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'll check in with you shortly Ella," Miss Genevieve's voice echoed against the soft silence in the room. She flashed a smile at me before heading in the direction of the door. I watched her figure slip out of the room, the soft yet hazy sound of her footsteps beaming into my ears.The warmth air in the room felt chilling, the tension of her absence settling into my bones. My fingers traveled across the list she gave me, I traced the letters obsessively. My eyes scanned the lists of vendors categorized by their area of expertise and ratings I'd guessed was from Madame Browne herself.My fingers tightened on the corners of the lists as I collided into the bed, the plush texture of the bed engulfing me in it's inviting hold. Having such help when you needed it felt nice especially at this very daring moment.The president's birthday was pulling closer and if things weren't planned beforehand, everything could go haywire. The vendor's contact information were written on the
ELLA'S POVAfter discovering the truth behind Madame Browne's sudden simplicity and her 'kind' gestures, I had formulated my own plan to override theirs. I was lucky to have figured out their plan before the event launched, if I hadn't, I would have found myself in a tight corner with no where to turn to.The next time I met Madame Browne, I was ready to finally face her and her sinister plans. Her figure sat at the other end of the table, her hair curled up in a chignon, she smelled of lavender, oudwood and something darker. Her face twisted into a frown as she met my gaze, the disdain in her eyes were clear, almost unnoticeable. But as quickly as I'd catch the disdain in her eyes, she masked them with some glints of feigned sweetness."How are you doing Ella?" The sickeningly sweet sound in her voice was sharp against my uncertainty. I sniffed, my fingers brushing through my hair. The glints in Madame Browne's eyes were comical, feigned but somewhere beneath the layers of feigned
Ella's POV"I will have her go over the list again. You can stop by my room after you've eaten. I have something to discuss with you." Madame Browne's voice sliced with an edge of finality, as sharp as a knife clicking home.I nodded, an action more out of habit than respect, as my mind began to spiral into a knot of dread. I turned to the array of the generous breakfast spread in front of me, the flaky pastry laid on fine china, fresh fruits glistening under the morning rays of sun, pots of steaming coffee were managed to catch the picture. Obviously, none of that was too tempting. The intent of making this meal was evident-too perfect, it were, as though perfection were set out to blind me from something underneath.The chef stood stiff beside the table, his eyes smiling hopefully for approval. I forced a polite nod in his direction, though the tight knot in my stomach made it impossible to even consider eating. I wasn't hungry-just restless. There was something about Madame Browne
ELLA'S POV I froze at the doorstep to Madame Browne's room, the cold air in the room bracing my ears for what they were about to ear. I overhead Madame Browne on a call with someone, her voice was high pitched which meant she was venting out her anger to the person on the other end.Just before I gripped the doorknob to step in, I overhead her saying, “You promised.” Madame Browne continued, her voice dropping into a low, dangerous register. “You swore you’d ruin her.”I stiffened at the sound of her voice, the air shifted as ai bit my lower lip. What had just happened? My jaw had fallen and I was still in shock. Madame Browne's words hit me like a punch, a tidal wave that settled for my bones.So it was true after all? Her hated and resentment towards me. I knew her plan was obviously another try at ruining the event for me and having everyone watch me fail so she could say she was right after all. To say I told you so and pounce on my shame, her plan was to ruin it all for me and