Eric smirked playfully, "Mr. Scott, you still have the leisure to stroll around here? But then again, you’ve got money to burn, right? A few hundred million lost here and there wouldn’t bother you."
Mason sneered, "Eric, don’t get too cocky. This is only the beginning—just wait. One day, you’ll be begging me." His gaze fell briefly on Ella’s face, noticing her usual calm demeanor.
"Confidence is one thing, Mr. Scott," Eric quipped, clearly amused, "but all the confidence in the world won’t save you when every investment turns into a dead loss."
Eric was thoroughly enjoying himself. Mason had always meddled with Ella, but after Eric’s recent maneuver, Mason was now tied up with Bella, a perfect twist that had worked in Ella’s favor.
Bella’s faux-concerned voice chimed in, "Miss Davis, you should be cautious. The Carter Group was once grand and glamorous, but now that it’s fallen, someone might target you next!"
Ella met Bella’s gaze with a cool expression. "Thank you for your concern, Miss Rodriguez. But you might want to be careful yourself. That mouth of yours has a way of irritating people."
Bella’s smile froze briefly. "Oh, it’s true—one small word of concern, and some people can’t help but take offense."
"That’s true," Ella said, chuckling softly, "I sometimes feel like someone’s working against me, even though I’ve never done anything to them. But if it happens again, I’ll make sure they regret it, thick-skinned or not!"
Tension hung in the air as Ella’s light laughter faded.
Mason released Bella from his arm and remarked, "Ella, I hope there’s a day when you willingly come to my side."
"Shameless!" Eric laughed coldly. "Let’s go. No point dealing with dogs."
Ella smiled slightly, catching Bella’s darkening expression. Being the mayor’s daughter, Bella had no choice but to restrain herself in public.
As Ella walked away, she could feel Bella’s venomous gaze drilling into her back even from a distance.
Mason watched them leave, a faint smile appearing on his face.
Bella glared at him. "What are you smiling about?"
Mason’s expression cooled. "Oh, nothing. Just that Eric’s arrogance will be his downfall someday."
Bella rolled her eyes, clearly unconvinced. While Mason’s wealth was substantial, he was still no match for Eric.
"You’re pretty arrogant yourself. How did that few hundred million feel going down the drain?"
Bella’s words hit a nerve, and Mason’s face darkened as he turned sharply and strode away.
Bella hurried after him. "What’s the matter? Hit a sore spot? Ella will never love you. Give it up," she taunted, keeping her voice low enough for only the two of them to hear.
Mason ignored her, his strides so brisk that Bella had to nearly run to keep up, drawing amused glances from passersby.
Anyone could see that Bella wasn’t particularly favored.
Night settled over the city, the autumn air deepening, leaves falling as heavy mist blanketed the sky, hiding any trace of stars or moon.
Leah sat in a quiet, tastefully decorated private room in a modest but peaceful restaurant.
Across from her sat a young woman in a houndstooth dress, barely twenty, her smoking habit oddly at odds with her delicate appearance.
"What I’ve told you—can you handle it?" Leah asked quietly.
The young woman chuckled softly, nodding. "This is easy. I’m confident I can pull it off. After all, he’s got a bit of a record, and while he’s got connections... well, they say even heroes can’t resist beauty. Trust me, I had plenty of admirers back in school."
Leah raised an eyebrow. "Alright then. I’ll send you the first half of the payment now. Once it’s done, I’ll transfer the rest."
The young woman let out a delicate, bell-like laugh. "Don’t worry. I’m a top-tier ’hostess’ at a certain nightclub. No one recognizes me; besides you, no one’s ever seen me smoke in real life."
Leah watched as she stubbed out the cigarette, her face once again serene and innocent. This girl had an allure that could easily captivate men, and even better, she could act. She was the perfect fit for Leah’s plan.
"Then here’s to a smooth partnership," Leah said, her voice ice-cold. "But even if you get exposed, don’t implicate me. Or else..." Her eyes flashed with a chilling warning.
Leah would have hired someone else to find this girl if she’d had the funds, but she didn’t. Adding an intermediary only increased the risk, so she came in person.
Since her failed date with Warren, Leah’s resentment toward Ella had only grown. Seeing Sean bedridden, Julia nearly in tears daily, and constantly enduring his curses had only fueled her hatred.
Carter Group was beyond saving, and Leah knew Ella was to blame for it all. Her mother now bore all the household burdens, Frank had lost all ambition, and ever since his plot to frame Nelson Group had come to light, he’d sunk even deeper, spending his days in underground casinos. Max, too, stumbled home drunk every night; after falling from grace, no young person could easily accept such a fate.
With Carter Group in ruins, Leah was struggling, and she wanted Ella to suffer just as much.
Prompted by a suggestion from a mysterious stranger, Leah had decided to use this plan. After parting ways with the young woman, she kept her head down as she left the restaurant.
Back in her car, Leah received a call from Bella. "Leah, didn’t you say you needed a loan? I just transferred a million dollars. Is that enough?"
"More than enough! Thank you, Bella!" Leah felt a surge of gratitude, almost tearing up.
With this money, she could finally secure the advance payment for the girl.
"Oh, don’t mention it. We’re friends... Pay me back whenever you’re flush with cash, or you can consider it a little extra living money," Bella said with a smile.
Leah felt a glimmer of hope as she thanked Bella profusely. Bella had also promised to pull some strings and find her a high-paying, easy job.
Leah had no idea that Bella’s generosity was only fueling her desire for revenge.
"Ella, just you wait," Leah muttered, a smirk spreading across her face. "Messing with this girl won’t kill you, but it’ll make your life a nightmare. Soon, no one will believe you."
Leah’s heart swelled with satisfaction, and as she envisioned her plans unfolding, her smile grew twisted with delight.