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.”

expression. Once the city’s premier socialite, Winona now

it was impossible to cheat in an international competition like that. Not wanting to risk

won’t last. The higher she rises, the harder she’ll fall. Just wait–it’ll all come crashing down for her soon

down She sat back on the couch and looked at Layla, wondering

bit guilty, avoided Winona’s gaze. Winona asked, “Why bring her up out of the

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

paused, a glimmer of hope crossing her face. Could the affection Zachary had shown really have been an act? She pressed Layla, “You pleaded

tale further. “Mr. Chambers said it’s over between you two. He even said not to contact him

truth, Layla hadn’t spoken with Zachary about Winona at all; she’d concocted the whole thing. She knew Winona and Zachary would never reconcile, and no one

arrogance needed a dose of comeuppance, and who

with rage. “Cut me off, will he? I’ll make him pay for

practically showered her with everything. He even remodeled the second floor of the Chambers residence into

commissioned a custom studio for her, something he never did for you, even when you were into painting. Isn’t it

her eyes. She sneered, her expression feral. “Tell me,

wanted Yvette’s reputation tarnished, but Winona’s ruthlessness exceeded her expectations. She never dared to think

fear in her voice. “Winona, that’s dangerous. With her popularity, any harm that comes to her would bring the police down on us. It’s too

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