Elena wondered how long Janice would stay besotted when she found out he’d been cleaned out of almost all his money. It didn’t matter to her anymore. Her attention was on something far more gratifying. She was no longer linked to that man. Her divorce was final. And now everyone knew. This morning, Richard had announced the divorce along with his engagement to Janice.
It should have been humiliating for her, but it was unsettling to realise how little she cared.
And, disturbing as the past events had been, this was a new chapter for her. She was free. She could now focus on other things, better things. Such as the former assistant who would be meeting her soon for their third scheduled ball together.
She peered out at the city, as Sydney’s streets flashed by. The night was still warm, but then it was summer in Sydney in December. Elena was glad she’d left the shoulder wrap behind. Besides, she’d been warm all day, just thinking about the evening ahead.
She was exiting her chauffeured car and adjusting her clutch, just as another vehicle pulled up behind her.
“Elena!”
She glanced up, her pulse picking up as she recognised the voice, and found her eyes settling on the most glorious sight she’d seen in months.
“Madeleine.” She was surprised her voice sounded as steady as it did. It took everything she had not to step inside Madeleine’s space and slide her lips across her jaw.
“Elena! Oh my God, you look gorgeous!” Madeleine’s gaze was roving across her strapless, emerald Vera Wang gown as though she was ready to divest her of it on the spot.
Madeleine was adorned in a black, form-fitting sheath—a beautiful, classic cut. A rather familiar one at that. Perry. She’d know his fashion fingerprints anywhere. The effect was superb. She wore a magnificent bracelet—a Tiffany’s birthday item she’d risked to global post. Madeleine was a vision.
Elena leaned forward to give her an air kiss, but she couldn’t stop herself and her lips lingered. Finally, conscious that they were in public, she stepped back and studied her. Although tired around the eyes, Madeleine seemed to glow. The admiring way she looked at Elena vastly improved her mood.
“You are a sight. Divine bracelet.” Elena tapped it approvingly, then let her finger pause on the wrist. “Such fine taste.”
As Madeleine smiled, Elena’s heart clenched at how much she’d missed that open, engaging expression.
Madeleine brushed her fingers over the bracelet. “I love it. God, it was the most impractical gift to have out there, and you were insane to send it, like, mad as a cut snake insane, but I adored having it. It was like a piece of you was with me at all times.”
Elena warmed inside. “As it was intended.” She glanced around. “Now, I should warn you—the media has, as of today, thrown up a new theory that Richard was one of the villains in your Vanity Fair piece. I may get grilled by a few vultures of the press on the way in tonight.”
“Well, you could just tell them it was you who leaked his name.” Madeleine gave her a knowing look.
Elena froze.
“Oh come on, Elena, of course it was you. I knew you wouldn’t let him get away with it when you punished everyone else except him.”
Elena shook her head faintly. “I do enjoy your vivid imagination. And I’m glad you’re on my side.”
Madeleine laughed. “You are hilarious. I don’t think people get that about you, do they?”
Elena smiled, slid her hand down to Madeleine’s, and gave it a quick squeeze. “Only the smart ones.”
* * *
The evening had been acceptable. Elena had done her usual meet and greets among the Australian media world, finding it all the better for the company at her side. Her eye would sometimes be caught by the dazzle of a bracelet, the sweep of a supple neck, or the flash of cropped titian hair, accompanied by a genuine laugh. Sometimes, green eyes would connect with hers, and the promise burning within them made Elena forget her train of thought.
Madeleine reappeared beside her and said in a soft voice, “Your assistant says your neighbours are complaining the paparazzi are blocking your street out the front of your home tonight, looking for a comment on the Richard story. She thought I should warn you.”
Elena pursed her lips. “The media are certainly persistent. I was trailed all over town today.”
“Is this the reason you held off naming Richard for so long? You knew they’d hassle you too? If so, why put his name out there at all?”
“I held off because I wished to be divorced from him first. And once we were, I named him because I had the power, the means, and the ethical duty to do so.”
“Then why keep your role in his outing a secret?”
“Haven’t you heard? The tiger shark is fierce, ruthless, and vicious. She is never weak.”
“And you can’t be seen to show compassion,” Madeleine said, comprehension dawning in her eyes. “Wow. That’s awful.”
“It was necessary. I have a reputation. It’s useful at times.”
“But now people might think you helped him cover it up. That you were complicit.”
“They already do. The smart ones will work out the timing of the divorce and his shaming. But people always assume the worst. There’s been speculation about my knowledge of his crimes that even my lawyers can’t silence.”
“So you’re basically stuck being the villain?”
“It will only enhance the fear people have of me. People do enjoy a good villain. I accomplish more when people fear me.”
“But I know the truth.”
Elena regarded her. “The people I care about generally do.”
Madeleine’s face creased into a soft look.
“You have to stop looking at me like that. It’s not good for my reputation at all.”
“You’re right.” Madeleine straightened. She played with her bracelet, fingering its band, then twirling it left, then right. “So the big question is with Richard right out of the picture, does that mean you’re available for…other opportunities?” She bit her lip.
