Vanessa sighed dramatically, taking a slow sip of her coffee. “Well, for starters, he found out about Dominic being Raina’s brother.”
1 rolled my eyes in my mind. I raised an eyebrow, Unimpressed. That was old news to me, but it was good Vanessa didn’t keep that away from from me, there would have been a problem
Vanessa continued, “And Dominic’s single now. You know what means? 1 can finally have him to myself. Although Raina thinks she can stop that by..“1 narrowed my eyes. litteruppting her unital self–absorbed yapping. “Vanessa, focus. This isn’t about you.”
She frowned, leaning back in her chair, “Tine. But you should know that Alex has been acting weird lately. Like, pining after Raina. It’s almost like he wants her back or something.”
Her words hit me like a slap, and I nearly screamed in frustration. “That bitch is ruining everything!‘
Vanessa reculled slightly, but i wasn’t done. “She knows, Vanessa. About Liem,‘
Herexpression tattered, berlips parting in that telltale way that meant she was hiding something.
“What?” I demanded, narrowing my eyes.
sahesitated, then blurted, “She found her phone. Technically the SD card with the recording.”
My blood ranculd. “What recording?”
Vaisessa fidgeted under my glace, finally admitting, “The one Raina made of you while you were you know, trying to hurt Liam.”
Ifroze. Alex could never see that recording. If he did, he wouldn’t hate‘ ll me with his hate hands.
I forced a calm I didn’t feel and said through gritted teeth, “I’ll figure out how to get it back. Don’t screw this up any more than you already have.”
After leaving the café, I didn’t waste any time. Vanessa had been useful, but her inability to think beyond her pesty vendettas made her a liability. It I wanted to pull this off, had to ly on someone much pore reliable.
slipping into the back seat of any car, I scrolled through my phone and called Alex’s secretary. The little mele had proven be worth time and again, eager to feed me tidbits in exchange for a few well–placed compliments and the occasional gift.
When she awered, her voice was healt ‚adnitost unsure. “Hello, Miss Eliza ”
didn’t bother with pleasantries. “Tell me,” I said cuntly, “what’s on Alex’s schedule this week?”
There was a brief pause, the sound of shuttling papers in the background. “Um… I’m not sure I should
“Don’t waste mytime,” I cut her off sharply. “I’ve kept your secrets, haven’t 17 Do you want the to reconsider our little arrangement?”
Inde silence was answer enough. After a moment, she sighed. “There’s a charity event at the end of the week. It’s a big gor. Everyone who’s anyone will be there.
The Lindhamsate the headliners”
1/2
Eleaned back, a smile tugging at my lips as i imagined Halina’s deinstall unfolding like a beautifully orchestrated play. “Thank you,” I said, my tope uddenly swerl. “You’ve been very helpful, as always.”
Tended the call and stared out the window, my mind already racing with possibilities. “Just you wait, Ratna,” I murmured, the venom in my voice surprising even me. “I’ll make you the laughingstock of society.”
The thought of her losing that carefully crafted image of perfection filled me with glee. It wasn’t enough to simply embarass ber–needed to destroy her, to leave her so humiliated that she wouldn’t dare show her face in public again.
As soon as I got home, 1 began planning. The charity event was only days away, which mean every detail had to be perfect.
| omine,
First, called my designer and ordered a dress that would guarantee all eyes were on me, I had in be stunning, elegant, and just provocative enough to remind everyone that I was a force to be reckoned with
“need it ready by Friday,” I told her, my tone leaving no rooms for negotiation. “No excuses.”
Next, I made a list of names: The people attending this event weren’t just high society–they were vultures, circling at the first sign of weakness. It i played my cards right, they would do half the work for me.
Let her laugh and smile while she still could. By the end of the week, her perfect world would crumble,
and I would be there to watch e every plocious second of it.
A day before the event, my plan began to take shape. If Raina thought she could walk into my world and take everything that was supposed to be mine, she was sorely mistaken.
The custom dress made by my designer was nothing shost of perfection. A floor–length, emerald–green gown with a daring neckline and a slit that hinted at just enough to leave people guessing. The fabric shimmered under the light when i tried it on, reflecting a wealth and sophistication that would ensure all eyes were on
me
Itwirled in front of the mirror, a slow smile spreading across my lips. “Just wait, Raina,” I whispered to my reflection. “You won’t know what hit you.”
The day of the charity auction arrived, and the air buzzed with anticipation. I stepped out of the car with a confidence that turned heads, the paparazzi flashing their cameras as I made my way up the steps. I didn’t care about them; they were just tools to amplify the humiliation 1 had planned for Baina
Joside, the hall was stunning, Crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling, their light reflecting off polished marble floors. The room was filled with the city’s elite, dressed in their finest as they sipped champagne and exchanged polite, calculated similes.
I was early, but I didn’t mind. It gave me time to position myself in the perfect spot. Somewhere I could see everything without being seen at least, not until
wanted to be.
The event didn’t inaly begin until the Grahams arrived. As usual, everyone waited for them, their presence the unspoken green light to start the evening. And then, there she was
Raina walked in on Dominic’s arm, and the sight of her laughing, radiant and poised, was enough to make my stomach chum with jealousy.
That should have been me.
That life–full of wealth, admiration, and power -was supposed to be mine. If Haina wasn’t with Alex anymore, then why did it feel like she had still won?
The memory of Vanessa’s voice flashed through my mind, her words dripping with my: Alex is pining after Raina. It’s almost like he wants her back or something.
I clenched my teeth, my nails digging into the stem of my champagne flute. That blich. Even her brother couldn’t help but fall under ber spell
But then, an idea sparked–a wicked, delicious thought that spread through like wildtie
I smiled, the edges of my lips curving into something sharp and dangerous “Maybe we could swing both ways,” I mittered, just as a walter approached, offering. me another glass of champagne.
Took the glass, my mind spinning with possibilities. If I couldn’t have Alex, why not Dominic? Or better yet–why not both? Whichever one I claimed would be a victory, but we both laiew who the greater pilze was
There was no way in helli was going to let my childhood friend live beltertunme.
