Page 50 of Poison Vows

“Well, in a way, yes.”

“That’s pretty vague.”

“Aren’t you from Westbrook Blues? You should know some of the families already.”

I was right!

“I recently heard the King family and the illustrious Beaumonts are now joined by marriage,” Scar continues. “The Montreal family is going up in the leagues by having their adopted son marry the daughter of the McLaren family. The strategy was immaculate! I didn’t think they’d pull it off. Go Christine Montreal! Now, she’s one hell of a remarkable woman making waves in male-dominated fields!”

I reel back with shock.

She’s obviously talking about Noah and Kimberly. They’re getting married soon yes.

The truth about Noah’s adoption and Kim’s true (and impressive) family background all came to light recently.

“Hold up… are you saying their marriage is a strategy?” I demand. “I know them both. No one’s attraction sizzles the way theirs do. Hell, they’re so in love with each other, it’s almost annoying for us single girlies. It has nothing to do with whatever strategies you’re talking about!”

Scarlet suddenly looks at me like I’m naïve and foolish.

“It’s good if they’re in love with each other, of course, but even if they hated each other, they’d still need to join together in marriage if the Montreals want a seat at the table like how the Kings did with the Beaumonts! Now they won!”

“WHAT?” I screech, almost falling out of my chair. “What do you mean the Kings?”

Alex King is a fool for Astraea! He’s been in love with her our whole lives, so much so that he’s been through some wild messes for her and her for him.

“I hate to break your gilded cage but, babes, nothing is as it seems. When it comes to power, question everything,” Scar says seriously. “How else do families like ours retain their wealth, power, and long standing? Through marriages, of course!”

A jolt of electricity powers through me, leaving my skin littered with goosebumps at this revelation.

“Following that logic then,” I murmur, my head abuzz with this onslaught of upsetting news. “Emmett is set to marry someone prominent then?”

It makes sense. He got rid of me effectively enough.

“Hmm, my cousin was supposed to marry the Beaumont heiress a few years ago, but he failed and was punished so bad…” Scar’s voice dops to a low tone, her facial features now drowned in depression.

“Emmett was punished?”

Scar looks up at me, a faraway look in her eyes. “We all have a story, some more horrific and appalling than others, butmy cousin… he’s been through way more than he should’ve at a young age. Our grandfather isnota regular, doting old man.”

A chilling chill drips down my spine as old memories I buried away resurface in my head.

I fight hard not to react in any way to that, choosing to be blasé. My pretense has saved my life a lot.

“Yeah, I’ve sort of kind of met him.”

“You’ve met him?!” she demands, looking twenty shades of shocked. “When?”

“A few days ago. It was all so sudden and very weird…” I trail off, not knowing what to say since Scarlet is still looking at me in shock.

“Hold on! You’re the deciding factor!”

“The what now?”

“I was right! There’s something unique about you or else grandfather would never make you pick the next head of the Family!”

The look on Scar’s face is both awed, curious, and gleeful.

“OMG, this is great! It means my cousin’s got this in the bag!” If she wasn’t contouring my face, she would be jumping around in place with joy. “That genius!”

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