Chapter 3 - Champagne and Delusions
Back inside the sprawling dining room of Willowmere, Vivian poured herself another glass of vintage champagne, entirely oblivious to the economic guillotine poised above her neck.
“Good riddance,” Vivian muttered, dabbing her lips with a linen napkin. “Mara has always been a parasite, dragging home gutter-trash and expecting us to finance her mediocre life.”
Beatrice laughed, swirling her own glass. “Mother, don’t stress yourself over her. Look at the bright side—the financial documents from our anonymous savior should arrive by courier tomorrow morning. Once those papers are signed, Willowmere is officially secured under our family trust, free and clear.”
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“Exactly,” Vivian agreed, her eyes gleaming with predatory triumph. “And once we refinance, we’ll finally cut off all remaining ties to Mara. She’s dead to this family.”
They toasted to their own cruelty, laughing over the imagined misery of the outcast daughter, completely unaware that the foundation of their empire had already turned to dust.
