Yvette's expression remained unreadable as she glanced briefly at a nearby pillar, her hands still casually in her pockets. With a faint smirk, she called out, “Come on out. I’m here, so why keep hiding?”
Both Layla and the group of men in black froze, shocked that Yvette had spotted them. Winona, realizing her cover was blown, decided there was no point in hiding. She had no intention of sparing Yvette; knowing who was behind the plot wouldn't change the outcome. Only one of them would leave the factory alive.
Winona emerged, clapping slowly, her eyes cold and menacing as they locked onto Yvette. Seeing Winona, Layla hurried to her side.
“Winona, I did everything you asked. I brought her here, so I’ll just head out now. This place gives me the creeps,” Layla said, shifting uncomfortably. She believed her role was finished—that she had merely been bait.
But Winona cast her a look of disdain. Foolish girl, she thought. Does she really think she'll walk away unscathed? Her purpose is far more than leading Yvette into a trap!
Winona motioned to the men, and they immediately restrained Layla. Layla stared in horror, struggling as she shouted, “Winona, what are you doing? We’re good friends! You should be tying up Yvette! Let me go!”
Winona’s gaze shifted from Yvette’s calm demeanor to Layla’s frantic pleas. “Friends? You only wanted to use my hatred to get back at Yvette. Did you really think I’d fall for such a simple trick? Are you that naive, or just plain stupid? You thought you could use me as your weapon? You’re not even close.”
Layla’s face paled as she realized Winona had known all along. Panic gripped her as she understood Winona's true danger. She tried to beg for mercy, but the men, following Winona's nod, shoved a rag into her mouth and dragged her aside, silencing her pleas.
With Layla subdued, Winona turned her gaze toward Yvette, seething. If not for Yvette, none of this would have happened. She would still be the favored daughter of the Chambers family, envied by all in Seacrity. Yvette had ruined her life. Winona rested a hand on her stomach, a smug smile playing on her lips. For someone usually so clever, Yvette had been remarkably foolish—falling for Layla’s trick. But it worked perfectly; she hadn't needed Plan B.
Winona looked proud. “Yvette, I never thought you’d end up here. I must have overestimated you if even a fool like Layla could lure you in. If I’d known it would be this easy, I wouldn’t have gone to so much trouble. But don’t worry—soon, you’ll have plenty of company, and none of you will be leaving.”
For the first time, Winona’s hatred was unrestrained. Yvette cast a disinterested glance at Winona, her eyes narrowing slightly. Her voice was calm: “So Layla’s your scapegoat?”
Layla’s eyes widened, understanding dawning. Winona hadn’t expected Yvette’s composure. It unsettled her, but she dismissed it, assuming Yvette was merely brave. After all, she had over fifty men, all hired from the underworld. How could Yvette pose a threat?
Emboldened, Winona laughed, dropping all restraint. She pointed to Layla. “This idiot tried to use me, so I used her instead. Once you’re dead, she’ll be blamed. She went to Argrol University to find you; plenty of people saw her. They’ll be witnesses. After you’re gone, I’ll burn this place to the ground—no evidence, no trace. See, even fate is on my side. Yvette, today’s the end for you.”
Layla struggled desperately, but no sound escaped. Her eyes shot daggers at Winona, but the look was powerless. She had thought she was pulling the strings, only to realize she was the pawn, the scapegoat.
One of the men, seeing Layla’s frantic thrashing, knocked her unconscious. Just before she collapsed, her eyes held bitter regret.
Meanwhile, Winona’s frustration mounted as Yvette remained stoic. She couldn’t stand Yvette’s aloof demeanor, her calm driving her mad. Winona clenched her fists, teeth bared in fury, shouting, “Why? Why are you always so composed? Don’t you see? You’re in my hands now!”
Yvette’s gaze shifted to Winona, her eyes clear and unreadable. Her expression remained serene as she brushed an invisible speck off her sleeve. She responded in a tone bordering on contempt, “You think I’m in your hands?”
Winona froze, momentarily thrown. She recovered, sure Yvette was bluffing. How could she hope to stand against fifty men? Her confidence bolstered, Winona sneered, suppressing a faint unease. “Yvette, stop pretending. Today, you’re finished. But don’t worry—I’m generous. I’ll let you see someone first before you die. After all, I’m nothing if not kind.”
Winona sneered, her eyes glinting. “He’ll be here soon, and I’ll make sure he watches every second as I kill you. He’ll suffer—just like I did. It’s what you both owe me!”
Unperturbed, Yvette finally spoke a single name, calm as ever: “Zachary?”
Winona’s face hardened before she smirked, her gaze venomous. “Yes, I already informed him you’re in my hands. By now, he’s probably going mad. You’re his precious daughter, after all. For your mother’s sake, he’s played along with my mother for years, feigning affection for me and Zeke—it must have been quite the strain. And the minute you came back, he was ready to hand over the entire Chambers family fortune to you as if I was nothing.”
Her voice grew cold with resentment. “He’s done everything for you, but how much do you actually care about him? What gives you the right to sit back, do nothing, and have it all handed to you? What right do you have?”