The Scapegoat's Return: Watch Me Shine Now

Chapter 7

Word Count: 661 | Released on: 09/05/2026

at Margo's Plac

sion. She balanced three plates on her left arm

er. He was wearing his dark

th, Crysta slid a heavy ceramic m

not breaking her stride as she moved

ming laugh. He pick

elled over the n

nd walked out of the kitchen. "What

wiping down a table across the room. "Where did you find her? She h

e look of pride on her

t the mug down and looked at Crysta a

id," Ri

olding a damp rag

idge said. "She is drowning. She needs a manager. Someone who knows

the damp rag. Dirty water squeez

ntown. It was a ticket

e. "Thank you, Captain.

s arm with a menu. "Stop tryin

ent back to his coff

ack room to grab more napkins. She leaned against the metal shelving unit, pressing her ha

aneled lounge of the Apex Private Club, J

his knuckles. Tap. Tap. Tap. It was t

n about what you saw?" Ali

was losing my mind. I am not certain of anything. I saw a profile for three seconds. But A

his elbows on his knees. "If she is out, why hasn't Collins s

an said bluntly. "They used her to

onally handed the prosecutor the eviden

her name again," Julian countered. "He is obsessed with As

we do?" Al

hought about Collins Hunter. He thought about the c

are wrong, he will tear us apart for bringing her up. If we are right

reed. We bury it. It was a

Chapter End

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The Scapegoat's Return: Watch Me Shine Now

Escritorapalacio Romance

“I was the adopted daughter of the wealthy Reese family, living quietly in the shadow of their biological daughter, Asha. After a charity gala, a drunk Asha insisted on driving her sports car, only to strike a pedestrian on a dark, wet road. Before I could even call 911, my boyfriend Collins and the family lawyer arrived to control the scene. My adoptive father put a heavy hand on my shoulder, begging me to take the fall so their true bloodline wouldn't have a criminal record. "I'll wait for you, Crys. I promise I'll take care of everything." Collins whispered those words and squeezed my hand. I foolishly agreed, but in court, Collins personally submitted a fabricated statement detailing my history of severe binge drinking. The high-priced lawyer offered no defense, and I was sentenced to three years in a federal prison, completely abandoned by the family I loved. For 1,095 days behind razor wire, I suffered the ultimate betrayal. They hadn't made a mistake; they had intentionally fed me to the wolves as a disposable sacrifice to keep their precious princess safe. I couldn't understand how the man I loved could destroy me without a single ounce of hesitation. Upon my release, I fled to a new city with just twenty-seven dollars, deciding that surviving and living well would be my revenge. I finally found a safe haven working at a small diner. But as I drove my delivery truck downtown today, I locked eyes with Collins's best friend through the window of a luxury Bentley. The billionaires who ruined my life have found me, and the storm they tried to bury has officially arrived.”