Chapter 4

Elliot counted the cash, grumbling and cursing as he walked out.

I was sprawled out on the icy floor, staring up at that ornate crystal chandelier on the ceiling.

The kaleidoscopic glare was almost surreal, stabbing at my eyes until they hurt.

Louie, Maxine, and Elliot probably felt that I had nowhere to go.

I pulled out a sleek black card I'd hidden in my bra.

It was the personal number of the CEO of Shortle Group, who was Motley Group's sworn enemy.

This was my last ace up my sleeve.

But now wasn't the moment to show my hand.

I wanted them to climb a little higher.

So when they fell, they would break even harder.

*****

The charity gala was hosted at an ultra-luxury hotel owned by the Motley Group.

The air was thick with designer perfume and laughter, champagne flowing as the city's elite mingled.

I stood out in my outdated black dress, feeling like a misfit among the high society crowd.

There were no stylists or jewelry sponsorships for me.

I was bare-faced, but that didn't stop all those curious, mocking, and eager-to-see-me-fail stares from zeroing in on me.

"Isn't that Hazel? Why is she dressed like that?"

"I heard Mr. Motley iced her out. Must've pissed off her sponsor."

"Her gambling-addict dad already ruined her reputation. Why would Mr. Motley still bother with her? He's probably toying with her."

The whispers buzzed around me like flies.

I held my champagne glass, kept my back straight, and moved through the crowd like I didn't belong.

At the head of the main table, Louie was decked out in a white suit, looking like a storybook prince.

Maxine was right next to him, flaunting the designer dress she stole from me, grinning like she owned the place.

And then there was Elliot, stuffed into a suit that looked borrowed, sitting on Louie's other side, tearing into a lobster like he hadn't seen food in ages.

The whole scene was so ridiculous that I nearly laughed out loud.

"Hey, Hazel is here." Louie spotted me and raised his glass with a smirk playing on his lips.

Every eye in the room snapped to me.

Louie beckoned me over, curling his finger in that familiar, taunting way. "Come here."

I walked over and stood by the table.

"Mr. Motley," I said, keeping my voice calm.

Louie made no move to let me sit down.

He pointed at the carpet by his feet.

Louie said, "Since you're here, go ahead and make a toast to your real father.

"After all, you wouldn't be here if it weren't for him."

Elliot looked up, grease smeared across his lips, and burped loudly.

"That's right. Toast me. Don't forget to thank me!" he shouted.

Low snickers echoed from the crowd.

Maxine covered her mouth, her tone syrupy and mocking. "Hazel, loyalty to your family comes first. Don't be so stubborn."

I locked eyes with Louie.

I said, "My card's been frozen, and the hospital keeps calling for the bill."

Louie arched an eyebrow. "So?"

I said, "Pay me, and I'll do it."

I tossed all my dignity aside, asking like a beggar.

Louie laughed.

He pulled a check from his inner jacket pocket and waved it between his fingers.

He sneered, "30 grand. That should keep that lame old man breathing for a few more days.

"Drop to the ground and make the toast, then the money's yours."

The silence in the hall was suffocating, like death itself.

Everyone was itching to watch the former superstar actress crash and burn.

I stared at the check, then at Elliot's sickening face.

An icy sting pierced my knees.

This was for Travis's life.

I forced myself to the ground.

With a heavy thud, I fell to the thick carpet.

A ripple of surprise swept through the crowd.

Elliot laughed triumphantly, his voice loud and smug. "See that? The winner of best actress has to do what I say!"

A glint of satisfaction sparked in Louie's eyes. That was the rush of having total control.

Louie passed me a glass of red wine.

"Toast him," Louie said, his tone full of mockery.

I raised the glass above my head with both hands.

"Dad, please, have a drink," I said.

Elliot reached for the glass. His other hand was going for my chest.

"Good girl..." he leered, his tone thick with sleaze.

Right as Elliot's hand was about to land on me, I sprang to my feet, twisting my wrist in one swift motion.

Wine exploded in the air with a splash.

The entire glass of red wine drenched Elliot's face.

Then, I grabbed the wine decanter from the table and smashed it hard against the corner.

A sharp bang echoed.

Glass exploded, fragments spraying everywhere.

I clutched the jagged bottleneck and jammed it right against Elliot's neck, right over his carotid artery.

The sharp glass pierced his skin, blood oozing out immediately.

"She's trying to kill me!" Elliot squealed like a stuck pig.

All that bravado vanished in a heartbeat. He was trembling like a leaf, and he actually pissed himself.

The whole place went wild.

Maxine screamed and clung to Louie, hiding in his arms.

Louie's face went dark as he shot to his feet.

"Hazel, what are you doing? Drop it!" Louie shouted.

I jammed the jagged glass hard against Elliot's throat, then turned to Louie, flashing the first smile I'd shown since stepping into the room.

It was a manic, hopeless smile that sent a bone-chilling cold through the air.