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Chapter 114

Maya leaned back on the leather sofa in Bennett’s house, her legs crossed, a glass of wine in her hand. “I’ve already spoken to Ophelia,” she said coolly, her eyes glinting with mischief. “She’s agreed to meet me tomorrow. I told her this time we will finish Azalea once and for all.”

Bennett sat across from her, a cigarette between his fingers. He tapped the ash into the tray, his brow furrowed. “Good,” he said slowly. “But there’s something you should know. I heard from one of my men that Leandro and Thomas have been stirring up trouble again. They called for a council meeting, knowing fully well that Federico isn’t around.”

Maya arched a brow, intrigued. “They did? How interesting.” She took a sip of her wine, savoring the taste before speaking again. “I find it suspicious, but honestly, that’s their problem. What concerns me is that Azalea actually went to that council meeting herself. Can you imagine? She waltzed in there like she owns the place.”

“She does own the place,” Bennett muttered, blowing out smoke. “But you’re right, that was bold. And boldness like that needs to be crushed before she thinks she’s untouchable.”

Maya nodded in agreement. “Which is exactly why we need to strike now. The more power she thinks she has, the harder it will be to remove her later.” She set her wine glass down with a soft clink. “Our focus should remain on removing Azalea from the picture permanently. Leandro and Thomas can play their games, but they’re just distractions.”

Bennett stood, walking to the window, his expression unreadable. “We’ll need to be careful,” he said. “If we fail this time, Federico won’t just go after us — he’ll wipe out anyone connected to us. Including Mack.”

Maya smirked. “Then let’s not fail. I already have a plan. I’ll share the details with Ophelia tomorrow, and if she’s smart, she’ll play along. She wants Azalea gone just as much as we do.”

Ophelia tossed her jacket onto the passenger seat of her car and slid behind the wheel. She had told Mack she was taking a short break to clear her head, but she didn’t tell him where she was really going. She wasn’t stupid; she knew Mack wouldn’t approve of her meeting Maya — not after the last time they’d conspired together and almost got caught.

But Mack had been distant lately, distracted. He barely listened to her when she reminded him that Azalea was happy in her marriage and that trying to break it would only ruin them both. He had ignored her warning and now seemed set on getting Azalea back at any cost.

She sighed, starting the car. He’s obsessed. It’s like he’s forgotten that he left her for me. Forgotten everything we went through just to be together.

As she pulled onto the main road, her phone buzzed with a message. She glanced at the screen, and her heart skipped. Mack.

Travel safe, the text read.

Ophelia frowned. Does he know?

Meanwhile, Mack stood outside the house, tucking his phone into his pocket. His mother had just stepped out onto the porch, her face serious.

“Mack,” she said, her voice low, “don’t come back here without Azalea.”

Mack’s jaw tightened. “I won’t,” he promised. “This time I’m bringing her back, no matter what it takes.”

His mother smiled faintly and nodded. “Then go. Don’t waste time.”

Mack opened the car door and slid in. His driver glanced at him through the rearview mirror. “Where to, sir?”

“Follow her,” Mack ordered. “But keep your distance. She’s meeting someone, and I need to know who.”

“Yes, sir.”

Back at Bennett’s house, Maya finished laying out the first part of her plan on the coffee table — maps of the borderlands, a list of guards on duty, and notes on Azalea’s routine.

“She’s gotten comfortable,” Maya said with a satisfied smirk. “That’s her weakness. She believes no one can touch her now that she’s queen. But she’s wrong.”

Bennett studied the papers silently before looking up. “This isn’t just about removing her from the throne anymore, is it?”

Maya tilted her head, smiling like a cat with cream. “No. This is about making her disappear. Once she’s gone, Federico will lose control. He’s obsessed with her — everyone knows it. Without her, he’ll spiral. And that will make him vulnerable.”

Bennett’s lips curved into a slow, cold smile. “And when he’s vulnerable, that’s when we strike.”

“Exactly.”

Maya’s phone vibrated across the table. She snatched it up immediately, already knowing who it was.

“Ophelia,” she said briskly.

“I’ve just arrived at the cottage,” Ophelia’s voice came through, calm but tinged with excitement. “It’s a good, secluded spot. No one will disturb us here. Come now — we have much to discuss.”

“On my way,” Maya replied, grabbing her bag and striding toward the door without another word to Bennett. She had no time to waste; this was the moment they had been waiting for.

The drive to the cottage was quiet except for the hum of the engine. Maya’s mind ran through every possible scenario — what they would do, how they would finally get rid of Azalea. By the time she arrived, her lips were curved in a cold, determined smile.

The cottage was surrounded by thick trees that provided perfect cover. Ophelia was waiting at the door, her hair pulled back, her expression fierce.

“You made good time,” Ophelia said, stepping aside to let her in.

Maya tossed her bag onto a chair. “What’s so urgent?”

Ophelia sat, gesturing for Maya to do the same. “We cannot waste any more time. Leandro and Thomas are making their moves, but Azalea continues to surprise everyone with how much influence she’s gaining. We need to be ahead of her.”

Maya leaned forward. “You said you had a plan.”

“I do,” Ophelia said with a wicked smile. “I cannot show my face to Azalea — she would never trust me. But you? You can go to her pretending to be a well-meaning friend, a good friend even. Gain her trust. Learn her plans and her next moves. Once we know exactly what she’s preparing for, we strike.”

Maya considered this, then nodded slowly. “I can do that. She won’t suspect a thing. She’s naïve enough to think she can change this world with kindness.”

Ophelia smirked. “Exactly. The sooner we know her weaknesses, the sooner we exploit them.”

Their discussion lasted nearly an hour, plotting every detail carefully. When they were done, Maya rose to leave.

“Don’t fail me,” Ophelia warned, her voice like steel.

Maya shot her a confident smile. “I never fail.”

As Maya’s car disappeared down the path, Ophelia remained in the doorway, staring out at the woods. She could already taste victory. Soon, Azalea would be out of the way, and everything Mack wanted — and everything she wanted — would fall perfectly into place.