LISA MUST FALL

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CHAPTER 9

BETH’S POV

A smile curled on my lips as I walked out of the gigantic glass building. The sun hit my face, warm and perfect. Today marked the start of something beautiful.

With me inside that building now, Cyrus would be mine. It was only a matter of time before I got rid of Lisa somehow Permanently.

The fact that she’d grown fangs lately was driving me insane. First it was the dinner stunt. Then she defied my mother’s orders like they meant nothing. And now she was Cyrus’s PA? No. I wouldn’t let it stand.

Becoming the secretary was the best thing that could’ve happened to me. I’d be close to him every single day. I’d seduce him slowly, carefully, until he couldn’t see anyone but me. So what if he was my brother? It was only legal. Blood didn’t mean anything when it came to possession.

Just then my driver pulled up, and I slid into the backseat of the car. Leather seats, tinted windows, and the smell of cologne and power.

“Driver, take me home,” I ordered, my voice sharp. There was something intoxicating about ordering people around. The way they obeyed without question. The way they knew their place.

The poor driver didn’t dare say a word. He knew better. One wrong word and he’d lose his useless job of driving me around like a king.

After a few minutes trapped in the stinking car, I stepped out and slammed the door behind me. I walked into the marvelous house my family owned, heels clicking against marble.

“DOROTHY?!” I yelled, and my voice echoed through the hall.

The maid came running like someone had died. She skidded to a stop in front of me, breathless and panicked.

When she reached me, my hand flew across her cheek before I even thought about it. The sound cracked through the silence.

“How many times do I have to call you?!” I snapped. I couldn’t believe she took five whole minutes to appear. What if I’d fainted? What if I’d needed her for something important?

“But ma’am, I came running as fast as I could when I heard you,” she whimpered, holding her cheek. “I’m sorry if I offended you.”

Sorry, it wasn’t enough. My hand landed on her cheek again, harder this time.

“What if it was crucial? You useless punk. Go get my bag out of the car and don’t you dare leave any stains on it with your filthy hands.”

She bowed her head and scurried away. Pathetic.

I continued walking through the house, past the gold-framed paintings and crystal chandeliers, until I reached Vanessa’s room. I needed someone to rant to. Someone who understood how Lisa was slowly ruining my life, piece by piece.

To think Vanessa was her sister. I was sure she felt the same disgust, the same annoyance every time Lisa opened her mouth.

I pushed the door open and found Vanessa sprawled on her bed, staring at the ceiling like the world had just swallowed her whole.

“You look like you’ve lost a war,” I said, leaning against the doorframe. “What’s cooking?”

Vanessa rolled her eyes but didn’t sit up. “It’s your brother. I cannot believe what he said at the dinner table.”

Vanessa ranted, her jealousy and anger spilling out without filter. She didn’t even try to hide it anymore. Her voice shook with frustration.

“Yeah, I know,” I cut in, crossing my arms. “It was like he was claiming trash as his prize. I don’t even know what came over him, but I know he loves you, V. He has to.”

“Beth, he claimed her as HIS WIFE,” Vanessa shot back, sitting up sharply. “Like, can he seriously say that in front of me? And that’s not even the worst part.”

My eyes narrowed. A “spill the beans” look took over my face. If Justin was about to answer to me, I wanted every detail.

“Okay, spill it,” I demanded. “What else could he possibly say other than that trash he performed at the breakfast table? Isn’t it enough that he claimed that woman? What more is there?”

Vanessa crossed her legs and exhaled slowly, like she was preparing for war. “Justin told me I should convince Lisa to resign. Stop working for Cyrus.”

My jaw dropped. My brows furrowed so hard it hurt.

“Justin did WHAAAT?!” I yelled, my voice bouncing off the walls.

“That was my exact reaction,” Vanessa said, throwing her hands up. “How could he do that to me? Just because Lisa acts like some wild animal that can’t be tamed, suddenly she’s better than me? Better than both of us?”

I clicked my tongue in disgust. “Lisa is the same person who made Cyrus dismiss me like I was nothing. I’ve noticed it. He treats her different. Softer. Like she matters.”

“She must be seducing our men,” Vanessa hissed, eyes narrowing. “We need to do something before she actually takes them away from us. Before she wins.”

I had to agree. Wait… I _did_ agree. We couldn’t afford to lose Cyrus. I couldn’t afford to lose him to Lisa.

“We should embarrass her,” Vanessa suggested, a cruel smile forming. “Make her hated by the public. Make everyone in the world turn against her.”

But then an idea struck me, sharp and perfect. My lips curled into a smirk.

“There’s going to be a business event,” I said slowly, the plan forming with every word. “And as usual, every important businessman will be there. Now, we all know the speech will be in English, right? So we’ll change the speech to Spanish. No one will understand her. And while we’re at it, we’ll leak fake nude pictures. That’ll make Cyrus furious. He’ll be embarrassed in front of everyone. Mr. King will have no choice but to kick her out of the family.”

I planned it out loud, each word dripping with satisfaction. Lisa had to fall. She would fall.

“Damn girl, I’m so blessed to have a sister like you,” Vanessa breathed, eyes wide with admiration.

I smiled, slow and cruel. Vanessa wasn’t just blessed. She was lucky to have me.

“Aww, let’s start planning her downfall already,” I purred.

And we both giggled at that statement, the sound echoing through the room like poison.

“LISA MUST FALL!” we chorused together, voices merging into one vow.

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