“Iintroduced Alan to Peter.Ipushed Peter to invest in Alan’s company, hundreds of millions that should’ve gone to my charity.I’m Peter’s legal wife.His money?Mine.”She punctuates eachIwith her palm pressed to her chest, the old high school habit she never dropped.
I grit my teeth, the heat rising in my neck, and press my palms to my arms to steady the tremor.“No, it’s not.Peter has nothing to do with Alan’s business.It’s all his own investors.I saw the shareholder chart online myself.”
She crooks a smile, eyes glinting, venom dripping from every word.“Duh.Those investors?Shells.Every single one belongs to Peter.”
My eyes go wide.That’s it.I nailed it.My mouth falls open when Amy finally says it out loud.
It’s just like the dorm days all over again: her nonstop bragging, taking every bit of credit, trashing everyone else’s success.It’s always Amy Schmidt.No one else ever measures up.
But it’s not enough.I need more.I hide my laugh behind a smirk.God, I’m so glad she hasn’t changed after all these years.
“No.That’s not true.I saw Gene’s shareholder list.There are investment firms, Alan himself, and Ms.Lola’s kids,” I say, frowning.
“Oh please, Fenella.Stop being stupid.”Amy’s voice cuts sharp, dripping with disgust.“I told you before.How can you still not get something this simple?All those investment firms belong to Peter.It’s all Peter’s money.Even the shares under Alan’s name—Peter’s.Alan ownsnothing.”
“Keep it up,” the FBI commander hums through my ear cuff.
“That’s impossible.Even Gene’s shares are Peter’s money?How’s that possible?”I mutter, brow furrowed.
“You just don’t get it.It’s too complex for your rotten brain.That’s why I hated it so much when Alan made you Gene’s top model.How dare he waste my money on you?”Amy steps closer, teeth clenched.
“And now here you are, after seeing Alan’s fake success.You think you can squeeze more out of him.Now that you know it’s Peter’s money, I’m sure you’ll try to seduce him next.”Amy stomps forward, forcing me back until my spine hits the door.
Same pattern as always: corner me, trap me.The next thing will be a kick or a choke.
“No, Amy.I’m as sincere to Alan as he is to me.”I brace myself.
“Liar!”Amy shouts and lunges for my throat, but I’ve learned her moves.I duck fast and kick her shin.
Her scream rips through the room, raw and feral.For a second the sound is almost like music to my ears.
“You filthy, greedy bitch,” she snarls.Just when I think I’ve won, she grabs my hair and yanks me back against the wall.
“Let go!”I dig my nails into her wrist.
I don’t notice my neck exposed until it’s too late.Her fist slams into the side of it.Pain explodes up my ear.My neck burns, my ears ring, and all I can think about is whether the necklace and ear cuff are still attached.I pat my ear and touch my necklace.Both are still in place, thank God.
I crawl away, propping myself on my elbows, holding my neck to ease the pain, coughing as my body shakes.She steps closer, her shadow falling over me, that triumphant smile stretched across her face.
“You shouldn’t have kicked me.Violence only brings violence, doesn’t it?”Her leg lifts.The point of her heel aims for my face.
“Fenella?”The door bursts open.Alan’s head appears, and when he sees me curled on the floor, gasping, his face goes red.Amy freezes.
“What the hell?!”Alan shouts as he rushes in.
Amy steps back and shrugs.“She kicked me first.I just defended myself.”
“You liar!”Alan growls, shoving her aside before crouching next to me.His eyes scan me for injuries.“Are you okay?”His thumb brushes my jaw gently.
“I’m fine,” I rasp, throat burning.
“Or what?What the fuck are you going to do about it, huh?”Amy snaps, folding her arms.
Alan stands, fists clenched, face flushed to his ears.His teeth grind.His whole body trembles with rage.
“I swear I’ll destroy you,” he says, glaring.“I’ll make you pay for what you did to me and to her.I’m done letting this slide.”
“Oh, scary.Tell me the truth.You’ll dump her the second you’re done fucking her, right?”Amy’s hand creeps up his chest.Her voice turns sultry as she tries to seduce him, but he catches her wrist.
