Web of Deceit

Sophia attempted to concentrate on Violet's interaction with the twins, yet her gaze kept wandering towards the doors. Silas' desire for her absence bothered her. The fact that Astra had filmed the incident only made matters worse.

She likely planned to drive a wedge between her and Silas. Throughout the week, Sophia sensed Silas's growing guilt, but now that he had witnessed the truth, Astra would manipulate him even more effectively.

How had everything gone so awry? And if that weren't enough, the makeup artist, hairdresser, and stylist proved utterly useless. Astra looked stunning. Sophia fought the urge to slap her upon entering.

Silas' appearance, seconds after Astra's, brightened Sophia's eyes. He surveyed the scene and approached her. As the twins engaged in conversation, his attention zeroed in.

With an upcoming project meeting, their relationship's strength directly influenced his chances of securing the contract. Silas had to focus, no matter the situation he was in.

Sophia smiled, inquiring, "Are you okay?"

She noticed the redness in his eyes and his evident distress. Silas returned the smile. "I'm fine."

Violet glanced at him, questioning, "How did things go with Astra?"

Silas cast a brief look at the twins, who were watching him. "We'll discuss it later."

Understanding his reluctance, Violet and Sophia nodded. Silas glanced at Astra as she headed to the bar, swallowing hard. He never fathomed his daughter would harbor such feelings.

Following his gaze, Violet turned to the twins and suggested, "Let's grab a drink."

The twins agreed, trailing behind Violet.

Meanwhile, Astra approached a woman seated at the bar, her touch light. The woman turned, a nervous yet intrigued expression on her face.

With cascading golden hair and captivating grey eyes reflecting wisdom and mystery, she exuded an alluring charm that Astra couldn't resist. She smiled.

Zoe wasn't just her ex-best friend; their uncanny resemblance often led people to mistake them for sisters. Relief washed over Zoe as she noticed Astra's lack of anger.

"Happy birthday, Astra," Zoe greeted warmly.

Astra's smile radiated gratitude. "Thank you, and I appreciate you being here."

Zoe nodded, explaining, "I wanted to drop off your gift and wish you a happy birthday before heading to dinner."

Curious, Astra asked, "Could you go on a date with me tomorrow?"

Zoe's astonishment was palpable as she sought clarification, "You mean our usual weekly date?"

Astra's transition to full-time work at Orion Arch had limited their time together. Despite daily conversations and nightly calls, their in-person interactions had dwindled.

They used to reserve a weekly date to bridge the gap, a tradition that ended with Astra severing their friendship—a painful outcome for defending her best friend.

Astra confirmed, "If you're available, we can meet at seven."

Zoe's joy was evident, her response filled with enthusiasm, "Absolutely, I'd love that."

Astra's smile conveyed relief as Zoe glanced over her shoulder, signaling her imminent departure. "I should get going; see you tomorrow."

Returning Astra's nod, Zoe embraced her, a surprising gesture reciprocated with a heartfelt smile from Astra. After their farewell, Zoe left, leaving Astra watching her go with a content smile.

Zoe's agreement to meet meant a lot to Astra, who intended to open up and apologize. Her grandmother, Kalel, and Zoe were her true pillars of support.

Seated at the bar, Astra ordered a cocktail while checking her notifications on Stellarnet. In her quest to dismantle the puppeteer of Sophia's machinations, Astra had harnessed Archana to create a compelling video—a strategic move in her mission.

The video unfolds with precision as Astra discreetly attaches a micro camera to her necklace, stating her intention to vlog her birthday preparations. As anticipation builds, the stylist, hairdresser, and makeup artist enter the suite.

Seated before a grand mirror, Astra patiently awaits their work. Unexpectedly, she dozes off, capturing their candid discussion.

Furtively, they discuss a bizarre request from their mysterious benefactor, who wishes Astra to resemble a pig. The hairdresser poses a skeptical question—what if Astra rejects the transformation?

The stylist proposes a sinister plot: leveraging Astra's reputation for blackmail if she resists. Their sinister pact is sealed, and Astra awakens, subjected to their whims, emerging transformed into the intended pig-like appearance.

Desperate for alternatives, Astra meekly inquires about different makeup and hair, met with a chilling threat that suppresses her voice. Struggling to hold back tears, Astra complies under difficulty, surrendering completely.

Reluctantly, Astra pays them, only to face further coercion from the stylist, who demands an escalated sum. Under their menacing gaze, Astra concedes, transferring the funds.

Once they depart, Astra stares at her altered reflection, tears welling up. She retreats to the bathroom, reemerging an hour later with a new hair color and devoid of the horrid pink makeup.

Leaving the nightmare behind, Astra reenters with newfound confidence, draped in a beautiful red dress and elegant heels, her transformation astonishing.

Astra was indeed a fan of Archana. With it, she would be unstoppable. Unaware that Astra possessed the incriminating footage, they proceeded to Stellarnet and falsely maligned her character, accusing her of arrogance and condescension.

A swift response from Astra's devoted followers, armed with the vlog video, promptly debunked these fabrications.

Astra harbors no doubt that, by tomorrow, this saga will have spread far and wide, leading to the downfall of the trio.

One's reputation, once esteemed for its kindness and humility, becomes irreparably tarnished - a truth the three unwitting puppets now face.

In the original timeline, Astra refrained from this course of action, but circumstances have shifted. This time, she plans to manipulate each of her adversaries before delivering the final blow.

"Astra," a voice called.

Astra pivoted, locking eyes with Violet. A smile graced her lips as she said, "I've been meaning to introduce you to my friends. Lucian, allow me to present Astra. Astra, this is Lucian."

Lucian's smile radiated as he greeted, "A pleasure to make your acquaintance."

Astra's gaze fixed upon him, a touch of mockery in her voice, "Is it, now?"

Lucian's brows furrowed slightly, questioning, "Why wouldn't it be?"

Astra silently met his gaze, prompting Violet to intervene, "This is Cole."

Approaching Cole, Astra's demeanor transformed into warmth, "Delighted to meet you, Cole."

Returning the sentiment, Cole smiled, "Likewise, Astra."

Astra's flirty smile held Cole's attention, leaving Violet and Alexander, who was watching from the corner, astonished.

While they knew Astra's unrequited love, her interest in Cole was now unmistakable.

Cole's fingers traced her necklace, "What a beautiful necklace," he commented. Prompting Astra's gratitude, "Thank you. It belonged to my mother - a cherished memento."

Lucian's mischievous tone added a layer of tension, "It'd be a shame if something were to happen to it."

Astra met his smirk with determination, "For anyone responsible, it certainly would. Vengeance is my forte."

Lucian's response carried an undertone of agreement, "I have no doubt."

Astra's sneer shifted to Cole, her invitation clear, "Shall we get you a drink?"

Cole accepted with a nod, and they settled at the bar. Violet claimed a seat on Astra's left while Lucian positioned himself beside her.

Astra's maneuver didn't escape Violet, who perceived it as assistance shrouded in manipulation.

Astra's reputation as a bully, a narrative artfully spun by Violet, gained credence through Astra's seemingly rude interactions.

Violet's certainty about the twins' disdain for Astra spurred her conviction that they would strive relentlessly to dismantle her.

With meticulous planning spanning three years, Violet and her mother had cultivated connections in high echelons, a strategic foundation for her impending ascension.

Everything, including the coveted Orion Arch, would be torn from Astra's grasp, becoming Violet's ultimate conquest.