Chapter 5 : Attempt to Murder

Sister-in-law Nancy helped Sarah prepare for the night gala. After getting the excess hair removed from Sarah’s face by laser notwithstanding Sarah’s protests, getting her thick and shiny brunette hair styled in waves that fell to her waist and getting her make-up done by a professional, Nancy ensured that Sarah presented an attractive sight, a far cry from what she normally looked like. Her dress for the event was a magnificent black and gold gown in ethereal tulle which had opulence written all over it. A wide belt cinched the waist to accentuate Sarah’s curves. The bodice with plunging neckline embellished with intricate lace and the skirt with fabric cascading down gave Sarah a fairy princess look, while six inch high golden stilettoes ensured that she would stand tall in any gathering. Astonished with her metamorphosis, Sarah opted for a delicate diamond and gold necklace while Nancy insisted on chandelier earrings and a thick diamond bracelet to complete her mesmerizing look.

Slipping her hand into youngest brother Henry’s arm, Sarah entered the Navy Ball room with style and panache drawing admiring looks from many. With her splendid gown and glittering diamonds she outshone most of the other women present, while the tall and well toned Henry dressed in all black suit lined with gold trimmings to match Sarah’s gown, presented an irresistible charm with his Cerulean blue eyes, fair skin and blonde hair which made many women drool and send jealous glares towards Sarah.   

Larissa, Robert’s sister was first to spot the duo. She almost got a heart attack and spilled her drink. How had the family’s discarded Koala bear managed to strike friendship with the stunningly handsome most eligible bachelor Henry Hill, she wondered, as she sauntered over to the duo. If she, Larissa manages to hook Henry somehow, her life would be set.  

“ Hello Henry”, she crooned tapping Henry’s hand while subtly licking her lips in a seductive gesture “ I am Larissa, daughter of the Hudson family. I see you around in events and parties and in the media and I must admit that I have a huge crush on you. How about a dance?”

“ Sorry Larissa, good to know you, but I am booked as you can see”, Henry cold shouldered the girl politely, but Larissa stuck on, “ Move Sarah, you don’t belong here”, she hissed at Sarah, “a crow doesn’t become a peacock by sticking some feathers.”

“Excuse me”, Sarah exclaimed loudly drawing everyone’s attention. “Are you calling me a crow because the gentleman here has refused you? How shameless!”

“ Sarah, you…”, Larissa was livid at becoming the brunt of ridicule  and raised her hand to slap Sarah but was immediately apprehended by the Navy officers who were mingling with the distinguished crowd, while the Admiral himself ordered that she be escorted out and barred from every navy event in the future.

Larissa cried for help extending her hand towards Robert who was standing in the corner with Jessica, but Robert turned away distancing himself as he did not want to meet the same fate. He had not seen Sarah and Henry Hill till the time Larissa started the commotion.

“ O my God! Is that Sarah? I can’t believe! How did she manage to befriend Henry Hill, the youngest son of the Hill Enterprise? And from where did she manage such an expensive gorgeous gown and diamond jewellery ? Did you give her those Robert ?”, Jessica hissed raging over the fact that Sarah had clearly out dazzled her even after she, Jessica, had spent a fortune in decking herself for the occasion and even bought an expensive designer gown blowing away her full month’s salary.  

Robert moved towards Sarah without answering Jessica. He was stunned at Sarah’s overnight transformation from ugly to attractive, not to speak of her million dollar outfit and sparkling diamonds, but first he had to decode how Sarah’s departure from his life coincided with stopping of funding from the Hill Enterprise and how Sarah had managed to befriend Henry. Was it all a coincidence?

Henry had moved to get a drink and Robert took the opportunity to corner Sarah.

“You got Hill Enterprise to stop funding me?”, he growled at Sarah.

“ What ?”, Sarah was dumbfounded, “ Hill Enterprise was funding your company?”, she asked incredulously.  

“ Don’t act innocent Sarah. Confess how you managed to wrap Henry around your little finger overnight. I clearly underestimated you. Did you sleep with just Henry or the old man too?”, he angrily pointed a finger at Sarah, only to get his hand twisted and yanked behind.

Henry had returned and stood in front of Robert. “Dad would have stopped funding long back had he seen what a bastard you are”, Henry confronted Robert. “He funded you based on a mistaken identity. He thought you to be someone different. Be happy with whatever you got in the past and thank your lucky stars we are not asking for refund”, he said, adding, “and lest you trouble Sarah again, let me clarify, she does not know anything about the funding.”

“And what is your relation with Sarah if I may ask”, Robert persisted.

 “That is none of your business”, Sarah spat back. “I have signed the divorce papers as you wanted, and now be gone from my life.”

“So eager to jump to another bed ! So hungry for sex that you can’t wait for a single day”, Robert smirked. “If you think you can twiddle your fat backside at me and move away with another man and I will believe that you had no hand in cutting off funding to my company, you’re sorely mistaken. You will pay for my loss”, Robert fumed savagely.

“Aren’t you describing yourself with these sobriquets Mr Hudson ?”, Sarah said restraining Henry from lashing out, and moving away from the vicious Robert and Jessica.

Her father had been secretly funding Leo Ad Agency, the revelation brought tears to Sarah’s eyes, and she walked to the adjoining patio after telling Henry to leave her alone for sometime.

“ Oh here you are ! Ugly duckling trying to turn to a swan!”, Jessica caustically sneered walking towards Sarah. Suddenly she caught Sarah’s diamond necklace and tried to pull it off. “You must have wheedled this out of Robert you loathsome woman. You cannot be wearing this ugly bitch. It should be mine.” Taken unawares Sarah stumbled a bit, and the next moment Jessica had pushed Sarah down the patio.

“ Die you repulsive slut”, she screeched