Chapter 30

Elysia’s cheeks were still blazing hot at the thought of the bold move she had just made. Kissing someone first? That was something she never imagined she’d do in her entire life.

Back in college, her friends Blossom Blythe and Winona Newsom had pegged her as the poster girl for the conservative crowd.

She snorted, recalling the predatory look on that guy’s face. It was as if she was trying to get a free ride or something. If it hadn’t been to shut him up, why on earth would she have kissed him? And she had lost $250 in the process–enough to buy three sets of cozy fall clothes for the kids!

Just as she was stewing in her misfortune, a sleek luxury car suddenly cut in front of them, performing an elegant yet aggressive maneuver that blocked their way.

The cab driver slammed on the brakes, his heart racing with fright and anger. He rolled down the window, ready to unleash a tirade.

“What kind of driving is that? Do you even know how to drive? You…”

But his anger deflated like a punctured balloon when he saw two men in black suits step out of the car.

He clamped his mouth shut, not daring to make another peep.

Elysia peered out the window, curious. The window was knocked on, and a stern voice commanded, “Get out.”

Sensing trouble, Elysia scooted to the opposite door, asking, “Are you looking for me? Who are you?”

The man didn’t bother with pleasantries, yanking the door open and pulling her out of the car. As soon as her feet hit the pavement, the cab sped off, anxious to avoid any involvement.

Elysia struggled to free herself from the man’s grip. “Who are you? Let me go! Let me go!”

She was dragged onto a bridge, where a chic convertible was parked.

The car door swung open, and a woman emerged. She strode toward Elysia, her footsteps echoing with the click–clack of her stiletto heels. She carried an expensive designer handbag and had her arms folded across her chest.

Elysia couldn’t shake off the feeling that she recognized this woman, but the mask and sunglasses obscured her identity.

“Slap!”

The woman struck Elysia across the face without warning.

Elysia was stunned. Held back by two bodyguards, she couldn’t fight back and shouted, “Who are you?

Why did you hit me?”

“You slut, thinking you can seduce my man? I ought to teach you a lesson!”

19-155 Elysia was confused. “Are you crazy? Who did I seduce?”

Nola, as if deaf to Elysia’s words, slapped her again, twice more. “Don’t think because you’re pretty, you can climb the social ladder. Let me tell you, Tarquin is out of your league. He’s mine! If you so much as look at him again, I’ll make you wish you hadn’t!”

Turning to her bodyguards, Nola ordered, “Ruin that pretty face of hers. The sight of it disgusts me!”

Nola was determined not to allow any woman prettier than her to be near Tarquin. One of the bodyguards produced a gleaming dagger, its blade catching the light menacingly.

Elysia, panic–stricken, forgot to demand who Tarquin was and instead pleaded, “There must be some mistake! I don’t know you, and I certainly don’t know any Tarquin. Let me go!”

As Nola took the dagger, intending to do the deed herself, Elysia lashed out with a kick, sending Nola sprawling backward. The high heels did her no favors; she fell, twisting her ankle, and the blade sliced her hand.

Nola’s scream pierced the air, “Ah! It hurts…”

e bodyguards rushed to her side, calling out, “Miss!”

Noticing that Elysia attempted to bolt, Nola cried with fury, “Kill that bitch! Ouch, ouch…”

Seeing the bodyguards in pursuit, Elysia took out the pepper spray her son had given to her, and she didn’t hesitate to use it on the bodyguards. Of course, Evan’s work had always been potent, and it left them writhing on the ground.

She took off running, making a dash across the road to the opposite side in no time at all.

Left behind, Nola shouted in frustration, “Incompetents! Catch her, or it’ll be your heads!”

Three more bodyguards appeared, giving chase to Elysia as she ran for her life.