Sweet Vengeances
Chapter 72: The Power Play

Chapter 72: Chapter 72: The Power Play

Lily stood by the safe house window, staring into the night with her arms folded securely across her breast. She could hardly see the flickering city lights in the distance.

Anger, betrayal, and something sharper, more dangerous, were all swirling through her consciousness.

Willpower.

She had been deceived by James. Not only as a spouse but also as a person. Not only had he abandoned her for another woman, but he had also sold her out to Carlisle and assisted in planning the pain she had gone through.

She took a deep breath. He would lose everything because of his error.

Ethan and Alejandro were deep in debate, deciding what to do next, behind her.

"We must move quickly," Alejandro stated. "James will flee if he realizes we’re after him."

Ethan gave a nod. "Agreed. Before he has a chance, we must corner him.

With a tone that was colder than she had intended, Lily turned to face them. "I would like to confront him first."

Ethan’s blue eyes narrowed as his head jerked up. "No."

Alejandro rubbed the back of his neck and moaned. "I understand your desire, Lily, but it’s too risky. Now he is desperate. He is therefore unpredictable.

Lily’s mouth clenched. "I’m not interested. This is not your typical mission. This is a personal matter.

Ethan stepped in her direction, his face unreadable. And for that very reason, you cannot confront him by yourself. This is too close to you.

With a fury raging in her chest, she looked him in the eye. "Too near? This is my life. My treachery. Ethan, I was duped by him. I refuse to watch from the sidelines as someone else handles it for me.

There was silence between them for a moment.

Ethan then ran a hand through his hair and moaned. "Then we work together to do it."

Lily blinked. "What?"

Ethan’s eyes became gloomy. "You’re correct. It’s your battle. However, you are insane if you believe that I am allowing you to enter this situation by yourself.

Alejandro grinned. "Lily, it seems like you’re stuck with him."

Lily let out a bitter sigh, but she felt a flash of relief inside. Even though she really wanted to defeat James on her own, she knew Ethan wouldn’t allow it.

Additionally, it’s possible that she didn’t want to work alone.

She gave a nod. "All right. James, however, is mine.

Ethan’s mouth curled a little. "Agree."

They put the plan into action the following morning.

James was located by Alejandro’s crew at a posh hotel in Midtown. Although he had used a false identity to check in, it was simple to track down the money trail.

Alejandro tucked his phone away and reported, "He’s in the penthouse." "As far as we can tell, alone."

Ethan checked his revolver and nodded. "Then we proceed."

Lily’s heartbeat quickened, but not out of dread. With intention.

She was prepared.

There was an uncanny silence during the elevator ride to the penthouse.

Standing next to her, Ethan’s stiff physique served as a constant force to calm the storm inside of her.

Alejandro aimed as the doors swung open and proceeded down the corridor with his firearm out. Lily and Ethan trailed behind, each step bringing her one step closer to the moment she had been anticipating.

She was devastated by James’s betrayal.

It was her turn to shatter him now.

The door was knocked on by Ethan. Not soft, not loud. The right amount of firmness to get attention.

A few seconds went by.

The door then opened with a squeak.

James was standing there looking like he hadn’t spent months planning her pain, with his hair combed flawlessly and his nice suit on.

When he saw her, his face went white.

"Lily."

She made no hesitation.

The sound reverberated across the corridor as her palm made a hard slap against his cheek.

James clutched his face as he stumbled back. "What the—"

He retreated as Lily entered, followed by Alejandro and Ethan, who shut the door.

Lily stated in a steady but venomous voice, "You sold me out." "You and Carlisle collaborated."

James glanced back and forth between them. "I—I have no idea what you’re discussing."

Ethan snorted and moved forward. "James, we have the evidence. Bank records. Call records. From the beginning, you were aware of this.

As James swallowed, his throat bobbed. "It’s not what you think it is."

Lily’s head cocked. "Really? as it appears that you exchanged your wife’s life for a wage.

James’s trademark charm turned ugly as his face contorted. "You’re not understanding—"

Lily shoved him away and smashed her palms into his chest. "Then tell me about it!"

James stumbled, but his eyes flashed and he straightened swiftly. "Lily, do you want the truth? Alright. He shook his head and let out a breath. Yes, Carlisle and I collaborated. I did provide him with information, yes. It wasn’t about you, though.

She stopped.

James gave a sour grin. It has to do with me. About power. About surviving. I accepted Carlisle’s offer since it was too good to pass up. I didn’t think you would end up in the center.

Lily felt her blood boil. "Stuck in the center? You allowed him to ruin my life!

James’s eyes became gloomy. "Lily, I saved you. Carlisle would have murdered you months ago if it weren’t for me. I persuaded him to spare your life.

Her belly rumbled. "You’re telling lies."

James shrugged. "Have faith in your desires. However, you were never meant to get away. You made that error.

Lily gasped for air.

With his subtle warning, Ethan stepped forward. "Now, where is Carlisle?"

James paused.

Lily’s eyes narrowed. "Speak, or I’ll make you regret every choice you’ve ever made, I promise."

James laughed, but his laugh was devoid of humor. "My dear, you’ve already done that."

Ethan shoved James against the wall after grabbing him by the collar. "Where is he?"

Despite his scowl, James did not defend himself. "Your time is being wasted."

Lily lowered her voice and took a step closer. "James, you’re running out of opportunities."

At that moment, he truly gazed at her. And his eyes briefly flashed with regret for the first time.

However, that was too late.

"All right," James whispered. "He’s heading out of town. This evening. Private runway.

With a shove, Ethan let him go.

Lily took a deep breath. "Then we stop him."

James let out a sigh. "You’re never going to reach him in time."

Lily grinned. "Observe me."

James’s voice interrupted her as she turned to go.

"Lily."

She took a quick look behind her.

He smiled at her sorrowfully. "For the record, I did love you."

She uttered what was left to say, looking directly into the eyes of the man she had once believed she would spend the rest of her life with.

"I regret ever loving you."

Then she left James in the past, where he belonged, and went out the door with Ethan by her side.

The real battle, however, was only getting started.

Next was Carlisle.

And there would be no mercy this time.