Scarred Seductress

Red Gowns and Sharp Teeth

Next day (night)

Ava exhaled, her shaky fingers clinging to the hem of her dress as she watched Selene apply lipstick to her lips in the backseat through the rearview mirror.

“It's not too late to—”

“Don't!” Selene shut her up, tucking the lipstick back into her purse and exhaling excitedly.

“You've really got your mind set on this…” Ava muttered sadly, drawing in a deep breath as a faint smile tugged at her lips.

“Just do your job and stay out of my business, Ava,” Selene said, flipping her long hair over her shoulder as she prepared to step out.

“We're here, ma'am…” the driver announced, sliding the car into the almost full garage—different brands of exotic cars parked all over, a clear confirmation that the parents’ meeting had already begun.

The driver stepped out quietly. Ava stole Selene another worried glance.

“I'm just worried she might see through you, Selene… I mean, for a woman married to a Moretti, it's impossible she'll easily let you on her side… to her, you're already a threat.”

Selene scoffed.

“She may already have her people following you around…”

“You want to know why I let you get away with prying into my business every time?” Selene cut in, that icy, maniac look suddenly etched across her face, striking Ava into silence.

“If I didn't owe your family my life, Ava… you'd be long dead.” She added calmly, the tone of her voice sending chills down Ava’s spine as their eyes met briefly. She knew this woman too well to doubt she wasn’t joking.

“You know way too much, and I hate it…” Selene spat, scoffing with anger.

“But I'm just—”

“And also because you're the only person I trust to take care of Leo if—”

“Exactly, Selene… there's no reason on planet earth you should throw your life away, not for revenge—”

“Enough!” Selene snapped, silencing her immediately.

“You can go ahead and leave… I'll be having an appointment after the meeting, so don't wait.”

Selene pushed the door open, about to step out, when Ava blurted out,

“You can't do anything if you can't gain her trust, right?”

Selene said nothing, shaking her head as an annoyed sigh escaped her.

“Well, if you try and you can't—”

“Trust.” Selene purred and scoffed, stepping out of the car and slamming the door shut.

Who said anything about earning Marina’s trust anymore? She was Selene after all, and finding something just dirty enough to keep Marina at bay would, in no time, fall right into her lap—or she would create one herself.

She rolled her eyes and pressed a smile onto her lips, proceeding past the flashing cameras of the press clustered outside the hotel.

“Miss Selene…” her name rang out, desperate cameras panning toward her for a shot.

“You look beautiful.”

“Thank you,” she mouthed, striking a few quick poses before proceeding toward the hotel’s entrance, draped in a long, flowing red gown that clung to her waist before cascading freely down her legs, bold and unmistakable under the lights.

“This way, ma'am…” a steward approached, leading her toward the elevator with a polite smile.

“Thank you.”

In no time, the chime sounded and the doors slid open, revealing the hushed serenity of the last floor.

“This way…” he continued, leading Selene through the quiet, secluded hallway straight into the lavishly decorated hall, with almost half of the women already seated.

Selene spotted Marina—barely smiling, her eyes locked onto her phone as though she were alone, while the rest of the women chatted among themselves.

Her mind drifted briefly to hours ago, when Marina had asked her the ultimate question—whether she would be willing to even kill to prove her loyalty.

“Miss Selene?” Vivienne’s voice cut through her thoughts.

Selene flashed her a smile and walked toward the table, bowing slightly.

“I'm sorry I'm late…”

“It's not your fault,” Vivienne cut her off, her eyes darting briefly to an unbothered Marina. She shook her head. No doubt Marina had skipped inviting Selene on purpose—she was in charge of the parents’ board, after all, since the Morettis were the biggest contributors to the school.

“Thank you for inviting me…” Selene said.

Vivienne motioned her to a seat beside a restless Lydia.

“Hello…” Selene greeted.

Lydia said nothing, only rolling her eyes.

Marina finally tore her eyes away from her phone and looked up, meeting Selene’s gaze. Selene dipped her head in a small bow. Marina scoffed and looked away.

“Shall we begin now?” Marina started, drawing every woman’s attention at the table to her.

“The police are investigating the fire, and for our kids’ safety, I suggest we keep them at home for now.”

One of the women cleared her throat.

Marina ignored her. “Opinions are not welcomed,” she scoffed. “It's already settled.”

“We know everything is already decided by your family, ma'am… but can we at least get a say in the—”

“And for the damages caused by the fire, as you know, my family will take care of it,” Marina purred, cutting her off—the same woman who had cleared her throat earlier.

“That would be all.”

“I think it's only fair we all get a chance to contribute…” the woman choked out, defiant this time, drawing Marina’s eyes to her.

“It's not a meeting if we're only here to hear you speak, ma'am… our kids’ lives were at risk too.”

Vivienne chuckled and said nothing.

Selene watched Marina bite down on her lower lip, her fingers clawing at the edge of the table, clearly restraining her anger.

“In fact, I think it's about time we appointed a new leader—an open vote this time, and every woman here gets to have a say—”

“You're new,” Marina blurted, interrupting her, a dry chuckle escaping her lips as she shook her head slightly. Clearly, this woman knew nothing about her.

“Yes, I'm new, but—”

“And your child must be one of the lucky kids enlisted through the new scholarship programme?” Marina threw out casually, snapping the confidence clean off her face as every eye shifted toward her.

“I… I—”

“You're right,” Marina said, smiling through her teeth as she slowly rose to her feet.

“We'll take your suggestions into consideration, ma'am,” she added in a calm, reassuring tone.

The woman forced a chuckle, saying nothing more as Marina’s composure sent guilt spiking through her. Maybe she had misunderstood Marina for a dictator—no dictator would let an interruption slide, let alone promise to consider her suggestion.

Marina clapped her hands, and the doors swung open. An entourage of servants wheeled in several food trolleys, proceeding to set the table for a feast.

Selene hissed quietly. That was it? She had come all this way just to eat?

“Enjoy yourselves, ladies…” Marina said clearly, flashing one last smile before walking away.

“I'm so wrong…” Selene heard the sorry-looking woman mutter.

Her eyes lit up.

“I should apologise…” the woman whispered restlessly and rose to her feet, slipping away.

Selene peeled open her purse and pulled out her phone, straightening instantly as a deep sense of foreboding washed over her. Something was about to happen to that poor woman—she knew Marina too well to doubt it.

“Excuse me, ladies…”

Selene hastened her steps and slipped out of the hall, glancing down the quiet hallway for any sign of Marina or the woman.

“Where did she go…” she muttered, just about to take a step forward when a loud, piercing scream echoed through the building—followed by a heavy thud, like a body slamming against the ground.

Then came silence.

The kind that carried tragedy in the air.

“Now you don't get to have no more say, do you?” Marina’s voice sliced through the stillness—breathless, victorious.