Chapter 16 The Card Up Her Sleeve
Chapter 16 The Card Up Her Sleeve
From her seat in the back, Alisa sipped her tea and quietly studied the two women across the table.
+5 Free Coins
Sabrina had clearly come prepared. At first, Pamela had been cool toward her, but under Sabrina’s smooth, honeyed words, the older woman began to waver.
She was just about to agree to let Sabrina give her a needle therapy when-
Alisa arrived uninvited, pulling out a chair and sitting down as if she owned the place.
The moment Sabrina saw her, her brows knit sharply, a flicker of open dislike crossing her face.
Alisa ignored her entirely. She smiled warmly at Pamela. “Hi Pamela, do you remember me?”
Pamela blinked in surprise at the unexpected interruption. Of course she remembered Alisa; she had seen her not long ago at Cordelia’s wedding.
That day, she’d been one of many spectators to the drama that unfolded.
Truth be told, half the city’s high society had learned the names Alisa and Sabrina at that wedding.
“Well now,” Pamela said with a polite chuckle, “if it isn’t the youngest of the Roffes. What brings you here?”
“I’m glad you remember me,” Alisa replied, still smiling. “I’d have hated to give you a full introduction.”
Sabrina didn’t want to sit at the same table with Alisa; she’d had more than enough of Alisa already.
She turned back to Pamela quickly, trying to move things along. “Let’s go upstairs. I’ll do your treatment–you’ll feel a real difference in five sessions or less, I promise.”
Pamela nodded. “You’re right, I don’t have much time. I’ve got a card game later.”
She glanced at Alisa. “We’ll catch up next time, dear.”
It wasn’t unusual for Pamela to treat Alisa so warmly; the Roffes and the Greens had done business for decades, and there was no shortage of polite familiarity between them..
But Alisa wasn’t in the mood to be dismissed.
She leaned back, crossing one leg over the other. Slowly, she called out to Pamela, “Wait a moment. Don’t you know that Sabrina recently crashed my cousin’s wedding?”
Pamela froze, clearly not expecting that. “Alisa, dear, that’s between your families. It has nothing to do with me.”
Her meaning was plain; she had no interest in taking sides in a Roffes–Nelsons feud. She wanted no trouble with either.
That, however, meant she could be swayed toward Sabrina–and Alisa had no intention of letting that happen.
Sabrina’s voice sharpened. “Alisa, what are you trying to do?”
Alisa didn’t answer her. Instead, she reached into her bag, drew out a folder, and set it before Pamela. “Why don’t you have a look at this and then tell me if it concerns you?”
Pamela frowned. “What is this?”
“You’ll know once you’ve read it.”
Sabrina’s curiosity got the better of her; she glanced toward the folder, wondering what game Alisa was playing.
Alisa blew gently at her tea and reminded slowly, “Just a word of advice–best not to let anyone else see it.”
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Chapter 16 The Card Up Her Sleeve
Pamela hesitated, then hugged the file closer to her chest and shot Sabrina a
Sabrina took the hint and stepped aside.
quick look.
+5 Free Coins
Pamela opened the folder. She hadn’t truly believed Alisa would have anything worth showing–perhaps it was just theatrics.
But as she drew out the sheets inside and her eyes fell on the contents, her expression shifted from mild skepticism to wide- eyed shock.
Her composure broke entirely. She shoved the papers back into the folder and stared at Alisa. “Where on earth did you get this?”
Alisa had been expecting that reaction. She remained perfectly calm, taking another sip of tea. “Now, do you still think this feud had nothing to do with you?“,
Pamela paused for a moment–and then she understood.
Sabrina, sensing the tide turning, took a step forward. “Mrs. Green, we’ve wasted enough time. Why don’t we-”
Shut up!” Pamela snapped, her voice ringing through the tea room.
Sabrina froze, stunned.
Just then, a small group appeared at the entrance–Pamela’s friends for her card game.
But Pamela didn’t so much as glance at them. She crossed the room toward Alisa, took her gently by the arm, and spoke in a low,
urgent voice.
“Come upstairs with me, dear. We’ll talk in private.”
Alisa met her eyes with a faint smile and smoothly withdrew her arm.
Then she turned that same look–a victor’s look–on Sabrina.
Sabrina’s hands tightened into fists under the table. She hated losing ground, but there was nothing she could do.
She had no idea what Alisa had shown Pamela, only that it had worked instantly.
Upstairs, Alisa took a window seat, her tea in hand, her gaze drifting out over the street below.
She knew Sabrina hadn’t left yet. That one never gave up so easily.
Pamela kept her voice low, almost wary. “Alisa who gave you that information?”
“No one,” Alisa said lazily. “I found it myself.”
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