Chapter 29

Sophia looked stunned. "But... She's my little sister..."

Victoria had been navigating high society for decades. She'd seen every dirty trick women played on each other. The moment Penelope lifted her gaze, Victoria immediately understood what the girl was plotting.

Penelope hissed at Sophia through gritted teeth, "Stop protecting that little slut! She's a cancer that needs cutting out immediately. You and your mother already wasted enough on her - overseas education, lavish allowances. More than she deserved! All she knows is stealing other women's men!"

"I'm warning you, she means nothing to me. This is necessary to protect my relationship!" Penelope stormed back to her seat.

Sophia pretended to agonize over the decision until Penelope's patience snapped. Only then did Sophia make the arrangements.

...

After exiting the private dining room, Sophia first checked the hallway.

Confirming she was alone, she slipped into an alcove and dialed a number.

The line rang endlessly before a gruff voice answered. "The hell you want?" Vincent Mercer sounded irritated.

"Took you long enough," Sophia snapped. "Were you busy dying between some whore's legs?"

Vincent's laugh was rough. "Spit it out already."

Sophia's fingers tightened around her phone. This was her chance. "I need the strongest stuff you've got. Something that'll make a saint beg for it within minutes."

"When?"

"Now. Get here in twenty." She rattled off the five-star hotel's address before he could protest. "I'll pay twenty grand. Cash."

The mention of the luxury location silenced Vincent's doubts. Rich bitches at fancy hotels always paid. "Be there in fifteen."

"Hurry! And Vincent?" Sophia's voice dropped. "You haven't had action in a while, right? She's all yours tonight. Do whatever you want with her."

"Now you're speaking my language."

...

When Sophia returned, Evelyn still hadn't come back from the restroom.

"Done," Sophia texted Penelope. "My contact wants a hundred thousand for the rush job."

"Money is irrelevant," came Penelope's instant reply.

Evelyn finally reappeared, her complexion alarmingly pale.

"You're back! Sit, sit." Penelope's sudden warmth was jarring. "I had no idea you're Sophia's sister! I wouldn't have dared approach you otherwise."

"I'm not feeling well," Evelyn said stiffly. "I should leave."

Victoria and Sophia exchanged panicked looks. Their prey was slipping away!

"Oh no you don't." Penelope grabbed Evelyn's wrist. "We're practically friends now. I'll need your help keeping those gold-diggers away from Dominic."

Evelyn pulled back. "I'm just a junior designer. I barely interact with Mr. Blackwood." She needed to distance herself from Dominic immediately. Penelope Worthington wasn't someone to cross.

"But you know his habits, his schedule." Penelope forced Evelyn back into her chair. "Tell me everything."

Sophia exhaled in relief as Evelyn sat. Tonight, they'd eliminate Evelyn for good.

Vincent Mercer was perfect for the job - a walking disease at thirty-two, recently diagnosed with AIDS. Sophia couldn't wait to infect Evelyn with the same curse. That would destroy her permanently!

After several minutes of strained conversation, Evelyn tried leaving again.

Victoria played her trump card. "Evelyn, have you contacted your father recently?"

Evelyn froze. "How... how is Dad?"

"Not well. The doctors aren't optimistic." Victoria had carefully severed all contact between Evelyn and Robert Sinclair during those five years abroad. Now she watched satisfaction as Evelyn's defenses crumbled.

When the food arrived fifteen minutes later, Sophia excused herself.

Returning, she saw untouched drinks and casually distributed them - juice for Penelope, then Evelyn. As she handed Evelyn her glass, she discreetly emptied the hidden vial into it.

"To your father's health," Penelope raised her glass. "Let's toast with juice instead of wine. And Evelyn, promise you'll keep those vultures away from Dominic!"

Distracted by thoughts of her father, Evelyn clinked glasses absently and took a sip.

"What's Dad's new number?" Evelyn asked desperately.

Victoria smirked. "He changed it. I'm waiting for his call too."

Evelyn's hands clenched. How convenient that her stepmother suddenly couldn't reach him! Anger made her throat dry. She drank again.

"I should..." Evelyn began, then gasped. Fire exploded through her veins, burning through reason.

Sophia watched, breathless, as Evelyn clawed at her collar, her pale skin flushing. Even Penelope stared, realizing how dangerously alluring Evelyn looked in her drugged state - that porcelain skin, those swollen lips, every movement radiating desperate sensuality.

If even Penelope felt tempted, what man could resist?

Evelyn shook her head violently, fighting the haze. Seeing Sophia and Penelope's predatory excitement, understanding dawned.

She grabbed her purse and bolted.

Sophia immediately called Vincent. "She's heading downstairs! Intercept her at the entrance! Ten grand if you break her tonight. Another ten if you infect her. Move!"