CHAPTER 184: WATCHING HIM BURN THE WORLD FOR HER
Diana sat curled up on the sofa at Holland Gardens, a soft blanket drawn around her like a shield. Her eyes remained locked on the screen, unmoving, as James's press conference played out.
Her heart thudded painfully against her chest.
Tears slipped freely down her cheeks. She didn't bother to wipe them. She simply placed a trembling palm over her heart, overwhelmed. This man… this incredible man. He wasn't just defending her name—he was burning the world to protect her dignity.
She never thought she'd see him bare his heart like this, in front of the world.
Then her phone rang. A voice call. It was the girls.
Sandra's voice came through first, laced with awe.
"Di… are you watching this?"
Diana gave a silent nod before remembering they couldn't see her.
"Yes, Sandra. I'm watching it," she said softly, voice shaky.
Grace chimed in next, her tone teasing but warm.
"So, what does that tell you, Mrs Deniro-Alfred?"
Diana gave a small, choked laugh through her tears.
"That it's not over yet, Grace... and maybe I shouldn't give up so easily."
Monica sighed dramatically.
"You think? Girl, do you know how many women would kill to be defended like that on international TV?"
"He's different," Diana whispered, her voice almost reverent. "The world sees power... but I see the man who stayed up by my hospital bed, who tucked me in when I had nightmares."
There was a beat of silence before Valerie replied softly,
"He sees you too, Di. That's what matters. Even if the world tries to rewrite the truth, he's holding the pen now."
They stayed on the call for a while longer—laughing, crying, reassuring her in the way only true friends could. When the call ended, Diana leaned back into the couch, a bittersweet smile on her lips. For the first time in days, she felt a flicker of peace… maybe even hope.
But peace, as always, was fleeting.
---
Meanwhile...
She wasn't the only one watching.
Back in their shadowy lair, the woman in red set her glass of wine down, her expression stone-cold as the press conference reached its final applause.
Her phone was already in hand.
She dialed without hesitation.
"It's time to go all out, Tim. Make it bad. Make it worse."
She smiled darkly.
"Just when they think they've won... we'll show them who the real game changer is."
On the other end, Timothy nodded, jaw tight.
"Whatever you say, boss."
The call ended.
Outside, the wind picked up as if the universe itself could sense that something was coming.
************
Cassandra and Belle sat stiffly on the couch, the air in the Higgins' living room tense as the press conference streamed live.
All eyes were glued to the screen, except Harold's, who remained seated, arms crossed, looking unfazed.
Harold finally broke the silence with a scoff.
"Why are you all getting worked up over a riff-raff whose days are numbered?"
The women turned toward him in unison. It was the first time Harold had ever spoken that directly about James in front of them.
"What exactly are you trying to say, Harold?" Margaux asked, her eyes narrowing.
"I'm saying James will soon be old news," he replied coldly.
Roberta exhaled sharply. "So, what? You've been scheming behind our backs again?" Her voice was low, but laced with accusation. "Don't tell me you've got your own secret plans you've kept from me."
Harold's eyes flicked to her, unimpressed. But before he could reply, Jessica let out a dry chuckle from the corner of the room.
"Funny," she said, not looking up. "Coming from the woman who's been spreading her legs in an old man's bed just to ruin a boy that was never even hers to begin with."
"Jessica!" Roberta snapped, her voice filled with venom.
Jasmine, Margaux, and even Cassandra gasped as the words hung in the air.
Roberta's face twitched, but she refused to back down. She pointed a trembling finger across the room. "Don't you dare judge me, Jessica, not after you manipulated your way into my brother's bed. None of you have a moral leg to stand on. At least I'm doing something—what have the rest of you done? Nothing but make plans that fail and still get humiliated!"
Margaux looked down, ashamed.
Jessica only smirked. "Touché."
Roberta continued, her voice growing louder with each word. "So don't sit there acting righteous. How dare any of you question me?!"
Harold stood abruptly. He adjusted his shirt collar, clearly fed up. "My plans are my own," he said calmly. "And I won't waste time trading barbs with bitter women. This is the last time any of you will ask me about what I'm doing. And hear me clearly, whatever you do, do not lay a finger on James. He is mine to handle. If I need help, I'll ask. Until then, stay out of it."
Without another word, he turned and stormed off to his room.
Jasmine clenched her fists tightly, biting her lip until it drew blood. Her voice trembled as she muttered, "How dare he? Who the hell does he think he is? James is the reason this family is in shambles. Just his existence was a mistake. If we leave him alone now, do we really think we'll survive what's coming next? We've all been burned by him. We're protecting only ourselves."
Margaux sighed, heavy with worry, lost in thought.
Roberta and Jessica had already begun bickering again, the room descending into noisy chaos.
Amid the madness, Belle's phone vibrated.
She looked down, and froze. John was calling.
Her heart raced, tears pooling instantly. After everything, she didn't think he'd ever reach out again. She stared at the screen, unable to move.
"Belle!" Cassandra hissed, noticing. She snatched the phone and pulled her away from the others, dragging her out of the quarrel and into the hallway.
"Pick it," Cassandra whispered urgently. "Talk to him."