Chapter 23 A Game of Leverage
Chapter 23 A Game of Leverage
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Byron Keller was notorious for his obsession with motorcycles. He’d built a well–known riding club and was its undisputed leader.
In the original story, Sabrina went shopping for a bike and happened to set her sights on one Byron had already reserved.
One of Byron’s crew had gone to pick it up and, seeing Sabrina there, mocked her outright–claiming a woman like her couldn’t possibly know a thing about motorcycles.
Naturally, Sabrina wasn’t about to let that slide. She challenged him to a race: if she won, he’d have to slap himself in the face and apologize in front of everyone.
And of course, he lost. Badly. The self–inflicted slap echoed loud enough for the whole shop to hear.
Embarrassed and humiliated, the man went straight to Byron to tell him the story.
That’s when Byron’s interest in Sabrina began. One race led to another, and soon they were meeting on the track themselves.
Even Byron, with all his skill, ended up losing to the story’s heroine.
He’d never met a woman like her before–confident, fearless, and entirely his type.
From that day on, he was hooked, becoming one of her many admirers..
In stories like this, a leading lady always came with an entourage of admirers.
With Byron’s backing, Sabrina built a friendly alliance with the Kellers, adding their influence to her growing network of power.
But Alisa? She had no intention of letting that storyline play out.
She planned to shut down every path Sabrina could take.
Copies of certain damning photographs were sent to both Martin and Laurel.
The two were respected figures, with decades of business influence,
Neither would stomach a scandal that could destroy their reputations.
If those photos went public, they’d become the city’s biggest laughingstock.
When Laurel saw them, she panicked immediately, calling Martin to discuss what to do.
At home, Pamela had never seen her mother–in–law lose her composure like this.
Pamela had married into the family for two decades; she consistently observed Laurel as poised and in control.
Now, watching her rattled expression, Pamela instantly recognized Alisa’s handiwork.
While Laurel was upstairs on the phone, Pamela lingered outside the door with a cup of tea, quietly eavesdropping.
A sly smile crept over her face. So, the witch finally got a taste of her medicine.
The thought alone was enough to brighten her day–even losing money at poker later couldn’t spoil her mood.
After some discussion, Laurel and Martin decided to arrange a meeting with the photographer, assuming this was about blackmail for cash.
For people like them, money was a small price for making problems disappear.
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3:20 PM P.
Chapter 23 A Game of Leverage
When Ricky relayed the news to Alisa, she agreed to the meeting.
“Where should we meet, Ms. Alisa? I’ll make the arrangements,” he said.
“The Green Estate,” she replied casually.
Ricky paused. “Really?”
She chose the most provocative place possible, without a hint of subtlety.
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“If we’re negotiating terms, it should be somewhere comfortable,” Alisa said with a faint smile. “Meeting in some café just feels
lacking. Besides, if I show up at their house, I’m still a guest, aren’t I?
“Tell them I’ll appear in person. I want to give them a little surprise.”
Surprise? Ricky thought.
That’s going to feel more like a shock.
Still, he nodded helplessly. “Understood.”
Since the upper hand was firmly in Alisa’s control, she took her time, keeping Martin and Laurel waiting.
Until one day, Alisa accompanied Vania to the Green Estate for tea.
Laurel had been under the weather for the past few days and wasn’t seeing visitors. But she and Vania had been friends for years, and when Vania asked to stop by, Laurel didn’t refuse.
Alisa accompanied Vania to the Green Estate. After they stepped out of the car, they strolled arm in arm down the stone path of the front garden, looking every bit the picture of closeness.
“Laurel’s been sick,” Vania murmured. “Be sure to turn on the charm when you talk to her.”
“Alright,” Alisa said, her smile reaching her eyes..
Then Vania lowered her voice. “She’s always been healthy–why, just last year she joined a mountain hike. I don’t know what’s gotten into her lately. I suppose when you’re older, your health just starts to slip. As for me, well, I don’t know how many years I’ve got left.”
Sick? Alisa almost laughed.
There’s no sudden illness–only a sudden shock.
And I know exactly what had caused it.
“Grandma,” she said warmly, “you’ve got nothing to worry about. You’ll live to a hundred if you keep going like this. Don’t compare yourself to her.”
Vania patted her hand. “Maybe so. Still, no one escapes the aches and frailties of age.”
The butler was already waiting at the door. When he saw them approach, he stepped forward quickly.
“Mrs. Roffe and Ms. Alisa–welcome. Mrs. Green has been expecting you. Please, come inside.”
They followed him into the sitting room, where Laurel sat on the sofa, dressed simply but with her usual elegance.
Seeing them, her well–preserved face brightened with a smile. “Vania, you’re here! Come, sit down.”
