Chapter 101:
Auguste sat speechless, wine glass trembling in her hand.
The name Paige echoed in her mind like a gunshot.
She remembered Catherine's sharp voice the last time they spoke:
"Don't ever contact me again. You killed her. You killed my sister."
Then Catherine was gone. Off to Spain. No goodbye. No return.
Now Paige—Paige was alive.
Auguste stumbled to the wine shelf, yanked a bottle free, and downed it like water.
Adam watched in confusion.
"…Okay. What the hell is going on?" he asked.
She didn't respond. She just kept drinking.
Back at the Shikongo estate, tension hung heavy.
Grandma Veronica paced restlessly. Catty fumed, arms crossed.
"My love wouldn't be in this mess if it weren't for that woman," Catty hissed.
Sofia folded her arms. "Our attention? What's that supposed to mean?"
Catty turned, voice sharp. "Yesterday, she pulled this dramatic act like she was saving Grandma. And now she's with Nathan?"
"I was really about to be hurt," Kuku said calmly. "And you, who was with me the whole time, didn't see it coming."
"What are you talking about, Kuku?" Monica asked, narrowing her eyes.
Daniel rolled his eyes. "I'm going to my room. This house is full of drama." He stormed off.
"Kuku," Monica repeated, "you've met Vicky before?"
"Yes. Yesterday. At the mall. Workers were carrying parcels—one nearly dropped on me. She jumped in. Just in time."
"Just in time," Catty repeated with venom. "Now she's with my Nathan."
"And where were you when Kuku nearly got crushed?" Monica snapped. "Maybe you wanted to get the credit Vicky got?"
"Enough!" Betty interjected. "We're all on edge. Let's just pray things go well at the police station."
"I trust Vicky," Monica said. "She won't let Nate take the fall."
Catty scoffed. "She's pretending. She's faking those fainting spells. Last I checked, she doesn't remember anything conveniently."
Cinthia nodded. "She's playing everyone."
In his room, Ruben stared at AID, turning it slowly in his hands.
"How could Vicky create something like this… and now be like this?" he whispered.
From the doorway:
"She created that?" Monica's voice broke in.
Ruben flinched and quickly hid it.
Catty stormed into Nathan's room, pacing in frustration.
"Catty, relax. Vicky means nothing to Nathan. He's just being—generous," Cinthia offered.
"Generous?" Catty laughed coldly. "Nathan? He's not generous to strangers. Remember that girl he threw money at?"
"…She was that girl," Cinthia said, realization dawning.
Catty froze. "Wait—what?!"
"I had the video, but it's deleted. Even the account's gone. That girl was Vicky."
Catty's jaw dropped. "I knew it. I knew she was playing us."
She stormed out. "Catty!" Cinthia called after her.
But Catty was already muttering to herself. "Wait… Kuku said she's our engagement planner? Our wedding planner? Who is she?"
She turned back to Cinthia. "She's not just anyone. She's after something."
Cinthia frowned. "Calm down, Catty. You're spiraling."
Catty didn't respond. She turned and disappeared into her room.
At the police station, Karen was giving her statement. Vicky sat in silence, eyes glassy.
She turned to Simon, sitting across from her.
"What did you say your name was?"
"Simon. You don't know me."
"But I was with your daughter last night…"
"That's what she says."
Nathan opened his mouth to interject—but before he could, a little girl in handcuffs burst into the room.
"Mr. Nate!" she squealed and jumped into his lap.
"Hey, pumpkin. How are you?"
"I'm great! And you finally brought your wife?"
Nathan chuckled. The girl grinned mischievously and then—
CLINK!
She handcuffed Vicky and Nathan together.
Everyone stared.
"You're under arrest! For taking so long to introduce me to your wife!" the girl declared proudly.
Vicky broke into laughter, playing along.
Simon stood slowly and slipped out.
Outside, Ndeshi sat in the car, arms crossed, furious.
Simon got in silently.
"Did she threaten the police?" Ndeshi asked.
"No."
"Then why is she getting away with this?"
"She's not getting away. I think there's… a confusion in her."
"What do you mean?"
"You'll find out."
"Where are we going?"
Simon didn't answer. He just kept driving.
Back at the house, Ruben tried to tuck AID away.
"Why are you hiding it?" Monica asked.
"It's not for you to see. Why are you here?"
"I want to see what Vicky made," she said, moving toward him.
Ruben resisted. Monica stumbled slightly, reaching for it—and a stack of photos slid from the drawer.
She bent down. Froze.
Photos of Nathan and Vicky—together. At the business party. Arms close. Laughing.
"What… is this?" Monica whispered.
Ruben's face turned to stone.
He said nothing.