Husband With Benefits-Chapter 883: A Mess

Victor Ignis frowned as he stared at the headlines splashed across the screen of his phone. His fingers itched to hurl the device at the nearest wall. The scandal he had orchestrated—meticulously planned down to the last detail—had crumbled into dust before his eyes. How had this happened? He had ensured every element of the situation was controlled. He had confirmed the woman Rafe had escorted to the hospital had been planning an abortion. But now? She had turned the narrative on its head, publicly announcing her marriage to him instead.

And her name—the detail gnawed at him like a persistent thorn. She was a Frost? How had he overlooked such a critical fact? He had dismissed her as just another woman Rafe had carelessly entangled himself with after being drugged. Yet, here she was, not only evading his trap but standing as part of one of the most influential families he knew. His elaborate scandal had not just failed; it had backfired spectacularly.

Victor clenched his jaw as the tension built within him. His mind raced with thoughts of damage control, but first, he needed answers. Turning his sharp gaze to the man standing stiffly in front of him, he demanded, "What did you find out about her now?"

The man—one of Victor’s trusted operatives, now looking anything but competent—shifted uncomfortably under the scrutiny. He had been tasked with uncovering everything there was to know about Arabelle Frost before the events unfolded. Clearly, he had failed.

"Young master," the man began hesitantly, "she’s a volunteer with several NGOs."

Victor raised an eyebrow, the knot in his chest tightening. "Go on," he said, his voice sharp enough to cut through the man’s fumbling hesitation.

"She... she’s a human rights activist," the man continued hurriedly. "Her work focuses primarily on curbing human trafficking and spreading awareness about its dangers. She’s particularly active in regions where these crimes are rampant. She’s... well-respected in those circles."

Victor’s frown deepened. "And her connection to the Frost family?"

The man swallowed nervously. "She’s Gabe Frost’s sister-in-law. She took his name when she was a teenager. She was an orphan and raised by him so she eventually took his name. There’s nothing on her that stands out, sir. No criminal records, not even a parking ticket. She’s spotless."

Victor’s grip on the phone tightened as he processed the information. A Frost, a paragon of virtue, and a champion of human rights. His carefully constructed scheme had been no match for someone with such an impeccable reputation. This wasn’t some ordinary woman who could be bullied or discredited; this was a fortress he had inadvertently laid siege to without knowing its strength.

"A Frost," he muttered under his breath. "And not just any Frost, but one who’s practically untouchable." This time he did hurl his phone to the wall.

Victor’s mind churned. Arabelle Frost was not the pawn he had imagined; she was a queen on the chessboard, one whose moves he hadn’t anticipated. This revelation demanded a recalibration of his strategy. He could no longer afford to underestimate Rafe. First it was Kael hooking into a powerful family and now Rafe.

"And her personal life?" Victor asked after a long silence. "Any vulnerabilities?"

The operative shook his head. "None that we could find, sir. She’s remarkably private, despite her public work. If there are weaknesses, they’re well-hidden. But..."

Victor’s eyes narrowed at the operative’s hesitance. The man’s earlier incompetence had irritated him, but this sudden shift piqued his curiosity. There was something unsaid, and Victor would not tolerate being kept in the dark.

"Speak," Victor demanded, his voice low and dangerous. "What aren’t you telling me?"

The operative swallowed, his hands fumbling as he placed a slim file on the desk before Victor. "There is... something, sir. While Arabelle Frost herself is spotless, the same cannot be said about her past. Specifically, her bological parent."

Victor’s gaze sharpened. He reached for the file, his movements precise and deliberate, though his mounting frustration made his fingers twitch. "Her birth family?" he repeated, flipping open the file.

The operative nodded. "Yes, young master. It was nearly impossible to gather any information about this. What we do know is limited but given time, we can find that too. And it might turn out to be helpful. However, if you want to continue the scandal, this information should be helpful.

Victor shook his head. No. This was not for a scandal...

Victor shook his head, a dark smirk tugging his lips. "No," he murmured, his tone almost amused. "These changes everything. I’m not ending this now—far from it. In fact, I’m looking forward to this marriage."

The operative blinked, clearly caught off guard by the shift in Victor’s demeanor. "Young master?"

Victor leaned back in his chair, tapping a finger against the file. "You see, I underestimated Arabelle Frost once, and I won’t make that mistake again. This marriage to Rafe? It’s perfect. Let them celebrate, let Rafe think he has won this. But you," he said, his voice hardening as he fixed his gaze on the operative, "will continue digging. Find everything there is to know about these two men. Every skeleton, every rumor, every whisper. Do you understand me?"

"Yes, sir," the operative stammered.

Victor’s smirk deepened as he stood and crossed the room, the shattered remains of his phone crunching under his polished shoes. "Once the wedding is over and Rafe is basking in their triumph, that’s when we strike. Not to just ruin them—no, that would be too easy—but to make them fall harder than they ever thought possible. When they’re at their highest, we’ll ensure they’re brought to their knees."

He turned back to the operative, his eyes gleaming with a dangerous light. "You have your orders. Leave no stone unturned. And remember—this isn’t just about Arabelle. It’s about everyone around her. If they’re connected to her, I want to know their weaknesses. and past."

The operative nodded quickly, gathering the file before leaving the room. Victor stared at the door for a moment, his mind already calculating the next steps. The game had changed, but the board was still his to control.

Victor allowed himself a rare chuckle, low and sinister. "Enjoy your moment of victory, Rafe," he muttered to himself. "It won’t last long."