My ex-husband's nightmare - Chapter 29: Chapter 29

LYDIA
The moment Victoria Woods saw me, her entire body stiffened.
She seemed to not recognize me at first or probably, she thought her mind was playing tricks on her. Her sharp heels clacked against the polished floor as she strode toward me, her designer dress hugging her frame.
The pearl necklace on her neck, the heavy rings on her fingers—As usual, she made sure to stretch every penny looking best. But right now, all that effort meant nothing.
Because I was standing right in front of her. She stopped a few feet away, her eyes widening in disbelief. "Lydia?"
I smiled, tilting my head. "Mrs. Woods." The color drained from her face, replaced by anger and distaste. She looked me up and down, taking in every detail—my flawless dress, my expensive heels, the necklace on my neck. The necklace. The one she had fought so hard to buy at the auction. I couldn't miss an opportunity to show it off to her.
Her eyes darkened. "This... this is impossible." I didn't respond, just revealed in the sight of her.
"You died," she whispered harshly. Her hands trembled, but she quickly clenched them into fists. "I saw it with my own eyes. You died in that fire."
I simply smiled again. "Did I?" Her nostrils flared. "This isn't funny, you worthless little—" She stopped herself, inhaling deeply as if trying to calm down. But I saw it. The panic behind her eyes.
She was afraid.
"Even in death, your ghost isn't welcome here," she spat venom at me. Good to see her hatred for me hasn't dwindled a bit. "You were nothing before, and you're nothing now. A poor orphan, a filthy disgrace who isn’t even worthy to breathe the same air as me, let alone stand in this room."
I said nothing. "You don't belong here, Lydia. You're not one of us, and you never will be. This place? It's for the powerful. The respected. Not for some street rat who should be mopping floors. And you're sitting at the Trillions table? Ha! What a joke."
I met her stare, unfazed. She let out a bitter laugh, shaking her head. "How did you even get in here? Who let you in?"
Then her eyes moved back to my neck again. Her entire body stiffened. "No," she breathed.
"You—" Her voice trembled with rage. "You stole it. That necklace was bought by—" She cut herself off.
"You little thief," she hissed. "I should have known. You stole it from the real owner, didn’t you?" I smirked.
"You think wearing stolen jewellery will make you one of us?" she sneered. "Do you actually believe people will accept you? That necklace belongs to someone worthy, not to some disgusting little criminal like you."
I still didn’t react. Her voice dropped to a whisper. "I’ll have you thrown in prison again." My smirk widened.
She took a step closer, her fingers twitching as if she wanted to rip the necklace off my neck. But before she could say another word—
The microphone crackled.
"Good evening, ladies and gentlemen," the host announced. "Tonight, we are honoured to introduce a new member to the One Trillion Ladies Club. Please welcome… Miss Alissa Brooks." A wave of gasps spread through the hall.
Victoria scoffed upon hearing the name. She turned to say more but I moved towards the stage, shocking her. I could practically see her brain working, trying to piece it together.
"Alissa... Brooks?" she whispered. I stared at the crowd and took notice of the whispers flying around. "Who is she?"
"Alissa Brooks? Never heard of her."
"She must be new money."
I stepped onto the stage, my heels clicking against the wooden floor. The host handed me the microphone, smiling warmly. "Welcome, Miss Brooks," he said. "We are delighted to have you join us. Please, say a few words."
I took the mic, scanning the crowd. My gaze found Victoria instantly. She was still frozen in place, her face drained of color. I smiled, then turned my attention to the audience.
"Thank you," I began. "It is an honor to be here among such powerful and respected women. I look forward to being part of this community."
Polite applause followed. I let the silence stretch for a moment, then continued, "However, before I say anything else, there is something I must address."
I turned my gaze back to Victoria. "A few moments ago, I was insulted by a member of this club," I said, my voice cold yet calm. "I was humiliated, disrespected, and called unworthy. I was told that I do not belong here."
Gasps.
The host immediately stepped forward. "That is unacceptable. If someone has disrespected you, Miss Brooks, please let us know. We will ensure they are removed."
I smiled as my gaze landed on Victoria. I tilted my head slightly. "I won’t mention names. Yet. But I will say this, I refuse to be part of a club where I am treated with disrespect."
The host quickly spoke again, her tone urgent. "Miss Brooks, please, we deeply value your presence here. Whoever insulted you will be dealt with immediately." I let the words hang in the air.
Then, I turned fully toward Victoria and smiled. "The only way I will stay…" I said slowly,
All eyes turned to the one I made eye contact with. "…is if Victoria Woods kneels and begs."
Complete, utter silence. All the color drained from Victoria’s face. The entire hall turned to look at her.
Her lips parted, but no words came out. She wasn’t just humiliated. She was trapped. And I was enjoying every second of it.
Victoria looked like she had just swallowed a glass. "Mrs Woods," the host said, her voice careful. "I believe you heard Miss Brooks."
Victoria's jaw tightened. Her nails dug into her palm. "She can't be serious," she muttered under her breath.
I arched my brow. "Oh, I am." Her eyes snapped to mine, burning with rage. I saw the war in her expression. The humiliation. The disbelief. The sheer refusal to accept that I had the upper hand.
But she had no choice. If she didn't do as I said, she would be the one thrown out.
The club had rules. Respect was everything here. And no matter how much she hated me, I had the power now.
Her hands trembled at her sides as she glanced around. The women who once fawned over her now avoided her gaze. No one was going to save her.
Slowly, stiffly, Victoria Woods lowered herself to her knees. Gasps filled the room and her entire body was shaking as she gritted out the words.
"I'm sorry," she spat. I cupped a hand around my ear. "I didn’t hear that." Her fingers curled into fists.
She squeezed her eyes shut, and when she opened them again, they were bloodshot with rage. "I'm sorry," she said again, louder this time.
"For?"
Her teeth clenched so hard I thought they might crack. "For disrespecting you," she choked out.
I smiled. "Much better." Then, still smiling, I turned to the host. "I appreciate the apology," I said. "But I still refuse to be in the same club as someone who has no respect for others."
Victoria's head snapped up. The host stiffened. "Miss Brooks, are you saying you want her removed?"
I tilted my head slightly. "Isn't that the rule?"
A heavy pause.
Then, reluctantly, the host turned to Victoria. "Victoria Woods, as of this moment, you are no longer a member of the Ladies Club."
The whispers grew louder. Victoria's face twisted in disbelief. "What?"
"You heard him," I said smoothly. She shot to her feet, "You can't do this!" she shouted. "You have no right—"
"You broke the rules," the host said. "This club does not tolerate disrespect among its members. Please leave."
Her chest rose and fell in short, furious breaths. Her eyes burned into mine, promising destruction. But she had lost. And we both knew it.
She stormed out, her heels clicking angrily against the marble floor. The moment the doors shut behind her, the tension in the room lifted.
Someone clapped. Then another. And then, the entire room erupted into applause. Women stepped forward, eager to introduce themselves.
I kept my expression poised, a polite smile on my lips as I shook hands with woman after woman. Some congratulated me on my new status, others whispered how they had never liked Victoria anyway.
“She always thought she was untouchable,” a woman in a navy blue gown said, sipping her champagne. “It’s about time someone put her in her place.”
“Alissa, dear, you must sit with us at the next event,” another chimed in, her eyes filled with admiration. “We need women like you in this club.”
I nodded, keeping my responses short. I had gotten exactly what I wanted. Victoria was humiliated and kicked out.
I entertained a few more conversations before glancing at the time. It was late. The event was still in full swing, but I had done what I came for. There was no need to stay longer.
I entered the passenger seat of my Rolls Royce and the car sped off as soon as I was perfectly seated. Slipping my phone from my clutch, I sent a quick text to my mother.
Lydia: Tell the twins to prepare. We’re having victory ice cream tonight.
A response came almost immediately.
Mom: Tell me everything the moment you get home.
I chuckled softly, shaking my head.
My fingers drummed against my phone, I couldn’t wait to tell my mother everything. After a few minutes of driving, the car finally pulled up. I was home. I made my way out of the car, adjusting my dress. Just as I reached for the door handle, a voice stopped me in my tracks.
“Lydia.”
I froze.
That voice.
That damn voice.
Slowly, I turned. Mason stood a few feet away from me. His eyes were wide with shock, locked onto mine.
“You are Lydia,” he breathed. “I knew it." He looked relieved?
"I thought you died.”