Things are going to be so hard, having to clear up all what has happened and Laura's involvement. No mater what, there's a fight ahead and if there's a way to simplify things, I'm going to take it. Not because of Laura, I have no sympathy for her whatsoever, but for everyone else who is involved.

This is why we have decided—no, I have decided to give her a chance to turn herself in. Just one chance, if she doesn't take it, then we'll just have to proceed how it's supposed to be. Even if she has the police wrapped around her little finger, we'll find a way to make justice and with her, we'll take everyone else down. We'll cleanse BEEB Group even if it means I have to start all over again.

"Are you ready?" Nora asks me before we get out of the car, Louise has already parked at the company's parking lot. It's time I show myself and let everyone know I'm not dead, that I've come back to claim what's mine.

It's bloody terrifying. After being hidden for so long, my hands and legs are shaking before I get out of the car.

"Not nearly," I reply, my mind spinning but aware this is it. I have to do it. "Let's go."

Louise leaves the car first and then Nora follows. We've dressed formally because regardless of what Laura decides, I'll still show my face and I have to look like the heiress I am, not a lost child anymore.

Will isn't with us because although he wanted to come, Louise advised otherwise, saying it's better if he contacts his friends to tell them what's coming and to show support to clear their name. Reluctantly, he agreed. I wish he could've been here too, but I have Nora by my side and if I have her, I'm okay.

We walk towards the lift and head to the floor where Laura's office is. Well, technically speaking, it's my office. I'll reclaim it today.

As the numbers change one after the other, my heart takes off and my breath hitches in my throat, scared and anxious, so I'm practically abusing Nora's hand. Instead of complaining, she just squeezes back, as tightly, reminding me she's here, always with me.

The doors open and we step outside the lift, into the hall with many doors to different offices. At the end of the hall, the largest doors with basically a hall to receive people lead to Laura's office.

My office.

I square my shoulders and take a deep breath before taking the first step towards it, still holding Nora's hand, Louise following us behind.

Outside her office, in his desk, Dean is working on his computer until he spots us and his face loses all colour at the same time his jaw hits the floor. He stumbles to his feet, mumbling but no coherent word comes out of his lips. And at the sight of this man who left me alone in a car to die, and then kidnaped me, rage fills my body. The anxiety steps to the background and I can only feel anger when I look at him, who tried to kill me twice per Laura's orders.

This man has to pay.

"Hello, Dean," I greet with a smile but my tone is bitter and sarcastic. My voice carries the promise of revenge and he knows it, it's evident in the way he gulps and stumbles back, hitting the chair with the back of thighs and still gaping like fish out of water.

"It's not... not possible," he finally mumbles and I smirk, full of resentment.

Ruthless.

"What? That I survived two murder attempts? Well, I guess you can say I'm the lucky one," I continue, the smile on my face dying so I end up glaring at him. "If it's of any comfort, I almost die the first time. The internal bleedings were really messy and I had to get surgery. Moreover, I did die for a few seconds the second time so I guess you aren't that bad at your assassin job."

"No... you don't—"

"You don't need to announce I'm here, I'l do that myself," I cut him in, turning to the doors again and taking a step forward, filled with determination this time.

"Do you want me to come in with you?" Louise asks from behind.

Honestly, five minutes ago I would've agreed to that. Hell, I would've begged her or Nora to come in with me. But now, after seeing Dean, I don't need them. I can do this alone.

"No, I'm fine," I reply, standing straighter and finally grabbing the door knobs. With one last impulse and deep breathe, I slam the doors open as dramatically as I can, just to give Laura a start.

"What on Earth?!" she exclaims but I slam the doors shut behind me as she looks up and our eyes meet.

Five heartbeats, that's all it takes for Laura to show utter shock, disbelief, annoyance, determination until her expression morphs in a one of utmost pleasure and gratitude.

That woman is the best actress I've ever seen, because if I didn't know she pushed me off the bridge, that she beat me up like that—if I hadn't seen her myself, I would believe she looks happy and relieved to see me.

"Blanca! You're alive. I can't believe this! Oh God, I'm so relieved," she says, sitting back on her chair, trying to look as her words describe instead of intimidated as I walk up to her.

"Surprised?" I question, not stopping walking until I'm at her desk, ultimately sitting there and playing with the fountain pen she was using and left on the desk. It's heavy and golden, probably made of gold because that's the type of person Laura is. And I play with that thing as if it were made of plastic.

"Gladly surprised," the woman replies, the smile constant and perfect on her face. It doesn't flicker, nor does her expression. She still looks honestly happy.

"Hmm, are you sure about that?" I inquire, pointing at her with the fountain pen, keeping my expression as neutral as possible, but I'm not nearly as good as Laura at this. No wonder my father fell for her tricks. I can't blame him at all, Laura is just beyond words. "Considering you tried so hard to get rid of me I think annoyedly surprised would fit better. Don't you think?"

"How could I be annoyed when my daughter came back after we thought she was dead?"

Her words, hypocrisy and acting makes me gag and for a second it feels like my stomach is upside down, but I pull myself together fast, tired of this charade.

"Let's stop this, shall wee? I don't have the patience or skills to play nice like you do. I don't have a nice temper, remember?"

One heartbeat, for that short amount of time she looks tense and angry.

"I remember you on the bridge, clearly as water." I chuckle because I remember the waters I fell into after that which were dark and cold, the same waters that took me away and almost kept me with them forever. The irony of my word choice. "I know you tried to kill me both times. Well, the first was Dean but I'm sure you asked him to."

"Dear, I don't know what you're talking about," Laura feigns ignorance and she's annoying me, but at the same time I'm surprised she keeps the façade until the end. She isn't an idiot who would reveal herself because whatever she says here can be used against her. "You had an accident and we thought you were dead."

"Well, I wasn't. And you knew that because you found me again and pushed me off a bridge. Or does your memory fail you? I didn't think you were so old, but surgeries can fool the sharpest eyesight."

Another heartbeat, this time her eye twitches, annoyed that I've insulted her. I know I'm just being petty, using her surgeries and appearance against her, but what can you do? I'll use every last card up my sleeve to defeat this woman.

"When did this happen?" Laura asks and I scowl. Why could she not have said she was at home, using her alibi? I could've used that against her, asking her back how did she know when that happened.

Ugh.

"Oh, you know, Laura. But you know what? I'm not even sure of the date myself. You see, I spent a few days at the hospital after dying for a little bit."

One more heartbeat, this time she smirks and there's glee in her eyes before she goes back to the pleased mask.

"You did? I'm so glad you're okay now, Blanca dear. We'll make everything right and find who did this to you. We'll call the police now to re-open your case and—"

"Oh, don't bother!" I stop her, waving the fountain pen from side to side, dismissively. Laura tilts her head to the right, watching me with doe-like eyes, looking actually innocent.

Carelessly, I drop the pen and it makes a sound that echoes around us, but that doesn't break the eye contact between us, not even when I fish for my mobile phone in the pockets of my trousers. Once the gadget is in my hands, I just press my fingerprint to the home button and unlock the screen.

What receives me is a paused video, the same I was watching before, so I make sure to show Laura the screen this time before I press play.

"Conveniently, the day you tried to kill me yourself, I had a drone following me and guess what the Go Pro caught?"

Laura's expression hardens as she watches the footage of that day, how she is beating me and threatening me, ultimately pushing me off the bridge. I see her balling her fists, taking sharp breaths

"Do you remember now?" I ask when the clip ends. I just brought a piece of it, enough to show her and make her understand this time I have evidence against her. "I might not have proof you are behind the first murder attempt, but as you see, I do have for the second. What do you have to say now?"

She stares at me, and slowly her expression softens again, the smile returns and she leans back, even more comfortable, which is ticking me off.

"I'm going to be nice and give you a chance, Laura," I begin, tense. "Turn yourself in and avoid a messy trial and the public humiliation. Go as discreetly as you can and save us both the headache and trouble."

"How can you be so sure that's me?" she asks back and I can't help myself from rolling my eyes. It's evident, even for someone with really bad eyesight. "For all I know, you could be manipulating that video to incriminate me. What's your motive, Blanca? Do you want me out so badly? I've never tried to take what's yours, I was just looking after the company while—"

"NO!" I scream, totally losing my temper and patience. I know this means she's winning, but I don't care right now. "Don't you dare lie like that in my face. This video is authentic and it can be proved. Don't come here saying such shameless lies. You know it's you and anyone who watches this will know it."

"I'm sure my lawyer can prove it's not me there," she bets, smirking as I jump off the desk, turning to fully glare at her, so done with being civil.

"Oh, so you want to fight until the end?" I retort. "Fine, have it your way. I gave you a chance and you didn't take it. You might have bought the police but you think that's the only way to get justice? Have you ever heard of the media? You want to know what they'll do with you once they get their hands on this piece of evidence? You want to bet on how much damage it'll make not only to you but everyone involved? The people who signed that body as me. The police who closed my case. And everyone here in this company! Everyone will go down with you, I'll make sure of it." I am breathing heavy, my hands on the desk, leaning forward as I threaten her and see her stiffening. "You'll go down this time, Laura."

"You'll ruin the company," she tries and I laugh, humourlessly, throwing my arms in the air as dramatically as I can before I become ice cold and glare daggers at her.

"So be it," I declare. "I'll start all over again if I need to. I'm that capable. I'll do anything if it means getting rid of all the dregs of this company."

I perk up, still glaring at her and taking controlled breaths, my chest raising and falling. I know I'm more worked up than she is, but I'm satisfied that she looks nervous now, she is so worried she can't keep the façade anymore and that is my win today.

"I'll see you around, Laura. Get ready for what's coming. The press is waiting for a conference in—" I take a look at my wrist watch, the smirk coming to my lips. "—Oh, look! In only ten minutes. I guess I'll get busy now. See you!"

And with that, I wave my fingers in a mocking goodbye, smiling for one second and the next I'm grimacing, looking as disgusted with her as I am.

I turn on my heels and walk out of her office, meeting Louise and Nora outside. There's no smile, no thumbs up, no nothing. I just stand there, staring back at them before I take a breath and say: "Release the clip."

❅ ❅ ❅

So lat's week I didn't write for this story yet I wrote what's worth fifteen chapters for other stories. Aren't I just a wonderful person? Note the sarcasm. If you follow me on twitter you probably saw me being like that though.

Anyhow, I did write down carefully what's coming for the following chapters so it's easier to write and now I can say surely that this story will have 50 chapters + epilogue.

That said, I apologise for the delay in update and I hope you liked the chapter and how much Blanca has changed.

Dedication to thediannamorales

Bel, xx