Chapter 116: Divide and Conquer

LEITANA

I released a deep breath as I left the living room, the heavy double doors closing behind me with a soft, final click. The cool afternoon air hit my face like a gentle hand, and I looked ahead to see Lafu, Stacy, and Marco stepping out of the black SUV. Relief flooded me so fast my knees almost buckled. I rushed down the stone steps, my bare feet slapping the warm gravel and met them halfway.

“Welcome,” I said, smiling wide even though my heart still felt bruised from what I had seen between Jim and willow.

“Holy shit,” Marco cursed under his breath, eyes sweeping over the sprawling villa, the manicured lawns, the acres and acres of land stretching out like an ocean of green. “This place is insane.”

“Yeah, holy shit,” Stacy echoed, mouth open, turning in a slow circle. “This is massive. Like… movie-set massive.”

I smiled, it was real this time. Pride bloomed quietly and warm in my chest. I hadn’t realized when this place stopped feeling cold and started feeling like home. Maybe it was the mornings I woke up to him beside me. Maybe it was just… him.

“Where is that bastard?” Lafu asked furiously, eyes already scanning the villa like she could spot Jim through the walls.

I stepped closer, laying a gentle hand on her arm. “Relax, Lafu. Him inside. We handle him careful. No fight yet.”

Lafu exhaled through her nose, but she nodded. “Fine. But if he speaks awfully to you or touches…”

“He won’t,” I said softly. “We smarter than dat.”

We huddled close right there on the driveway, speaking in lowered tones.

“So what’s the play?” Marco asked, arms crossed, already shifting into strategy mode.

“Mi want Willow alone,” I said. “Jus’ her. No Jim. Mi need her talk. Really talk. About everyting.”

Stacy grinned wickedly. “I’m going to frustrate that punk. Introduce him to chatty Stacy. He won’t know what hit him.”

Lafu smirked. “I’ll back you up to keep him distracted. Marco, you and Leitana get Willow out.”

Marco nodded. “Got it. We’ll say we need to show her something, wardrobe consult, room tour, whatever works.”

I smiled at them, grateful, feeling warm inside me. “Tank yu. All of yu.”

Just then, the villa’s double doors opened with a heavy creak.

We all turned.

Avery stepped out.

Her face was still flushed from crying, eyes red-rimmed, but she walked with that cool, controlled stride she always had, like nothing could touch her. Confusion flickered when she saw the group.

She stopped a few feet away, gaze sweeping over Lafu, Stacy, and Marco.

“Who are those people inside?” she asked me, her voice flat.

I stepped forward. “Mi will explain….”

Before I could finish, Stacy practically bounced forward, eyes sparkling like a kid meeting her idol.

“Wow, I’m so happy to finally meet you!” she burst out. “I’m Stacy. Huge fan. Like…..huge.”

Avery blinked slowly, her expression cool and unimpressed, classic Avery.

“Do I know you?” she asked, tone polite but distant.

Stacy didn’t miss a beat, still grinning ear to ear. “I follow you on Insta and TikTok. Your content is fire. The way you do those outfit transitions? Chef’s kiss.”

Avery gave a tiny nod, acknowledgment, nothing more. Then she looked back at me.

“Explain.”

I took a breath.

“Dese are mi friends,” I said softly. “Lafu, Stacy, Marco. Dey help mi… investigate Celeste death. Mi forgot to tell you, Celeste ghost appear to mi. In dream first. Den in real life. At de company. She show mi tings. Bad tings. About Jim. About sponsors. About what happen to her. We trying find truth. Bring justice.”

Avery stared at me for a long moment.

“Really,” she said flatly. “A ghost.”

I nodded earnestly. “Yu no believe mi?”

She shook her head once, looking tired. “Whatever. Just go ahead with whatever you’re doing. I’m going to meet Matheo.”

She glanced at Stacy, Lafu, and Marco, gave them the smallest nod of acknowledgment and walked off toward the barn without another word.

Marco let out a low whistle. “Wow. You guys look alike… but she’s kind of scary.”

I giggled despite everything. “She jus’… Avery. Come. We go in.”

I picked up one of their duffel bags, planning to sleep over had been a last-minute group chat decision last night. I’d forgotten to tell Ravial, but I would. I’d convince him. He’d say yes. He always did when I asked with my eyes.

We stepped inside.

Just as Jim was striding toward the foyer.

“Mrs. Ashbourne,” he started, voice smooth, “sorry, we have to leave early, something came….”

He stopped dead when he saw Lafu, Stacy, and Marco behind me.

Recognition hit his face like a slap. He knew them, everyone in the agency knew them. Lafu’s photography, Stacy’s styling, Marco’s makeup work, they’d crossed paths on dozens of shoots.

Before he could recover, Stacy launched herself forward.

“Oh my God, Jimmmm! It’s you! What are you doing here?” She grabbed his arm like they were old besties. “I’ve been meaning to talk to you!”

Jim recoiled. “Yo, get off me…..”

But Stacy was already in full chatter mode. “No, seriously, we need to catch up! Your vision for the fall campaign? Iconic. But I have notes. So many notes.”

Lafu stepped up on his other side, voice sweet but lethal. “Yeah, Jim. Let’s talk. About creative direction. And boundaries. And how you treat talent.”

Jim’s jaw locked.

Marco, meanwhile, glided straight to Willow, who looked stunned and a little lost.

“Wow,” Marco said, eyes sparkling. “It’s the glamour girl herself. Your skin in that last editorial? Flawless. Come here, I’ve always wanted to show you something.”

Before Willow could protest, Marco gently took her elbow and steered her away.

“Willow, come here, we…” Jim started, but Stacy and Lafu were already crowding him, voices overlapping in a relentless wave of compliments, questions, and subtle jabs.

I slipped beside Willow just as Marco tugged her toward the hallway.

“Come, come, you would love this dress” Marco said brightly.

We moved fast, down the corridor, through the arched doorway, into the piano room.

The door clicked shut behind us.

Marco turned, grinning like a kid who’d just pulled off the best prank. “You’re welcome,” he sang, then slipped out, closing the door with a soft snick.

Willow and I were alone.

She stared at me, eyes wide, cheeks flushed, breathing uneven.

I smiled at her.

“Tank yu for coming, Willow.”

She opened her mouth.

Then, suddenly, her hands cupped my face.

And she kissed me.