Page 120 of Scorned Beauty

She scanned the document, and with a couple of clicks, she returned her gaze to Margo. “I’m comparing it to the original terms you sent me.”

The older woman smiled. “You know, you remind me a lot of my younger self. I admit you’re even more ingenious, but don’t always rely on technology, Miss De Lucci. Sometimes you have to do the groundwork to get results.”

“Oh, is that a compliment?” Lucy retorted.

“Face it.” Margo smiled. “You idolize me. That’s why you’re doing all this. Rattling my clients, so I’ll notice you.”

“Then why didn’t I sign a covenant with you in the first place? We know Dom wasn’t your target. It was me.”

“I won’t say your brother wouldn’t be a coup. But your mother is too set on the Zahkarov girl, who is totally wrong for him.”

I was getting more confused. “Hold on. Hold on. Hold on. What are you talking about? And, Lucy, you’re not signing anything.”

Lucy glanced at me and smirked. “Sorry. You’re not the boss of me either. Contracts are the same. Now show me the evidence.”

Margo tapped on the tablet, and Lucy stared at her screen.

“This is more disgusting than I thought.” Pink suffused Lucy’s face. “This is the man you’re protecting?”

“I’ve only acquired this evidence recently, and it’s what pushed me to give up my client. There are certain lines I won’t cross, and most of the time, I look the other way if it isn’t worth my time to intervene.”

Lucy was still transfixed on the screen, her jaw clenching and unclenching. Finally, I willed myself to look over her shoulder.

Bile rose up my throat. “That girl can’t be over thirteen.”

I looked away, but Lucy continued to watch.

“I don’t know how you can?—”

A suppressed sob tore up Lucy’s throat. “Because I have to make sure there’s enough here to nail that bastard.”

“There’s more than enough,” Margo said.

She glanced at Margo. “Sorry, we’re not at the trust stage yet. This works. This will not be admissible in court…”

“But you know where the rest of Elyse’s evidence is located,” Margo finished. “And this is enough cause for authorities to get a search warrant.”

“Yes, and I’m not going to risk getting my ass thrown in jail to get it,” Lucy said.

I guessed she meant breaking and entering. I wouldn’t put it past her to do it too and had no doubt she’d done it before.

“This is better.” Lucy did a couple of taps on her screen. “The covenant is signed.”

Margo pushed forward two ornate envelopes similar to the one Dom’s mother gave him. “Then you two have some shopping to do.”

I couldn’t resist slipping out the invitation. I ran my fingers over the raised print of the event date and something clicked. “Is this September nine the reason why you wanted me to stay in the Outer Banks until this date?”

“Yes,” Margo replied with an enigmatic smile. “If either you or Dominic hadn’t pulled through with my expectations by the time the gala came around, then I would have cut my losses.” She walked around her desk, stepped up to me, and peered into my eyes. “But I recognize resilience when I see it.”

We didn’t hang around for small talk, but when we reached the grand foyer, Margo called, “Miss Scott.”

I stiffened and turned to face her.

“Show them you have what it takes to be the belle of the ball.”

“I’m not sure?—”

“No limits, Miss Scott. I believe in you.”