Chapter 48 Schemes And Shadows

• In a dimly lit private room of an upscale restaurant, three figures sat around a polished mahogany table. The air was thick with tension and the scent of expensive perfume. Vivian Kasper, a far cry from the caring stepmother she portrayed in public, exuded an aura of fierce elegance. Her sleek black dress hugged her figure, and her perfectly coiffed hair framed a face set with determination. Gone was the gentle demeanor; in its place sat a woman of vicious ambition, her eyes sharp and calculating.
• Across from her sat Laura Chen, fidgeting nervously with her napkin. Beside Laura was Mike Donnelly, his arm draped possessively over the back of her chair.
• "Can you please get your hand off my back?" Laura was the first to break the silence as she threw Mike a disgusted glare. "And please refrain from acting so clingy to me when we are out of the public's eyes. This is like the hundredth time I'm reminding you of this."