In a private room at the club, Winona and Layla, having indulged their desires, felt more at ease. They were close as sisters again, sipping their wine.

Winona sipped her wine, straightened, and asked, “So, you were always busy when I tried to reach out. Then you stopped answering altogether. Now, suddenly, you're here?”

Layla laughed, her expression exaggeratedly sincere. “Oh, Winona, it wasn't me. My family prevented me from contacting you. Forgive me.”

Winona knew Layla’s silence was a choice, but she let it slide. Since Yvette's true identity as Cyanbird and Winona's illegitimacy were revealed, everyone had distanced themselves. Layla's contact was a lifeline, and she needed the semblance of friendship, even if superficial.

Feigning aloofness, Winona lifted her chin. “Fine. I’ll let it go this time. But if it happens again, we’re done. Understood?”

Layla masked her disdain with a bright, false smile. They maintained their facades, their idle chatter as empty as their glasses.

Finally, Layla revealed her purpose. “Winona, have you heard? Yvette’s back in Seacrity.”

At the mention of Yvette, Winona’s face darkened. She smashed her wine glass, watching the red wine pool like blood.

“I know! That witch returned, and everyone’s obsessed! She won some insignificant art competition—does she deserve this attention? She must have cheated; no one like her could win fairly.”

Layla flinched at Winona’s distraught expression. Once the city's premier socialite, Winona now seemed unhinged. Knowing it was impossible to cheat in such a competition, and worried about Winona’s unborn child, Layla soothed her.

“Winona, don’t get upset. Yvette’s fame is fleeting. The higher she climbs, the harder she’ll fall. Just wait—it’ll all come crashing down. Just try not to stress the baby.”

The mention of the baby calmed Winona. She sat back, wondering why Layla had brought up Yvette.

Layla, feeling guilty, avoided Winona’s gaze. Winona asked, “Why bring her up? Have you seen her? What happened?”

Layla shifted uncomfortably, fabricating a story. “I went to see Mr. Chambers, hoping to appeal on your behalf. Surely, he’d show some compassion after all these years.”

A glimmer of hope crossed Winona’s face. She pressed Layla, “You pleaded for me? What did he say?”

Hesitantly, Layla continued her lie. “Mr. Chambers said it’s over between you two. He said not to contact him and that Yvette is his only daughter.”

In reality, Layla hadn't spoken to Zachary; she’d invented the whole thing. She knew reconciliation was impossible, and no one would discover her deception. Yvette’s arrogance needed humbling, and Winona was the perfect instrument.

As expected, Winona’s face twisted with rage. “Cut me off, will he? I’ll make him pay.”

Layla added fuel to the fire. “Winona, Mr. Chambers is obsessed with Yvette—he’s showered her with everything. He even remodeled the second floor of the Chambers residence for her, filled it with millions of dollars worth of antiques. He even commissioned a custom studio for her—something he never did for you, even when you painted. Isn’t it unfair?”

Winona clenched her fists, her body trembling, a dark glint in her eyes. She sneered, “Tell me, if Yvette were… gone, do you think Zachary would still favor her?”

Layla froze. She only intended to damage Yvette’s reputation, but Winona’s ruthlessness surpassed her expectations. She hadn’t considered anything so drastic as death.

Layla bit her lip, fear in her voice. “Winona, that’s dangerous. Any harm to her would bring the police down on us. It’s too risky.”

Winona smirked. “You must have crossed Yvette somehow, or you wouldn’t be here, would you?”

Caught off guard, Layla stammered, but Winona continued. “Listen, Yvette holds grudges. If you’ve wronged her, she might retaliate. Don’t you think we should make the first move?”

Layla hesitated, then nodded, her voice shaking. “Winona, what do you want to do?”

Sensing Layla’s acquiescence, Winona touched her stomach, confidence radiating from her.

“Yvette’s arrogant and talentless. We can hire someone… from the underworld. With enough money, someone will take the job. Once Yvette is in our hands, she’s ours to toy with.”

Layla’s face lit up with dark excitement. Winona leaned in, whispering, “Layla, don’t you want to ruin Yvette’s face? With her gone, nothing will stand between you and becoming Seacrity’s top socialite. She’s a roadblock. Only by removing her can we have the life we deserve.”

As if hypnotized, Layla nodded, her eyes blazing. “You’re right, Winona. Only without Yvette can we finally live our best lives. Tell me what to do. I’m with you.”

Winona smiled, leaning closer to whisper her plan as Layla’s eyes gleamed, already savoring Yvette’s downfall.