The Tower Reversed: Back to 18 (Venus) novel Chapter 23

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

**Chapter 23: A Gift from the Grateful**

As Axel’s dismissive demeanor washed over the room, Darcy felt the warmth of his smile evaporate like mist in the morning sun.

In that moment, he finally grasped the weight of Venus’s peculiar warning about being cautious with his investments.

It was all too clear now.

With a partner like Axel—full of arrogance and blinkered vision—any chance of collaboration was bound to collapse before it even began.

Darcy forced a smile, one that felt more like a mask than an expression of cheer. “Very well, then. Since Mr. Burn has chosen not to engage, we’ll consider this matter closed.”

Axel’s posture stiffened, caught off guard by Darcy’s unexpected capitulation. He had anticipated a fight, a struggle, but the moment those words left Darcy’s lips, they hung in the air like a heavy fog, impossible to retract.

With a sneer that dripped with disdain, he retorted, “Allow me to offer you a piece of advice, Mr. Weston—Venus is a master manipulator, skilled in the art of deception. Don’t let her sweet facade fool you.”

Darcy maintained his composure, his voice steady and unyielding. “I choose to believe in what I can see. My benefactor is genuine and kind-hearted, not the schemer you paint her to be.”

With a derisive laugh, Axel turned on his heel and exited the room, leaving behind an air thick with tension.

As Darcy watched him stride away, his expression sharpened. He pulled out his phone, dialing his assistant with a sense of purpose. “Cancel the project with the Burns. We need to find a different way to express our gratitude to Ms. Burn for her contributions.”

Later that afternoon, around three o’clock, Venus returned home, her arms laden with bags filled with groceries and household essentials.

However, as she stepped through the threshold of her home, she froze in disbelief.

The house, once shrouded in an air of neglect, had undergone a miraculous transformation. The overgrown weeds had been uprooted, the cobwebs swept away, and the creeping vines stripped from the walls.

The entire structure sparkled with a newfound brightness, freshly painted and inviting.

The front door stood ajar, and as she stepped inside, she was greeted by the sight of several workers diligently repainting the walls. The old, worn-out furniture had vanished, replaced by elegant, brand-new sofas and tables that gleamed in the light.

“Am I in the right house?” Venus murmured, her confusion evident.

“Make sure to install the new window upstairs and reconnect the water and power,” a familiar voice called out. Jim, Darcy’s secretary, descended the stairs, his face lighting up at the sight of her. “Ms. Burn! You’re back!”

Instantly, recognition dawned on her. Jim was indeed Darcy’s right-hand man. Suddenly, everything clicked into place, and she couldn’t help but burst into laughter. “What is your boss up to now?”

With a broad grin, Jim handed her a folder with a hint of reverence. “Mr. Weston purchased this house in your name. He mentioned it’s a small token of gratitude for all you’ve done.”

Venus stood there, momentarily speechless. Jim had actually suggested to Darcy that she should receive a house in a better neighborhood, especially considering the haunted reputation that loomed over this one.

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