Chapter 3 - The Setup
The kitchens were a whirlwind of culinary chaos, but Mara stood frozen by the dishwashing station, the silk scarf clutched in her fist. She was shaking. She had survived the dinner, but she knew Celeste Ashford. Celeste never forgave a perceived slight, and she certainly never forgot a threat.
Eleven years ago, Mara had been the rising star of their modeling agency. She had been the one booked for the cover shoots, the one the designers adored. Celeste had been the runner-up, the understudy. That was until a scandalous, fabricated rumor—started by Celeste—ruined Mara’s reputation overnight, blacklisting her from the industry and forcing her to take odd jobs to keep her family afloat after their father’s death.
Now, history was repeating itself.
Ten minutes later, the kitchen doors swung open, and Celeste marched in, her heels clicking aggressively against the tile. The kitchen staff immediately fell silent, scattering to look busy.
"Mara," Celeste hissed, grabbing her by the upper arm and dragging her into the narrow, dimly lit pantry.
"Let go of me," Mara said, yanking her arm away.
Celeste’s face was a mask of cold fury. "You did that on purpose. You little tramp. You told Lily to say that, didn't you? You're trying to get his attention."
"I was doing my job!" Mara fired back, her own anger finally rising to meet her fear. "I didn't ask for any of this. I just need my paycheck. Let me work in peace, Celeste. I'm not a threat to your billionaire."
"You have always been a threat," Celeste spat, stepping dangerously close. "You think Julian looked at you with anything other than pity out there? You’re a maid. You wipe my floors. But just to be sure you understand your place, I’m going to ruin you. Again."
"My sister needs this money, Celeste. Please."
"You should have thought of your sister before you batted your eyelashes at my fiancé."
Celeste turned on her heel and stormed out of the pantry.
Mara leaned against the cool metal shelving, closing her eyes and taking deep, shaky breaths. She had to finish her shift. She just had to survive the next two hours, get her paycheck, and perhaps request a transfer to a different estate.
She smoothed down her uniform, tied her hair back, and walked out of the pantry to grab her tote bag from the staff locker room, intending to change and leave as Julian had ordered.
What she didn't see was that while she had her eyes closed in the pantry, Celeste had slipped quietly into the staff locker room.
May you like
Celeste moved swiftly to Mara’s open locker. From the plunging neckline of her couture gown, she retrieved a stunning, five-carat diamond tennis bracelet—a gift Julian had given her just that morning. With a cruel smile, she dropped the bracelet deep into the front pocket of Mara’s canvas tote bag, covering it with a worn sweater.
The trap was set.
