The Pendulum Swing

Raven instantly pulled away from Felipe at the sound of Lara's voice. Her mind began to race. If Lara were to catch them in this situation, she wouldn't hesitate to throw her out of her house, thereby ruining her whole plan.

Felipe on the other hand, seemed to sense the fear she was feeling and handled the situation. He swiftly moved to the side of the house where Lara's voice had come from.

Raven stayed still in the kitchen as she heard the murmurs shared between both Felipe and his wife. Then she heard their footsteps receding into their room.

When she made sure the couple had already gone in, she made her way to the maid's quarters, making sure not to wake the sleeping girls, and then she lay on her bed and went to sleep.

Everything has been going swimmingly so far. She had managed to captivate Felipe, what remained was to strip him of his company.

However, what Raven didn't realize was that someone had witnessed her scandalous encounter with Felipe. Mandy.

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A satisfying smile was plastered across Felipe's lips as he was driven to work by his chauffeur. It didn't take a genius to know that he was over the moon. Last night had been the best night of his life since his arranged marriage with Lara, even though it was only ephemeral.

Lily's lips were the most succulent and tasteful lips he'd ever kissed. She was soft yet tender, her eyes mesmerizing, and her innocence made her more desirable.

He kept relishing and revisiting that moment when he and Lily had expressed their passion for each other. Only if Lara hadn't stepped in! The fact that Lily felt the same way he did meant more than anything!

He could already imagine their lives together, her bearing his kids and being a dutiful wife to him, unlike Lara, whom he hated with all his might.

After his arranged marriage with Lara, he's been nothing but an unhappy man. Living with someone you hated and pretending to love them was not as easy as it seemed. Ever since their consummation on their wedding night — which had happened under the influence of alcohol — he'd never looked her way nor tried to make sexual advances toward her.

He's been getting his lust satiated outside of marriage but now that Lily was in the picture, he knew instinctively that something was about to change.

"Mr Brant?" The voice of his chauffeur jolted him out of his beautiful thoughts. He had been so occupied with his thoughts that he didn't realize they'd arrived at their destination.

The chauffeur was already holding the door open for him.

He exited the car and entered the building, — his reward for marrying Lisa — quickly getting settled at his desk, where he was greeted by a staggering pile of paperwork that demanded his immediate attention.

But he didn't fret nor feel overwhelmed as usual… he was too in a good mood to do so.

While reviewing and signing proposals, he stumbled upon a particular one that stood out—it was simply irresistible. The offers, the advantages—everything about it seemed almost too good to be true.

He buzzed his secretary, who came scurrying in a moment later.

"Which company sent this?" He asked her handing over the file as he relaxed backwards in his seat.

"Oh, it's from Hale Corps." The secretary answered. "It came in yesterday so I thought it might interest you."

"Well, it did!" Felipe exclaimed. "If we do this project, it'll be really good for us! Set up a meeting with them tomorrow. We must meet."

"Understood Mr Brant."

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Raven and the other maids were already done with the work of the day. She was lying on her bed, reading a book she barely paid attention to while Fay and Aliya chattered away.

It has become normal for them not to include her in their conversation, and Raven, on the other hand, was quite fine with that. Aside from the casual 'hello' she exchanged with them, there was nothing else to talk about. And Raven was utterly fine with that

Then the door opened and Mandy stepped in. "Lily, can I speak with you?"

The girls paused in their conversation and snapped their heads inquiringly at Lily.

Raven closed her book and dropped it on the bed. "Sure." She said, swinging her slender legs off the bed as she stood up. "What is it about?"

"I meant privately," Mandy said, her gaze hardening.

Both Fay and Aliya's curiosity was now piqued.

"Okay," Raven said and followed Mandy out the door. Mandy led her to the secluded spot of the house where no one could eavesdrop. "What is this about?" She asked blindly as she followed her.

Mandy swung her hand and struck Raven's cheeks so hard that she was stunned, momentarily.

"Mandy…" Raven trailed.

"How dare you!" Mandy spat. " How dare you try to seduce Mr Brant! You know he's happily married with a kid and you're trying to ruin his marriage. What's your mission, you slut?! Are you here to ruin this marriage? Huh? I'm gonna give you a chance, pack up and leave before I report you to Mrs Brant. You know how she is!"

At first, Raven was astonished and puzzled that Mandy knew what had happened last night between her and Felipe but her astonishment only lasted for a tiny second. Rage took over. She struck Mandy's fat cheeks so damn hard that she let out a sharp piercing cry.

How dare she lay her filthy hands on her!

Now it was Mandy's turn to be astonished.

"First, no one… and I mean no one dare lay a hand on my face!" Raven hissed silently. "Second, you're in no place to lecture me about ruining people's marriages, considering the fact that you ruined your best friend's marriage, don't you think?" Raven saw the puzzled expression on her face, and she added, "Oh, I did my search before coming here, you know? I know how you ruined your best friend's marriage by sleeping with her husband. Not that you loved her husband though, just that she got married before you. Tsk tsk tsk! Pathetic old fool! In the end, you ended up getting pregnant with your friend's husband, and the marriage ended just like you wanted. So…." she stepped closer and placed her hand on Mandy's crimson cheek, then she began to caress it. "Since you've successfully ruined one, why don't I take lessons from you?"

"You shameless whore!" Mandy stormed fiercely, angrily shoving Raven backward, but she didn't fall nor staggered; Raven had already anticipated that move. "I'm telling Mrs Brant what you are and the moment I do, you'll regret setting your slutty foot here."

She began to walk away.

"Okay!" Raven nonchalantly raised her graceful shoulders in an indifferent shrug. "But then… before you do that, why don't I tell you a story about a lady named Martha Mendoza."

At the mention of the name, Mandy abruptly stopped on her track and swiftly spun around, her face a mask of fear, shock, and panic.

"She's a wanted criminal in Florida," Raven said, her voice dripping with utter triumph. She was enjoying seeing this woman scared shitless. "You know her right, Mandy? Or should I call you Martha Mendoza?"