Dropping the papers on my desk, I clench my chest as I start to hyperventilate. Tears stream down my face and I fall from my chair to my knees. A scream rips out of my throat followed by my pained sobs. I feel a presence crouch down next to me, holding me tightly as if I’m going to slip away.Darkness starts to flood in causing me to drown, causing me to lose the air to breathe.
“Breathe, Celeste. You have to breathe,” Larson demands, rocking me back and forth.
He was fucking poisoned. My father, murdered, taken away from me like my mother. The only person I had left to keep me safe. To love me unconditionally and he was fucking ripped away. How convenient he was killed as I was gone and captured myself. Fucking bastards!
Pure rage comes crashing over me and I rip from the arms that hold me tightly. I shoot to my feet, grabbing the closest thing next to me, and send it flying into the wall. Glass shatters to the floor. I reach over my desk and swipe everything off it, causing the computer and other items to meet their death. I kick and scream until there’s nothing left of me. Hollow, empty, void. I feel nothing as everything has been drained from me.
Once I come out of the trance, I look over at Larson looking over the papers and back at the disaster I caused. Fuck, the whole damn office had to have heard me. I lost control, control that I needed to keep intact.
“She lied. Bianca had false reports made to cover this up. That would explain why she was so pissed when I took over. She was hoping that if I was away and my father was dead, she would assume the position. Little did she know that I can’t be killed easily. But why? Why would she do this?” I think out loud to the conclusion I came up with.
Bianca has literally everything she could ask for and more. My father made sure she had everything she requested but the greedy bitch apparently needed more than he was willing to give.
“You think she had you taken in Rome? She’s been quiet lately, which is not natural for her. She fought you once andwent dormant. What is she up to?” Larson folds the papers up and slides them into his jacket for safe keeping.
“Will you go see if Angela knows of Bianca’s whereabouts and have her come to my office?” I fix my outfit to be back in pristine shape.
Larson opens and closes the door and I pull open a cabinet with a mirror on the door and find some makeup I keep in the office. Quickly, I fix my makeup to hide the evidence of my tear-streaked face and compose myself as if nothing ever happened. Except for my office, it’s absolutely destroyed. My cleaner is going to be cursing me to no end.
I think back to my last interaction with Bianca. She was defensive, enraged, and the look of pure hate bore through her eyes. I didn’t think much of it at the time. I knew something deeper was in play but I didn’t think she would go as far as poison, the brutal betrayal she did to my father and to our family. She was pissed she didn't have the head seat and control of the accounts and decisions. Now it all makes sense.
I send a quick text to Samson to cut all access to the buildings to her and Mike. Also, to lock her out of the one account I left for her out of pity. Fuck that, I’ll make her suffering slow and deliberate. I add in Mike’s accounts, too, just to be petty. I have no doubt that he’s in on his mother’s plans. Now to figure out what they are up to.
Larson returns with Angela in tow. I don’t miss how wide her eyes get observing the destruction and quickly masks it away.
“It seems Bianca and Mike left the country a couple days ago. They headed to Puerto Rico for a vacation, apparently,” Angela reports back.
“How convenient. Want to have some fun?” I give her a sly smirk.
Maybe this will be a good time to show her how to get shit done. Make a statement loud and clear.
“I’m always down for some fun.” She smiles brightly.
Poor girl has no idea that I’m about to pull her into some illegal shit. We’ll see how she handles it.
“Larson, get Antonio up to speed. You both will be joining us tonight. Angela, I’ll text you my address. Be there by eight.” I grab my purse and walk past them with my chin held high and a walk with purpose.
Ready or not, bitch, here I come.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
CELESTE
“Hold out baits to entice the enemy. Feign disorder, and crush him.” - Sun Tzu, The Art of War
“So what you’re saying is, that stupid bitch killed your father? She fucking poisoned him like a goddamn coward?” Blakely screeches at the bomb I just dropped on her. “And then she goes on fucking vacation like nothing happened? Nah, the bitch is running!”
I love this bitch so much. Her attitude is the exact reason why we’re friends. I don’t have a friend who speaks of reason, but who would support my rash decisions. She’s not going to take it well when she finds out she’s not invited for tonight's events.
“Shhh the girls are sleeping. Yes, that’s exactly what I’m saying. Angela, the boys, and I are going to pay a visit to her house to check that she truly left and if so, search to see if she left anything behind to see what she’s truly up to. We’ll also have a little fun.” I sip my wine as I go over my plans with her.
I wait for her to react. Her face turns into amusement and her slit eyes pin me down into place.
“And you never thought about asking your best friend to tag along? You choose your assistant instead? You seem to forget, your parents were like my second family. I’m going with you, Celeste. You keep me away from a lot of things, but not this.” She slams her glass down angrily.
I swear I see a spiderweb crack on the glass from how hard she hits it on the counter. That’s an expensive glass from Italy she just ruined. Brat.
“You have a daughter. I didn’t want anything to tie back to you. Of course I would love to have you with me, but the two of you are my top priority to keep safe. I can’t lose another person I care deeply for,” I try to reason with her.
