The Tower Reversed: Back to 18 (Venus) novel Chapter 11

**One Step Changes Everything**
**By Ruby Parker**

**Percy’s Secret Revealed**

Before Harvey could utter a single word, Percy erupted with disbelief, “Framed? How could she possibly be framed? She didn’t just steal something! She tried to kill me!”

The truth was undeniable—she had snatched his lighter and cigarettes, and in a fit of rage, nearly set him ablaze.

Venus, with a mischievous glint in her eye, flashed a dazzling grin. “Percy, you speak as if you were actually present during the whole ordeal.”

“I was there—” Percy began, but he caught himself just in time, halting mid-sentence as he realized the gravity of his slip.

Megan, ever the quick thinker, cleared her throat awkwardly to cover for him. “Darling,” she addressed Harvey with a soft smile, “Percy has managed to maintain his top ranking again this semester. How about we reward him? Perhaps a summer trip abroad?”

Harvey’s anger, which had been simmering like a pot on the verge of boiling over, began to cool. He nodded, his expression softening.

“That’s a splendid idea. Son, where would you like to go?”

Seizing the moment, Axel swiftly snatched the golf club from his father’s grasp and handed it to the servant, his demeanor shifting to one of authority.

He turned to Venus with a look of stern disapproval. “What are you still doing here? Return to your room and think about your actions.”

Venus let out a laugh, her tone dripping with sarcasm. “Reflect on what? I didn’t do anything wrong!”

Axel froze, his mind racing.

Did she really just say that? What kind of girl from a respectable family speaks like that?

It was clear she had the manners of someone from the countryside, and it was infuriating.

Harvey’s expression darkened, his voice rising in anger. “Axel is giving you a chance to back down. Why didn’t you take it?!”

Undeterred by the shocked gazes surrounding her, Venus sank into the plush leather sofa, crossing one leg over the other with an air of nonchalance. “Aren’t you all curious why I was arrested in the first place?”

Percy squinted, his instincts screaming that she was about to expose him.

And sure enough, she pointed an accusing finger right at him. “Last night, I bumped into Percy at the park. He was hanging out with a bunch of punks—” Axel felt a surge of anger welling up within him.

“Does no one teach you about respect? I am your older brother!” he snapped, his voice sharp.

Venus merely smiled, a faint smirk playing on her lips. “Respect? I’m only half-educated, remember? How would I even know what that word means?”

Damn it!

Axel nearly choked on his own frustration.

The drive home was steeped in silence, the atmosphere thick with tension. Axel’s knuckles turned white as he gripped the steering wheel, his face a mask of frustration. He stole glances at Venus in the backseat, her calm demeanor only adding to the weight pressing down on his chest.

He had expected her to vanish into thin air once she left the police station, but to his surprise, she quietly entered the car, as if nothing had happened.

If you truly wanted to come home, why not just ask?

Why put on this charade?

“Tell me,” he finally broke the silence, his voice low and tense, “what landed you at the station?”

Venus remained silent, her gaze fixed on the passing scenery, her thoughts hidden behind a veil of indifference.

Axel’s patience wore thin. “What did you do this time? Another one of your shameful escapades?”

She turned her head slightly, her tone flat and unyielding. “Mr. Burn, you’ve never cared about me before. Why start now?”

As the eldest sibling, Axel was a rising star in the business world, often consumed by the demands of running the family company.

He wielded real authority within the family, and every time Venus found herself unjustly blamed or punished, she would wait for his arrival home, hoping for his intervention.

Yet, every plea, every tearful apology she offered was met with the same cold indifference.

Axel had never shown her an ounce of concern. The only time he ever intervened was during her arguments with Lumi, and even then, he sided with Lumi, urging Venus to back down.

He had once looked her in the eye and said, “You’re not worthy.”

Venus let out a quiet, bitter laugh.

“My troubles aren’t worth your attention, are they?”

Axel’s jaw clenched tightly. Her calm, indifferent tone only fueled his anger further. He let out a short, bitter laugh of his own. “You’re right. You’re not.”

He continued with ice in his voice, “You created this chaos just to draw attention to yourself, didn’t you? This isn’t the first time. Ever since you arrived, this house has been in turmoil.”

Venus interrupted, her voice cool and sharp. “Did I ask any of you to bring me here?”

It was her grandfather who had traversed hundreds of miles to find her in that mountain town. He had brought her back to the mansion, promising her a new life.

At first, she had resisted, terrified of the outside world and the threats posed by her adopted father.

But Julian had assured her that his family were good people who would treat her right. He had promised her four brothers who would love her, protect her, and make up for everything she had lost.

What a cruel joke that had turned out to be!

Were they truly good people? A family? From the moment she stepped foot in that mansion, it was evident they never intended to treat her as one of their own.

Her brothers never defended her.

Instead, they showered Lumi with affection, worried that Venus’s presence would somehow diminish Lumi’s worth in their eyes.

Axel’s frustration boiled over. His voice was as cold as ice. “If you’re so eager to go back, fine. Tomorrow, I’ll send you right back to your adopted father’s house.”

The mere thought of returning to her adopted father’s house filled Venus with dread.

Every time someone brought it up, her body would tremble uncontrollably, her face turning pale with fear.

That place was a living nightmare for her. Axel knew she would rather face death than return.

But this time, when he threatened her, Venus remained unnervingly calm. Almost too calm.

“Whatever,” she replied flatly.

Axel slammed on the brakes, turning to stare at her in disbelief. “What did you just say?”

Venus met his gaze, her voice steady and unwavering. “There’s never been a place for me in this family anyway. My dear brother’s favorite tactic is to threaten me with my fears. So go ahead—do whatever you want.”

She was no longer the timid girl she once was.

The thought of being sent back to that hellhole, where every day felt worse than death, didn’t terrify her anymore.

Not now.

Axel scrutinized her with his cold, piercing gaze for what felt like an eternity. Then he fell silent, simply continuing to drive.

You want to put on a show?

Fine! Keep it up!

He had seen every kind of performance imaginable. Venus’s little act couldn’t fool him.

When they returned to the mansion, Venus barely crossed the threshold when she was greeted by the picture-perfect façade of a loving family.

Percy, the very one who had framed her and nearly landed her in jail, stood proudly in the living room, displaying his flawless report card to Harvey.

Harvey’s smile was radiant as he beamed at the report card. “That’s my boy! Straight A’s again! I swear, my sons are all born geniuses. Percy, you’ve topped the entire school yet again—tell me, what do you want as a reward? Just name it, and I’ll get it for you.”

Dressed impeccably like the quintessential little bookworm, Percy spoke with the politeness of a model son.

“Dad, this is what I’m supposed to do. My brothers are all incredible. I’ll work hard to be just like them and make you proud.”

“Good!” Harvey nodded, his grin stretching wide. “All my kids are gifted—except for that troublemaker!” His tone shifted, turning bitter as his jaw tightened. “Sometimes I wish Lumi were my real daughter instead.”

At that moment, Percy’s eyes landed on Venus, who stood in the doorway, and the smug satisfaction in his gaze was impossible to conceal. “Venus!”

When Harvey turned to see her, his cheerful demeanor evaporated in an instant. “You immoral, rotten girl! What are you doing back here?!”

Her voice remained steady. “The model student you all adore is actually a little psycho.”

Each word landed like a hammer, and Percy’s expression darkened, his hands clenching into fists.

“You liar!” he shouted, his voice cracking. “You filthy hillbilly—you dare frame me!”

Everyone froze. None had ever witnessed Percy lose control like this.

Only Megan, who knew the truth, reached out to grab his arm. “Percy, calm down!”

Then she turned to Harvey, tears streaming down her face. “Honey, I can’t take this anymore!” she cried. “I never thought Venus would hate us this much. She’s fabricating horrible lies about me and my son! You know what kind of boy Percy is—he’s kind and hardworking!”

Harvey didn’t hesitate for a moment to side with his wife and youngest son. He pointed a trembling finger at Venus, his face a mask of rage. “You’re disgusting! Blaming your brother for the terrible things you did? You have no shame!”

Venus stood her ground, her voice cold and steady. “These are all facts. If anyone cared to investigate, the truth would emerge.” Then she turned to Axel, her eyes sharp as glass. “That shouldn’t be a problem for you, right, Mr. Burn?”

Percy’s face turned a bright shade of red as he shouted in panic, “Axel, you have to believe me! She’s lying because she’s jealous! I didn’t do any of that!”

Axel frowned, remaining silent.

Everyone knew Percy as the quiet, level-headed type. The kind of nerd who buried himself in books and never caused trouble.

But now, the way he panicked and desperately defended himself raised suspicions.

Venus crossed her arms and spoke clearly, “I was framed because I discovered one of Percy’s little secrets.”

Percy’s expression shifted. “Stop spouting nonsense!”

A secret …

Could it be that one?

No one in the family knew about it. No one could have discovered it.

There was no way for Venus to find out.

She must be bluffing, trying to intimidate him into slipping up.

Venus burst into laughter. “I haven’t even revealed what it is yet. How do you know I’m spouting nonsense?”

“You b-!”

“The answer you’re looking for,” she revealed coolly, “is in the basement on the south side of the garden.”

Percy’s face drained of color, panic flickering in his eyes.

How could she possibly know about my secret in the south basement?

“Percy,” Venus asked with a sly smile, “dare to open the basement door and show everyone what’s inside?”

In her previous life, Venus had uncovered that secret three years after Percy committed the crime. Back then, the truth had come to light only after Percy was caught.

He had been hiding something vile down there. It was the catalyst for everything.

Those things in the basement had fed his twisted ambitions. Three years later, he had transformed into a full-blown criminal mastermind, embroiled in schemes worth millions.

Now, his mask was slipping. Percy lunged at her, fury radiating from his every pore. “Shut up! There’s nothing down there! Stop framing me!”

Venus easily sidestepped him, delivering a swift kick to his leg.

He stumbled forward, crashing flat on his face.

Still fuming, he scrambled to his feet, ready to strike again.

Axel stepped in front of Venus, his tall frame acting as a barrier between her and Percy. His expression was stern, exuding authority.

“Percy,” he said firmly, “the south basement was built for your science projects. What are you so anxious about?”

His gaze narrowed, challenging. “Or did Venus just hit a nerve? Are you actually hiding something down there?”