Marrying My Father's Enemy-Chapter 119: Rules Of The Game

Chapter 119: Rules of the Game

Sitting across from Vanesa in the neat dining room, Eira was trying her best to hide that smile.

The sunlight after rain streamed through the window, highlighting the tension between the two sisters.

"You’re staying here because I’m giving you one last chance," Eira began in a firm tone. "But let’s make one thing clear—I don’t trust you. Not yet."

Vanesa sat rigidly, her hands clasped tightly in her lap. "Eira, I—"

"Let me finish." Eira’s sharp tone silenced her. "If you want to live here and start over, you’ll follow my rules. No lying, no scheming, and no dragging me into Father’s mess."

Vanesa bit her lip, nodding quickly. "I understand. I’ll do whatever you say."

Eira’s eyes narrowed slightly. "Good. But don’t mistake my kindness for weakness, Vanesa. I don’t forgive easily, and if you think for one second that you can manipulate me, you’ll find yourself back on the streets faster than you can blink."

Vanesa swallowed hard. "I won’t. I swear."

"Actions speak louder than words," Eira said, rising from her chair. "If you want a peaceful life, you’ll listen to me. No arguments. No excuses."

Vanesa nodded again, her face pale. "Thank you, Eira. I mean it."

Eira looked at her for a long moment. Finally, she grabbed her coat from the back of the chair. "I’m going out to buy some tea. Make yourself useful while I’m gone—unpack, clean, whatever. Just don’t sit here sulking."

Without waiting for a response, Eira left, the door clicking shut behind her.

Callian walked in moments later, shrugging off his coat as he entered the house.

His sharp brown eyes immediately landed on Vanesa, who stood awkwardly in the middle of the room, her suitcase still unpacked.

His eyebrow lifted.

"What is she doing here?" Callian’s voice was low and filled with displeasure.

Vanesa flinched under his glare, stumbling over her words. "Eira said I could stay. I—"

"I didn’t ask for an explanation," Callian cut her off, his voice colder than the air outside. He set his briefcase down on the table.

"She... she forgave me," Vanesa stammered, though even she didn’t seem to believe the words.

Callian let out a bitter laugh, his smile humorless. "Did she?"

Vanesa’s eyes filled with tears. "I just want to make things right, Callian. I’m sorry for everything I’ve done. I—"

"I’m not interested in your apologies," Callian interrupted, brushing past her toward his office.

He paused in the doorway, glancing over his shoulder. "Don’t get too comfortable. You’re here because Eira wants you here, not because I do."

"I know you hate me. But I will prove myself to be useful."

"Hate isn’t the right word for this."

With that, he shut the door behind him, leaving Vanesa standing alone in the silence.

Eira returned shortly after, carrying a bag of groceries. She set them down on the counter and began unpacking.

Vanesa hovered nearby, unsure of what to do. "Eira... Callian doesn’t seem too happy that I’m here."

Eira didn’t look up as she responded. "He doesn’t have to be happy. He respects my decisions, even if he doesn’t like them."

Vanesa nodded slowly, her gaze dropped to the floor.

Eira finished unpacking and set a kettle on the stove. "Now, sit. We’re going to talk."

Vanesa obeyed, sitting down at the table as Eira prepared the tea. The silence between them was harder than any mountain, broken only by the sound of water boiling.

When Eira finally joined her at the table, two steaming cups of tea in her hand, she fixed Vanesa with a steady gaze.

"You said you wanted to make things right. Start by telling me everything you know about Henry."

Vanesa hesitated, her hands trembled slightly as she reached for the tea. "Everything?"

"Everything," Eira repeated firmly. "I don’t want half-truths or convenient omissions. If you want my help, you need to be honest with me. Completely honest."

Vanesa took a deep breath, her eyes moved nervously to the closed door of Callian’s office. "Not only will I tell you everything about Henry... I also brought proof."

Eira’s brow arched. "Proof?"

Vanesa nodded, fumbling with her bag. She pulled out a worn folder and slid it across the table. "This has everything. Documents showing that he’s been evading taxes for years. Fake accounts, offshore holdings, all of it."

Eira opened the folder, looking at the pages inside. "Why are you giving me this?"

"Because I have nothing left to lose," Vanesa admitted. "And because it’s not just about Henry. There’s more."

Eira looked up sharply. "More?"

Vanesa hesitated again before speaking. "My mother... she’s been having an affair with Mike. Your... Henry’s assistant."

Eira’s eyes narrowed, her grip on the folder tightened. "Mike?"

Vanesa nodded quickly. "They’ve been seeing each other for some time. I don’t think Father knows, but if he finds out..."

Eira leaned back in her chair, thinking as she processed the information. "Why are you telling me this now? What do you hope to gain exactly?"

"I just want to survive," Vanesa said desperately. free𝑤ebnovel.com

"Survive?"

"If Henry finds out about any of this, he’ll destroy me. But if you can use this... maybe it can help you. And maybe... maybe I can finally stop living in fear."

Eira looked at her for a long moment. It was funny, seeing Vanesa in such a way.

"You’re telling me that the man who’s been pulling Henry’s strings is also sleeping with his wife?"

Vanesa nodded again. "Yes."

Eira let out a humorless laugh, shaking her head. "You really do know how to pick your battles, Vanesa."

Vanesa’s voice cracked. "I don’t have anyone else, Eira. Everyone’s abandoned me. I need your help."

Eira closed the folder and set it aside. It was a good thing she didn’t know that Mike was working for them.

"You’ve given me a lot to think about. But make no mistake, Vanesa—if I find out you’re lying about any of this, I will not hesitate to throw you out of my house and my life. Are we clear?"

Vanesa nodded quickly. "Very clear."

Eira stood, picking up the folder. "Good. Now, I need to decide what to do with this."

As she walked toward the door, she paused and glanced back at her sister. "You’ve made your move, Vanesa. Let’s see if it pays off."

Vanesa watched her go, her heart pounded harder with heavier and more aggressive thumps in her chest.

For the first time in her life, she realised just how high the stakes truly were.

Eira was here, helping her...

"Also, I know something about Liam!" Vanesa yelled.

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