Page 8 of Thorns of Malice

So I hate my sister more than ever. Stealing her moment of glory gave me satisfaction, but it's only the start of what I'm about to unleash.

The elevator dings and the doors open. I motion with my hand, stating, "After you, dear sister."

She glares at me harder and struts out of the elevator, and I follow. We turn the corner, and everything I planned turns to reality.

A crowd fills the lobby, along with a small stage with a microphone and podium. Cameras flash, and too many reporters yell at us.

Avery thinks they're for her. She steps onto the stage. Her smile widens, and she puts her hands in the air. She instructs, "One at a time. I'll answer all your questions about Avery Carrington Scent's newest creation, Seducing Ivy, but please, be polite and ask one at a time." She winks.

Giddy once again, I step beside my sister and boast, "They aren't here for you."

She snaps her face toward me with a rarely seen expression on her face.

Avery always thinks she knows what's coming. It's rare she doesn't. This is the start of her demise.

I lean into her ear and mutter, "Checkmate."

She freezes, holding her breath.

I glance at the crowd and point to a reporter from the biggest news station in the country. "Tommy, what's your question?"

His cameraman turns a light on him, and another guy points a brighter one toward me.

Tommy asks, "Trademark paperwork and several patents have been filed for Hybrid Pharmaceuticals. Dax, you're listed as the CEO and 100% shareholder. Is this correct?"

I nod. "Yes."

"And the rumor on the street is one billion dollars has been transferred into the new company?"

Avery's body stiffens next to mine.

"It's a private company. I'm going to keep that in my secret vault for now," I answer, then give my sister a look to confirm it's true.

The color begins to fade from her cheeks.

I point at another reporter. "Sally, what's your question?"

A bleach-blonde woman steps forward. "Is it true you've created several breakthrough drugs to deal with the after-effects of what's known on the streets as Trance?"

I glance at Avery with more endorphins soaring through me. She grows paler. I stand taller, replying, "Yes."

"And Trance is legally called Ecliptamine, a drug Winston Pharmaceuticals created for the meat industry?"

"Yes. Danny, you're next," I say, pointing at a former Texan who works for theGlobal Times. I'm loving how this is going exactly as planned.

He drawls, "Winston Pharmaceuticals' main shareholder is Robert Winston, Jr., the father of Robert Winston, III, who most people refer to as Bobby, correct?"

Hook, line, and sinker.

I put my most somber face on. "Yes, that's correct."

"Does your interest in Trance have anything to do with Bobby's legal issues?" Danny continues.

"Can you expand on that question, please?" I ask, letting Danny play right into my hand.

He arches his eyebrows and adds, "Over the years, several lawsuits against Bobby Winston disappeared quickly after they were filed. Claims in these lawsuits all stated he used his father's drug, Ecliptamine, known on the street as a date rape drug called Trance. The women and men claimed in the initial filings they were drugged without their knowledge, and they not only did things they would never do, but they had ongoing issues controlling their sexual urges afterward."

"I can't comment on Bobby's legal issues," I state. I point to a redhead. "Karen. You're next."

---