Scarred Seductress

The First Assignment

Selene sighed quietly and stepped out of the car, her gaze lifting to the skyscraper before her—one of Marina’s malls. She had asked to meet Selene there.

“This way, ma’am…” a staff member approached, leading the way inside, with Selene following behind her.

“You’re just right on time, ma’am… Mrs Marina just arrived.”

Selene faked a smile at that and said nothing.

“This way,” the woman mouthed as she proceeded into an elevator, motioning for Selene to follow.

Selene followed quietly, and soon the chime sounded, the doors sliding open to reveal the cool air of the top floor—open and vast. Marina was poised on a throne-like sofa some meters ahead, her three friends surprisingly with her.

Vivienne scoffed as Selene walked closer, her gaze lowered.

“Why is she here…” Lydia snapped, her face twisting with disgust. Kate shook her head, tearing her eyes away without concern.

“Ma’am…” Selene greeted, directing it at Marina.

Marina smiled proudly.

“We don’t want her here, Marina… ask her to leave,” Lydia sneered with a scoff.

Marina chuckled.

“Relax, girls… she means no harm. I mean, aren’t pets allowed in my building?”

Vivienne’s eyes snapped to Selene, her brow arching, then shifted back to Marina.

“Yes, Vivienne… your new little interest is my lapdog now. You thought you’d found someone who shares the hate you have for me.”

Vivienne bit down on her lower lip and said nothing.

Marina rolled her eyes.

“I don’t know why you ladies even try… no matter what stunt you pull next, I’ll still be the one with the upper hand.” She bragged, glared daggers at Selene, then rolled her eyes again.

“I always tell them this…” Lydia cheered.

Kate rolled her eyes while Vivienne smiled this time.

“Thank you, Lydia…” Marina cooed, flipping her long hair over her shoulder proudly.

Vivienne shook her head, cleared her throat, and dragged the ladies’ attention to her—everyone except Selene.

“You know, it’s crazy how… as the president of the parents’ board, you’ve never for one day spoken about the death that occurred the other night at the hotel.”

Marina’s eyes snapped wide, fear shooting through her spine at the sound of that.

Selene looked up, meeting the slow smile stretching Vivienne’s lips.

“The poor woman died such a tragic death that night, and for some reason, the police happened to have questioned each and every one of us—but you, Marina…”

Marina forced out a dry chuckle, her restless eyes snapping to Selene quickly.

“She… she was there that night. If you’re so certain about questioning everyone, then tell me why they skipped her too.” Marina fired.

Selene tucked her gaze away and bit down hard on her lower lip. She could tell what Marina was trying to do.

Vivienne shook her head slowly and refused to push further, shrugging instead.

“But it’s suspicious if you think about it…” Kate added, urging the conversation on. Marina swallowed hard.

“Someone was pushed off the balcony the same night she suggested we change our president… don’t you think it’s quite—”

“Are you saying I did it?” Marina snapped, breathless.

Kate laughed and shook her head.

“Of course not, Marina…” she chuckled, turning her eyes to the open view of the city ahead, ignoring Marina as she fumed.

Vivienne scoffed.

“No one’s accusing you of anything, Marina… it’s just suspicious, and—”

“So you’re saying I might have had a hand in it?” Marina demanded, breathless.

Vivienne shrugged.

“I mean, for a woman who once destroyed her sister’s life just so she could take her place… crime is certainly nothing new to you.”

Marina froze.

So did Selene, her eyes darting between Marina and Vivienne. How did they know about that? Marina would never tell anyone—she had wiped out every witness. So how did Vivienne know?

“What… what did you say?” Marina stammered, blinking rapidly.

Vivienne scoffed and pushed herself to her feet, picking up her purse from the table.

“Please don’t come for me, Marina… I mean, you said it yourself.”

Marina’s eyes widened even more.

“What are you talking about—”

“Yes, Marina… you were drunk once after Damien ignored your anniversary and told us everything—how you had taken Samantha’s place, and that she was your sister.”

Selene swallowed hard.

“See…” Vivienne mouthed, rolling her eyes. Without another word, she catwalked past them.

“Wait up, girl…” Kate called out, rising and scurrying after Vivienne.

“I’m sorry, Marina, but I have to leave too,” Lydia muttered as she stood, packed her things, and disappeared from sight.

Marina’s eyes settled on Selene, her blood boiling with so much fury she desperately needed someone to unleash it on.

“Shut up!” Marina screamed, losing her mind as she shoved the table before her, its contents crashing to the ground.

Selene said nothing.

“I want them dead… I want them dead, I want them dead.” Marina whimpered, crumbling into her palms, her fingers clawing through her hair.

Selene stood silently.

Marina drew in a deep breath to calm herself and looked up.

“It’s clear they’ve never been on my side,” she scoffed.

Selene said nothing.

“What they feel for me runs deeper than hatred.” Marina snarled, grinding her teeth as her body shook with rage. No doubt Vivienne was the one behind the Laura girl from the resort—and this time, she was going to make her pay.

“Well, watch me, Vivienne… watch me burn your life to the ground.” She snarled, chuckling evilly.

Her eyes drifted to Selene standing before her.

“Well, here’s your first assignment,” Marina said, and Selene swallowed hard, her pulse spiking.

From the look on Marina’s face, she knew exactly what this was. Marina was about to destroy her friends while wielding Selene as the blade—so she would go untouched.

“Fail this…” Marina leaned forward, her voice deadly calm,

“and you’re dead.”