When Liam received the news, he rushed to find me, his fear written all over his face.
"Lana, why? Are you going to do this to me too?" His eyes were full of doubt.
I smiled and shook my head. "You're not like them. It's just that…"
"Just what?"
I blinked, red eyes starting to form. "Niko found out my secret. I had no choice but to listen to him."
Liam was stunned. "That was Big Brother's idea?"
"Don't ask. And don't come find me again. I don't want you to get hurt."
I pushed him out, closing the door behind me.
Outside, Liam anxiously shouted, "Lana, clear things up! What secret? Tell me!"
I calmly sipped my hot tea as I watched Liam pound on the door.
After no response, he left with one last comment: "You wait for me."
I blew on my steaming tea, the rising steam stinging my eyes, turning them misty.
It would soon be over.
I couldn't help but wonder how William Spencer was doing.
I didn't dare go find him.
I kept telling myself, once I got my revenge, I'd go explain everything and return his life to him.
Soon, my people reported back: Liam had gone to find Niko.
Behind the scenes, I manipulated the situation. Niko thought Liam was standing up for Ethan and the others, while Liam believed Niko had a hold over me and was threatening me.
The two of them clashed, both suffering in the end.
At that moment, Niko realized something was wrong, but it was too late.
Liam didn't care about Niko's words; he just wanted to crush him underfoot.
After all those years of being oppressed by Niko, how could Liam not harbor resentment?
Niko repeatedly tried to contact me, but I rejected him every time.
Finally, he lost his temper.
"Veronica, come out here! If not, I'll tell everyone who you really are!"
I waved my hand, signaling the bodyguards to drag him away, publicly declaring he was mentally unstable.
Once Niko left, Liam arrived.
I met him at the door.
"Lana, are you alright?"
I gently shook my head. "I'm fine. Thank you, Liam."
Liam let out a breath of relief, reaching out to hug me.
I stepped back, avoiding him. "But Niko still…"
"Don't worry. I'll use his own methods to make sure he disappears from your life for good."
Niko's usual trick was to send people to the mental hospital, declaring them insane and speaking nonsense.
"Good."
I waited.
But Liam could handle Niko, but once it came to the Niko family, he had no chance.
But that was fine. I was here.
With my help, the Niko family was swallowed by the Liam family.
On the day Liam sent Niko to the mental hospital, I also went with him, though I didn't show myself.
Niko, being dragged into the car, screamed and shouted, no longer the composed, cold figure he once was.
"Liam, are you crazy? Are you really going to destroy me over those people!"
"We've known each other for so many years, why do you have to be so ruthless? I know I was harsh to you before, but I was wrong! I'll be your dog from now on. Just don't send me there!"
See? He knew just how terrifying a mental hospital could be.
But even so, I still sent those innocent people inside.
At this moment, Niko saw me hiding behind, and froze for a moment.
"Veronica…"
"Veronica!"
He understood everything.
"Liam, it's Veronica who made you do this, right? It's her! She's the one behind all of this!"
"First it was Zane, then Charlotte and Ethan, now it's me. Soon it'll be you."
"Liam, let me out. Let's work together to deal with her!"
Liam only sneered.
If he had asked one more question, he would have found out the so-called secret.
With a loud "bang," the iron gate slammed shut.
Niko, like a dog, was dragged off to the mental hospital.
He screamed and shouted, but it was all in vain.
Liam called me.
I answered the phone.
"Lana, don't be afraid. No one will threaten you anymore."
I replied calmly, then waved my hand. The police, already in position, moved forward and restrained Liam.
The phone dropped to the floor.
"What are you doing?" he shouted.
"Don't move, police!"
I walked up to Liam and picked up the phone.
He looked up at me, disbelief written all over his face.
I smiled. "Niko was right. It's your turn now."
"Lana, you used me," he said, his eyes filled with sorrow.
I openly admitted, "Yes, I used you."
Liam collapsed like a puppet with its strings cut, kneeling weakly on the floor.
"I was the first to fall in love with someone…"
I interrupted him. "Don't say anything disgusting. It's painful to hear."
I watched as Liam was taken away.
And with that, it was time for a complete farewell.
