Chapter 24

No.1

The air inside Germaine Chambers' study was thick and suffocating, smelling of aged leather,expensive cigar smoke, and old paper.

Elisa pushed open the heavy oak door and stepped inside.

Germaine was sitting behind a massive mahogany desk. She was wearing a rigid, dark green suit. She was aggressively flipping through a thick stack of political polling data.

She didn't look up when Elisa entered. She simply raised one manicured finger and pointed to a stiff,wooden guest chair opposite the desk.

Elisa didn't sit.

She walked right up to the edge of the desk,crossed her arms over her chest, and looked down at the matriarch.

Germaine finally stopped reading. She slowly closed the file, intertwining her fingers on the polished wood. She looked up,her cold,calculating eyes sweeping over Elisa's sharp suit and defiant posture.

"Your little stunt at the hospital gala was a disaster,"Germaine stated,her voice devoid of any inflection."The media is digging into August's personal life.The rumors about your marriage failing are

No.2

affecting the poll numbers for Senator Hayes. We are his primary donors. I will not allow your domestic drama to cost us a Senate seat."

Elisa stared at her. "Get to the point."

Germaine's eyes narrowed at the disrespect.

"Next month is the Senator's primary fundraising gala," Germaine commanded."You will attend.You will wear the Chambers diamonds. You will stand next to August, you will hold his hand,and you will smile for the cameras. You will play the perfect,loving wife until the election is over."

Elisa let out a short, harsh laugh.

"I asked August for a divorce," Elisa said,her voice ringing with absolute finality. "I am not playing dress-up for your political theater."

Germaine slammed her open palm flat against the desk. The sound cracked like a whip.

"Do not use that word in this house!" Germaine hissed,her aristocratic mask slipping for a second."You do not dictate terms to this family. You are a Chambers by marriage, and you will remain one until I decide you are no longer useful. You will not get a divorce unless I allow it."

No.3

Elisa's brain, trained to process complex Al logic trees, instantly analyzed the variables in Germaine's threat.

Germaine was desperate for a public display of unity. She needed Elisa to cooperate.

This was the perfect leverage.

Elisa's cold smile vanished. She dropped her arms and leaned slightly over the desk, adopting the posture of a ruthless negotiator.

"Fine," Elisa said smoothly. "I'll play the loving wife.I'll smile for the cameras. But my acting fee has gone up."

Germaine scoffed, a look of profound disgust crossing her face. "I knew it. You're just holding out for more money.How predictable."

"I want the Hamptons property," Elisa demanded,ignoring the insult. "The oceanfront estate in East Hampton. I want the deed transferred entirely to my name, free and clear of the family trust.Unfreeze the transaction protocols today."

Germaine frowned deeply. She studied Elisa's face,trying to find the trick.

No.4

Why a house? Why now?

But Germaine's inherent class prejudice blinded her.She truly believed Elisa was just a greedy,lower-class opportunist trying to secure a golden parachute before the marriage inevitably imploded.

"You are a parasite," Germaine sneered. "But fine.If a piece of real estate buys your obedience for the next month,you can have it."

Germaine reached out and pressed a silver button on her desk phone, activating the speaker. She dialed August's internal extension.

The phone rang twice.

"What?" August's voice snapped through the

speaker. He sounded incredibly agitated, likely still reeling from the confrontation in the parlor.

"Elisa is in my study," Germaine said coldly. "She claims you two are actively discussing divorce. Is this true?"

No.5

The study was dead silent. Elisa stopped breathing.She stared at the black plastic of the speakerphone,her heart hammering against her ribs.

A harsh,cruel laugh echoed from the speaker.

"Divorce?" August mocked, his voice dripping with pure arrogance. "She's throwing a tantrum, Mother.She's using the word to get attention because she's jealous of Allena. She would never walk away from my money."

"She said she gave you papers," Germaine pressed."I didn't even read them," August scoffed dismissively. "I told Brenda to file that garbage away. I never gave it a second thought. It'sover.Don't let her manipulate you."

Elisa's stomach dropped, and then, a massive,overwhelming surge of pure adrenaline flooded her veins.

He didn't even remember.

He had dismissed the fake divorce papers she had given him, but in his arrogance, he had also forgotten about the original,seven-year prenuptial agreement. He didn't realize the clock was ticking down to zero without requiring his signature at all He was completely, utterly blind.

"Good," Germaine said, her lips curling into a victorious smirk. She hung up the phone.

No.6

She looked up at Elisa, her eyes filled with triumphant mockery.

"Your little bluff has been called," Germaine said."He doesn't care. Now, you will attend the gala."

Elisa lowered her eyes, deliberately hiding the lethal, predatory gleam that had just ignited in them.

She forced her shoulders to slump slightly,feigning defeat.

"I'll attend," Elisa said softly, playing the beaten wife perfectly. "But I still want the house. I'll go to Wall Street tomorrow and make August sign the property transfer papers myself. Consider it my down payment for the gala."

Germaine waved her hand dismissively, already bored with the conversation. "Do whatever you want. Just don't embarrass me again."

Elisa turned and walked toward the door.

The moment her hand touched the brass doorknob,the mask of defeat vanished.

No.7

Her face hardened into a mask of terrifying,absolute resolve.

She had her excuse. She had a legitimate,Germaine-approved reason to shove a massive stack of legal documents right under August's nose.

The trap was set.