Barbie wanted undeniable proof. I just found the detonator.
We need to make Scarlett believe Blake's already replaced her. That he's fully committed to the Natalie and discarding Scarlett entirely. If she feels utterly betrayed, publicly scorned, disposable… she'll blow. And when she blows, she'll take Blake down with her.
Messily. Visibly. Undeniably.
Game on.
Iquickly find West with the other groomsmen and drag him to a quiet alcove outside the reception.
“Jane? What’s wrong?” He’s instantly alert, scanning me for signs of distress.
“Nothing’s wrong,” I say, breathless with the force of my revelation. “Everything’s right. I figured it out. The plan.”
He raises an eyebrow, crossing his arms.
“Okay. Hit me.”
***
Five minutes later, West is leaning against the alcove wall, processing.
“So you want to… push her over the edge,” he says finally.
“It’s risky.”
"I know."
"If Scarlett figures out you're manipulating her, she'll retaliate. Probably against Natalie."
"I know that too."
"And if Blake catches on—"
"He won't." I lean forward. "Blake thinks he's the smartest person in every room. He thinks Scarlett will keep putting up with being sidelined because she always has. He won't see it coming."
West studies me. “You’re really good at this.”
“At what?”
“Seeing the pressure points. Knowing exactly where to push.”
I shrug. “Not sure about that. My job is to fix problems.”
I pause, the truth settling.
“And lately, the only way to do that is to stop containing them.”
His fingers brush my cheek. “It’s impressive.”
“And terrifying.”
“Thanks?”
“Jane.” His voice is serious now. “If we do this—if we trigger Scarlett and she breaks—there’s no going back. Natalie finds out. The wedding implodes. Blake’s family gets involved. This hits the press. It’s going to be messy.”
There’s no clean outcome anymore.
Only impact.
