Chapter 333
Amelia Rivers stood in the cramped living room, her designer heels sinking slightly into the worn carpet.
Eleanor Carter's eyes widened in recognition. "Miss Amelia! It's you!"
She had met Amelia at the police station that day. The memory was vivid, especially after her husband Daniel's detailed accounts.
Eleanor gestured nervously toward the faded couch. "Please, have a seat! Let me get you some water."
Amelia's gaze swept over the shabby furniture, her lips curling in distaste. "No need. I won't be staying long."
The dismissive tone left Eleanor frozen, hands twisting in her apron.
Without ceremony, Amelia snapped open her leather briefcase and dropped it onto the chipped coffee table. "Tell your husband to keep quiet. If he does, he'll be out soon. After that, your family disappears from this city." She tapped the stacks of cash inside. "This should cover your pathetic little lives."
Eleanor's breath hitched at the sight. "Of course, Miss Amelia! Daniel told me everything during my visit today. We know how this works."
"Good." Amelia's smirk was ice-cold. She turned on her heel and strode out, leaving the briefcase behind.
The moment she reached her Mercedes, she sprayed her hands with sanitizer. The rundown neighborhood made her skin crawl. Filth clung to the air. She wouldn't have set foot here if not for necessity.
Bank transfers left trails. Cash didn't.
This entire scheme had been meticulously planned. Evelyn Whitmore had slipped through her fingers once, but Gabrielle Winslow made the perfect scapegoat.
It started when Amelia flew back to surprise Nathaniel at Silver Moon Estate. Instead, he'd rushed off after Evelyn. She'd followed—only to find Evelyn alone by the riverbank.
The news of Evelyn's marriage to the Graysons had been a knife to her ribs. So she'd orchestrated this. Hired Daniel Carter to stage an attack and frame Evelyn.
But Evelyn had outmaneuvered her.
No matter. Amelia always had contingencies. She'd prepped Daniel with alternate scenarios and Gabrielle's photo. If Plan A failed, he'd swear Gabrielle was the mastermind.
A small price to pay. Gabrielle's loyalty meant nothing compared to Nathaniel.
Her phone buzzed. Samuel Rivers.
Amelia's voice softened instantly. "Sam?"
"Where are you?" Her brother's tone was sharp. "Grandparents are here. We're waiting for dinner."
"I just got back, and some old friends insisted on catching up. All girls, don't worry!" She forced a laugh. "I'll be home soon."
The moment she hung up, her face hardened. She tossed the phone aside and lit a cigarette, exhaling smoke with practiced ease. The docile mask was gone.
Glancing at her watch, she smiled. By now, Evelyn's reputation should be in ruins online.
It didn't matter that the first plan failed. There were other ways.
Nathaniel might want Evelyn, but the Grayson elders would never accept a scandal-ridden bride. Evelyn's days were numbered.
Amelia took a long drag.
How dare some nobody steal what's mine?