Chapter 3 The Trap Unfolds

When Elowen heard there was more to the story, she scrambled to her feet and began shrieking that she would claw me to pieces. "You shameless witch! You not only killed my daughter, but you've also been seducing my son-in-law?! I'll see you dead for this!"

I frowned and shoved her away. "Mrs. Kingsley, this is my last warning. Push your luck again, and I won't hold back!"

My tone shut her up for a few seconds, but the crowd had already started pointing and whispering. A few older women were swearing at me outright.

Seeing that the onlookers had sided with her, Elowen's rage surged again. "You filthy tramp—I'll rip that smug face of yours off and teach you some decency!"

This time, I didn't hold back. She barreled at me, I kicked out, and she went flying and landed hard on her face, losing a front tooth in the fall. Her gray hair flew in disarray, and the hate on her face grew uglier.

"I never seduced your son-in-law," I snapped. "Believe it or not, he made this up!"

She wiped blood from her mouth and snorted. "A thief never admits stealing. Who's going to believe you?"

"Why do you believe him when he says I seduced him? You can't just smear my name with nothing to back it up."

"What's proof if not this?" Felix held up his phone and displayed a string of messages.

Elowen snatched the phone, smirking as she read aloud, "Felix, are you free today? Let's catch a movie and grab dinner—being alone for the holidays is so lonely."

"Felix, do you think my pajamas look nice tonight? My door's unlocked—you can come over anytime."

"Isla really has such a nasty temper, doesn't she? She's anything but gentle. I'd never throw a tantrum like that—I'd probably just feel sorry for you instead."

The crowd gasped. Their looks at me were no longer just disdainful; they were full of contempt. Fruit peels, snack wrappers, and empty bottles started flying toward me, staining my hair and clothes.

"You wretched bitch—anything to say for yourself?"

I hadn't expected Isla to have set up so much behind my back—she'd even used my phone to message Felix secretly.

Felix's smile turned venomous. "Faye, what goes around comes around. She's dead now—you either pay with your life or your money."

At last, the cat was out of the bag. It was about money through and through. I thought for a moment and nodded. "I'll say it one more time: I didn't push her. Isla did drop into the river while holding the ticket and drowned. As her friend, I'm willing to cover part of the funeral expenses, but you must cremate her first."

"Cremate her?" Elowen screamed, then turned to Felix, panic plain in her eyes.