Chapter 108: Cracks in the Mask

Missy reached Hawthorne Mansion to find it empty. Raymond and Drake had gone to check on King’s Meadow—the construction plans were almost ready. Jagger had left with his friends for overseas a month ago to oversee an adventure racing track.

As soon as she reached her room, fury overtook her. She swept everything off her vanity,

She swept everything off her dressing table with one violent swing of her arm.

Jewelry boxes...

Perfume bottles...

Luxury cosmetics...

Nothing escaped her rage.

The sound of shattering porcelain echoed through the mansion. Downstairs, the servants exchanged anxious glances, their faces pale with unease. Whenever Missy lost control like this, her anger inevitably turned toward them. No one dared to go upstairs and check on her.

Just then, Emily entered the mansion after returning from a private gathering with several wealthy ladies. The commotion from the upper floor immediately caught her attention. Without bothering to remove her coat or ask what had happened, she hurried toward Missy’s room.

The moment Emily stepped inside, Missy grabbed another vase and hurled it against the wall.

It shattered on impact, scattering glittering fragments across the floor.

"What are you doing?" Emily demanded, her voice sharp with alarm. "What happened?"

Missy whirled around, her face flushed with rage.

"Layton blocked all the cards he gave me!

He cancelled every future allowance—everything!

He said he’s repaid the debt of me saving his life and we’re done!"

Emily’s eyes widened in shock.

"What? Why would he do that? He’s so in love with you, so devoted. Why would he—"

"I don’t know what ticked him off!" Missy snapped, her voice rising.

"He said he doesn’t want Mindy to misunderstand us anymore. He told me to maintain my distance."

Emily slowly sank onto the couch, her thoughts racing as she tried to make sense of the situation.

"Did he..." she began hesitantly.

"...find out?"

"Did he find out you spiked his drink at the Bose residence? Does he suspect you?"

Missy froze. The thought hadn’t fully formed until Emily said it aloud.

"Maybe... maybe Sebastian said something? I don’t know what’s going on with him. He’s so cold and infuriating."

She wrapped her arms around herself. "If it weren’t for HIM, I wouldn’t have even gotten close to Layton. He terrifies me with that cold look of his."

"Focus! This isn’t the time." Emily said sharply.

"You can’t say that. Don’t forget how much money Layton has given you over the years."

She leaned forward.

"You need to do something to gain his trust again. We can’t lose him."

Missy rolled her eyes. "I know that."

She took a breath, trying to calm herself.

"And that’s not all. At today’s board meeting, Layla announced that in twenty days, Rosa Design will begin a comprehensive internal audit across every department."

She paused. "And this year, they’re organizing a banquet for the company’s fifteenth anniversary."

Emily fell silent, her expression thoughtful. What are they trying to do? After a moment, she sighed. "Don’t worry. We’ve already cleaned everything. Nothing will trace back to us."

Missy exhaled slowly.

"I know, but still... we can’t underestimate Mindy. "

"She fooled us all. We thought she was nothing, and now look at her—she’s made me lose face so many times." Her jaw tightened.

"We can’t let her win this time. We can’t let her find anything."

Emily nodded. "You’re right. Focus on this. Call Katherine Hayes. Get her here. If we want to deal with Mindy, we’ll need all the help we can get."

Missy pulled out her phone and dialed. "Katherine? I need you here. Come to Greendale. Anything that’s pending, leave it to Scott—he’ll handle it for now."

She heard a clipped "OK" from the other end and hung up.

That evening, Mindy and Layla arrived at The Nightingale Club.

The Nightingale Club glowed beneath thousands of golden lights.

Luxury cars lined the entrance.

Music echoed through the marble halls.

Mindy wore a sleek black dress that hugged her curves, while Layla turned heads in a deep-neck blue dress.

Ana was already waiting for them in a green off-shoulder dress.

Amelia and Vivian followed quietly behind.

Ana waved them over. "Over here! I already booked our table."

Mindy and Layla slid into their seats. Layla glanced around. "Where are the boys?"

"Dante called," Ana said. "They’ll be a little late, but they’re on their way."

Ana’s gaze shifted to Amelia and Vivian. "What’s their story?"

Mindy introduced them. "They’ll be staying with us and providing protection."

Ana nodded, then Mindy turned to the two bodyguards.

"It’s going to be a late night for us."

"You both can leave and rest—it’s been a long day."

"We’ll be fine."

Both women looked hesitant.

Layla smiled.

"Take my car."

Both finally nodded.

"Good night."

Once they left...

Ana leaned forward, eyes sparkling with curiosity. "So, what happened while I was gone?"

Layla smirked. "Nothing too entertaining yet. But don’t worry—we’ve planned something, and Bose Media will get front-row seats."

Ana laughed. "Is that so?"

Mindy nodded. "I’ve already emailed your father about media coverage for Rona Design’s banquet at their fifteenth anniversary."

"I wouldn’t miss it for the world," Ana said. Then she tilted her head. "But what’s with the bodyguards?"

Layla nodded. "Yeah, I wanted to ask that too. I’ve seen you fight. You don’t really need them."

Mindy’s expression grew serious. "We’ve messed with Missy and Emily too many times. There are people behind them, and I’m not taking any chances. It’s better if Amelia and Vivian are here."

"Is that why you want them to stay with us?" Layla asked.

"Yes," Mindy said firmly. "We’ve disrupted their plans repeatedly. They’re not going to stay quiet."

Layla and Ana nodded in understanding.

Mindy leaned in. "What happened in Cracros? With the thugs the police captured?"

Ana sighed heavily. "They escaped."

"What? How did they escape from custody?"

"They were being transferred to another station," Ana explained.

"A black van intercepted the route. They knocked out the officers and disappeared." She shook her head.

"The police think they’re part of some local gang. They’re still investigating. Dad’s really worried they’ll try something."

She shrugged. "I don’t know. I just got back. I was so bored, and I’m not going to hide just because of people like them."

Mindy nodded. "If you want, you can stay with us for a few days."

Layla agreed. "Yeah, you’re welcome."

Ana waved them off. "No need. Dad’s already tightened security around the mansion."

She grinned mischievously. "And honestly, I came here because I snuck away."

"I literally climbed over the side gate."

Mindy and Layla exchanged knowing looks. "We believe you."

Ana rolled her eyes.

Within minutes...

She was happily gossiping again.

"You know what happened yesterday?"

"I slipped in my bathroom."

"And then..."

"I accidentally caught our chef kissing one of the maids behind the garden—who, as it turned out, was already married to the driver.

They burst into laughter.

Just then, Matthias, Zac, and Dante arrived. Matthias effortlessly slid into the seat next to Mindy, and Zac did the same beside Layla.

Dante simply shook his head before sitting opposite everyone.

Ana narrowed her eyes.

Very slowly...

She pointed at the seating arrangement.

"...Something."

Silence.

"...Is."

Silence.

"...Going."

Silence.

"...On."

Mindy blinked innocently.

"What?"

Ana looked at Matthias.

Then at Mindy.

Then at Zac.

Then at Layla.

Her eyes widened.

"No way."

"Nothing’s wrong," Mindy said innocently.

Ana studied them for another moment, then her eyes widened. "Mindy Wilson, are you two together?"

Layla gave a short laugh but didn’t interrupt.

"No, we’re not," Mindy replied immediately.

Matthias’s expression tightened, and he muttered under his breath, "Not yet."

Only Mindy heard him. Heat rushed to her face, and her cheeks flushed.

Ana narrowed her eyes, she pointed toward Layla and Zac.

"What about you two?"

Layla’s stammered "I..."

Before she could answer...

Zac leaned over...

And kissed her cheek.

"We are."

"Zac!" Layla yelped, her cheeks flushing bright red.

Everyone laughed.

Ana looked completely betrayed.

"I’ve been talking about myself for twenty minutes!"

"And none of you thought this was important?!"

Mindy laughed helplessly.

Ana threw her hands up. "When? How long?"

Layla sighed. "So much has happened, I honestly forgot. How about you stay with us tonight, and we’ll tell you everything?"

Ana glared at them. "Fine. Everything. But I’m really angry, so you are paying the bill. And I’m going to eat a lot."

Layla sighed. "Fine."

Matthias smiled. "It’s fine. Order anything you want. It’s on me."

Dante shook his head. "If you ask him for anything right now, he’ll give it to you. He’s ridiculously happy, and no one knows why."

Zac nodded. "The past few days, he was walking around like a grim reaper. But today? All sunshine."

Matthias glared at them. "I’m always well-behaved. Stop talking nonsense."

Mindy laughed, and Layla joined in. Ana huffed dramatically.

Mindy sensed Ana’s mood and caught the waiter’s attention. "Bring all the desserts."

Ana’s face brightened immediately, and Dante just shook his head with a smile.