Chapter 2

At 9:00 am the next day, someone started hammering on my doorbell.

I checked the security feed.

Victor stood outside my door. Behind him were four guards in blue uniforms and two workers carrying surveying equipment.

He looked straight into the camera and smiled. "Ms. Bennett, we're here to carry out the property management company's resolution."

I didn't open the door.

"Leave the document outside."

Victor's expression hardened. "Ms. Bennett, if you refuse to cooperate, this is going to get ugly."

"The ugly part started when you showed up."

"Don't be so sure," he retorted.

He raised his hand and gestured toward the people behind him.

"We're just following the law."

"Which law?"

Victor pulled several pages from a folder and held them up to the camera.

"This is a supplemental amendment to Emerald Bay's homeowners' association rules. Lakeview Isle is designated as a shared scenic area for all residents. Any existing private-use rights are subject to the interests of the community."

I stared at the document in disbelief. "Who gave you the authority to change my property rights?"

"The property management company has that authority."

"Do you really think I don't know the law?"

Victor's expression darkened. "Ms. Bennett, there's no need to make this difficult. We're all neighbors here. I'm sure Mr. Prescott is willing to be reasonable."

"He's reasonable? So, he lets his wife take my property?"

The corner of Victor's mouth twitched.

He lowered his voice. "I'm giving you some friendly advice. The Prescott family has a lot of influence around here. Plenty of local officials will be at his daughter's wedding. If you back down now, we can all walk away with our dignity intact."

"I won't."

"Then the property management office will have no choice but to take enforcement action."

I looked at the screen. "Go ahead. I dare you."

Victor stepped aside and motioned to the guard. "To the back entrance."

I immediately pulled up Lakeview Isle's security feed on my phone.

On the screen, two guards were crossing the wooden bridge toward the island. A red light flashed above the electronic gate at the end of the bridge. My private security system. The property management company had no authority to access it.

Then, without warning, one of the workers pulled out a cutting tool. Sparks flew.

I shot to my feet.

"Victor, you're telling them to cut my gate?"

The man shrugged at the camera. "The system malfunctioned. We're just checking for any safety issues."

"That's called breaking in," I snapped.

"Ms. Bennett, there's no need to use such harsh language. Emerald Bay is a luxury community. Something like a break-in would never happen here."

His smug, self-righteous words sent me rushing out the door.

But when I reached the elevator, I found it stuck on the basement level.

The screen read, "Maintenance in Progress.

I jabbed the elevator button again and again.

Nothing happened.

The stairwell door was locked, too.

Then my phone rang.

Monica.

"Don't worry, Ms. Bennett." She chuckled. "Mr. Hayes said there was an issue with your elevator, so they're checking it out. Just stay inside and take it easy.”

"Monica Sullivan!"

"Can you hear the workers?" she asked casually. "The gates will be open soon."

"Do you even know what you're doing?"

"Of course, I do."

Her voice suddenly turned cold. "I'm teaching you how to get along with the residents of Emerald Bay."

On the security feed, the electronic gate was cut open.

One guard stepped inside. Another person raised a hand and covered the camera with black tape.

The screen went dark.

I stood frozen in front of the elevator, my heart racing.

Over the phone, Monica continued, "Don't worry. We'll make the island look beautiful for the wedding. As for those messy bottles and jars of yours, I'll have someone throw them away for you."

"Don't touch my specimens!"

"Ms. Bennett, they're just a few dead leaves. If anything gets damaged, I'll compensate you."

Then I heard voices in the background. "Mrs. Prescott, this cabinet is locked. Should we break it?"

Monica laughed. "Of course. It's ugly anyway."

The sound of shattering glass came through the phone.

Once.

Then again.

My throat tightened.

"Monica Sullivan, stop!"

She replied smugly, "Too late, Ms. Bennett."