The Tower Reversed: Back to 18 (Venus) novel Chapter 46

46 /130

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

“Hah, what a joke. She’s just a nobody from the countryside. No connections, no background. How the hell would she know someone like Neoma?” Rayne’s voice dripped with disdain, his sneer a perfect reflection of his arrogance.

Elaine, feeling the weight of the moment, responded with sincerity, “It really was Neoma who asked her to come. I was the one who went down to the lobby to meet her.” Her heart raced as she spoke, hoping to defuse the tension.

Rayne’s expression shifted dramatically, his face flushing with an odd blend of embarrassment and anger. “For real?” His disbelief hung in the air, a palpable tension as he grasped the implications. The realization that Venus hadn’t shown up for him stung, igniting a flicker of jealousy within him.

But just as quickly, his demeanor hardened, his eyes narrowing like a predator sizing up its prey. “Not just that, huh?” His voice turned icy, slicing through the air. “You track my schedule better than any obsessed fan. You knew I’d be here today. You showed up on purpose to make me look bad, didn’t you?”

Elaine felt a wave of confusion wash over her, her gaze darting to Venus, who stood unfazed. “Wait … what’s going on between you and Rayne?” she asked, her voice tinged with concern.

Venus, ever the picture of composure, replied coolly, “Absolutely nothing.”

Rayne let out a bitter laugh, the sound echoing with sarcasm. “Right, sure. You say we’re nothing, but I bet you’d love to broadcast to the world that you’re my sister.” His words dripped with scorn, and Elaine’s jaw dropped in disbelief.

So this was her—the adopted daughter of the Burns, Rayne’s so-called “little sister.” The revelation sent a jolt through Elaine, her mind racing to connect the dots. Venus? The one with the scandalous history? A frown creased Elaine’s brow as suspicion settled in. “When did you even meet Neoma? I’m her personal assistant, and I’ve never heard of the two of you being friends.”

Neoma had been glued to her phone lately, her mind seemingly elsewhere. Had she actually been tricked by this girl? The thought gnawed at Elaine, casting shadows of doubt.

But Venus remained unflappable, her calm demeanor a stark contrast to the rising tension. “You’ll find out when Ms. Day wakes up,” she replied, her tone almost dismissive.

Rayne, however, was relentless. “Don’t believe a word she says! She’s a master manipulator. Your artist is sweet and naive. She probably got sucked in. And come on, they were alone in the makeup room, and then Neoma screamed and fainted. What kind of ‘friend’ causes that?” he spat at Elaine, his frustration boiling over.

Elaine’s expression shifted, a sense of urgency taking hold. That was serious. She turned sharply, calling for security to detain Venus, her heart pounding.

“You don’t have the legal right to restrict my movement,” Venus said coldly, locking eyes with the two guards, her gaze unwavering.

In that moment, the guards hesitated, caught off guard by the depth of her stare. Neither dared to lay a hand on her, an unspoken respect hanging in the air.

Rayne scoffed, arms crossed tightly over his chest, his posture radiating contempt. “Neoma passed out, and you were the only one with her. Don’t act like this isn’t your fault. You always get away with things. Just because I didn’t hold you accountable last time doesn’t mean others will be as nice. Venus, your little game ends here.”