manding entry. It was the next evening. Eleanor had spent the last twenty-four hours effecti

your presence at dinner. He says... he says if you don't come d

ian preferred. Tonight, she wore black. Sharp, tailored black. It was a fu

ming,"

crystal and silver, the chandelier overhead casting a fractured light over the scene. Cassa

ead of the table. "

hair. The scraping sound

ront of her. The dressing

was faint, masked by vinegar, but he

s wearing a pristine white Chanel suit, looking every inch

said calmly. "You know this. I went

's just a mild intolerance. You always exaggerate to get att

oice dripping with faux-sweetness. "Are you saying

r mother. There was no concern in Vivian's eyes, o

a dry, humorless sound

to eat?" El

ed brat and respect your mother's effor

Eleano

stoo

Château Margaux sitting near Robert

eanor asked softly. "

e wine. The pop

it down," R

alked tow

ing? Pour me a glass, if you're

r repeated. "Yes

ted the

pour it int

ntents of the bottle onto

oaked instantly, spreading across the chest, dripping do

gh-pitched scream. She froze in shoc

red, knocking his cha

laced the empty bottle on th

turned to

was open. "You..

sister," El

assandra had claimed for years to have a deadly shellfish allergy. It was her trum

Hamptons that Cassandra didn't know Eleanor was attending in the sh

used proximity. She trapped Cassandra against the high-backed chair and b

ssandra scream

f you're allergic, even the mist from this should be trigg

ray of red sauce landed on

face, smearing the sauce. She waited for

ace purple with rage. "I'm calling t

aid, holding up a

wai

seco

y sec

lutching her throat, wai

y sec

th

gasping for air. The sauce

llowed was heavier

ess. She looked at Cassandra

th-Cassandra was fine-but their brains were struggling

sandra wailed, realizing she wasn't dying.

pkin. She threw the napkin onto the t

n," Elea

?" Robert

ll black purse. She pulled out a folded document. It wasn

he wet tablecloth. "I am voluntarily forfeiting my claim to the Vance estate, the trust f

embling with rage. "You have nowhere to

e," Elea

r heel. Her foot

Robert shouted, his voice c

a liar over your daughter," Ele

out the f

freezing, soaking her to the bone in seco

or of the Vance Manor slamme

y. The water plastered her h

ne it. She

edom wa

alking toward

sive car was rolling slowly down the street. A Ro

sleeve, her fingers brushing the sm

dow rol