Masked In Nobility: Secrets Of Mrs. Chavez by Selina Gorges

In another private room at the club, Winona and Layla, after indulging their desires, felt much more at ease. They were back to being as close as sisters, sipping their wine.

Winona sipped her wine, straightened her posture, and said, “So When I tried reaching out, you were always busy. Then you stopped answering entirely. Now suddenly, here you are?”

Layla laughed, her expression exaggerated with mock sincerity. Oh, Winona, it wasn’t me. My family didn’t want me reaching out. Forgive me this once, will you?”

Winona knew perfectly well that Layla’s silence had been her own choice, but there was no point making an issue out of it now.

Ever since Yvette was revealed to be Cyanbird and Winona was exposed as not being Zachary’s biological daughter, everyone distanced themselves from Winona. Layla’s contact was a lifeline, and no matter the reason, she needed the semblance of a friend–even a superficial one.

Feigning aloofness, Winona lifted her chin. “Fine. I’ll let it slide this time. But if it happens again, we’re done. Got it?”

Layla concealed her disdain beneath a bright, fake smile. The two kept their facades on, chatting idly, their words as empty as the glasses they held.

Finally Layla brought up her real reason for meeting. “Winona, have you heard? Yvette’s back in Seacrity.”

At the mere mention of Yvette, Winona’s face darkened. She smashed her wine glass to the floor, watching it shatter, red wine pooling like blood.

“I know. That witch returned to town, and people went crazy over her! All she did was win some petty art competition–does she really deserve this attention? She must’ve cheated; no way someone like her won fair and square.”

city’s premier socialite, Winona now looked unhinged, far from her former

impossible to cheat in an international competition like that. Not wanting to risk Winona’s temper affecting her unborn child, Layla soothed her

so worked up. Yvette’s fifteen minutes of fame won’t last. The higher she rises, the harder she’ll fall. Just wait–it’ll all come crashing down for her soon enough. Just make

mention the baby, she calmed down She sat back on the couch and looked at Layla, wondering why

a bit guilty, avoided Winona’s gaze. Winona asked, “Why bring her up out of the blue? Have you seen her? What

the truth as she fabricated a story. went to see Mr. Chambers, hoping to appeal on your behalf. Surely, he’d show

Could the affection Zachary had shown really have been an act? She pressed Layla, “You pleaded

two. He even said not to contact

with Zachary about Winona at all; she’d concocted the whole thing. She knew Winona and Zachary would

and who better to

me off,

on the fire. “Winona, Mr. Chambers is so invested in Yvette now–he’s practically showered her with everything. He even remodeled the second floor of the Chambers residence into her personal space, filled with antiques

her, something he never did for you, even when you were into painting.

dark glint in her eyes. She sneered, her expression feral. “Tell me,

reputation tarnished, but Winona’s ruthlessness exceeded her expectations. She never

voice. “Winona, that’s dangerous. With her popularity, any harm

smirked, looking straight at Layla. “You must’ve crossed Yvette somehow, or you wouldn’t be here talking about this, would