"Marilyn! Your men failed to kill her!"
On the other line, Stella did not hide her irritation. Florian left her in the parking lot, even after he saw how she fell to the floor on her bottom when she bumped her body into him.
Now that she was alone, she didn't need to wear her facade, but she'd vent her anger to her heart's content.
Very unfortunate for Marilyn. She had no choice but to listen to Stella's whine until she was tired of cursing a particular person who triggered her foul mood.
Marilyn was utterly astonished to find out that the person Stella wanted to eliminate was the woman she had so much hatred for.
What a fate that they hated the same person.
At first, she actually did not believe that Krishna seduced Florian Graham when she was in love with someone else. Even the photos that Stella emailed her were suspicious. Although the woman in the picture looked like Krishna, she felt something was off.
Anyway, since they have the same woman they loathed the most, she does not think twice and accepts the job Stella requested her to take care of.
She would not run an investigation and gather more information about why she was in the country.
Instead, she will give out the order to kill Krishna Palermo so that she entirely disappears from George's life.
Therefore, she will take the golden opportunity to eliminate Krishna Palermo.
George Mendez is hers, and she would not share him with anyone. She met George first, before that woman.
Despite marrying Leonard Greene, her husband was vegetated for many years. She was lonely, and she liked George the very first time her eyes laid on him.
But George was sent on a mission, and that was to get close to Krishna Palermo. Throughout the scheme, the former fell in love with that woman instead.
She was too jealous and aggrieved at her father for sending George. But no one is more suitable to make Krishna Palermo fall in love with someone but him.
George is the most handsome man among her father's subordinates. He is perfect in every way. Also, he is gentle and kind. No one would suspect he was ready to kill when necessary.
However, two years and a half ago, he was defeated by George Graham.
On the verge of death, she did everything to save him. And then what happened next, it's a long story.
"Stella, calm down. My men did their best to carry out their mission. But I warned you already since the beginning that a huge percentage of us would fail since we are in Lord Nicholas Crow's territory. It would be easy for them to discover our movements. Until now, I have no news of my men. Although I am confident that they would not speak out and reveal who their mastermind was. They were one of my most trusted men, so I want to save them."
Marilyn tried her best to appease Stella. She added, "I took the risk because you are my best friend. Even though my men failed, you can't blame us but your cousin-in-law."
"Are you talking about Rowan?" Stella frowned when Marilyn said that.
Rowan was like a cute puppy following her around. She enjoyed the attention that he was showering her. She wishes Florian were like his cousins, whom she effortlessly wrapped around her fingers.
But Florian's heart was actually made of stone.
On the other line, Marilyn hurls an inward sigh before she answers Stella.
"No. It was George Graham. He didn't hand my men to the police. Instead, he kept them to investigate on his own. I know his men were torturing them by now so that it would force them to reveal who their boss was. Stella, if you want me to kill the person you wanted to eliminate from this world, perhaps you can do something for me, too."
Marilyn never mentions that she loathed Krishna, too. Without Stella's request, she will assassinate that woman eventually.
And what a stroke of luck that Stella despises her, too. If things become ugly, she could point out that Stella is accountable for the assassination. She can get away and protect herself from their charges. She can use her as the scapegoat.
Since Stella wasn't in front of her, Marilyn did not conceal the meaningful smile playing on her red lips.
'I'm sorry, Princess Stella, but that's how life works.'
She relied on her family's wealth and never experienced how to crawl in the quicksand that the more you struggled, the more you drowned. Thus, she learned to follow the flow.
Meanwhile, Stella remained silent on the other line. She tried to weigh things. To be exact, she is helping Marilyn to plot out Krishna's assassination. After she devised a plan, a sinister smile appeared on her beautiful face.
"I know what I need to do. You said they apprehended your men at the Arch Gate of George's resort. Then I will visit the resort and investigate where he keeps your men."
"That would be a big help to me, Stella." Marilyn beamed. "Stella, I need to save my men as soon as possible. Next week, I am bringing Leonard to Grace Island to visit his doctors. You know, he was vegetated for many years and still had constant headaches after his amnesia. He needs a regular check-up."
"Of course. Anyway… Do you know the Grahams are also gathering on Grace Island next week?"
"Oh. You are right. It's Margarette's death anniversary and Lady Katherine's birthday. Then it's the perfect time to kill Krishna Palermo when George isn't around here. Once the Graham cousins leave M Country, my men will attack Ocean View Resort and save Frankie's team."
"Marilyn, I have a better idea. I will convince George to bring Krishna to Grace Island. Then I can drag her around to go shopping. Let's kill that woman once we find a perfect time to attack!"
Marilyn did not reply but pondered. Stella's suggestion is not bad. In fact, it was brilliant.
"Alright. Let's do that, then. If you want me to succeed, your cooperation is most needed since you can get near the Graham family, particularly George and Krishna, without a problem. Hmm… You were really great, Stella! Until now, no one suspected what you've done to Ma..."
"Shut up!" Stella snapped. She immediately cut Marilyn off when she was about to bring up that incident in the past. "You know that I've long buried that incident. How dare you bring it up?"
"I'm sorry, Stella. It will not happen again."
"You better keep your mouth shut, Marilyn! Remember who supported you the most!"
After Stella growled on the other line, she then ended the call without bidding goodbye.
Left speechless, Marilyn almost smashed her phone on the coffee table. But she reminded herself not to lose her temper when George was upstairs in the study room.
Besides, she could not vent her anger because Stella's family had helped them when their company was on the verge of bankruptcy. Without Baldwins' support by that time. Her father and brother would be jailed and on life sentences.
But because Stella's family helps them secretly, Greene and Peters rise again. The Baldwins did not reclaim the large amount they loaned to her family as long as they would do favors for them.
As Marilyn would think of it, she could not help feeling the resentment harbored in her heart toward the Baldwins.
They indeed helped them back then. However, the price they were paying — they became like a puppet.
The Baldwin family has many dirty doings, but they do nothing by themselves, as they maintain a perfect image and excellent reputation in the high and noble society.
They were such a fake! Marilyn sneered in her heart.
Until now, the Grahams had no idea how many skeletons the Baldwins hid in their closet!
'How long should my family pay our debts?' Marilyn could only grit her teeth as her chest heaved up and down.
Out of her annoyance, she got up from the sofa and headed to the backyard.
"Give me your gun!" she ordered the bodyguard she found guarding the back house.
The bodyguard promptly handed her his revolver. Once the cold weapon touched her palm, Marilyn snatched it and walked toward the doghouse.
In the following seconds, several gunshots echoed in the backyard.
Although not the first time they had seen their lady boss vent her anger toward the animals, the bodyguards who witnessed such a scene still shuddered in fear.
They were aware of how ruthless she was. Yet, in that action, she earned their respect and loyalty. For them, she is such a badass boss! She would not bat an eye to kill a traitor with her own hands.
'We pitied everyone that angered our lady boss!' Thoughts of her men.
"Krishna Palermo! I despise you! I will kill you once I have a chance!"