Savannah went to Mia’s apartment. Her hands were still shaking from the panic attack earlier. She kicked off her wet shoes, threw her coat on a chair, and pulled the burner phone from her purse.
I have the proof.
She texted Ansel. Then she put the phone on the table and went to have a shower. When she came out, Ansel had already replied her.
Savannah expected him to ask about what the proof was or where she had found it. But it was something else entirely.
Good. Prepare for your apology now.
"Arrogant bastard," she muttered and put the phone back in her bag.
An hour later, Savannah was sitting at Mia’s small kitchen table with a dozen crumpled pieces of paper scattered on it. She was holding a pen and staring at the page in front of her.
I, Savannah Quinn, stand before you today to apologize to Ansel Locke...
She crossed it out.
It sounds so stiff and forced.
She tried again.
I apologize for my unacceptable behavior in Mr. Locke’s study...
She scribbled that out too.
Mia walked into the kitchen carrying two mugs of tea. She looked at the mess and sighed.
"Stop," Mia said sitting across from her. "Let me do it. Forget the apology. I’ll write a defamation lawsuit instead. We can sue Ansel, Sienna, Celeste and Margaret Moore all at once."
Savannah smiled faintly and picked up her mug.
"I appreciate the enthusiasm, Mia. But a lawsuit won’t get me those five percent shares."
"Savannah, he wants to humiliate you in front of the whole city," Mia argued.
"I know," Savannah replied. "But pride is a luxury, Mia. It’s the most expensive thing in the world and I can’t afford it right now."
"You shouldn’t have to sell your dignity just to survive."
"I spent my pride once already," Savannah whispered. "I can swallow my pride if it means I never have to beg anyone again."
Mia’s anger slowly disappeared.
"Okay," she said, squeezing Savannah’s hand. "Then I’ll help you write the best apology this city has ever heard."
"Deal!"
Just then the doorbell rang.
"I’ll get it. Must be the takeout."
Mia opened the door and froze. It was Savannah’s mother, Diane. She had never once visited Mia’s apartment before.
"Mrs. Quinn..."
"Hello, Mia," Diane tried to smile. "Is Savannah here?"
By then, Savannah too had stepped out of the kitchen.
"Mom? What are you doing here?"
"Can I come in?" Diane asked softly.
Mia nodded and stepped aside. Diane walked into the living room, her eyes moving around the small apartment filled with old furniture and stacks of legal books.
"Did Dad send you?" Savannah asked.
"No, no. Richard doesn’t know I’m here," Diane answered too fast. "I came to talk to you."
"About what?"
Diane took a hesitant step forward before speaking.
"Savannah... when you apologize at the banquet... please do it nicely."
Savannah let out a dry laugh.
"Nicely?"
"Don’t cause a scene. And don’t use that sarcastic tone you’ve been using lately."
"You came all the way here to give me stage directions?"
Diane shook her head.
"I came because our family’s reputation is fragile right now!" Diane said. "Celeste’s engagement announcement is so close. Victor has been so generous to us, and Ansel is watching everything. If you ruin this banquet, your father will never forgive you. I just want everything to go smoothly."
For Celeste. You want everything to go smoothly for Celeste.
"My apology will be perfect, Mom," Savannah said coldly. "You have my word."
Diane sighed in relief.
"Thank you," Diane finally smiled. "Come on, let’s go home now."
"No," Savannah answered. "I want to stay with Mia tonight."
Diane wanted to argue but she only nodded.
"Alright. If that’s what you want."
Diane turned and walked towards the front door. Just as she was about to step out, she stopped. Then turned around.
"Are you eating well?"
Diane’s question stunned Savannah.
"You... you look so thin," Diane murmured. "Take care of yourself."
She didn’t wait for Savannah’s answer. She turned away again and walked out.
"I can’t understand her. Some days she treats me as if I’m not even a person. And some days she worries about me. What is actually going on with her?"
An hour later, the doorbell rang again.
"If that’s your father, I’m getting the pepper spray," Mia grumbled, walking towards the door.
She was all ready to yell, but no one was there. The hallway was empty. Mia’s eyes landed on a large black box tied with a silver ribbon resting on her welcome mat.
"Who left it here?"
Mia picked it up. It was addressed to Savannah.
"Did you order something?" Mia asked.
"No," Savannah answered, walking over.
Mia put the box on the table and opened it. A beautiful blue evening gown was resting inside. There was a small envelope tucked to one side.
Savannah opened the envelope and recognized the handwriting immediately.
Wear something that makes you feel strong. I’ll be there in the crowd supporting you, no matter what happens.
Ethan.
Savannah felt exhausted suddenly. This dress only reminded her of Ethan undressing her sister in her last life.
"It’s stunning," Mia said, looking at Savannah.
"It is," Savannah agreed and put the envelope back into the box. "Send it back. I don’t want his armour. And I absolutely do not want Ethan Moore anywhere in my life ever again."
High above the city, the top floor of Locke Tower was completely dark except for Ansel’s office. Ansel stood by the window, staring at the glowing city streets with a glass of his favourite drink in his hand.
"Sir," Leo said, stepping into his office with his tablet. "The decryption is finished. I cracked Victor Locke’s offshore schedule."
Ansel turned around and put his glass on the table.
"Show me."
Leo showed him a complex web of banking transfers and routing numbers.
"He has been moving small amounts through the Harlow Holdings shell for months to test the waters," Leo explained, tapping the screen. "But this is the big one. This one will completely empty the Locke Group reserve accounts into an untraceable Cayman trust."
Ansel’s eyes narrowed as he looked at the scheduled timestamp.
"Eight o’clock," Ansel murmured.
"Right in the middle of Madame Eleanor’s banquet," Leo said. "He has timed it perfectly. Everyone will be in the ballroom celebrating. By the time anyone checks the system the next day, the money will be gone, and Victor will use the chaos to seize the chairman’s seat."
Victor was going to use Eleanor’s birthday and Celeste’s highly anticipated engagement announcement as a distraction.
"Then Savannah needs to apologize before that."