you down....it’ll drag Mirabel down too, and by extension, the entire Ashford family. I know this looks like a perfect opportunity to strike, but it’s too risky. They know it. Which is why...for now...they won’t make a move."

He took another bite of the hamburger and chewed slowly, then added with quiet confidence, "Just wait, Victoria. We’ll be released soon. And when we are, you’ll see things will begin to change."

"What do you mean?" she asked warily, narrowing her eyes.

Your brothers," Leo said, locking eyes with her. "This incident is only going to pull them even closer to you. They already love you and go out of their way to protect you, but after this? That affection will only intensify. Maybe they’re acting on instinct, maybe it’s guilt, or maybe it’s because they genuinely want to protect you....as someone important, someone they’ve failed before. Or perhaps they see you as a precious treasure they can’t afford to lose again. I can’t say for certain which one it is..."