I Married My Ex's Billionaire Father
Chapter 206: The Scene Of Destruction

Chapter 206: The Scene Of Destruction

Lottie walked in late in the evening, her face bright and cheerful. She was dressed impeccably, as always, her designer handbag slung casually over her shoulder. She stopped short as she took in the scene of destruction before her. Expensive vases lay shattered on the floor, fragments of glass glinting under the chandelier. Cushions were strewn haphazardly across the room, ripped and torn. A priceless painting hung crookedly on the wall, its frame cracked. It looked like a tornado had ripped through the room.

"Good heavens!" she exclaimed, her voice filled with alarm as she carefully walked through the debris and spoke to herself. "What happened here? Were we robbed?"

"Mrs. Peterson!" She called out, her voice sharp and panicked.

The housekeeper appeared, her face etched with concern. "Yes, Mrs. Lottie. How may I help?"

"Are you even asking me?" Lottie yelled, "call the police, quick!"

"What happened here?" Lottie demanded, gesturing wildly at the destruction. "Was there a break-in? Why wasn’t I informed?"

Mrs. Peterson shook her head, her expression apologetic. "No, Mrs Lottie. There was no break-in."

"Then what is this mess?" Lottie snapped, her anger flaring.

Mrs. Peterson hesitated, then spoke softly. "

Mrs. Peterson sighed. "There is no need to call the police, Mrs. Lottie," she said. "Ms. Brooke...she did this."

Lottie’s face registered surprise, then confusion. She looked at Mrs Peterson, who stood there looking meekly at the ground.

"A little while ago, Ms. Brooke came back," Mrs. Peterson explained gently. "She came in...she was very upset. She...she started throwing things."

"Where is she?" Lottie demanded.

"In her room maam." Mrs Peterson said and Lottie immediately headed up the stairs to Brooke’s room where she opened the door and found Brooke laying facedown on her bed.

"Brooke?" she asked, her voice soft as she approached the bed. "What is wrong? Shouldn’t you be out celebrating your win with your friends?"

Brooke did not answer. She could not bring herself to explain, to relive the humiliation of the day’s events.

Lottie walked closer to her and sat on the bed, her expression concerned. "Darling," she said gently, "what happened? What is troubling you? Talk to me"

Brooke finally broke down, tears streaming down her face. "It was so awful, Mother," she sobbed. "They...they humiliated me. Lyse...and her husband...they have ruined me."

Lottie frowned, her brow furrowed. "What are you talking about, darling? What happened at the competition?"

Brooke recounted the events of the day, her voice choked with emotion. She told Lottie about Oscar’s accusations, about Judge Thompson’s bribe, about Levi’s revelations. She explained how she had been exposed, her lies, her deceit, all brought to light.

Lottie listened patiently, her expression growing more serious with each word. When Brooke finished her story, Lottie pulled her into a comforting embrace.

"Oh, darling," she murmured, her voice soothing. "I am so sorry. That sounds absolutely dreadful."

Brooke clung to her mother, her tears flowing freely. "Everyone knows, Mother," she sobbed. "Everyone knows that I am nothing but a big fraud. I will never be able to work anywhere. My career is ruined."

Lottie stroked her hair, her touch reassuring. "Nonsense, darling," she said. "You are being dramatic. This is just a minor setback. You will bounce back. We always do."

"But Mother..."

"Don’t worry about a thing, Brooke," Lottie interrupted, her voice firm. "I will take care of everything. I will handle the press, the gossip, the fallout and I will handle Lyse and her husband. You just need to relax, to calm down."

She paused, then added, her voice brightening. "And besides," she said, her eyes gleaming, "you have something to look forward to, don’t you? Your inheritance. The rest of it, It’s coming soon, isn’t it?"

Brooke’s tears began to subside, her mind latching onto her mother’s words. The inheritance. The vast fortune left to her by her deceased mother, Mara. She had already received a substantial portion of it, but the bulk of it was still to come, held in trust until she reached this year’s birthday.

The thought of the money, the immense wealth that would soon be hers, brought a flicker of hope to her eyes. She would be rich, incredibly rich. She could travel the world, buy anything she wanted, live a life of luxury and indulgence. She would not need to work. She wouldn’t need anyone and she would definitely show Lyse that she did not need her stupid skills.

"You are right," she said, her voice a little stronger now. "The inheritance."

Lottie smiled, her expression warm and encouraging. "That’s right, my darling," she said. "You are going to be a very wealthy woman. You won’t have to worry about anything."

Brooke pulled away from her mother, her face brightening. "You are right, Mother," she said. "I’m going to be rich. I’m going to have everything I have ever wanted."

Lottie nodded, her smile widening. "That’s my girl," she said. "Now, why don’t you go to the spa and get some well deserved rest? You have had a long and stressful day and you need to look perfect for your party."

Brooke nodded, her mind already focused on the future, on the wealth that awaited her. She quickly jumped off her bed and rummaged through her closet, leaving Lottie standing there, a knowing smile playing on her lips.

Lottie walked back downstairs and glanced around at the damage, then turned to Mrs. Peterson.

"Clean this up," she instructed, her voice crisp. "And don’t mention a word of this to anyone."

Mrs. Peterson nodded silently, then set about tidying up the mess, the remnants of Brooke’s shattered dreams and her fleeting anger. Lottie watched her for a moment, then turned and left, her mind already on celebrating Brooke’s upcoming birthday party, she was not planning it because Mara was doing that from beyond the grace. It was going to be a lavish affair that would serve to distract her from her recent humiliation and remind everyone of her wealth and status. The party, and the impending inheritance, would be Brooke’s salvation.