Chapter 5 The Serpent's Smile

Elara stood outside Savannah Leigh's penthouse, heart racing. The doorman had let her up without question-it was still her name on Savannah's emergency contact list.

Funny how betrayal doesn't erase history.

She rang the bell.

No answer.

She tried the knob.

Unlocked.

The air inside was sweet-too sweet. Like expensive perfume masking something rotten. Savannah's taste hadn't changed. Gold finishes. Plush velvet. Elegance, with a hint of excess.

"Savannah?" she called out.

Silence.

Then, the click of heels.

Savannah emerged from the hallway like a ghost in silk. Her robe clung to her frame, wine glass in hand, red lips curved in that same hypnotic smile Elara used to trust.

"Elara," she cooed. "What a surprise."

Elara didn't move. "We need to talk."

"Is this about Adrian? Because if it is, I'd rather not waste wine on old lies."

Elara's eyes narrowed. "I saw the video."

Savannah blinked, the smile faltering just slightly. "What video?"

"The one where you and Marcus planned Adrian's disappearance. The one where you called me the Monroe girl like I was just a piece on your chessboard."

Savannah's smile disappeared.

She placed the glass down and approached slowly. "So... he told you everything."

"No. You will."

For a second, Savannah looked almost sad. Then she laughed-cold, low, dangerous.

"Oh, Elara. You were always the light. The hopeful one. That's what made it so easy."

Elara's breath hitched.

"You want the truth?" Savannah said, circling her like a lioness. "Fine. Adrian was a threat to Marcus. And you? You were leverage. A sweet, gullible thing tied to a billion-dollar family name. But you fell too hard. You actually loved him."

Her voice twisted on the word like it disgusted her.

Elara clenched her fists. "You were my best friend."

Savannah shrugged. "And now I'm your warning. Leave Adrian. Stay out of this. Or what happened last night at the lounge will feel like a paper cut compared to what's coming."

She leaned in close.

"Walk away, Elara. Or you'll lose more than just your heart this time."

---Elara now knows the betrayal runs deeper than Adrian. Savannah has revealed her hand-but what's Marcus planning next, and can Elara outsmart a game that's already in motion?