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Speculation

Hanah closed the door of the downstairs library behind Natalie and locked it.

“What’s going on?” Natalie asked her Mother.

Hanah paced the length of the library. “Ezra wants to buy over fifty per cent of the company.”

“So what does that have to do with me?” Natalie scowled.

“That’s the condition Ezra set if he’s going to marry you. He’s not as impressed with you as you thought, Natalie.”

Natalie’s mind instantly went to Gia. She saw the way Ezra watched her when she ran off, but he couldn’t be interested in her. She was more worried about Keegan than Ezra.

“What did Dad say?”

Hanah settled on the chair and sighed. “He doesn’t want to give up that much of the company but those are Ezra’s terms.”

“So I have to change his mind?”

“We have to be smart Natalie. Ezra’s a dominating man but even they have to fall somehow.”

“I think you should use the pictures you took,” Hanah added.

“No, Mom. Ezra’s a powerful man. He can make those pictures disappear then imagine what he’ll do to Dad’s company. We’ll lose everything.”

“If you don’t marry Ezra, one of the richest men in town then we will lose everything! We need the big fish, Natalie.”

“I know, I know. This was my plan. I know what I’m doing. Ezra won’t get away.”

“Good,” Hanah sighed. “Frank told me about what happened in the kitchen with that girl, Gia.”

Natalie did a double take. “Excuse me?”

Hanah shrugged. “Ezra caught Frank disciplining the maid and kicked everyone out of the kitchen. To comfort her maybe.”

Natalie’s blood boiled. “That’s… impossible.”

“I don’t have time for this, Natalie,” Hanah waved her off.

“That little slut. She couldn’t steal Ezra from me. Why would Ezra want to comfort a maid?” Natalie rumbled as she paced the library.

“Now that her Mother’s ill I think it’s time I finally get rid of them both.” Hanah mused.

“What?” Natalie paused. She wasn’t aware of any attempts her mother made to get rid of them before.

“Haven’t you ever wondered why you two look so much alike?” Hanah asked.

Natalie frowned. “No, I just hate that we do. Like couldn’t she choose another face?”

Hanah rolled her eyes. “It’s not that simple. I always thought your Father had an affair with that woman. We were practically pregnant at the same time and then your Father gave them that house.”

Natalie shook her head. “That’s disgusting and wrong, Mom. There’s no way Gianna Graham is related to us in any way.”

“Hush! I didn’t say that.”

“If you suspected she was Dad’s daughter why didn’t you do anything sooner?” Natalie barked.

“Your Father wouldn’t let me! He always stood up for that family. He thought the resemblance was funny.”

“This is humiliating. No one can ever know.”

“Of course, no one knows. Your resemblance is a coincidence. Your Dad never cheated.” Hanah said with conviction. “Even if your Father stepped out on us. She would be illegitimate and have no claim on your Father’s money.”

Natalie rubbed her neck. She didn’t need this right now but since Ezra had warmed up to the maid, Gia’s role in her plans wasn’t over yet.


“You shouldn’t be cooking,” Gia told her Mom.

“Why? I feel so much better. Maybe I’ll go to work tomorrow.” Gia’s Mom stood in front of the stove stirring a pot of chicken stew. Gia discretely rubbed her aching wrist under the dining room table. She hadn’t mentioned to her Mom what happened with Frank or Ezra. Since she was sick, Gia kept all the abuse she suffered to herself.

“I think you should retire. Between you and me.”

Before Gia’s Mom could respond a hard knock came from the door. Gia’s heart slammed forward. Could it be Frank here to demand she and her Mom pack up and leave?

“Who could that be?”

Gia stood quickly. “I’ll get it. Don’t worry.”

Gia hoped it wasn’t Frank back to scold her more or anyone ready to kick them onto the street. She walked to the door and stumbled backwards as it spread open.

“Natalie?” Gia gasped.

Natalie stepped inside, uninvited. She looked around with disdain.

“What do you want?” Gia snapped.

Natalie whirled and smirked. “We have unfinished business.”

“What?”

“I need your help with Ezra again.”

Gia shook her head. “No, I did my part. If he wants to leave you that’s on you not me.”

“Maybe he didn’t enjoy the sex! What do I expect from a nobody like you?”

“Quiet,” Gia hissed.

“Why?” Natalie stomped around the living room. “What’s the matter?”

Gia grabbed Natalie’s arm and dragged her out of the house and slammed the door shut. It was the first time she’d ever used force on Natalie in her life and it felt good. The shock on Natalie’s face was even better.

“My Mother’s in there and she doesn’t need to hear that.”

“You don’t want her to know how much of a whore you are?”

Gia’s blood boiled but enough people had been slapped today.

“Even if she knew I slept with Ezra I couldn’t compare to the list of men you’ve fucked.”

Natalie gasped. “Why you little!”

“What do you want?” Gia hissed, stepping back in case Natalie decided to strike.

“This isn’t over. Since you want to cosy up to my man you’re going to get close enough so I can slip something into this drink.”

“You want to drug him again? Why are you doing this?”

Natalie frowned. “You don’t care. You wouldn’t understand the politics of our world.”

“I can’t. He doesn’t deserve it.”

“Oh yeah? Then I’ll tell my Dad you stole my black card and you’ll be sent to jail.”

Gia’s heart slammed forward. Natalie was more than capable. Though, this was risky if Gia got caught she was facing serious punishment.

“Yeah, you still have it and you’ve used it. I have evidence. So worried about your Mom? What are you going to do now?”

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