Diana had no intention of causing harm to Thalia. She wasnât a sadist, and the notion of killing for sport was alien to her. As long as Thalia maintained silence about the incident, Diana was willing to move past it. Even though Thaliaâs acting that day was more wooden than a puppet show without strings.
However, Thalia took an unpredictable turn, going berserk with the idea of confiding in Margot, that two-timing snake in the grass.
Diana knew it was just a matter of time before Thaliaâs conscience got the better of her, and the beans would be spilled. Especially to Margot, her nemesis, who seemed to relish every opportunity to cross swords with her. And telling Margot would be like sawing off the branch she was sitting on.
How could Diana allow such a greenhorn to jeopardize her path to stardom?
âItâs not like Iâm heartless,â Diana mused to herself, staring out of her high-rise apartmentâs floor-to-
ceiling windows, the curtains wide open, unafraid of the cityâs glaring lights. âBut you just had to let Kael in on the secret, didnât you?â
Kael was a coward, always terrified of his dirty laundry getting aired. It was he who insisted on âdealingâ
with Thalia, not her.
The more leverage she had on Kael, the tighter she could keep him wound around her finger, ensuring his absolute loyalty.
Diana swirled the red wine in her glass, the liquidâs crimson hue reminiscent of blood as she sipped it leisurely.
âPoor Thalia, donât blame me, darling. You just drew the short straw. If thereâs a next life, please donât come back as a plain Jane. Better to skip the mortal coil than to give us all a fright!â
Thalia was in the throes of her lifeâs greatest crisis, never anticipating that sheâd be discovered by the murderer.
She hadnât intended to drag Margot into this mess, but who else could she turn to in such a dire moment?
Even Margot, her trusted friend, had doubted her when she first explained the situation, wondering if it was all just a bad dream.
âYou donât believe me? If you donât, just say it. I wonât bother you again!â
Margot finally snapped to her senses amid Thaliaâs ragged breathing. âWhat are you talking about?
How could I not believe you? Do you think for a second Iâd take Dianaâs word over yours? I shouldâve seen the signs earlier; youâve been distracted ever since that day. I shouldâve known she had something to do with it.â
Margot felt a pang of quilt, blaming her own obliviousness for Thallaâs allence.
However, Thalia didnât have the luxury of dwelling on such things. Sheâd chosen to keep silent to protect Margot from being dragged into the chaos.
But now, Thalia still had to ask for Margotâs help at the eleventh hour. When would she ever be able to repay her?
As Thaliaâs breaths came in heavy gasps, Margotâs eyes welled up with tears. âWhat should I do?
Should I get the director to help you, or should I call the cops?â
âCops wonât do any good. I donât have solid evidence; itâs all speculation. Just go to the director, have him bring people here.â
Thaliaâs voice was faint, and Margot could tell she mustâve found somewhere to hide.
Grateful for her decision to live near the set to hone her craft with the other actors, Margot didnât hesitate. She dashed towards the set, recognizing that Thaliaâs fate now in their hands.
As the phone line went dead, Margotâs face fell. She didnât dare to imagine how terrified Thalia must be right now.
All she could do was run faster, ever faster.
And thatâs when she nearly collided with Balfour.