Chapter 17: Magnolia's Cold Act

Magnolia raised a small head tilt. "nothing." I want you to realize that this place is not your atonement. That's your test. Power depresses. Take great attention about what you wish. Silence hung between them, twisted in the aroma of roses and past regrets. Scarlet rose moved carefully, smoothing undetectable folds from her skirt. " thank you for the tea." Magnolia sank. Tell my son the roses need cutting back. The beauty is being overwhelmed by the thorns. Scarlet nodded once, then turned, heading back toward the road with the impression that the conversation had left something inside her uncomfortable like a splinter under skin. She turned one last gaze, though, as she approached the doorway. Magnolia stood there motionless. Her teacup leaned on its saucer.

On its delicate side, the gold crest shone in the sunlight exactly from that terrible picture. One piece of the jigsaw had moved. And something inside Scar told her this was merely the start. Through Beaumont Manor's stained-glass windows, the afternoon sun slanted like shards of forgotten dreams across the pristine marble flooring. The hallways were silently and shockingly quiet. Scarlet went across the west wing, her heels tapping gently, each step echoing beneath the high-arched ceilings. She couldn't relax. Magnolia's remarks from past seemed to be like unseen thorns constantly straying across her ribcage. Power decimates. Take great attention about what you wish. She could not get it off her mind. Its tone. Its cautionary nature.

And that crest its existence on that teacup had stuck into her head like a splinter she couldn't get out. For all its riches and architectural excellence, the mansion had started to seem like a lovely prison. Golden. lavish. But lessening in nature as well. Scarlet expected no one as she entered the sitting area next to her suite.

But Gabrielle Richards was already there, drinking from a crystal glass of something amber and costly, gracefully on the velvet chaise beside the towering windows. Her white silk shirt hung naturally on her light body, and her legs were carelessly draped. Her golden hair fell in shiny, flawless waves. Scar halted, already bracing. Not glancing up from her glass, Gabrielle replied, "You're late." Scarlet brow-raised. I had no idea I was expected. Turning slowly, Gabrielle wore a charming but lethal smile. Hey, sweetheart. You are expected always in this mansion. Scarlet chose a chair close to the fireplace and turned toward the other end of the room. The spacing seemed appropriate, like space between two predators circling. “To what do I owe the pleasure?” Her tone was chilly when she inquired. Gabrielle sipped once more, then stood with a feline elegance, her heels barely clicking over the floor. Just felt we ought to talk. Woman to... just transient woman. The fingers of Scarlet clenched just on the armrest. "I've observed," Gabrielle said, circling the room, "how you've embraced the part so enthusiastically. dressing for fun. Grinning for the cameras.

Keeping your head high even though Tucker won't turn to face you. The look of Scarlet was unassuming. "Maybe I just don't need his validation." Gabrielle laughingly. "Is that what you tell yourself late at night?" She got closer, laying her glass on a side table close by. "Scarlet, you see, I understand what this marriage means. I am aware of your nature. Scarlet spoke with a calm voice. Then do inform me. Gabrielle said simply, "You're a placeholder." "A vital prop in a makeshift configuration. Tucker will burn out on you. He always gets bored with activities that neither intellectually or emotionally challenge him.

And to be honest, you neither offer either. Scarlet gave a subdued smile. And you are, I presume, the challenge? "Oh no," Gabrielle said. "I'm the inevitable." There there was the raw edge of jealousy and conceit blended into one poisonous sentence. Scarlet rose looked at her slowly. Is that what you tell yourself? That he is merely returning to you? The smile of Gabrielle froze just a little. "He never walked away from me." Still, he married me, Scar said fluidly. Gabrielle's face tightened for the first time, a flutter of something sour under her flawless surface. You honestly believe Tucker married you for love? Her tone stern now as she inquired. "Please". It was set up that way. Business showed in vows. You happened to fit the clothing. Scarlet moved in closer, not intimidated. "But here you are, clinging to his past like it will rewrite his future, surrounding his wife like a scorned mistress." Gabrielle's gaze narrowed. I'm not hanging on. I am warning. Of what exactly? Gabrielle got a tiny envelope by walking over to the sideboard cabinet. She turned and clutched it like a poisoned gift between two fingers. Scarlet grasped it carefully and unfurled the contents. a newspaper story in a tabloid format.

"Beaumont's Ex Still in the Picture?" the headline yelled across the page in big strong letters. Mysterious Woman Seen Leaving Private Meeting with Heir to a Billionaire. Under it was a blurry but clearly identifiable picture. Tucker getting into a black automobile. A woman as well. High. Br Brunette. Knowing. Scarlet's heart shook. She had seen that woman earlier in the picture nestled amongst library legal books. The same eyes for laughing. The same sweltering smile.

Around Tucker, the same close proximity. Gabrielle bent forward. "That came two weeks before your little marriage proposal. You will definitely find it interesting. Scarlet gently folded the paper. < You had this planted in front of me. "Did I?," asks Gabrielle answered simply, innocent. "Maybe. maybe not. But would you like to know her? Scarlet replied nothing. Gabrielle opened her smile more broadly. "She was meant to be the one. the actual one. not you. Scarlet fixed her gaze on the paper, her head ablaze with questions. Whose was the woman? Why had Tucker not mentioned her? And what would have it meant if he had almost wed someone else before her unexpected return? "I see doubt in your eyes," Gabrielle replied quietly, smugly. And you should also. Since he never ceased thinking about her. Scarlet raised a glance. If that is the case, why did he not wed her? The brightness in Gabrielle's eyes shone.

"Perhaps he was deprived of opportunity. Maybe he is waiting for her to return. Scarlet slid the tabloid across the table. "You have free will to play these games, Gabrielle. You do overlook one thing, though. "And what is that?" "I am not the one experiencing sleeplessness over the marriage of another person." The face of Gabrielle cracked just little, but enough. And it was all Scarlett required. She turned and started toward the door, but Gabrielle's voice cried out once more. "He's going to break you, Scarlet." Like he did to break her. Scarlet turned around not looking back. But the words trailed her down the corridor, around her spine like fog. And once she was by herself once more, she opened the tabloid in her suite. She looked at the face of the woman. Based on Tucker's expression. At the date noted under it. There seems to be a discrepancy. She also intended to discover what it was. Even if it meant entering the Tucker's world he did not want her to view. Even if it meant violating regulations. Even if it would have meant betraying confidence.