“Burn those who burned me!” Chapter 151

**Chapter 23: When devious plans come together.**

Vanessa walked proudly into HT-Corp holding a folder in her hand. The contents were filled with different blueprints and designs for houses, townhomes, and condos. Each design had a unique flare that she was sure would catch her brother’s attention. After bumping into that buffoon of a woman at that café, Vanessa told herself these documents were owed to her as payback for spilling her latte.

As she grew closer to his office, Vanessa could hear Christian speaking with someone on the phone.

*“So do you have a location for him or not??”*

……………….

*“The Clarebelle Inn…that’s where he is now? Or where he was?”*

Vanessa’s heart instantly fell; The Clarebelle Inn is where Tillman had been staying. Vanessa began to panic; how the hell did he find him so fast! Jamie had someone create a fake name, ID, and new social number for Tillman to make hiding him easier. But no matter what, it seemed Christian’s resources were better! Pulling out her cell, she immediately texted Jamie.

***\[Jamie I thought you said the new ID would stop Chris from finding Tillman!\]***

……….

***\[What the hell are you talking about?\]***

………

***\[TILLMAN! Christian’s men located him at Clarebelle’s! I thought you said he wouldn’t be found with the new ID!\]***

………..

Jamie stared at his phone with an irritated expression. It was becoming extremely costly as well as exhausting to continuously hide Tillman. Christian’s team was extremely efficient, it would only be a matter of time before they actually found him or before Christian would notice the paper trail. To make matters worse, Vanessa was becoming extremely demanding as if this whole entire thing WASN’T her fault! Jamie found himself wondering if this was how Josie felt when she went to prison in place of Vanessa.

***\[Hello!! Are you there?\]***

…….

Jamie knew they only had one other choice.

***\[Vanessa…we’re going to have to tell Christian.\]***

Vanessa’s eyes darkened as she read the latest text from Jamie. Was he out of his fucking mind! How could she tell Christian the truth NOW! Vanessa became agitated; how hard could it be to hide someone! Taking several deep breaths as if to compose herself; Vanessa’s innocent mask slipped back on as she texted her response.

***\[Jamie…I think you’re right! We should definitely tell Chris. Maybe he can come up with a better plan to hide Tillman. I should never have put this type of pressure on you in the first place.\]***

………..

Jamie stared at the message for several minutes before responding. Because he was the younger brother, no one truly expected anything great from him. He’d spent his entire life living in Christian’s shadow. The only person that ever made him feel like he wasn’t just the second rated brother was Vanessa; and now she was starting to lose her faith in him too.

***\[That won’t be necessary….I’ll figure something out.\]***

A devious grinned spread across Vanessa’s face. She knew throwing Christian in Jamie’s face would make him reconsider. She’d known for a long time that Jamie was inferior to Christian. Over the years, she’d used his inferiority to her advantage.

………

***\[Whatever you think is best big brother! I trust you! I’m about to head into Chris’ office to show him my latest sketches.\]***

……….

***\[😊 good luck! I know they’re beautiful! Don’t worry about Tillman, I’ll take care of everything.\]***

………

***\[😊 I love you!!!\]***

……….

***\[Love you too little sister!\]***

Vanessa turned eagerly towards Christian’s office; it was time to solidify her role as heiress and head of the Designing department.

Knock. Knock.

Vanessa gently knocked on Christian’s door just as he was finishing up his call.

*“Come in.”*

*“Hey big brother…got a minute.”*

Vanessa poked her head through the door sporting her shy and most innocent look.

*“Of course. Come on in.”*

Vanessa took a seat at Christian’s desk as she feigned nervousness while holding two of the six sketches she’d stolen from the girl at the café.

*“What can I do you Ness?”*

As if afraid of what he might say; Vanessa slid the folder gently onto his desk.

*“Well…as you know I left work early yesterday so that I could try and brainstorm.”*

Christian’s brows furrowed, after Vanessa left his office the day before; he’d found himself feeling guilty. Perhaps he had been too hard on her. She’d worked so hard over the past four years trying to prove herself and the first thing he did was throw some phantom designer in her face. He’d planned on apologizing that evening, but he when he got home she wasn’t there.

*“Ness…about yesterday; I-”*

*“No! Chris! I don’t want you to apologize! You’re right! I haven’t been giving my best. My work hasn’t been what it used to be.”*

Tears began to form in Vanessa’s eyes as she put on her best pitiful performance. Christian’s eyes began to widen with panic, he knew he had went too far!

*“Ness! Please don’t cry! Look I’ve been-”*

*“No Chris…let me say this!”*

Vanessa wiped her well-rehearsed tears out of her eyes.

*“The truth is….I’ve been feeling so guilty about Josie lately. I know it’s my fault on why she left. I guess it’s been affecting my work. But I promise! I’ll get better! I’ll work harder! I’ll-”*

Before she could finish, Christian jumped from his chair and hugged Vanessa tightly. As he gently stroked her hair, Vanessa smiled smugly.

*“Ness…stop it! Your work is amazing; it’s always been! You’re not blame for Josie. She made her own choices, and she chose to walkout on her family! That’s not on you…that’s on her!”*

Vanessa wiped the newly formed tears flowing from her eyes; in another life, she could have been a great actress.

*“Thank you big brother! I needed to hear that. Well, I want you to know my head is the game! I want to win that competition for HT-Corp! These are some sketches and blueprints I worked on yesterday. Take a look at them and let me know what you think!”*

Vanessa bounced up from her chair; as she began to leave, Christian immediately stopped her.

*“Vanessa….these are….incredible! You did this yesterday?”*

A smug grin appeared on Vanessa’s lips before turning around with her usual mask.

*“Do you really think so Chris? I feel like I could have done better. Especially if I want-”*

*“Ness….this is amazing! When I show dad these sketches he’s going to love them! You’re doing great I can't believe I was foolish enough to doubt you!”*

Vanessa ran over and hugged Christian tightly, her plan worked like a charm.

*‘Thanks a lot café girl.’*

Vanessa thought as she made her way back to the designing department.

The time was 6:30pm, just as the designing team was about to leave for the evening, Harold and Christian made their way to the designing department to make an announcement. As everyone made their way to the center, Vanessa walked eagerly to the front. She’d already had an idea of what the announcement was going to be.

Harlod stepped forward clearing his throat to gain everyone’s attention.

*“If you all could gather around; I’d like to make some quick announcements.”*

Everyone made their way closer to the front as Harold continued.

*“As you all may or may not know, Delgato Development will be hosting a competition after the new year to hire a development team to lead their Southern Townhome and Condos project.”*

Many of the team members began whispering about the contest. It was already becoming the talk of Bridgeton as many of the Eastern Region developmental companies were vying for the contract.

*“As you all know, HT-Corp will be entering that competition…Now..... I expect to win….I expect to get that contract! Because that’s going to not only expand our company, but it’s going to expand this entire department!”*

The entire room erupted in cheers and claps. Expansion meant pay raises, promotions, and bonuses, so naturally everyone was excited. As the crowd grew quiet, Harlod continued.

*“Now I know we can count on you all…the designing team to get us to victory!!! It’s going to be this very team that opens the doors that lead us into the Southern Region!!!”*

Cheers erupted once again as Christian stood proudly next to his father as he began to speak next.

*“And like all great teams…you need a great leader! Someone that will work hard, be creative, and give their 1000 percent all as we work hard to make this goal come true!”*

Christian and Harold both smiled at each other as the team stood quietly waiting to hear who their project manager was going to be, though some already suspected the answer. Finally, Harlod announced it.

*“It gives me great pleasure to announce the project manager that will lead us into victory…is none other than my beautiful and talented daughter…VANESSA TAYLOR!!!”*

Majority of the room erupted in cheers with a few others showing disdain on their faces, but none beamed brighter than Vanessa. Tears filled her eyes as she walked up to hug her father and brother. Finally, everything she wanted to achieve was right within her grasp!

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*“Congratulations Vanessa.”*

Josie watched the video with determination in her eyes as Vanessa beamed with joy. She knew at this moment, Vanessa must’ve felt like she was invincible; that was good. She wanted her to feel this glory, feel this joyous, feel this smug.

*“Enjoy your moment of glory while you can darling sister.”*

As Josie closed the screen of her tablet, Emily rushed into her office with a wearied expression.

*“Ma’am, I think you should see this!”*

Emily handed Josie her tablet. As she read the article, her eyes grew wider.

*“What. The. Fuck.”*

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Jamie sat in his chair waiting for a phone call. The time was 4pm, the person in question informed Jaime the task would be completed no later than 3:30pm. Growing anxious, Jamie nervously pulled out his phone. Before he could touch the screen, his phone began to buzz.

*“Y-Yes!....”*

A deep voice responded on the other end.

*‘It’s done. I’ll text you my account number. Pleasure doing business.”*