Savannah stood frozen at the bathroom door. Cold drops of water fell from her wet hair onto her bare shoulders, but she barely noticed.
"Looking for something?" Celeste asked sweetly.
Savannah forced her racing heart to calm down. She knew panicking now would only give Celeste the upper hand. She walked calmly towards her and held out her hand.
"Give it back."
"I was just looking for you," Celeste said, ignoring her hand. "Whose phone is this?"
"Mine."
Then she stepped forward and snatched the phone from Celeste’s hand, tossing it casually onto the pillows beside her.
"It’s for job interviews and applications."
"A separate phone just for jobs? Isn’t that a bit strange?"
"Not really," Savannah replied coldly. "After my last job offer was rescinded because of a viral video, I declare to use a separate number for recruiters. I don’t want my personal life mixed with professional life. Does that satisfy your curiosity?"
"I suppose," Celeste said, though she didn’t look convinced.
"By the way...what are you doing in my room, Celeste?"
"I wanted to borrow a dress," Celeste said, smiling sweetly.
Savannah looked behind her and saw one of her favourite green cocktail dresses lying on the bed.
"Since you were in the shower, I thought I’d just take a look myself. It is perfect for my date with Ansel next week."
Savannah stepped forward and picked up the dress from the bed.
"No," Savannah said coldly. "I’m not lending you my clothes."
"Are you still angry with me? Is this because of what happened at the Locke estate? Savannah, I swear I didn’t know Sienna would be recording. But if you hadn’t pushed me..."
"We both know exactly what happened at the pond," Savannah cut her off. "So drop the act, Celeste. Save the tears for Mom and Dad. They don’t work on me anymore."
For a second, Celeste’s eyes flashed with venom. But it quickly disappeared and she smiled again.
"Fine," Celeste said. "Keep it. This dress isn’t even that good. Dad can buy me a much better one."
She was about to turn to leave when the phone on the bed suddenly vibrated. It lit up and a text message glowed on the lock screen.
Tomorrow. 9 pm. Don’t be late.
Celeste stared at the message and a mocking smile appeared on her face.
"Wow," Celeste murmured. "Job interviews at nine o’clock at night? You must be very desperate for work, Savannah."
With that, she turned and walked out.
Savannah immediately shut the door and let out a deep breath. Her hands shook slightly as she picked up the phone and replied back.
Understood.
Once outside, Celeste quietly slipped through the living room and stepped into the garden. She kept walked until she reached a large oak tree, far away from the main house. Then she pulled out her phone and called someone.
"Celeste," Victor Locke answered. "To what do I owe the pleasure at this early in the morning? Is the wedding planning becoming too stressful?"
"Uncle Victor," Celeste whispered. "Something is going on with Savannah. She is hiding something."
"She has always hidden things, my dear. That’s what jealous sisters do," Victor replied calmly. "That’s why I told you to keep an eye on her."
"No, this is different," Celeste said. "She has a secret phone."
Victor went silent for a moment.
"Did you ask her about it?"
"Yes," she replied. "She said it was for job interviews. But a message came through while I was standing right there. Someone wants to meet her tomorrow night at nine."
"I see."
"What should we do? Should I tell Dad to kick her out again?"
"Not yet," Victor replied smoothly. "Just find out who is she talking to. Watch her closely. And don’t let her know you’re watching. Let her think she has the upper hand."
"Okay, Uncle Victor," Celeste smiled. "I won’t let you down."
"Good girl!" Victor smiled and hung up.
Standing alone in the garden, Celeste wrapped her hand around the jade pendant on her neck and closed her eyes.
Make her fail. Whoever she’s meeting, whatever she’s planning... let it blow up in her face. Expose her. Make things go my way.
The wind whipped across the rooftop of an old building, biting through Savannah’s trench coat. She stood near the edge of the roof, looking out over the glittering skyline of the city. The height of the building made the cars below look like crawling ants.
Just then, the stairwell door opened behind her. Ansel walked towards her, completely unfazed by the cold.
"You’re on time," Ansel said, stopping a few steps away from her.
"I don’t play games with my future, Mr. Locke," Savannah said, turning around to face him.
"Good," Ansel said, putting his hands into his coat pockets. "I called you here because we need to make some things clear about our arrangement. My uncle is accelerating his timeline. He is moving money out of the company faster than we anticipated."
"Which means?"
"Which means he is using the Quinn family to launder the transfers. So from now on, you need to be very careful. Victor has eyes everywhere, including inside your own house."
"My family is greedy, Ansel, but they aren’t criminals," Savannah argued.
"Don’t be naive," Ansel said, taking a step towards her. "You still don’t know what your father is capable of. So from now on...If you see anything regarding my uncle, tell me immediately. Do not try to handle it yourself."
Savannah lifted her chin, refusing to be intimidated by him.
"I’m not a child. I can take care of myself."
"Victor Locke isn’t a school bully, Miss Quinn. He is dangerous," Ansel warned her. "People who get in his way have a habit of ending up in tragic accidents. So stop trying to be a hero and come to me. Understood?"
"Understood," Savannah finally agreed. "So, when are we getting married? I can’t keep pretending to be the good daughter forever."
Ansel held her gaze for a moment before speaking.
"Soon," he replied. "My lawyers are setting up the shell company for your five percent shares. Once it’s done, we’ll file the marriage registration at the courthouse. Give it a few days."
Savannah nodded and took a step forward.
"Then I’ll wait for your text," Savannah said, extending her hand towards him for a handshake.
Ansel looked at her hand. He hesitated for a second before pulling his hand out of his pocket.
But before he could shake hers, he suddenly stopped. His hand stopped inches from hers and pressed his fingers on his right ear. Savannah noticed a small, almost invisible black earpiece hidden in his ear.
"Repeat that, Leo," Ansel said sharply.
Savannah immediately pulled her hand back. Her instinct told her something was wrong.
"Ansel? What is it?"
He raised his hand, signalling her to be quiet. Over the earpiece, Leo was panicking.
Sir, there is a black sedan parked in the lower garage for twenty minutes. It’s been there for twenty minutes. The plates are fake, but the chassis number is registered to one of Victor’s shell companies.
Ansel’s eyes snapped towards Savannah.
"We...
Before he could explain the situation, the rooftop door suddenly swung open. Several men stood in the doorway, glaring at them.