MY SUGAR MUMMY IS A BEAUTIFUL VAMPIRE

Chapter 65: An empire built on lies, blood & deceit!

Tessa sat in Josh's room, the hum of electronic devices surrounding her. She took a sip from her coke bottle, the liquid providing a momentary reprieve from the chaos she had orchestrated. Her eyes were fixed on the multiple screens displaying news outlets, all echoing a singular headline: "Shelly Technology or Manslaughter House."

A smirk played on Tessa's lips, a subtle expression of satisfaction as she found herself relishing the storm she had set into motion. The media frenzy that ensued was a symphony to her ears, and being a media person herself, she understood the dynamics of the community's reactions.

The systematic dissection of Shelly Technologies was unfolding just as she had planned. Her father's tragic demise would not be in vain; it would serve as the catalyst for unveiling the company's dark secrets. To reach the root, she needed to uproot the entire tree, and for now, Rose Shelly had become the prime target, a symbol of everything wrong with the corporation.

As Tessa continued to monitor the news, she reveled in the success of her strategy. The public outcry, the scrutiny of Shelley-Tech, and the imminent downfall of its reputation were all part of her meticulously crafted plan. Sipping her coke, she savored the taste of hard work and triumph.

Just then, Josh entered the room, his eyes glued to his phone screen, a mix of excitement and anxiety etched on his face. "Yoo!! The whole social media is on fire right now. I'm getting scared a little. Are you sure we didn't go too far with this?" he questioned, turning his phone to show Tessa the flood of posts about Rose Shelly.

Tessa glanced at the screen, where streamers, YouTubers, TikTokers, and numerous others were caught up in the whirlwind of the unfolding scandal. She maintained her composure and looked back at Josh. "Don't be a coward now. We've come too far to suddenly start growing cold feet. Remember, you made sure it couldn't be traced back to us, right? Or are you doubting your own skills now?

Tell me I haven't been let down," she said, fixing a penetrating stare on Josh.

"It's not that. I mean, the only way they can trace it back to us is by praying to God. But I'm still concerned. Taking down Shelly Technologies is as good as putting down everyone else. There are innocent people who work there!" Josh argued, attempting to make Tessa see the potential consequences of their actions.

"You are right. My dad was one of those innocent people. But guess what? He is past tense now! As in, unalived. So get your act together; those innocent people would thank us for saving their lives before they are used as lab rats!" Tessa retorted, her tone resolute, carrying a mix of grief and determination.

"Besides, we played a small part in this. Remember the lady I told you about? The investigative journalist, she had this pushed out to the public faster than you taking a shit right after a burrito!" Tessa revealed.

She hadn't published the footage herself. Instead, she had discreetly handed it over to a work rival who happened to be an investigative journalist. Tessa had kept her own involvement hidden, allowing the footage to go viral without tracing back to her.

"That was super unnecessary," Josh replied, his eyebrows furrowed in confusion and concern.

"But I guess you are right. Although it would have been more fulfilling if you had published it yourself. You would be famous by now," he added, a hint of ambition in his tone.

"You may be correct. But I'm not after fame or making a name for myself. And my mother doesn't need any drama at the moment, so safeguarding myself is simply safeguarding her," Tessa explained, her voice tinged with a touch of vulnerability beneath her assertive exterior.

The room fell into a momentary silence, punctuated by the distant buzz of news coverage. Tessa's gaze remained fixed on the screens, contemplating the intricate web she had woven. Josh, still uneasy, contemplated the consequences of their actions.

Tessa leaned back in the chair, her eyes fixed on the screens. The constant influx of notifications and updates fueled the adrenaline pumping through her veins. It was a dance of chaos, a symphony of destruction that resonated with the purpose she had set in motion.

Josh, still uneasy, paced the room. His gaze shifted between Tessa and the screens, contemplating the magnitude of their actions. "This is insane, Tessa. I never thought it would blow up like this. What if we've unleashed something we can't control?" he voiced his growing concern.

Tessa, however, remained unfazed. She locked eyes with Josh, the gleam of determination undiminished. "Control is an illusion, Josh. We're merely catalysts, accelerators of the inevitable. Shelley-Tech's sins were always destined to catch up with them. We're just expediting the process," she responded, her voice carrying a cold conviction.

As the room pulsated with the tension between them, Tessa's mind continued to churn. The success of this phase was crucial, but the endgame loomed even larger in her thoughts.

Unraveling the truth behind her father's demise required more than just exposing Shelley-Tech. It demanded dismantling every layer of deceit and corruption, and Rose Shelly was the linchpin holding it all together.

Josh, sensing Tessa's unwavering resolve, sat down, running his fingers through his hair. "What's the next move, then?" he asked, a mix of trepidation and curiosity in his voice.

Tessa's eyes narrowed, her mind calculating the chessboard of consequences. "Now, we let the storm brew. Rose Shelly will scramble to salvage her empire, and in that chaos, we'll dig deeper. The journalist we used, she's just a pawn. We need to expose the puppeteer orchestrating this macabre play," she explained, her thoughts unraveling with each spoken word.

Just then, Tessa's phone buzzed with a message. It was from the investigative journalist, the ally she had carefully chosen for this intricate game. The message hinted at a meeting, a clandestine rendezvous to discuss the next steps in their collaborative unraveling.

A sly smile crept onto Tessa's face. "Our journalist friend wants to meet. Seems like the game is advancing faster than anticipated. Let's not shy away now; the storm is just beginning."

The two conspirators exchanged a look, a silent agreement forged in the crucible of their shared ambitions and grievances.

The stage was set.

Tessa was ready to go to war against Rose.