Chapter 15%
Pearl had stolen everything from me. My future. My name. My status. And now? That bitch was walking around like shel owned the world, basking in the attention of every powerful man in the industry, including Lothario. No. That wasn’t going to happen. She thought she could humiliate me? Turn Lothario against me? Make me look like some desperate fraud in front of the entire business world? She had no idea who she was dealing with.
So I did what any real woman would do when backed into a corner. I took matters into my own hands. It was almost too easy. A little call to one of my friends at the hotel, a small bribe to one of Pearl’s bodyguards, and just like that, the unshakable Cressida Lancaster, or should I say Pearl Anderson, was alone. She didn’t even see it coming. One second, she was leaving a business meeting, striding through the underground parking lot with that infuriating air of confidence, heels clicking, phone in hand, looking untouchable. The next, a cloth over her mouth, a struggle, and then darkness. Sweet dreams, bitch.
I used to have it all. Men worshiped me, women envied me, and the world believed I was Alexander Anderson’s precious daughter. His name was my golden ticket. I didn’t have to work for respect. I simply took it. Modeling contracts, exclusive brand deals, invites to high society events, I got it all just by breathing. And then she ruined it!!
Pearl. That pathetic, quiet woman who used to trail behind Lothario like a damn puppy. The woman I never saw as a threat, because why would I? She was nothing next to me. But now, she had everything I wanted, and I was left with nothing.
I spat onto the dirty floor of the abandoned warehouse, pacing back and forth as my heels clicked against the concrete. The air smelled of rust and old gasoline, the dim lights flickering above me. The thugs I hired had done their job well. Tied up. beaten, and bloodied, Pearl sat slumped in a chair, her once–flawless dress now ruined with dirt and ripped fabric.
Lothario sat across from her, his hands bound behind his back, blood dripping from his split lip. His suit, probably worth more than the lifetime earnings of these thugs, was crumpled and torn. His head was tilted slightly downward, but I knew he wasn’t unconscious. No, the bastard was just waiting. Watching. 1 sneered.
“You two look adorable together,” I purred, tapping my heel against the ground. “Tragic, really. A love story that ends in death.”
Pearl lifted her head, her lip curled in disgust. “Alessia,” she muttered, voice hoarse. “Still as pathetic as ever, I see.” I laughed. Oh, the audacity of this bitch.
“You think you’re funny, huh?” I stepped closer, grabbing her chin roughly. “You’re only here because I let you live this long. If it weren’t for me, you’d still be Lothario’s doormat, cleaning up his messes while he fucked me on satin sheets.”
Her expression didn’t change. Not a flicker of fear. Not a single twitch. That pissed me off.
“Where’s your little rich daddy now, Pearl?” I sneered, yanking her head back. “You think Alexander can save you? You think all your power means shit when you’re tied to a chair in the middle of nowhere?“!
She smiled. The kind of smile that sent ice down my spine.
“You think I’m the one who’s trapped here?” she murmured.
I slapped her so hard my palm stung. “Shut up!“%
She let out a soft chuckle, like she had won something, I wanted to rip that smirk off her face.
“You don’t get it, do you?” I whispered, leaning in close. “You stole everything from me. Do you know what it’s like to build a life off a lie? To spend years believing you were meant for greatness, only to find out you’re just another disposable bitch?“%
Pearl didn’t respond. She just looked at me like I was already dead. I hated it.
I turned to Lothario, my rage shifting to him. “And you,” I spat. “You disgust me. You should be on your knees thanking me. I came back to you, didn’t I? After everything, I was willing to forgive you, to love you again, and what did you do?“”
He lifted his head, blood smeared across his jaw. His eyes, cold, piercing, deadly, locked onto mine.”
“You used me, Alessia. His voice was low, dangerous. “You used everyone. And now you’re just mad you got caught.” I screamed, grabbing a knife from the table.
“You don’t get to judge me!” I shrieked. “You men do this all the time! You use women, you throw them away like fucking garbage, but when a woman does it, suddenly she’s a monster? Fuck that!”
My hands shook Pearl let out a soft breath, watching me like I was a caged animal about to lose control. And maybe I
I tightened my grip on the knife. “Which one of you should I kill first, huh?” I mused, tilting my head. “Pearl? Or Lothario? Maybe I should just do it at the same time. One clean slice across both your throats.”
Pearl didn’t even flinch. “You don’t have the guts.”
Oh, I wanted to prove her wrong. I needed to.
I lifted the knife. The doors burst open. Men stormed in. Taurus Sullivan. Shit
Pearl’s lips curved into a slow smirk. “You should’ve plagaand he
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Pearl’s lips curved into a slow smirk. “You should’ve planned better.”
My heart pounded as Taurus moved like a beast through the warehouse, his face a mask of cold fury. His men followed, guns raised. I barely had time to react before Pearl moved.
I expected her to be weak. To be scared. Instead, the bitch yanked the ropes free. How the hell had she done that? She lunged.
Pain exploded across my jaw as she punched me, sending me staggering back. I barely had time to recover before she kicked the knife out of my hand. No. No, no, no.
I grabbed at her, nails digging into her arm, but she shoved me back, sending me crashing against the table. Everything was spiraling. I could feel it slipping from my grasp. Desperation clawed at my throat.
I grabbed the knife from the floor and lunged. Pearl sidestepped. I swung again, my breath ragged, my vision blurred with rage.
A blur of motion. A sharp gasp. And suddenly, Lothario was there. The knife lodged deep into his abdomen.
Not
