Chapter 67 Drank Something Unclean
Scarlett studied Brielle carefully. This was their first encounter since her release from detention, and she couldn't help but take a longer look. The makeup was still flawless, but something had shifted behind those eyes—they'd gone dull, almost hollow. When their gazes met, a chill crept down Scarlett's spine.
Tatum's warning echoed in her mind: Brielle had some kind of breakdown in lockup. Guess that wasn't just gossip. A ghost of a smile tugged at Scarlett's lips, though her voice came out ice-cold.
"Don't call me that. We stopped being anything to each other a long time ago."
Brielle rose to her feet with deliberate slowness, stalking toward her. "We lived under the same roof for over a decade. You really think you can just cut ties like that?"
Without waiting for an answer, Brielle spun toward the crowd and raised her voice. "I bet none of you know who this is, do you? Let me do the honors."
"This right here is Owen's biological daughter. You all remember Owen, right? The one who got himself locked up for his little 'mistakes'? Well, meet his precious baby girl—Silverlight City's very own socialite, Scarlett Mellon."
The room erupted in whispers.
"Wait, the Scarlett? I've heard about her—supposed to be gorgeous and crazy talented. Damn, the rumors weren't lying."
"She's even prettier in person. What's she doing selling drinks? Total waste."
One man rose from his seat, eyes gleaming. "Ms. Mellon, why settle for this? With your looks, you just say the word, and I'll make sure you never have to work another day in your life."
He started toward her.
Brielle stood across from Scarlett, a cruel smirk playing on her lips. Her eyes glittered with something dark and twisted. Scarlett ignored her, keeping her attention on the approaching man. When his hand reached for her shoulder, she stepped back smoothly.
"Keep your hands to yourself," she said, voice sharp as broken glass.
The man's face darkened. "Still playing the high-society princess? Your family's yesterday's news, sweetheart. You should be grateful I'm even interested."
Scarlett had zero interest in trading barbs with this creep. Instead, she shifted her gaze to Ulysses. "Mr. Mitchell, when you offered me that position at your company, were you serious?"
Ulysses adjusted his glasses with a practiced smile. "Absolutely."
"Is this your idea of a serious offer?"
"If Ms. Mellon is willing to negotiate, I'll naturally demonstrate my full sincerity." His smile was all polished sophistication.
Brielle's eyes went wide. For a split second, she looked ready to combust.
She whipped around to stare at Ulysses, disbelief written all over her face. How could he possibly be offering Scarlett a job?
Ulysses acted like he couldn't see her glare, his attention fixed on Scarlett with that same meaningful smile. "What would Ms. Mellon like me to do?"
Scarlett didn't answer right away. Instead, she moved to stand behind Briar. "She's my friend. Let her leave first."
Ulysses raised an eyebrow. "Fine."
He gestured to his people.
"Escort Ms. Reed out."
Two men moved forward to help Briar up. Scarlett held up a hand, eyes still on Ulysses. "I'll walk her to the door."
She slipped an arm around Briar's shoulders. "Come on. I've got you."
Briar had been forced to drink way too much, but she was still lucid enough to protest. She shook her head weakly. "Scarlett, don't you get it? You're the one they're after. Don't be stupid."
The moment Scarlett had spotted Ulysses and Brielle together, she'd figured out the whole setup. This entire scene was designed to trap her.
Which meant getting Briar out was priority number one. Only then could she deal with these vultures without distractions. Besides, she wasn't too worried—Ambrose had probably assigned security to her. If she was right, there were bodyguards somewhere in this hotel.
"Don't worry about me. Just get out, okay? I'll have someone take you home." She kept her voice soothing as they moved toward the door, but she could feel Ulysses's men following behind them, clearly making sure she didn't bolt.
When Ulysses's people opened the door, Scarlett's pulse steadied. Two bodyguards stood in the hallway—the same ones she'd hired before.
"Take care of her. I need to handle something inside. If I'm not out in ten minutes, come in after me."
She spoke deliberately, making sure Ulysses's men could hear every word. The message was clear: she wasn't alone. She had backup.
After the bodyguards took Briar, Ulysses's men shut the door. Scarlett didn't hesitate—she turned and walked back into the lion's den.
Brielle was standing in front of Ulysses, her expression stormy, practically radiating fury. Ulysses, for his part, acted like she wasn't even there. Scarlett felt that familiar spark of satisfaction.
So there was trouble in paradise between Ulysses and Brielle. Perfect.
"Ms. Mellon, I agreed to your request." Ulysses's smile was mild, expectant.
Scarlett grabbed a chair and dropped into it with studied casualness. "I've got more than one condition."
Ulysses's eyebrow ticked up again. "Let's hear them all, then."
"Get her out of here." Scarlett pointed at Brielle. If the woman was going to keep playing these games, Scarlett wasn't about to show mercy.
Ulysses glanced at Brielle, but instead of agreeing immediately, his smile widened. "Ms. Mellon, you keep making demands, and I'm happy to accommodate. But what if you change your mind about joining my company afterward? I'd be at a loss. How about this—have one drink with me. After that, she goes."
Like hell she was drinking anything in this room. God only knew what they'd spiked it with. Scarlett's lips curved slightly. "I can't drink tonight. How about I substitute water instead?"
Ulysses leaned forward, elbows on the table, his smile turning predatory. "Water instead of alcohol? Clever. To show my sincerity, I'll join you. Water it is."
He raised his hand to signal his people to bring water, but Scarlett cut him off. "I'll get it."
She stood and crossed to the side table, selecting an unused glass before picking up the water pitcher. Walking back deliberately, she set everything down with controlled precision.
"Mr. Mitchell, mine's full. Want me to pour yours?"
Ulysses held out his glass, and Scarlett filled it carefully. Once both glasses were full, she set down the pitcher, lifted her own glass, and drained it in one smooth motion.
Watching her finish, Ulysses turned his cold gaze on Brielle. "Get out."
Brielle's jaw clenched hard enough to crack teeth. She glared daggers at Scarlett, jabbing a finger in her direction. "Don't get cocky."
Then she stormed out.
Watching Brielle's dramatic exit, Scarlett felt a rush of pure satisfaction. Tatum had sworn Brielle wouldn't show her face again, yet here she was, back to her old tricks. Some people just needed to be put in their place. Hard.
"Ms. Mellon, shall we discuss your position at my company now?" Ulysses reached for the water pitcher, preparing to pour another round.
The others in the room started to move forward, ready to assist, but Ulysses waved them off. "You can all leave too."
Within seconds, the private room emptied until only she and Ulysses remained. A thread of anxiety wound through Scarlett's chest, but she forced herself to push forward. Time to call his bluff.
"Mr. Mitchell, you've been awfully persistent about recruiting me. This isn't really just about a job, is it?"
Ulysses adjusted his glasses, his expression unreadable. "What else would it be?"
Scarlett opened her mouth to respond when suddenly, heat flooded through her body in a vicious wave. She tried to suppress it, to push it down, but it kept rising, unstoppable. Her heart hammered against her ribs.
The water. Something was in the water.