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Novel Catalog
Chapter_14
“You’re good for now, but remember,” Zeke’s voice was laced with coldness as he spoke to the celebrity, “the cars, the mansion, the designer bags—all of it could disappear in the blink of an eye. Play nice with these guys, and you can keep this lavish lifestyle.” His words hung in the air like a warning, leaving no room for doubt.
The celebrity, heartbroken and confused, stood in the aftermath of his words. For the last three months, Zeke had treated her like she was special. He had been charming, showering her with gifts and attention, and it was hard not to be drawn to him. But now, standing alone, she realized the bitter truth—Zeke was just like the rest of them. To him and his friends, she was nothing more than a plaything, someone to be used until the novelty wore off. The lavish lifestyle she had grown accustomed to—complete with the mansion, the car, the designer clothes—could be taken away just as easily.
She sighed deeply, resigned to her fate. As she stood in silence, a playboy from Zeke’s group approached her. His words were sweet, offering comfort, but his hands had no such intentions. He groped her without hesitation, and the others in the room didn’t even blink. To them, it was just part of the game. When Zeke was done with a woman, they all took their turn. Nothing unusual there.
The next morning, the house was unusually quiet. Nellie woke up early, determined to handle everything herself. She prepared breakfast with an air of quiet confidence, her movements precise, as though everything in her life depended on it. Winona, too, was up early, applying her makeup with meticulous care. Pleased with her reflection, she made her way downstairs, her thoughts still lingering on the events of the previous day.
Zeke arrived home late the previous night but forced himself to get up for breakfast. As Zachary, Nellie, and the rest of the family gathered around the table, they noticed that Yvette wasn’t there.
Nellie, always the strategist, had made sure the servants knew not to disturb Yvette’s rest, knowing full well that she would want to sleep in. She was, after all, a guest in their home, and it was important to give her space.
“Sweetheart,” Nellie said casually, trying to keep the mood light, “Yvette might just be too tired to get up. After we finish breakfast, I’ll take a plate up for her.”
Winona ate silently, her mind racing. She realized there was no need to deal with Yvette for now; it was best to take the high road, even if it felt like swallowing a bitter pill. Zeke, sitting across from her, seemed equally uninterested. Without Yvette around, he was just going through the motions. His attention was elsewhere.
Zachary, on the other hand, was growing increasingly frustrated. The longer Yvette remained absent, the more his sense of authority was challenged. “Lucas, go wake Yvette. It’s almost noon, and she’s still in bed. This is unacceptable.”
Before Lucas could move, a voice interrupted, cool and composed. “No need.”
Everyone at the table turned toward the door. Yvette walked in, dressed in a simple black workout outfit, free from logos. On anyone else, it might have looked plain, but on her, it carried an effortless, stylish edge.
Nellie shot a glare at the servant beside her, who looked as if she had just seen a ghost. The servant had no idea when Yvette had slipped away earlier that morning.
In truth, Yvette had been up at dawn, using the early hours to practice her internal energy. She had specifically avoided the others, knowing they would disrupt her peace. Only a few servants and the security outside the house had noticed her departure.
She made her way to the table, walking past Nellie, who had been preparing to say something but held her tongue. Yvette took her reserved seat, across from Zeke, and next to Winona. When her eyes briefly met Winona’s, a flash of tension rippled through the air. Yvette’s gaze lingered just long enough for Winona to feel a familiar ache in her knee, a painful reminder of their previous encounters.
“Alright, let’s eat,” Zachary finally spoke up, trying to regain control of the situation. “Why are you up so early, Yvette? Did you manage to get enough rest?”
Yvette, in a surprisingly good mood, replied nonchalantly, “I’m used to it.”
Zachary, though still stern, couldn’t help but feel a twinge of guilt. Looking at Yvette, who resembled Lilian so much, made him uneasy. He recalled their earlier encounter—the strength in her grip. It was an unsettling thought. How could a girl like her be so strong? He couldn’t help but wonder.
What he didn’t know was that Yvette had barely touched him earlier. She had only pressed lightly on his acupoints, just enough to make him feel discomfort. If she had used any real force, he would have been in far more pain.
As the breakfast continued, Nellie, ever the manipulator, adjusted her hair with a practiced flick of her hand and pushed a small jewelry box toward Yvette. Inside were old, forgotten jewels—gifts from wealthy men who had tried to impress her, but ones she had long discarded. Nellie assumed Yvette wouldn’t recognize their true value, believing this small gesture could win her some favor with both Yvette and Zachary. But deep down, she knew no matter how much she tried, Yvette would never be fully swayed.
Winona, however, recognized the jewelry immediately. A bitter laugh bubbled up inside her, but she kept it to herself. She could see right through her mother’s schemes. “Mom really knows how to play Yvette,” Winona thought with a sense of quiet contempt.
But this time, it wasn’t just about impressing Yvette—it was about control. And Nellie was determined to maintain it, no matter the cost.
