Lucien slammed his hand on the table.
"But you said you handled it," he snapped, his voice rising now, desperation creeping in. "I'm warning you, if she talks… " He leaned forward slightly."I won't hesitate to fix it. I don't mind getting my hands dirty."
Elena's smile faded slowly replaced with pure hatred. "You never learn, do you?" She said quietly.
Her eyes moved to Victor. "You owe me one." That made him look at her with awareness… completely. "After everything," she continued, her voice calm again… too calm, "I'm still here. Sitting in front of you. Still cleaning up your mess." She titled her head, with a smile on her face. "She won't say anything," Elena added. "Not to anyone."
Lucien looked unconvinced.
Elaine looked thoughtful.
Victor, however… said nothing but the way his gaze lingered on Elena this time… was different.
Not with just anger. Not with just control.
But… Recognition.
Because she wasn't just enduring this time.
She was playing the game.
