Chapter 159

Sarah's POV

I sprawled across my designer sofa, swirling a glass of expensive cabernet while glaring at my laptop screen. The website displayed Annie Baker's comic sales figures, which had skyrocketed another 10%. The sight made my stomach churn with disgust. That country girl from Boston was becoming a genuine cultural phenomenon-all because of Howard Thompson's connections and resources.

The same resources that should have been mine.

"This should never have happened," I muttered, slamming my laptop shut.

I'd already tried several approaches to destroy Annie. I'd manipulated Phlip into confronting her, hoping to create a scene that would damage her reputation. I'd orchestrated negative comments about her on social media, using fake accounts and influencing my circle of friends to join in.And yet, somehow. that unassuming illustrator had emerged from every attack even more beloved by the public.

It was infuriating. Unbearable.

My fingers hovered over my phone, remembering that Robert had sent meo a video from his encounter with Annie. He'd claimed nothing significant happened between them, but I refused to believe it. Men always downplayedtheir failures. I needed to see exactly what had transpired,to determine if there was anything salvageable for my purposes.

I retrieved my tablet and opened the video file, holding my breath as the footage began to play. The scene showed Robert's photography studio,

cluttered with old equipment and empty whiskey bottles-a pathetic shadow of the glamorous space he'd once maintained when we were married.

My pulse quickened as I watched Robert approach Annie, who was sitting on a folding bed. He suddenly grabbed her wrists, pushing her against the wall.Yes,exactly what I wanted! My heartbeat accelerated with anticipation,waiting for what would inevitably follow.

But instead of continuation, the footage took an unexpected turn. Annie's voice cut through clearly: "Robert, what are you doing? This isn't the wway to solve your problems."

My jaw clenched. She sounded infuriatingly coherent, not at all like someone under the influence of the sedative Philip was supposed to have administered.

Even more enraging, Robert released her and stepped back, his posture crumbling like the coward he truly was. Annie didn't run or scream as any normal person would after such an encounter. Instead, she began talking to hím about "principles" and "making the right choices."

"You have a son who needs his father to be better than this," Annie's voice was gentle but firm. "Is this the example you want to set for Max?"

The mention of my son's name from her lips made my blood boil.How dare she invoke Max? Who was she to lecture anyone about parenting when she couldn't even keep her own child?

The video became chaotic after that-shouting, the sound of a door crashing open, violent movement as the camera apparently fell to the floor.The final frames showed a blur of motion before cutting to black. "Useless!" I hissed, flinging the tablet onto the adjacent cushion.I'd invested considerable effort planning this strategy-tracking Annie's schedule. manipulating Philip, coordinating with Robert-and this pathetic excuse for a man had faltered at the crucial moment!

I grabbed my crystal wine glass and slammed it onto the coffee table,the dark liquid sloshing dangerously close to the rim. Taking a deep breath, I forced myself to think rationally. Robert had failed me, but that didn't mean I should abandon my objective. Perhaps a more direct approach was needed.

I reached for my phone and dialed Robert's number, drumming my perfectly manicured nails against the armrest while waiting for him to answer.

"Yes?" His voice was unexpectedly calm when he finally picked up.

His casual tone ignited my fury. After his spectacular failure, he should have been apologetic, desperate for my forgiveness.

"You've completely disappointed me, Robert." I kept my voice low and controlled.though internally I was seething. "I watched the video you sent.You did absolutely nothing!"

Silence greeted me from the other end.

"I gave you a perfect opportunity toruin Annie, and you let her go." My voice trembled slightly with suppressed rage. "Do you realize how stupid that was?"

"What happened that day was complicated," Robert finally responded,his voice oddly steady. "I couldn't do what you asked."

I inhaled deeply, reining in my emotions. Losing control weulantsemy purposes now. I needed to maintain leverage.

"I'm giving you two options," I paused deliberately, letting the tension build. "Either you kidnap Howard Thompson's daughter Lucy to lure Annie, then have your way with her..."

"Or," I continued coldly, "we never speak again."

"What's the price?" Robert asked after a moment.

"If you're willing to do this for me, I'll continue our relationship."I softened my tone, adopting the seductive purr that had always worked on him before. "If you refuse, we're completely finished."

A small. satisfied smile curled my lips as I elegantly adjusted my posture,waiting for his inevitable agreement. Robert couldn't possibly refuse me-he never had. I knew him too well, understood his pathological attachment to me, knew exactly what he was willing to do for even the smallest hint of my approval.

How many times had he dropped everything at my call? How many times had he eagerly fulfilled my most casual requests? Like a well-trained dog,accustomed to my commands and craving my validation.

To maintain our connection, he would have no choice. This was the taste of power-holding the phone, I could almost feel his struggle and eventual submission through the line. I was already contemplating the next steps:once he agreed, how would I arrange the details of ths plan?

The silence stretched for several seconds before I heard him take a deep breath.

"Then..." his voice was strangely composed, "I hope you live well without me." For a moment. I thrught I'd misheard. What? Say thaagain?

I cannot hunt another woman for you." Robert enunciatedI each word clearly

This man,who had once done everything Iasked without question,was refusing me? Impossible.

"Robert!" I clenched my teeth. digging my nails into the sofa cushion."Your family is bankrupt! You don't have a penny to your name.My willingness to maintain contact with you is a favor! Don't be ungrateful!"

"Don't waste any more time doing me favors. It's better for you this way too." His voice carried a finality I'd never heard before.

"You useless thing!" I nearly screamed, losing my carefully maintained composure. "You can't even do this one small thing,Robert..."

Before I could continue berating him, the line went dead. He had hung up on me!

I stared at the phone screen in disbelief before hurling it violently at the floor. The device shattered instantly, components scattering across my imported marble tiles.

I collapsed back onto the sofa, my eyes fixed on the broken pieces of my phone,my chest heaving with fury.

Philip had money, and I'd pursued him for his wealth, so his eventual dismissal was somewhat understandable. Howard's position was untouchable, making his disregard predictable. But Robert? He had once loved me so completely, had done anything for me! Now he dared to refuse me too? What right did he have? This can't be it. I was losing control. Not just of my plans, but of the men I'd once manipulated with such ease. It was intolerable.

I stood up abruptly, pacing the length of my living room. If Robert wouldn'

t help me, who would? There had to be someone else I could use.