Chapter 9 Escape

Lise's threat hit Kaitlin hard, her breath catching for a moment.

That jade bracelet wasn't just jewelry-it had been passed down from her grandmother and was the one thing her mother never took off.

Lise claimed it the moment her mother died, and for years, Kaitlin tried everything to get it back but always came up empty.

Her patience snapped. "What do you want this time?"

Lise's laugh sounded smug through the phone. "You already know the deal. Show up at tonight's family dinner, and you'll get your precious bracelet."

Kaitlin's answer came quickly. "Alright, I'll be there."

She wasn't about to lose the only thing her mother left behind.

That night at seven, Kaitlin pulled on a plain white tee and a pair of jeans.

She wore no makeup, making no effort to impress. Still, her beauty cut through the plainness, cold and untouchable.

In Elysian Dining, the moment Kaitlin stepped through the door of a private room, she instantly realized the trap the Watson family had set for her.

Besides Lise, a middle-aged man with a thick waist and thinning hair sat waiting.

He looked to be well into his fifties, his shiny scalp and puffy cheeks giving away years of overindulgence. The instant Kaitlin walked in, he sized her up with a look that made her skin crawl.

"Glad you finally made it, Kaitlin!" Lise blurted out, grabbing her wrist a little too tightly. "Let me introduce you-this is Mr. Donald Lyons from Flourish Group. He's been close to us for a long time."

Kaitlin kept her cool, giving Donald a brief nod while fighting the urge to yank her hand away.

She made sure to take the chair farthest from both of them when she sat down.

Lise wasted no time playing up her act. "Kaitlin teaches high school. She's educated and so sweet-natured," she bragged, as if she was selling Kaitlin instead of introducing her.

Donald didn't even try to hide his stare. He poured a glass of whiskey right to the brim and slid it in front of Kaitlin. "You're absolutely gorgeous, Miss Watson. This one's for you."

One look at the drink made Kaitlin's stomach twist. "Sorry, I don't drink," she said quickly.

Lise leaned over, the heavy scent of her perfume hitting Kaitlin hard. "Come on, at least a sip. Don't embarrass us."

A hard knot formed in Kaitlin's fist, but she finally caved and took a tiny sip.

The sharp burn of the alcohol made her cough uncontrollably.

Heat started to spread through her body, and her skin prickled.

Something definitely wasn't right.

Realization crashed over her-she needed to get out fast. As she tried to stand, Kaitlin noticed Lise had already slipped out of the room.

Donald's bloated face appeared in front of her, far too close.

She tried to shove him away, her voice trembling as she cried out, "Don't touch me!" Backing up, she smacked against the wall, trapped.

Donald's grip on her wrist tightened, his breath reeking of alcohol. "Stop pretending to be innocent. Your stepmom took two million dollars from me, and tonight you belong to me."

Kaitlin's eyesight faded in and out, but her anger cut through everything like lightning.

The second Donald's hand tried to grab her waist, she snatched up a heavy dinner plate and slammed it down on his head with all the force she could muster.

"Ah!" A sharp, raw scream burst from him as porcelain exploded everywhere.

Blood spilled instantly from the fresh cut on his forehead.

Without missing a beat, Kaitlin used his shock to her advantage and bolted for the hallway.

"You crazy bitch! You'll regret this-I swear it!"

Lights overhead broke into dizzying fragments as Kaitlin raced down the hallway, Donald's angry shouts echoing after her.

She never dared a glance back. Her legs carried her blindly until an open doorway appeared, and she staggered inside just before her strength gave out.

Laughter and talk in the luxurious suite died the instant she burst in.

Sprawled on the floor, Kaitlin tried to catch her breath, hair slicked to her face, her whole appearance a tangled mess.

No one spoke at first, the shock thick in the air, until finally a tall man at the end of the table pushed his chair back and rose to his feet.

With a steady, chilling tone, he addressed the others. "Pardon me. There's a matter I need to deal with. Please continue without me."