Chapter 13 - The Final Trap: A Sister’s Bitter Plot Turns Deadly
Two days after the gala, the fallout was absolute.
Daphne had lost over two million followers.
Every major sponsor had dropped her.
Landlords were evicting her from her luxury penthouse due to unpaid promotional guarantees, and Jared Abbott’s family had lost their firm in a catastrophic bankruptcy.
Delaney, on the other hand, had received dozens of legitimate job offers in arts curation and charity foundation management.
She moved her things out of her old apartment and into a stunning loft in downtown Manhattan, provided by Vance Enterprises.
Yet, a cornered animal is always at its most dangerous.
Late that evening, Delaney received an urgent text from an unknown number:
Unknown: Delaney, Jared has completely lost his mind. He’s at Daphne’s old photo studio on 4th street with a gun. He’s blaming her for his bankruptcy. She’s begging for you. Please come before he kills her.
Delaney’s stomach plummeted.
Despite everything Daphne had done, Delaney couldn't let her sister die.
She grabbed her coat and immediately dialed Salvatore’s private line.
Voicemail.
“Salvatore, if you get this, I’m heading to Daphne’s old studio on 4th street. Jared is there. Please send help.”
Delaney jumped into a cab and raced across the city through the pouring rain.
When she arrived at the dilapidated warehouse district, the studio door was cracked open.
The lights inside were dim.
Delaney stepped into the vast, echoing room.
“Daphne?!” Delaney called out.
The heavy metal door slammed shut behind her.
The deadbolt clicked into place.
Delaney spun around.
Standing by the door was Jared Abbott.
His clothes were torn, his eyes bloodshot, and in his right hand, he held a heavy black revolver.
Stepping out from behind a lighting rig was Daphne.
She wasn't tied up.
She wasn't crying.
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She was holding a video camera on a tripod, a manic, wicked smile plastered across her face.
“You really are an idiot, Delaney,” Daphne purred. “You fall for the bait every single time.”
