Chapter 3
1131words
The seed of doubt was now planted in Zachary Reed's mind—exactly as I'd planned.
It would grow roots, spread, and eventually choke out every last shred of his reason.
Instead of heading home, I made straight for the hospital.
The hospital corridors stood empty at this late hour, nothing but harsh fluorescent lights and the sharp sting of antiseptic in the air.
I kept vigil outside Vivian's room all night, unable to close my eyes.
My phone rang at dawn—Zachary.
I let it ring and ring before finally answering.
"Liv, baby, I'm so sorry." His voice was ragged, exhausted. "I was drunk. Tell me where you are—I'll come get you."
"Don't bother." My voice could have frozen hell. "We're done, Zachary."
"Don't say that, please. I know I screwed up." His words tumbled out desperately. "I've already fired Frank and Kevin—those backstabbing traitors. I swear I'll never doubt you again."
I had to bite back a laugh.
"Dealt with"? He'd just fired them—nothing more.
But for Zachary, losing his right-hand man and trusted driver was like amputating both arms.
Perfect.
"I don't want your apologies." I paused for effect. "I want you to schedule the surgery. Now. My sister's running out of time."
"Of course, of course—I'll make the calls right now." He was practically begging. "Just come home first. We need to talk in person. Please?"
I hung up without another word.
His panic would be eating him alive by now.
With enemies closing in from all sides, I was his only ally—his last proof that he wasn't completely alone.
Just as I predicted, within hours the hospital called to confirm the surgery for Monday.
Meanwhile, a scandal erupted across social media.
[BREAKING: Superstar Zachary Reed Fires Manager Frank Collins Over Massive Embezzlement and Industry Sabotage!]
The anonymous source included bank statements showing suspicious transfers between Frank and Kevin, along with damning text messages—all pointing the finger squarely at Frank.
Zachary's fanbase exploded with rage, bombarding Frank's social accounts with death threats and accusations of betrayal.
Zachary played his part perfectly—posting a raw, emotional statement about being stabbed in the back by someone he'd considered family. The sympathy poured in by the thousands.
In one masterful stroke, he'd redirected attention from his failing career to this juicy betrayal narrative.
#StandWithZachary started trending within the hour.
He'd transformed himself from potential villain to wounded hero overnight.
I scrolled through the coverage, my face betraying nothing.
Clever move, Zachary Reed.
But crossing me will be the last mistake you ever make.
The day before surgery, I visited our "kidney donor," Ethan Miller.
Zachary had him under lock and key in a private room. The kid looked worse than before—pale, twitchy, with dark circles under his eyes.
When he saw me, relief flooded his face like I was his guardian angel.
"Miss Shaw," he whispered, glancing nervously at the door, "is our deal still good?"
"Absolutely," I smiled reassuringly. "Just go to sleep tomorrow, and when you wake up, it'll be over. You'll get every penny I promised—no tricks."
His shoulders relaxed slightly at my words.
As I left the room, I spotted Zachary lurking at the end of the hallway.
He was chain-smoking against hospital policy, his face dark with worry.
He crushed out his cigarette when he saw me and strode over.
"Try not to worry about tomorrow," he said, reaching for my cheek. I flinched away from his touch.
His hand hung awkwardly in the air before dropping. His jaw tightened.
"Damn it, Liv. Are you still mad at me?"
"I'm focused on my sister right now," I said flatly.
After a tense silence, he pulled out a velvet box and flipped it open. A diamond necklace caught the harsh hospital lights, almost blindingly bright.
"Custom-made," he said, his voice softening to that manipulative purr I knew too well. "After your sister recovers, we'll set a wedding date. What do you say?"
Same old playbook.
Buy her off with shiny trinkets and empty promises.
I met his eyes directly. "Do you actually love me, Zachary?"
The question caught him off guard—his mask slipped for just a second.
"Of course I do," he answered too quickly, like an actor who'd forgotten to emote.
"Really?" I kept my voice gentle. "Because sometimes I think you don't love me at all. You love having a puppet who'll do whatever you want."
His expression hardened instantly. "What the hell is that supposed to mean?"
"Nothing," I turned away. "I need to check on Vivian."
I could feel his glare burning into my back as I walked away.
Whatever trust had existed between us was long dead.
He was only keeping me close because I was still useful.
And I was playing along, biding my time until I could send him straight to hell.
Surgery day arrived. I paced outside the operating room, my anxiety only half-feigned.
Zachary showed up too, hovering at my side, the picture of the concerned, supportive fiancé.
After what felt like an eternity, the OR light switched off.
The surgeon emerged, pulling down his mask, exhaustion and satisfaction written across his face.
"The surgery was successful."
Relief washed over me like a physical wave.
Zachary exhaled loudly, grabbing my hand. "Thank God, Liv."
I yanked my hand free and pressed against the window as they wheeled Vivian out.
She was still under anesthesia, but already her color looked better.
"Thank you," I said quietly to Zachary.
I meant those words.
Whatever his twisted motives, he had saved my sister's life.
"You don't need to thank me," he said, his voice uncharacteristically soft. "We're family now."
I brushed past him to follow my sister's gurney.
That night, the internet exploded.
[EXCLUSIVE: Zachary Reed Blackmails College Student into Selling Kidney! AUDIO PROOF INSIDE]
The article featured a full transcript of the recording I'd given Quinn Parker.
Every damning word between Ethan and me in that hotel room was now public knowledge.
The fallout was nuclear.
If the previous scandal had wounded Zachary's reputation, this one was a killing blow.
Blackmail. Human trafficking. Organ trading. Each accusation more damning than the last.
Public opinion turned on him like a rabid dog.
Yesterday's sympathy transformed into today's disgust.
#CancelZacharyReed shot to the top of every platform, an unstoppable tide of outrage.
Every brand he endorsed dropped him within hours.
His upcoming film was yanked from the release calendar.
When a king falls, everyone rushes to kick him.
Zachary Reed plummeted from Hollywood royalty to public enemy number one overnight.
His career was over.
[Main Quest Completed: Destroy Target's Reputation] The System's notification chimed in my mind.
I scrolled through the tsunami of hate comments, feeling strangely hollow.
This wasn't the end—not by a long shot.
