Chapter 2

Wendy walked over to the kitchen, smiling as she gestured toward Serena. "Zayn, I forgot to mention—this is my college friend Serena Lancaster. She hasn't found work yet, so I offered to let her stay here as a housekeeper for a few days. You don't mind, do you?"

"No. You can handle household matters however you like." Zayn dismissed the faint trace of iris scent from his mind.

Wendy's eyes flickered with surprise. She hadn't expected him to agree so easily.

In the past, he'd shot down every request she made.

But after last night, his attitude toward her had completely flipped. The shift left Wendy feeling oddly unsettled.

She shot Serena a sharp, warning glance, then stepped closer to Zayn, linking her arm through his. She smiled smugly at Serena. "See, Serena? Since Zayn's letting you stay, you'd better work hard. Don't embarrass me."

Serena looked flustered, bowing her head repeatedly. "Thank you, Mr. Sinclair. Thank you, Ms. Wright!"

When Wendy noticed Zayn's gaze lingering on Serena, panic flared. Worried he might see through the ruse, she tightened her grip on his arm and teased, "Zayn, my friend's pretty, isn't she?"

The overpowering designer perfume assaulted his senses.

Zayn subtly pulled his arm free. "I have things to do. I'm heading to the office."

Wendy's smile froze. Zayn was already striding toward the door with those long legs of his.

The door clicked shut behind him.

Wendy's expression shifted. She turned to Serena, studying that innocent face, remembering how she'd tried everything to seduce Zayn before. Even when she'd drugged him, he'd resisted, taking care of himself rather than touching her.

If Zayn hadn't rejected her, would she have gone out partying and ended up pregnant?

But her body couldn't handle an abortion now. And there was no hiding the pregnancy from both families or from Zayn.

This plan had been her only option.

Wendy had thrown it out there as a long shot. She hadn't expected it to actually work.

Still, one time probably wasn't enough to guarantee pregnancy. They'd need to do this several more times.

Just thinking about it made Wendy sick, like she'd swallowed a live fly. Couldn't spit it out, couldn't swallow it down.

She looked down at Serena with cold superiority. "You did well last night. Keep it up for a while longer. Once you're pregnant, I'll find an excuse for you to leave. When the baby's born, your family's debt will be cleared. But—"

Wendy poured a cup of scalding hot water and held it out to Serena.

"Give me your hand."

Serena stared at the steaming cup. She bit her lip and extended her hand.

Without blinking, Wendy placed the burning hot cup in Serena's palm, then grabbed her other hand and forced it to grip the glass.

The boiling water seared through the glass into Serena's pale fingers. The pain was unbearable, but she didn't dare pull away.

Wendy's vindictive streak ran deep. Any sign of resistance and she'd come up with something worse. That scalding water could easily end up thrown in Serena's face.

"Zayn is the CEO of Sinclair Group. Rich, gorgeous, and powerful. I'd advise you not to get any ideas. Just like this tea—you can't handle it. Understand?"

Serena clenched her hand in humiliation but forced herself to nod vigorously.

"Yes, Ms. Wright. I'll do exactly what you say and take good care of Mr. Sinclair."

"Do your job right and your family's debt disappears. Screw up, and you know what happens."

Wendy tossed out the threat and walked away, heels clicking.

Serena grabbed her clothes and quickly pulled them on.

The door closed softly.

Her lips curved into the faintest smile, a flash of deeply buried hatred flickering in her eyes.

The plan was moving forward.

...

Serena was cooking when Wendy came downstairs, dressed to the nines. She walked while chatting on the phone, her tone intimate. Not like talking to a girlfriend. More like...

Serena's gaze drifted to Wendy.

Wendy grabbed her things by the door and glanced at Serena in the open kitchen. "I'm not eating. Make sure dinner's ready and the house is spotless before I get back tonight. Don't let Zayn suspect anything."

Serena's eyes moved quickly. She hurried over. "Ms. Wright, you haven't had breakfast yet. At least drink some honey lemon water. It's good for your complexion."

On the other end of Wendy's call, a man's voice seemed to be complaining. She lowered her voice, coaxing. "Baby, of course I love you most. I'll be there soon. Just be patient a little longer."

Serena probed carefully. "Ms. Wright, isn't it kind of risky meeting another man behind your fiancé's back?"

Wendy shot her a vicious glare. "My business is none of yours. Keep your mouth shut. If you breathe one word of this to Zayn, I won't just come after you. I'll sell Cynthia to that strip club too. Got it?"

With that, she shoved past Serena and headed for the elevator.

The honey water spilled across the floor.

The glass in Serena's hand began to crack from the force of her grip, her anger barely contained.

Wendy didn't even know that her sister Cynthia Lancaster was dead?

Then again, for a spoiled princess like her, killing someone was as simple as crushing an ant. How could she possibly remember?

They say revenge is a dish best served cold.

Cynthia's death would be avenged. Bit by bit, Serena would make Wendy pay.

Serena went back inside and made herself some pasta.

Just as she set it on the table, her phone rang from the kitchen island.

She picked it up and checked the caller ID.

She answered casually. "Hello."

"Rena, where are you?"

Serena glanced around, her tone light. "I'm doing some part-time work. What's up?"

"I've already arranged a job for you in Wright Group's legal department. You can start anytime. When are you free? I'll introduce you to the department head. We can grab dinner."

Serena feigned surprise. "Justin, why didn't you tell me sooner? I can't accept a job through connections like this. People will say you're playing favorites."

A cheerful laugh came through the phone.

"You're the top student in our law program, Rena. Wright Group's legal department would be lucky to have you. This isn't favoritism—it's me solving problems for the company. Recruiting an excellent law student like you is a win. So give me a straight answer. Are you coming to work or not?"

Serena figured Wendy hadn't said she had to stay home during the day. Just that she had to stay there at night. It shouldn't interfere with work.

Wright Group's legal department was famously easy. Nine to five, with a two-hour lunch break.

With that in mind, Serena accepted Justin Wright's offer graciously.

"Well, if you put it that way, I won't be shy about it. I'll report to Wright Corp's legal department tomorrow. And when I get the chance, I'm definitely buying you dinner."

"Deal."

Serena chatted with Justin for a few more minutes before hanging up.

...

That evening.

Wendy changed into a black lace satin nightgown and carried a bowl of soup into the study.

"Zayn, I had Serena make some soup. It's really good. You should try some."

Her soft voice made Zayn look up from the pile of documents.

In the past, he would've told her to get out.

But tonight, Zayn reined in his irritation and gave her a warm smile, his voice low. "All right. Leave it there. I'll have some when I'm done."

Wendy lit up. This was the first time Zayn had been pleasant to her in his study.

Emboldened, she walked behind his chair and wrapped her arms around him.

"Zayn, you were so amazing last night. I want more tonight."

That one sentence made Zayn's brow furrow deeply.

That heavy perfume hit his nose. Zayn raised his hand, pinching the bridge of his nose. He set down the document, patted her hand lightly, then subtly removed it.

"These files need to be distributed at tomorrow's morning meeting. Go to the bedroom first. I'll come when I'm finished, okay?"

Wendy's eyes flickered. She could feel his resistance.

Her hand clenched, but she smiled and nodded, playing coy. "Okay. I'll wait for you in the bedroom. Don't take too long."

Zayn nodded.

The moment Wendy turned away, her smile vanished. She quickened her pace and left.

Zayn watched her retreating figure, his brow furrowed.

Late that night, eleven thirty.

Zayn finally finished his work and left the study. A refreshing scent of iris drifted from the master bedroom.

Thinking of Wendy's earlier flirtation, he found himself walking toward the bedroom almost involuntarily. The moment he stepped inside, the door closed behind him.

A soft body pressed into his arms. A scorching kiss came close. Zayn felt like a powder keg igniting, that subtle, intoxicating fragrance filling his senses.

Zayn wrapped his arms around the delicate figure, kissing back, while his other hand fumbled along the wall for the light switch.