CHAPTER FOUR~ UNPLEASANT SITUATION

The sight that greeted her will be imprinted in her mind for a long time. Violet stared at her sister's tears-stricken face very annoyed, as she was bent in a fetal position at the corner, pale as a sheet, her hands shaking slightly.

The VIP room was a mess; the table at the center was covered with empty bottles of expensive alcohol, a red plastic cup littered the entire surface, and water powder covered the remaining surface, some spilling to the ground. The sight was a police nightmare but that wasn't what made Violet annoyed enough to want to kill her sister after all this wasn't the first time she was dragging her away from a drug or alcohol situation, there had been pretty plenty of situations.

The man lay on the black couch, his head twisted in an unnatural angle with fume spurting out of his mouth and blood running down his face, soaking up his white shirt from a wound on his head was what made Violet very angry.

She had been hoping for a nice and quiet night after a very successful day and now she had to face this.

"What happened here" she asked her sister angrily. "Don't bother answering" Violet held up her hands to halt Judy from talking as she turned to Stefan.

"Clean this up and send me your fee"

Stefan was the owner of Club 88 and an old friend of the Whitmores. Even if Violet did not particularly trust him, she knew with money he would do anything even if it meant romancing the devil. If he tried to rat them out, he would also be implicating himself since the club was his. Violet knew that if there was one thing Stefan didn't joke around with was money and his club.

"you got it," he said loudly clapping his hands in eagerness.

"let's go" Violet commanded her sister as she headed to the door, her heels clinking against the tiled floor.

"I'm so sorry VI" Judy started as they walked out, "he tried to take advantage of me and I simply fought back I didn't mean to kill him" She rushed out, choking on tears.

Violet turned abruptly causing her sister to walk into her.

"would you stop with the tears already" Gripping her tightly on the shoulder, she glared as she spoke. "That didn't happen. Erase every trace of tonight from your mind. I'll drop you off at your place, sleep it off, let's forget it happened. Stefan would take care of it."

When she was sure Judy had gotten herself together, Violet pulled her towards the exit.

 *****$$$$$*****

It took a deep tissue massage, an empty bottle of Cheval Blanc, and a new pair of Prada shoes for Violet Whitmore to face her mother-in-law.

Violet stepped out of her sleek black car, smoothing down the hem of her elegant, emerald green dress. The fabric shimmered under the afternoon lights, and her diamond necklace sparkled teasingly drawing attention. Clutching a bag of limited edition Fendi, she made her way to the entrance of the finclair grand estate. She wasn't above bribing her way through.

She had come without her husband. When she had called, he had been busy so they had both agreed to meet at the estate while her children on the other hand had forfeited school today and visited earlier. When the old bat called, everyone had to come running.

As she entered, the sound of polite laughter and classical music filled the air. High ceilings adorned with crystal chandeliers, walls lined with expensive artwork, and an opulent dining room with a table laden with gourmet dishes. Conversations drifted all around, with servers moving up and down attending to guests.

She had asked her husband why his mother had requested to meet and he had replied with a 'no idea'. All day she had been wondering what the old bat had up her sleeves, now she knew because standing in the middle of the dining room was a very large cake with her father-in-law's stoic face on it and a 'happy birthday father'.

She raked her brain for dates and realized that she hadn't forgotten a thing, his birthday was in a week and not now. They had never celebrated his birthday on a later date. Grabbing her phone, she sent a quick text to Adam informing him of the situation. She was glad she hadn't come empty-handed.

Violet's eyes immediately sought out her father-in-law. He was at the center of a small group, a tall man with a commanding presence and stoic face hardened from years of hard work. Once a prime minister, he was dressed in a sharp well-tailored black suit with his silver hair immaculately styled.

"Violet" a sharp voice called laced with no-nonsense formality. She turned to see her mother-in-law, a petite woman whose eyes missed nothing. She wore a carefully curated smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. Which Violet knew was just for the benefit of the guest present.

"yes of course mother. I wouldn't miss this for the world" more like I don't want to be here but I have to so you don't have something to talk about Violet thought.

"where is your husband," she asked looking around.

"he had an important meeting to attend Mother. I'm sure he should be on his way now"

"Meet my daughter-in-law" Mrs. Finclair introduced like she was pained at the emotion of violet as her daughter-in-law. Violet stared at the lady her mother-in-law was introducing her to, she looked younger than her, she couldn't help but roll her eyes at the way her mother-in-law's face sparkled as she smiled at the lady.

"I wish my son had met you earlier before he made a terrible mistake" she continued turning towards Violet as she said terrible mistake, her face sour like she just had a lime.

Violet ignored her, stretching out her hands to the brunette. If her mother-in-law idolized her, then she must be someone of importance or way above their social status because if there was anything Miranda Finclair knew how to do best, it was climbing up the social ladder which could be seen from her marriage to her husband. Violet wasn't ashamed to have gotten information on her mother-in-law, it was important to know one's enemy.

"nice to meet you, I'm Violet Whitmore"

The brunette hesitated for a moment her eyes sizing violet up which annoyed her before she returned the handshake. "Amanda Sterling"

Violet resisted the urge to smile as she assessed the brunette. Even though it was clear from her elegant white gown that was fitted up and flowed down and the matching white shoes and bag she wore that she was rich, Violet had the satisfaction of learning that she wasn't among the influential family.

She was a nobody unlike she had thought. There was no sterling in the high social circle. Maybe she was just a climber.

Remembering that her hand was still full, she extended the gift she had bought for her mother-in-law to her, but the old bat waved her off. "drop it in the gift room"

Violet gritted her teeth to keep from muttering a curse at the old bat's rudeness and dismissal, one of these days, she was going to lose her cool.

After she had dropped the gifts off, she maneuvered the room making small conversations. She was engaged in a conversation with her sister-in-law, a bright annoying redhead who she didn't particularly like but had to pretend to especially when they were in family gatherings like this when the brunette from earlier –Amanda Sterling- passed by heading for the restroom.

Violet applied her red lipstick patiently, buying time till the brunette was out. Her in-laws had prepared ahead to always have events that the bathroom downstairs had stalls and two sections so that instead of waiting, two people could use it at once.

One of the stalls opened and Amanda walked out, she didn't seem surprised at all to see Violet, or even if she did, she didn't let it show at all which kind of made Violet annoyed. She liked it when people were angry to see her.

"How did you say you know my mother-in-law again?

Amanda red red-painted lips pulled into a warm smile. "I didn't say"

Violet was about to get annoyed when Amanda continued. "we are in the same club"

Violet was taken aback. If by the same club, she meant the diamond club then she had to be shocked. The Diamond Club was an organization of wealthy and influential women, they didn't just accept anybody, you had to be very high up in status and connection to be a part of them. They were just fifty and never went beyond that. Even she had applied several times but had been rejected.

If Amanda was a member of the diamond club, then she had more power and influence than Violet thought. Now she felt foolish for assuming she was a climber when she wasn't.

"we should go for a drink sometime" Violet offered

"Sure" Amanda answered offering a smile as she moved around Violet heading for the exit.

Her plan had worked out perfectly; Violet had taken the hook, and now all she had to do was make sure she didn't lose the fish.

After months of planning for this moment, Seraphina was overjoyed. They wouldn't know what hit them. Amanda Sterling aka Seraphina Whitmore was going to make them pay for what they had done. They were going to regret not making sure she was dead.

Seeing her sister up close had almost made her cry at their betrayal, but she was done crying or trying to get them to accept her. They had created this monster and it was only right that they enjoyed their hard work.