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Chapter_112
The screen flickered to life, and Valerie’s face appeared once again, her expression guarded and tight. Whitney and Tiana leaned forward in anticipation, the tension palpable.
“Sorry about that,” Valerie said, her voice calm but strained, as though her earlier situation hadn’t quite left her. “Ashton has a way of making things… complicated.”
Tiana raised an eyebrow, concern evident on her face. “Valerie, what happened? We were worried.”
Valerie hesitated before speaking. “It’s a long story, but let’s just say things aren’t great on my end. I needed to step away for a bit.”
Whitney’s eyes narrowed. She could sense the strain in Valerie’s voice, and it confirmed something in her gut—the more she learned about Valerie’s situation, the more tangled everything seemed to be. “So, about Monica… You said Ashton was involved with the judges, right? Does he have a connection to her?”
Valerie bit her lip, her eyes flickering with doubt. “Yes. It’s not just the judges—he’s been helping her behind the scenes. He’s invested in her success in a big way. I don’t know exactly why, but it’s all tied to his business dealings. And… Monica’s someone he’s willing to go to great lengths for.”
Whitney leaned back, digesting the information. “So, it’s not just about the judges? He’s helping her with more than that?” she asked, her voice low with disbelief.
“Exactly,” Valerie confirmed. “Monica is a pawn in a larger game Ashton’s playing. I can’t get into the details, but it’s serious. The whole situation might be connected to some financial ventures he’s involved in.”
Tiana’s face twisted with frustration. “So this whole Monica thing was orchestrated by Ashton all along?”
“Not directly,” Valerie replied. “But he’s definitely pulling strings, and it’s in his best interest for Monica to succeed. That’s why she’s so untouchable right now.”
Whitney’s thoughts were racing. It all clicked into place—Monica, Elaine, and now Valerie’s connection to Ashton. Everything was connected by a web of manipulation, and as much as Whitney hated to admit it, she was now more than ever in the center of a much larger game than she’d anticipated.
“Do you think Ashton could be behind the things Elaine is doing?” Whitney asked, her voice sharp with suspicion.
Valerie’s eyes flickered momentarily. “It’s possible. Ashton’s reach is extensive, and he has people in high places. He doesn’t exactly keep his dirty work close to the chest.”
Tiana’s expression darkened. “So, what do we do now? We have a whole network of enemies to deal with, and it’s not just about Elaine or Monica anymore, is it?”
Whitney’s gaze hardened, her resolve solidifying. “No, it’s not. But now I know what I’m up against. I’ll expose them all. One by one. We need to dig deeper into this and find a way to get ahead of them before they can pull anything else.”
Valerie nodded, though her face was filled with concern. “Be careful, Whitney. This is bigger than you think. Ashton and Monica will fight back.”
“I know,” Whitney replied, determination in her voice. “But I’ve got nothing to lose.”
With the line still buzzing with tension, the three women exchanged determined looks, fully aware that their next steps would be critical in the battle that was now unfolding.
Meanwhile, Valerie sat in the dim light of her hotel room, staring at the phone screen with a cold, distant expression. She had her own plans now. She wasn’t just a passive player in this game anymore. If Ashton and Monica thought they had control, they were wrong.
She had her own strategy. And it was only a matter of time before she turned the tables.
