"Boss when do I get my turn?" Tom's wife's high-pitch voice whined into the phone.
"Soon enough Alice, you'll get your turn." The deep voice came through the phone.
"But Boss why give him false information, when it would have just been easier to kill him first?" She complained, her bloodlust was become more noticeable.
"Tom, I think it's time to talk Alice to interrogate that gang leader."
"Of course, sir." Tom's smiled down at his wife's excited expression.
"Can I kill him?" She asked stars almost shooting from her eyes.
"Just make sure you get the information about the attempted kidnapping, on my sister, first."
"Oh, I will." Alice's face was engulfed by a sinister grin and lustful eyes. This particular expression sent shivers down, even her husband's spine. Her cruelty and bloodlust were infamous in the underworld, no-one dared to mess the prince's blue-eyed assassin. Unfortunately for other's her loyalty is unwavering.
The couple disappeared into the shadows of the night without a trace.
~ ~ ~
Martin sat on the leather seat of the black Maybach as he signaled his driver to return home. A devilish smile spread across as he opened the envelope. Inside were emails, bank records and private illegal business deals, enough to blackmail William Clair into doing anything.
"Now we just need to wait for President Clair to take the bait." Martin snickered as he grinned at his son, who'd been impatiently waiting in the car.
"But father why'd you want this information instead of getting proof of their relationship?" He looked at his father with a blanket expression.
"You're lucky you're pretty." The old man rolled his eyes as he looked at his dimwitted son. "You fool, everyone in the city knows about the rivalry between the Clairs and Richards. If I let on that kind of information slip, it could be used by someone else."
"So, what do you plan to do with this?" the dark-haired heir obliviously questioned his father.
"You stupid boy!" He yelled before burying his face in his palm. "You're so clueless it's embarrassing, if I'd never bribed that school board, you would've been kicked out years ago." Martin mumbled to himself.
The father-son duo sat quietly for the rest of the drive home.
~ ~ ~
Arianna watched Liam disappear in the review as she drove away. As much as she wanted to stay, she knew she needed to go home and confront Joan.
She'd spend so long at Liam's that as she drove away the sun set behind her, the beautiful orangey pink blended into a perfect purple blue. She couldn't keep the smile from her face as his face came to mind. Suddenly pulling her out of her daydream was the sound of her phone ringing, looking down at the stereo, to see her mother calling and instantly pushed the answer button on her steering wheeling.
"Hey Mum" Her cheerful voice couldn't be disguised.
"I was just wondering if you're coming home tonight?" A cheeky smile spread across her face, when she heard her daughter's mood.
"Yes, I'm on my way home now." The lively brunette tapped her fingertips on the steering wheel.
"Okay, well I'll see you soon." Joan locked her phone and looked up at the older woman in 50's sitting front of her. "She'll be here soon."
"Are we doing the right thing?" the blue-eyed madam sighed in defeat, as she desperately looked at her best friend.
"We don't have a choice." Joan's once happy voice replaced sorrow. "I can't let her go through what I went through."
"I know how much that destroyed you Joan, but do you really think this is necessary."
"You said it yourself…"
"Mum I'm home." Joan was interrupted by Arianna's gleeful voice.
Arianna walked into modern living room to find her mother sitting across from a lady she'd never seen before, yet looked oddly familiar, she just couldn't pick it.
Both women stood up nervously, the strange blonde woman looked anxiously at Joan.
"Umm Ari, this is Camille Clair." Joan held her arm out to politely introduce her friend.
"Hello." Arianna extended her hand and politely shook the woman's hand. 'Clair, that can't be a coincidence. She must be one of Liam's relative.'
"Hello Arianna, I'm Liam's mother." Arianna awkwardly froze.
'What is she doing here?' Arianna's heart started to ache, her stomach began to nervously churn, she knew whatever she was here for this wasn't going to be good.
"It's okay." Camille smiled pleasantly as she gestured for Arianna to take a seat. "My husband has no idea and I don't plan on telling him." She watched as Arianna's body relaxed, but she could see the skepticism in her eyes. 'Smart girl'
Despite what the beautiful woman had told her Arianna kept her guard up, she'd lived in this world long enough to know that a beautiful smile holds many secrets and vicious words.
"However, I have come to tell you something." Camille soft expression became serious and cold, the way she was expected to as the madam of a powerful, noble household. "My husband is a dangerous man Miss Richard, he's not someone to be trifled with, he wouldn't hesitate to kill you. I tell you this because Joan was once my dearest friend."
"Mrs. Clair what are you saying?" Arianna's cheerful mien was replaced with her cold and arrogant business demeanor.
"To be honest I came here today as a courtesy to Joan to tell you, you need to leave Liam alone." Camille spoke with the kind of arrogance only a true noble woman could have, despite her years of training and tolerance, Arianna was shaken by the intimidation.
"And what if I say no." The young heiress tried to bluff her way to confidence.
"This is not a request; William is arranging a marriage for Liam. My husband saw what happened when my son was heartbroken and cannot risk losing him to the simple idle of love." Camille watched the light drain from the young girl's brown eyes. "If it was up to me, I would have just ignored you and let you discover the truth like everyone else when the media announcement was released, but I had too much respect for Joan. So, I hope you enjoyed it while it lasted."
"W…what?!" For the first time in 11 years Arianna forgot all her training and etiquette, tears streamed down her face. In a furious rage she stood up, through her tears she glared down at Camille. "That's not fair, don't you want him to be happy, to be loved!"
"Love? Ha." Camille's laughter was so cold it sends shivers down Arianna's spine. "Darling, we are the 1%, the rich and powerful, love is a privilege for the poor."
Privilege for the poor? That's right, she's just commoner what right does she have to love a man like Liam Clair anyway. Arianna pushed her tears away, swallowed pushing her shoulders back.
"I suppose you're right Mrs. Clair, please do forgive my intolerable behavior. Now if you'll excuse me, I have some reports to finish. It was a pleasure Mrs. Clair, let's not do this again." She walked away with the last of her dignity.