Bang!
Before the woman in the costume could even speak, she was effortlessly floored, crashing down with a thud.
She radiated pure misfortune.
Lisette stared, flabbergasted.
“Wow, never judge a book by its cover!”
Sweet-faced Hannah didn’t say a word.
She just charged like lightning – fast, sharp, and brutal.
All Lisette saw was a blur flying past and then someone getting slammed to the ground.
Definitely a human tornado.
“Aah!”
The woman let out a miserable wail that gave Lisette instant goosebumps.
She looked back at Hannah…
After taking the girl down, Hannah casually pulled out some popcorn, stuffed her mouth, and chewed loudly like a hungry hamster.
Totally chill.
Clearly not her first fistfight.
It was office hours, and there were people everywhere outside the building.
Quite a few had stopped to rubberneck.
Lisette let out a long sigh, walked over to the woman, and asked, “Hey, you okay?
Need a hospital?”
“Lisette!”
The woman gritted through her teeth, her tone filled with rage and hurt.
The voice made Lisette raise an eyebrow.
“Ah, Amber.
Should’ve guessed.”
If a moment ago, she’d felt maybe a tiny bit bad for Hannah punching first and asking questions never, that sympathy vanished instantly.
Good hit!
Perfect aim!
Chef’s kiss level punch!
“Of course it’s me.” Amber’s shoulder was numb from the hit, like her whole arm had been detached.
She looked utterly devastated.
She wasn’t some sheltered heiress, true, but growing up surrounded by the elite with the Ramsey family backing her, she’d always had it easy.
Even after Maverick’s family hit turbulent times, he still looked out for the Wests out of old sentiment.
To have lived such a charmed life and then get decked like this?
Amber’s pride took a serious hit.
Struggling to stand, she looked completely wrecked – hat on the ground, glasses askew, mask strap snapped, half her face exposed, looking painfully exposed and lost for words.
Worried someone might recognize her, Amber quickly pulled her mask back into place.
Too busy catching her breath, she cut to the chase.
“I need to talk to you.”
Lisette glanced at the nosy onlookers and told Hannah, “Bring her inside.”
“Okay.”
Hannah replied between chews, her mouth still full of popcorn.
She clapped the crumbs off her hands and stepped toward Amber.
Instantly, Amber recoiled, clutching her shoulder and keeping her distance, limping awkwardly behind Lisette into the building.
Hannah froze.
Wow.
Not cooperative at all.
So tempting to give her a second round.
*****
Inside, in a small lounge on the first floor.
“Shouldn’t you be filming?
What, career’s in a nosedive so you’re switching to being a stalker now?”
Amber sidestepped the jab: “What the hell did you say to Maverick?”
“Huh?”
Lisette actually enjoyed watching her squirm.
It hadn’t been that long since their last run-in at the airport.
Back then, Amber had strutted around like a queen; now she looked like she hadn’t slept in days.
Her dark circles were so bad they could join the panda exhibit.
“Don’t play dumb!”
Amber, anxious and angry after being scolded by Maverick, had tears welling up in her eyes.
“We’re friends!
How could you badmouth me like that behind my back?
You were the one who dragged me out for drinks because you were upset.
You got wasted, and now you’re flipping the blame on me?”
She quickly added, “I never talked trash about any of Maverick’s flirty co-stars, and I sure never slandered him!
Don’t twist it like that!
Lisette, call Maverick right now and set the record straight!”
Amber reached out and grabbed Lisette, desperate.
Lisette pulled away with clear disgust.
“Don’t touch me.
Gross.”
“You…”
Amber’s anger evaporated in an instant, replaced with a cold shock spreading through her whole body.
It was like being dunked into an icy bath.
Her eyes turned red, and tears started falling like rain.
“Lisette, you’ve changed.
You weren’t like this before!
You said we were best friends – forever!”
Lisette almost let out a sarcastic laugh.
Seriously?
Forever?
Well, sure.
Except this was her second lifetime – only a fool would fall for the same tricks again.
Just thinking about how Amber had helped Maverick plot against the Cavendish family, causing its downfall…
the anger surged in her chest like a wildfire.
Lisette stood up, leaned in close to Amber’s ear, and said in a low voice, “I used to think you and Maverick were decent humans.
Turns out, you’re both garbage.”
Amber blinked, stunned into silence.
Lisette hardly ever cursed – her upbringing was strict.
This sudden blow-up had Amber completely speechless, frozen in disbelief as she stared at Lisette’s flawless, delicate face.
Lisette didn’t give her a chance to catch her breath.
She raised an eyebrow, lips curling with sarcasm.
“Drop the innocent-act.
There’s no dude around, save your fake tears.
You think I can’t see through a walking cliché like you?”
Amber protested, “I didn’t-”
Lisette cut in with a mocking laugh.
“Didn’t what?
Didn’t string Maverick along while trying to cozy up to my brother?
Didn’t flirt around just to prove how irresistible you think you are?”
Even the calmest people would’ve snapped under that kind of verbal assault – let alone Amber, whose deepest secrets had just been ripped open.
“What did I ever do to you to deserve this?
Why are you making up lies about me?”
“Lies?” Lisette scoffed.
“You and Maverick have been messing around for ages, yet in front of my family you act like he’s your brother.
Flirting with him while clinging to Bryce every chance you get – seriously, how do you sleep at night playing both sides like that?
Amber, you think my brother is dumb enough to fall for that?
He’s just too polite to shut you down directly.
Don’t flatter yourself.”
“I didn’t!” Amber blinked hard, eyes welling up again.
“Maverick, Bryce and I, we’re all just close friends!
It’s not like you’re imagining!”
“Sure,” Lisette replied flatly, with zero emotion.
“Here’s a tip: think real hard before calling yourself innocent.
Because when Maverick finds someone else and gets engaged, you won’t even have a place to cry.
I mean, look around – there’s no shortage of women who like him.
And most of them?
Gorgeous, confident, from wealthy families.
Literal heiresses.
Any of them would make the perfect match for him.
Once he picks one, it’s game over for you.”
Amber just stood there, stunned.
Every word Lisette said stabbed her right in the heart – and she wasn’t even trying to sugarcoat it.
But what really freaked her out was when Lisette pulled out her phone and hit play on a voice recording.
With that almost wickedly beautiful face, Lisette smiled in a way that made Amber’s blood run cold.
“Imagine what Maverick’s paranoid mind will come up with when he hears this.
Will he think you’re loyal?
Or will he assume you’re trying to use my brother to marry into our family and grab yourself a spot at the top of Cavendish Group?”
Amber’s jaw dropped.
Lisette had recorded her…
secretly.
She had come rushing from the film set with this exact plan – to confront Lisette and get something she could use.
Even though she’d managed to calm Maverick down a bit, he still didn’t fully trust her.
She needed that final piece to clear her name.
But instead of baiting Lisette, she fell into her trap.
Amber’s mind was in chaos.
The Lisette she once knew was elegant and pretty, but nothing more than a fancy decoration.
But now…
she was dangerous – like a deadly flower in full bloom on a haunted path.
Beautiful, yes.
But fatal if touched.
Amber was forced to reassess everything about this woman.
BAM!
The door flew open, halting the intense showdown.