Billionaire's Bounty Cost Of Love And Revenge novel Chapter 79

Taylor’s POV

I had a grin on my face as I walked into the dressing area. It had been there since the moment I woke up that morning. My mind danced back to the

week’s events.

It wasn’t every day that I pulled off something as spectacular as blackmailing Asher Sterling. Of course, it had taken a whole week of careful planning and luck.

Luck had been on my side that evening at the formal dinner. Walking up to Marcus Sterling had been a gamble, but it paid off. Luck was what made him listen to me. Not that I had to say much.

The dick fucker was sold the moment I told him I was a friend of Ivy’s. Odd, wasn’t it? Did he like his brother’s wife?

I shook my head. None of that mattered now, though it had been my golden ticket to the Sterling event. Sure, it meant enduring Marcus’s endless chatter, but it was a small price to pay for the look on Asher’s face when he saw me on his brother’s arm.

I could still see it – his pale expression, his eyes desperately trying to piece me together and figure out what I wanted. The way his voice trembled when he asked, “What do you want?” Fear. Pure, unfiltered fear in his eyes.

And then, the instant wiring of the money. The sheer power I felt in that moment was unmatched.

I almost felt sorry for him. Almost.

I glanced at my reflection in the mirror. My makeover was flawless, my hair perfectly styled. I brushed a hand over my silk robe and smiled wider. I looked good. My thoughts wandered to what I could do with my newfound funds.

Not that I needed the money. It wasn’t about that. It was the game–something Asher never realized. Still, a little indulgence wouldn’t hurt. A vacation? Too cliché. Jewelry? Tempting, but predictable.

Then my thoughts shifted. Ivy. Sweet, perfect Ivy. Everyone adored her. Her flawless skin, her annoyingly perfect blue eyes, that irritatingly pure reputation.

She’d be broken when she found out.

And that was something Asher couldn’t buy his way out of. No bribe, no amount of begging, could stop me from sending her the pictures. It was only a

matter of time.

The studio lights caught the sparkle of the designer dresses hanging nearby. One dress in particular stole my attention- a masterpiece by Amelia, the top Italian designer for tonight’s shoot. Layers of delicate blush tulle, hand–sewn embellishments- it was Ivy’s dress. Stunning. Perfect. Too perfect.

A mischievous thought formed, curling into a smirk tugging at the corner of my lips. No cameras. No witnesses. It was the perfect setup.

I plucked the dress off the rack, glancing behind me to ensure I wasn’t being followed. My heart raced as I slipped into a quiet corner, my pulse thrumming with adrenaline.

Careful but ruthless, I worked. My fingers tugged at seams, fabric tearing under my grip. The sound was intoxicating, a thrill surging through me with every rip.

When I was done, the dress looked like it had been mauled by a bear. Satisfied, I placed it back on the rack, masking my smirk with an innocent

expression.

Hours later, I sat in a makeup chair as the team applied the finishing touches to my look, Brushes swept across my cheeks, hairpins clicked into place. I was glowing- not just from the foundation, but from the anticipation thrumming in my veins.

I counted down in my head.

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Chapter 79

Then, the moment arrived.

Ivy emerged from the dressing area, wearing the ruined dress. Gasps filled the room, sharp and incredulous. I had to bite the inside of my cheek to kee from laughing.

The once–pristine gown hung awkwardly on her, shredded and pathetic. Her wide, watery eyes darted around the room, her makeup dangerously close to running.

“What happened to the dress?” Amelia’s sharp, accented voice sliced through the air. She stepped forward, her expression a mix of disbelief and fury. “Ky, what is this? Do you not respect my work?” Her voice broke at the end, trembling with anger.

“I… I didn’t…” Ivy stammered, her panic clear in her trembling voice. She looked down at the tattered fabric, her fingers brushing over the ruined details.

“Do you know how many hours my team spent on this? How much this dress is worth?!” Amelia’s voice climbed higher with every word. You are supposed to be a professional! This is unacceptable!”

“I swear, I didn’t do this?” Ivy’s voice cracked, her cheeks flushed. Tears welled in her eyes, her lip quivering.

It was everything I had dreamed of. The chaos, the disbelief, the perfect Ivy cracking under pressure.

It was cinema.

From my spot, I let a satisfied smirk tug at my lips, hiding it behind a casually raised hand. But then Ivy’s gaze snapped to me, her eyes narrowing.

“Taylor,” she said, her voice trembling but sharp with accusation. “You did this.”

I tilted my head, feigning shock. “Me? Ivy, what are you talking about?”

“You did this!” she repeated, louder this time. Heads turned, eyes locking on me.

What? No!

I let out a light laugh, dismissive and calm. “Don’t be ridiculous. Why would I do something like that?” But when I glanced around, I could tell no one believed me. Suspicion lingered in their stares, thick and damning. Of course, Ivy had them wrapped around her perfect little finger.

“Because you hate me!” Ivy’s voice cracked, but she held her ground. “You’ve been goading me for weeks, trying to get a reaction out of me. That’s why you somehow managed to weasel your way onto every shoot I’ve been on. I ignored you, and it made you angry–desperate enough to go the extra mile. I know it was you.”

“Ivy,” I said, adding a mock sigh, shaking my head. “That’s quite the accusation. Do you have any proof?”

She didn’t respond. The small crowd that had gathered around us just stared, judgment written plainly across their faces.

I leaned back in my chair, forcing calm into my posture. “I think you’re just upset and looking for someone to blame,” I said smoothly. “It’s okay to admit you made a mistake. We’re all human.”

“A mistake?” Ivy asked, a dry, humorless laugh escaping her lips.

I nodded slowly, dragging out my words. “Yes…” I turned to Amelia. “Unless you want to admit you deliberately ruined this expensive dress–and that would be an entirely different-”

“And why would I ruin my own dress?” Ivy snapped, cutting me off. “What would I gain from that? Why would I sabotage myself?” Her voice had risen an octave, trembling with barely contained fury.

She had a point, and I didn’t have a rebuttal. “I don’t kn-”

“This was done deliberately,” Ivy said, pointing at her tattered dress. Her voice dripped with venom. “This wasn’t an accident. It was torn art by someone filled with hate.” She spat the words, her gaze locking onto me like a dagger. “Someone with an ugly heart did this!”

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Chapter 79

My chest tightened. My heart pounded so hard it felt like it might burst. “I didn’t….I began weakly.

She rolled her eyes. “Oh, quit the act, Taylor. You’re not fooling anyone. Everyone can see it. I don’t even have to explain myself they know you’r jealous. You always have been.”

The words hit like slaps.

Ivy wasn’t done. “There were rumors from the beginning of our friendship. You’ve always wanted what I had. My clothes. My modeling gigs. You slithered your way into everything I touched.”

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