Fated Villain
Copyright© 2026 by Traverse
Chapter 42: The Battle of Three Beauties
Lucas was stunned. What did she just say about being a homewrecker?
What was that supposed to mean?
Sasha smiled and glanced at Sylvia. “If that’s how we’re putting it, then Miss Morgan isn’t much different either. As far as I know, you’ve invested quite a bit of money into this whole thing. For someone like you to go this far, I can’t think of anyone in the world aside from your father who could make it happen—unless it’s your man.”
“Now you’re doing all this for Lucas. Oh my, don’t tell me you consider him your man? In that case, wouldn’t you be knowingly becoming the other woman?”
What the hell?
Lucas turned to look at Sasha.
What had she done that cost so much money? Why didn’t he know anything about it, yet Sasha was clearly in the loop?
Monica, seeing her bestie under fire, immediately stepped in to defend her. “We’re Lucas’s friends, and he considers us his friends too. We’ve known him a lot longer than you have. Who do you even think you are compared to us?”
Sasha scoffed. “If it’s about how long we’ve known him, I can’t compare to Miss Morgan. But compared to you, Monica, I have more than enough history. Where do you even get the confidence to act superior in front of me?”
“You—!”
Seeing the verbal clash getting more and more heated, Lucas quickly stepped in to mediate.
“Hey now, come on. Is this really the time for you all to be arguing? I’m about to hold a press conference. Sasha, just tell me what I need to do and say once I’m inside.”
Sasha replied, “You don’t have to say anything. Just go on stage and show your face. The media will take a few photos, and we’ll push out the news across major platforms. I’ve already drafted the headlines and article content.”
That simple?
Lucas couldn’t shake the feeling that this was a setup.
“Aren’t you handling something pretty major here? Why didn’t you discuss it with me first? What exactly did you write in those articles?”
Sasha smiled. “What else could I write? Of course, it’s an apology. The video is already out there, so it’s impossible to whitewash it. I’ll have the media report that you’re sincerely apologizing and planning to make a donation to help underprivileged students. That way, we generate some goodwill, cool off the situation, and make it through the storm.”
What?
An apology?
Lucas hissed under his breath. This wasn’t going to work.
[I’m supposed to be an arrogant, untouchable villain. How could I possibly apologize? No way. Once I get up there, I need to sneak in some off-script remarks to make it clear I’m still the villain. I can’t let Sasha control the narrative.]
Hearing his inner thoughts, Sasha merely smiled.
Once he was inside her hotel, she was the one in charge.
Even if Lucas suddenly went crazy and started beating people up on stage, Sasha could still spin it in his favor.
That was exactly why she chose to host the press conference in her own hotel.
As they entered the hotel lobby, they saw that reporters and media crews had been waiting for quite a while.
Seeing the crowd of cameras and journalists, Lucas immediately felt a headache coming on.
This was way too big of a production.
What had only been a scandal within a small elite circle was about to go completely public.
How was he supposed to live this down?
What truly shocked him was when he looked up and saw his mom and dad.
The two of them stood not far behind the stage, looking deeply worried.
Lucas rushed over, wide-eyed. “Mom, Dad, what are you doing here?”
Susanna grabbed his hand and said anxiously, “Miss Porter called us here. Son, this is your last chance. You have to take it seriously. Don’t mess this up again.”
Sebastian also looked solemn. “You messed up. Now it’s time to face the consequences. Don’t worry. We’ll face it together with you.”
Ugh...
Seeing how concerned his parents were made Lucas scratched his head awkwardly.
He had planned to play the arrogant villain and dig his heels in, but now that his parents were here too, what was he supposed to do?
There was no way he could stand on stage and spout nonsense in front of them.
They’d probably keel over from anger if he tried.
Forget it. He could probably forget about acting like a villain today. He would just have to admit fault, go with the flow, and figure things out later.
Soon, the press conference began. Sasha led Lucas onto the stage and whispered to him, “You don’t have to say anything. Just stand here. Let the media take pictures. Everything’s set.”
“Got it. Thank you.”
This was the first time he had sincerely thanked her since they met.
She really had done a lot for him. He didn’t even know how to repay this favor.
While he was deep in thought, Sasha stepped off the stage and signaled the media.
Immediately, the journalists raised their cameras and aimed at Lucas. He adjusted his suit slightly, straightened up, and let them take their photos.
But just then, a few video cameras quietly switched on.
Some unfamiliar journalists raised their microphones.
“Young Master Grey!”
A sudden shout from one of the reporters drew everyone’s attention.
“You bullied your classmates in college. Is that true? And if it is, why haven’t you apologized? You’re just standing there silently for the media to snap pictures. Is this all a scheme where you paid them off to release a couple of token statements to whitewash your image?”
Boom.
The entire hotel lobby fell silent.
Sasha’s eyes went wide in disbelief. She turned sharply to her staff. “What’s going on? Where did that reporter come from?”
Her assistant stammered, “I ... I don’t know.”
“Then go handle it right now!” she snapped, watching as her staff rushed over. Her brow furrowed deeply.
Who could sneak into her venue under her nose?
Whoever they were, they weren’t small players.
Her staff hurried over and confronted the reporter. “Who are you? You’re not on our guest list. Please leave immediately.”
When the reporter didn’t move, they raised a fist.
“If you don’t leave, we’ll have to get physical.”
The reporter smirked, completely unfazed. “What’s this? Are you seriously going to hit me? Just so you know, this isn’t just a recording. I’m live streaming right now. Streaming to three major platforms at once.”
“If you lay a finger on me, it won’t be long before the headline ‘Lucas Orders Attack on Reporter’ tops the trending charts. Go ahead, try me.”
That shut them up.
Sasha froze too.
A livestream?
They were streaming this live?
While the people on stage were still processing it, the reporter turned back to the camera and began his broadcast.
“Dear viewers, as you can see, this press conference is full of red flags. Lucas stands on stage in silence while the media snaps pictures. Looks like he paid them off to write a few shallow articles and sweep everything under the rug.”
“But the victims of bullying are still suffering. Similar incidents are still happening. If we let this slide, next time it could be our own children who get bullied.”
“If we want bullying to end, we must demand accountability.”
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