Chapter 174
NATHAN
Sly. That’s what they thought they were, Dut they didn’t know the meaning of the word. I lifted my wine glass to my lips, the rich liquid gliding over my tongue, and leaned back in my chair as the footage played before me. There she was–Eliza–leading Dominie Graham to bed like a puppet on a string, My lips curled into a satisfied smile. She was far more cunning than I’d given her credit for, sharper than that idiot Adelaide
Adelaide. The more thought of her soured the taste of my wine.
t swirled the glass absently, my grip tightening as I replayed her call in my head. “You think you can manipulate me, Nathan? I’ll talk if you don’t give me what I want.” Her shrill voice grated against my nerves. That Insufferable woman had the audacity to threaten me?
I gritted my teeth, heat rising to my face as I thought of the scene. Lemuld’ve let someone in the prison take care of her. But where was the satisfaction in that? Adelaide needed to understand her place. And there was no better way to deliver that message than doing it myself.
g her out of the equation would tie up loose ends. But then she became a
When I’d heard about her arrest, I was annoyed but not worried, I figured taking i liability, making demands and threatening to expose me. No one exposed me.
She was careless, weak. A dumb maid who let herself get caught. If my uncle had found out the depth of her failures, it would’ve caused a storm. I wasn’t ready to weather. Getting rid of her was a necessity.
use. Eliza – Alex’s little admirer–had also been arrested
As I left that prison that day, one other piece of news gave me pause. Eli
The news intrigued me. I had dismissed her before as a harmless hmatic, but hearing her name in connection with the Graham family again was enough to make me pause. I decided to pay her a visit.
I walked down the corridor, footsteps echoing off the cold, sterile walls, I didn’t know what to expect when I finally met her. Eliza. The infamous woman who couldn’t seem to get a grip on her obsession with Alex.
I had never given her much thought before–just another unhinged player in the tangled web of the Graham family drama. But now? Her arrest had piqued my interest. There had to be something useful about her.
The guards opened the door to the holding room, and there she was, sitting on a metal chair with her arms crossed, her face set in a scowl.
She didn’t look up as I entered, but I could sense the tension in her posture. “What the hell do you want?” she snapped, her voice sharp and biting
I allowed myself a small smile, walking slowly to the chair across from her and taking a seat, “Good afternoon to you too, Eliza.”
She rolled her eyes, muttering under her breath, “Not in the mood, asshole.
vaste your time,” I said, voice even, measured. “I’m here because I think we can help each other.”
“I’m not here to waste
Her snort brought her eyes, finally, up to mine, squinting at me. “Help each other? And why would I trust you?!
“You don’t have to,” I replied, shrapezed. “But you might want to hear what I have to say.”
Her eyes were glacial, her posture stiff as she sat back in her chair. “Go on, then. Amuse me.”
I watched her for a beat, raking in the fatigue beneath her cutting presence. She wasn’t just angry–she was desperate. Perfect.
“You and I both know Alex had you tossed in here,” I said, my voice measured as I watched her response.
Her jaw locked “What’s your point?”
“Why?” I pressed. “What’d you do to make him so angry?”
She stumbled, her gaze flicking to the corner for a heartbeat before coming back to me. “He thinks I poisoned his brat.”
Iarched an eyebrow, pretending, surprise. “Did you?”
“What does it matter?” she snapped. “That kid’s practically indestructible”
I couldn’t help but laugh at her bitterness. “Oh, Eliza, you’re a piece of work. So, what’s your plan? Bot in here and hope he forgets about you?”
Her glare intensified, and for a moment, I thought she might lunge across the table. “If you’re here to mock me, get the hell out”
I’m not mocking you,” I said, leaning forward. “I’m offering you a way out. But only if you’re willing to cooperate with me”
She cocked her head to one side, eyeing me warily. “And why the hell would you want to help me?”
“Because we both want the same thing,” I said, lying smoothly.
“Oh, yeah? And what’s that?”
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“Raina Graham.”
Her face slipped for an instant, confusion flashing before her mask slipped back into place. “Raina? What about her?
I allowed myself another smile. “She’s the key to everything. And if you help me, I’ll help you get what you want.”
She leaned forward, interest piqued. “And what do you think I want?“!
“Alex, of course,” I said, my voice laced with mock certainty.
Her laugh was hard and near venomous. “Alex can rot for all I care. That bitch can have him.“”
I lifted a brow at her choice of words. “So, you just give up on him? Just like that?”
Her eyes met mine, and for the first time, I saw something darker in her gaze.
“I don’t want Alex. I want Dominic”
+25 Bonus
Eliza’s words hung in the air between us, bold and unexpected. Her lips curled into a smirk as if daring me to challenge her.
I leaned back in my chair, trying to process what she had said. Of all the things I thought she would say, this wasn’t even on the list. “Dominic?” 1 repeated, my tone laced with curiosity. “Why him?
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