'I Do' For Revenge-Chapter 64: Destroy His Image

I held my breath as I watched him take the first bite. He chewed slowly, thoughtfully, then nodded with what looked like genuine appreciation.

"This is really good," he said, still chewing. "Who knew you could cook this well?"

"Is that supposed to be your way of complimenting me?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.

He shrugged with a slight smile and continued eating. "Take it however you want."

"Well, for the record, that was terrible as far as compliments go," I said, though I couldn’t help but smile.

"Noted. I’ll work on my delivery," he replied, taking another bite. "But seriously, this is incredible. The texture is perfect."

"My mother was very particular about technique. She said risotto was about patience and attention to detail."

"Sounds like she was a good teacher."

"She had her moments," I said quietly, thinking about the woman who had tried to love me despite everything.

The rest of dinner continued with surprisingly easy conversation. Axel asked about different ingredients and cooking methods, showing genuine interest in something I’d never expected him to care about.

When we finished, Martha and the other staff members efficiently cleared the table, both of them complimenting the meal as they worked.

"Can we go to my study?" Axel asked, standing up and straightening his shirt. "I’d like to discuss a few things with you."

"Uhmm, of course," I replied, following him down the hall, my heart rate picking up slightly. Conversations in his study usually meant serious business.

Once we were seated in his study, with him behind his mahogany desk and me in the leather chair across from him, Axel leaned back and studied my face with that intense gaze of his.

"How are you feeling? After today, I mean."

"I’m okay, I guess," I said, settling deeper into the chair. "It’s been a long day, but I feel lighter somehow."

"Good. That’s exactly what I was hoping to hear," he said, his fingers drumming softly against his desk. "Because now that the first phase went perfectly, we need to start planning what comes next."

His words triggered a memory from weeks ago, right after the press conference where he’d announced our marriage. The scene came flooding back as clearly as if it were happening again.

We had been standing in this very room. I was still reeling from the sudden announcement, still trying to understand what I’d gotten myself into.

"During the early stages of our marriage, all eyes will be on us," Axel had said in a serious and businesslike voice. "We can’t do anything direct against your family yet. Too much scrutiny from the media, too many people watching our every move."

"So what am I supposed to do? Just pretend everything is fine?" I’d asked, frustrated and confused.

"Do whatever you want. Be yourself. Be a little rash if that’s your nature, I won’t question your methods," he’d replied, moving to pour himself a drink.

"But whatever you do, whatever actions you take, it needs to end with us having a united front in public. That solidifies my support for you and makes the next phase possible."

"And what’s the next phase?" I’d pressed.

"We’ll cross the bridge when we get there. But we have to be patient and smart about it." He’d turned to look at me then with cold and determined eyes. "Your father destroyed more than just your life, Layla. But we’ll get him. Just not yet."

The memory faded as Axel’s current voice pulled me back to the present.

"Even though some events went a bit outside the box I had in mind, it actually worked out well to an extent," he was saying. "The murder investigation and your mother’s death for instance, it’s all positioned us exactly where we need to be."

"Which is where, exactly?" I asked, leaning forward with interest.

"In a place where we can start planning the next step of our arrangement. The real revenge against your family."

I felt a chill of anticipation run down my spine, mixed with something that felt like excitement.

"Let me ask you something," Axel continued, leaning forward to match my posture. "What’s the one thing your father cherishes most in this world?"

"His public image," I answered without hesitation.

"Exactly. Everything he does, every decision he makes, every relationship he maintains, it’s all calculated to preserve his reputation as the devoted father and husband, the successful businessman."

"So we destroy that image?" I whispered.

"We expose what he really is. But carefully. We can’t just throw wild accusations around; we need proof, documentation, and witnesses. We need an airtight case that he can’t wriggle out of."

I thought of the documents hidden in my room but kept quiet about it. That’s my own one step ahead of all these.

"But we keep things low-key for now, while the investigation heat cools down. The last thing we need is more police attention or journalists digging into our business."

"How long are we talking about?"

"A few weeks. In the meantime, we continue playing the perfect couple."

He paused to take a sip of water, then shifted topics smoothly. "Speaking of, Mrs. Margaret Wellington is coming next week to conclude the Portland expansion deal. I want you to handle the entire meeting."

"Are you sure about leaving something that important in my hands?" I asked, genuinely surprised. "That’s a multi-million dollar deal."

"You’ve proved you’re more than capable, plus you secured the initial agreement in the first place. It’s only right that you see it through to completion."

I nodded, feeling a surge of professional pride mixed with nervous energy. "I won’t let you down."

"I know you won’t. You never have."

There was a comfortable silence for a moment, filled with the soft ticking of the antique clock on his bookshelf. Then I remembered something else I needed to discuss.

"Any good news on Erica’s mafia problem?" I asked, trying to sound casual.

"Still working on it. These things take time, especially when you’re dealing with organised crime. We have to be careful not to make things worse for her or ourselves."

"Of course. I was thinking of going out with her and Helena on Sunday, actually. You know, girls’ day out, try to get our minds off everything that’s happened recently." 𝙛𝒓𝒆𝙚𝒘𝒆𝓫𝙣𝓸𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝒄𝒐𝓶

"That sounds like a good idea. You could use some normalcy in your life right now."

"The thing is," I continued carefully, watching his face for any reaction, "I was wondering if you could give the guards at the safe house a day off that day. Maybe except for the ones who’ll be directly with us, of course."

Axel’s expression shifted immediately, becoming more alert. He leaned back in his chair and studied me with those perceptive eyes I’d come to both appreciate and fear.

"Layla," he said slowly, his voice taking on a warning tone, "what is it you’re planning this time?"