ELLA'S POV As I stepped into the hallway, the chillingly familiar smell of Madame Browne's cologne flared my nostrils. The haughty smell of cedarwood sent shivers down my spine. The thought of Madame Browne haunted me, filling my insides with loads upon loads of fear. The way she stared at me back in there was haunting, her gaze flickering with malice. Her eyes, as I recalled, burned with a flicker of rage and contempt like a threat orchestrated just for me.Her jaw had dropped slightly when she found out that the president chose to support me over her. It was obvious he hadn't went against her words in years. She was used to having her way and it felt good to finally stand up to her.But the consequences of it struck at a corner in my mind. Consequences? The president had warned me about her, of how conniving she could be if things didn't go her way. I had to be careful with everything — the decorations, the guests and hosting the event.I traced my steps down the hallway, the fami
MADAME BROWNE'S P O V "Yes." I heard Ella say as I chuckled inwardly. I inhaled deeply, my deft fingers roving into my hair as I stared back at that whore, Ella. She looked innocent, smiling sheepishly like the fool she was. She had obviously said yes just because the offer to have Miss Genevieve, an award winning event host, was to her profit. But things weren't always as they seem. Instead of it to be at her profit, it turned out to be her loss. If you're also wondering what I meant, let me take you on a little trip down memory lane.*******“Grapes!” I ordered opening my lips as I a maid fed me some red grapes. The sickeningly sweet taste of the grapes spread on my tongue as I pierced my teeth through the grape.It was time. The heat from the water ravished my body in it's heated hold, causing me to fiddle here and then. The taste of wine on my lips intensified with a sour yet soft familiarity to red wine. It's metallic tinge reminded me of the scene of the president turning me
MISS GENEVIEVE 'S P O VTWO HOURS A GO.When I received a call from Madame Browne from Browne, I knew it wasn't going be good news. It never was and would evidently never be. She always reached out just when she needed you the most and she spared no freaking' excuses.She had a way of having her way. She'd remind you of your most vulnerable moments and slam her expectations at you to make your insecurities boil. People like Madame Browne were inevitable, unable to not come across in one's lifetime.And people like me were mostly their prey. As I stepped out from the elevator to her floor, I saw her assistant shuffling behind me. “Good morning Mis Genevieve.”"How's Mr Allen and—" He was about continuing when in interrupted, "We're divorced." I interrupted firmly, my feet strutting deeper into the almost endless hallways."I'm sorry fot your—" He bickered and was about finishing when I interrupted again, but this time with a firm authority laced in my tone, "I'm not here for this littl
ELLA'S POV "Yes," I said, my voice laced with anxiety. I felt a tinge of happiness somewhere in between the previous storms of uncertainty brewing in my veins. I bit softly into my lower lip sucking in a deep breath that hitched in my lungs.The weight of the situation layered above my shoulders. This offer, this help— I needed it. I could really use the help of a professional. Together, I believe we could achieve a better output with the decors and the event planning.The event would be more than it already was with the help of Miss Genevieve, the award winning event host. I surveyed her swiftly with a quick glance, her features held my gaze longer than I planned.She was dressed in a french two piece suit, her hair rolled in a bun of waves. The red hue of lipstick on her lips highlighted the soft contours of her face. She looked effortlessly graceful, with a thick air of tension surrounded her like mists to an hilltop."Perfect," Madame Browne exclaimed, her fingers playing with th
MADAME BROWNE'S POV "I have to go, it was nice meeting you Miss Genevieve." I heard her say as I rubbed my fingers against the furs of my robe. The sight of Ella giving in so easily was delightful— just the way I had planned it. I resisted the urge of letting out a dark chuckle, to cackle at the scene in front of me. Ella, as supposed, had fallen for the plan like a baby enticed with a lollipop. But the only thing different was this wasn't a lollipop, it was an alliance that would be the drastic end of her.The thought of watching Ella fail in front of everyone was surely going to be enjoyable. I want to watch her fail so badly, to watch her little plan crumble beneath my hold and have the president see that through her idea for a small event and realize it was just another recipe for disaster.That I, Madame Browne, was right all along. Just when they thought things couldn't get any worse, the news would pick it up and the headlines would fly. My plan was to secretly invite the m
ELLA'S POV I closed the door behind me; the soft click sounded loudest in the silence of my room. Leaning against the cool wood, I exhaled, dragging my fingers through my hair. My mind was in a swirl with thoughts of Madame Browne's offer, the invitation still fresh and suspicious in my mind.Miss Genevieve.An award-winning event planner known for orchestrating the most extravagant and talked-about celebrations. People paid fortunes for her touch of magic-part showwoman, part perfectionist. And now she was being offered to assist me. It wasn't even framed as a polite suggestion. No, Madame Browne had looked at me with a smug curl on her lips, as if she had played her winning hand.I knew better. Nothing Madame Browne did was ever without strings attached. Accepting her offer was like walking into a trap with open eyes, while refusing it would only make things worse. She was a powerful woman, more than I wanted to admit. She would make my life miserable if I opposed her openly. I did
MADAME BROWNE'S POV I swirled the wine in my glass, watching as the liquid caught the last rays of the evening sun. The balcony looked out over the estate gardens—perfectly manicured, each hedge and blossom precisely where it was supposed to be, a testament to my taste and control. There was something soothing about sitting here high above the chaos that I so ably cultivated. The world looked small from up here, manageable. Just like people.A gentle rap sounded from the double doors behind me. I didn't turn around. "Come in," I called lazily, enjoying my sip of wine as the cool breeze kissed my skin.The door creaked open and the sound of heels clicking announced Genevieve's entrance."Madame Browne," she said, her voice silky polite, just like I had trained her.I gave a faint smile to her reflection in the glass. "Ah, Genevieve. Finally. I was beginning to think you'd forgotten how to walk."She laughed softly, as if my insult were a compliment, and practically glided further into
MISS GENEVIEVE'S POVThere's a little kick in it, watching things come undone-especially when the person who's keeping it all together has no idea you're the one tugging at the seams. That was the just kind of satisfaction I was after this morning. Madame Browne had given me my orders and, as always, I intended to follow through with precision.I sank into the leather seat of my car, the soft drone of the motor dulled by my mind as I sped in the direction of the McKinney mansion. Deliciousness played in my mind, knowing Ella Rocci was out there in ignorant bliss with a storm heading her way. The fact that she actually thought she had the reins was humorous. I could almost taste the humiliation.The mansion's gates rattled open mechanically, and I pulled into the circular driveway. The air around the estate was pristine, too perfect-the kind of atmosphere that would smother rather than soothe. Roses in bloom wafted up toward me as I stepped out of the car, heels clicking sharply agains
ELLA'S POV I felt my pulse rise as I saw Madame Browne raise a wine glass in the air. A wicked smile played on her lips as her eyes darkened and her voice blared out, “I would like to raise a toast to the dissolution of your union.” A wave of disgust rolled in my veins as I wrapped my arms each other and watched them laugh with my face etched in horror. I inspected their gestures casually, taking note of each and every one of their chuckles.Their faces were adorned with malice as they mocked me. I tightened my wrapped arms as the cold air in the room crashed into the flesh of my neck. A cold shiver seeped down my spine as I flashed my gaze to Xavier.He was trying hard to hold himself back.I could already tell from the bulging veins that mapped against his forehead and his clenched fists. His eyes flared with rage that was as sharp as needle and his chest heaved as sweats trickled down his forehead.I took in a whiff of breath as I raised my hand to signal to him but before I coul
XAVIER'S POVWhen I heard Madame Browne say the word media, my heart skipped a beat. The breaths rolling out of my nostrils hitched in my throat as I clenched my fist. I stared back at her soulless pair of eyes as a chug of fear seared into my bloodstreams.Ella's breath hitched and I caught the flicker of fear in them. Madame Browne's tall figure was bent to Ella's side as she whispered in the words. I knew exactly what Madame Browne was trying to do.She was trying to set us off our footing but that wouldn't work now. The plan was already made so the only choice now was either to win or to win. Losing wasn't an option— at least not in this story.My fingers curled around the figure of the wine filled glass cup in front of me as I raised it closer to my lips. With deft fingers, I took a sip out of it as I flashed my gaze at the lady seated close to me.Rochelle.I arched my back on the chair as I felt Rochelle's gaze trail over my body. The disgust in her breath was what caught my
ELLA'S POV I held back the snarling urge to laugh at Madame Browne's expression when Xavier told her we were no longer together. The life in her make-up riddled face faded the instant the words left Xavier's lips.Her lips pulled apart softly, eyes bridled with pure shock and disbelief as she clutched the fork in her hands harder. A fog of tension rolled through the air and I felt cold chills bubble down my spine as I stayed back, watching the scene as if I wasn't the genius behind all of it.Madame Browne’s eyes widened with shock and so did her little actress, Rochelle. She clutched her chest and panted softly as if she just heard a death statement. A mischievous smile tugged at my lips as my eyes darkened.I was happy.After all, this was what they wanted.A little drama wasn't going to hurt anyone right?I clenched my fists as I felt the room's cold air do some wonders against my skin. The hairs at the back of my neck all stiffened as I watched Madame Browne ask Xavier some quest
MADAME BROWNE'S POV “Ella and I are no longer in a relationship. We've broken up!”When Xavier said those words, I felt a sudden flow of giddiness surge through my chest as I opened my lips to spark but nothing came out.I had a lot of questions.Was he right?Was this true?I arched my brows in disbelief as I shifted my gaze over to their figures. Ella was seated at a side of the table while Xavier was seated on the other face. I inspected their faces and caught the glimmers of rage that bubbled in both their eyes.Ella's expression hinted hurt and sadness when Xavier had a look that distilled sharp nonchalance in a way that things made chills slip down my spine as I stiffened. Was this really the truth? Were they after all the years of their marriage finally divorcing.A scandalous smile tugged at my lips as I clenched my fists feeling a wave of content wash through me. I couldn't believe my plan to break the two of them aparta was working.I stared at Ella with my jaw dropped slig
XAVIER'S POV I pushed forward on shaky legs as we paused before the staircase. I locked my hands with Ella's and tightened it as I stroked her palms with my thumb.I took in a deep breath and waited patiently, searching for Madame Browne with my eyes. My gaze stretched through the entire first floor in the search for the one lady I wanted to destroy so badly.I moved my eyes past the dim lights of the chandelier tilting my gaze sharply to Ella. She was also looking for Madame Browne with her eyes and before I could move, I caught a flutter of fear in her eyes.Her eyes, like ancient torches, lit up and I felt her fingers wrap around mine tightly. Before I could ask her what was that, I felt a gaze tracing delicate patterns against my back.I stiffened.My breaths rolled out in a disheveled series puffs as my heart beat increased pace, each beat heavier than the last. I clenched my jaw before turning to stare at the figure seated elegantly on the dining table.My eyes met hers and I n
ELLA'S POV I felt a wave of reassurance hit me the instant Xavier's lips pulled into a wrinkled smile. I could sense the hesitation in his breath as he stretched his hand, reaching forward to claim my hands in a handshake.As he did that, I smiled, but this time, my smile wasn't the same as his. Mine was different. My smile was edged with mystery and an unrelenting speck of mischief.The pains that tore through me weren't describable when it came to words. It felt like a knife had been driven into my back but at the same time, it left a haunting aftermath that lingered in me. I felt a malicious urge coursing through my veins as I sucked in a breath. There were times when I wanted to tear into Madame Browne and her husband but this?This was definitely the right time to do that.They could trespass with me but trying to ruin my husband's reputation?Nobody does that and goes scot free. I knew it was all another stunt of Madame Browne's when she walked into the kitchen. Her visit for
XAVIER'S POV My breath hitched in my chest at the sight of the incoming figure. Who was that? I arched my brows in fear as I prepared myself for what I was about to see.I shifted my gaze slowly, dragging it with remorse in the direction of the figure standing beside the maid.I wasn't sure who it was yet but for the first time in forever, I was curious.From the shadow of her figure I could already project the figure's sex. She was a female, dressed in a flay gown. My heart raced in my chest as I felt droplets of sweats cling to my oily forehead. Some rolled down my forehead while some clung desperately to my forehead as I finally summoned up the courage to stare at the person's face.I started from the shoes at first.I dragged my gaze over to the shoes and I was met with the sight of a flat pair of patent shoes that could have only been worn by one person in the entire Mckinney mansion.Ella.A wrinkled smile tugged at my lips and my eyes lit up as I opened my lips to speak but n
XAVIER'S POVThe rest of the run from the meeting room to the mansion was long. I recalled running out of the elevator and sprinting into the reception like a loose madman with just one thing in my mind.Ella.I couldn't stand to loose her.In as much as I didn't want to sound helpless, she was all I had and neither Madame Brown's tricks nor Rochelle's acting could take her away from me. My family wasn't going to be split apart by their baseless act.I was going to get back at Madame Browne for what she did to me.That was a promise. I would keep it dear.I sprinted past the office of the receptionist and her voice beamed from behind as I halted to a stop. “Mr Xavier!” Her tone was high pitched with an edge of worry and concern flashing in it. I turned steely with my chest heaving heavily as I stared at her. “What is that?” I prowled through gnashed teeth as I paced towards her. I walked all the way to the counter and banged my fists on the counter. “Speak up!” My voice thundered a
MADAME BROWNE'S POV I sat down on the chair near the snack table with a gleam of satisfaction washing through my veins as I gripped a nearby glass of wine from the snack desk.This was going to be fun.I could already tell.I watched the shareholders all gather around Rochelle like moths to a flame, feeding desperately on the flickers of lies she distilled. They were fools but it felt good to finally make them all my fools.A dark grin tugged at my lips as I raised the wine glass to my lips. My eyes were fixed on the scene, watching the one drama I'd prepare myself for beforehand.To the shareholders, this was a shocking revelation that urged them to have a rethink but to me? To me, this was like a drama, a scene I'd orchestrated for days. Everything went right, Rochelle did extraordinarily well and I gotta stay under the spotlight and so did Lucas.The shareholders had all fallen into our traps and all I had to do right now was to sit back and relax. Thin strips of malice lit up in