Victoria Newman stood alone on the balcony of her office, the cool breeze brushing against her skin, a stark contrast to the storm raging in her mind. Her thoughts were consumed by a revelation she could no longer ignore: Billy Abbott, the father of her children and once the love of her life, had been mercilessly betrayed. The culprit? Lily Winters, the woman Billy had once defied everyone to love.
From the very start, Victoria had sensed the darkness lurking behind Lily's polished exterior. She had warned Billy, but his stubbornness and the allure of something new had clouded his judgment. He had plunged into his relationship with Lily, ignoring Victoria’s warnings. Now, the consequences were catastrophic—his career was in shambles, his health deteriorated, and his self-confidence shattered. Billy, ever the rebel, refused to confront the harsh reality of his situation. Perhaps it was his deep-seated guilt or a reluctance to see himself as a victim, especially in front of a woman.
Victoria had witnessed the unraveling of Billy's life firsthand. Lily had not only broken his heart but had played a dangerous game that wrecked his professional life. Deals had fallen through, investors had retreated, and Billy had become distant and erratic. Lily had maneuvered him into a corner, ensuring that every step he took backfired. Victoria, never one to stand idly by, had reached her breaking point. She could not bear to see the man she still cared for be destroyed by someone who had betrayed his trust so deeply.
Victoria knew she had to act swiftly. She began setting the pieces in motion, knowing her father, Victor Newman, would be a crucial ally. Victor's empire was one of the few things Lily still relied on, and Victoria intended to strip that away. Convincing Victor to sever ties with Lily would be relatively easy. Victoria had inherited her father’s ruthlessness, and it was clear that Lily was no longer a valuable asset in the Newman world.
Within hours, Lily was blindsided by the news of her termination from Newman Enterprises. Shocked and bewildered, she could only think of Victoria as the mastermind behind this sudden and devastating blow. The simmering animosity between the two women had reached a boiling point, and Lily knew Victoria wouldn’t stop here. But Lily was not one to back down easily. She had fought hard to reach the top and was determined not to let Victoria strip her of everything she had achieved. Victoria’s move had been swift and merciless, hitting Lily where it hurt most: her career.
As Lily’s other business connections began to waver, she realized the extent of Victoria’s influence. Billy found himself caught in the middle of this escalating conflict. Once deeply in love with Victoria, he admired her tenacity despite their complicated history. Yet, Lily had been a different kind of love—one that offered him an escape from his troubled past, if only temporarily. Now, Billy watched as Victoria, like a relentless storm, pursued Lily with uncontainable fury.
Victoria, sensing Billy’s hesitation, confronted him directly. “Billy, stop being afraid to fight back. Lily betrayed you—your trust, your love, your career. You owe her nothing now,” she said, her voice steely with determination. “Let me handle this. Make her pay for everything she’s done to you.”
Billy shook his head, still unsure. “Victoria, I can’t… It’s not worth it.”
“It is worth it,” she snapped. “You’ve been too forgiving for too long. If you don’t stand up for yourself, no one will. Just let me do what needs to be done.”
For a moment, Billy was silent, weighing her words. He knew she was right; Lily’s actions had cut deeply. The longer he avoided confrontation, the more damage was done. Yet, he hesitated at the thought of revenge, remembering how it had led only to more heartache before. Victoria’s insistence, however, pierced through his uncertainty. Perhaps she was the one who could deliver the justice he was too weary to seek.
With a reluctant nod, Billy gave her his reluctant blessing. “Do what you have to do, Victoria. Just don’t expect me to be part of it.”
With Billy’s hesitant approval, Victoria intensified her campaign against Lily. It wasn’t enough to oust her from Newman Enterprises; Victoria aimed to dismantle everything Lily had built. She began reaching out to other corporations involved with Lily, starting a campaign to poison the well, determined to ensure that Lily’s downfall was as complete as it was swift.
