Page 53 of My Ex-Fiance's Best Men
I give her a wry smile. “The guys said they’re behind me on this, one-hundred percent. And the lawyers they have on their payroll are veritable hawks.”
“Good. You need to bring the full artillery into this war. And, might I add, I love what they’re doing on social media. Influencing the public opinion,” Penny chuckles. “Excellent preemptive tactic, because everything Crystal or your mom says online will eventually be used against them in court.”
“Do you think they have a shot?”
“At what?”
“At stripping me of my inheritance.”
Penny thinks about it for a moment, lowering her gaze. “As far as the law goes, not really. But if there’s some sort of moral clause embedded in the will that could be skewed or interpreted to suit their narrative, they might have a shot. It doesn’t mean they’ll win. No way we’re letting that happen. The Coates brothers and Theo certainly won’t allow it, and neither will I.”
“I like the faith you have in them,” I reply with a soft smile.
She gives me a curious look. “Don’t youhave faith in them?”
“Oh, I do, absolutely. But I know better than to underestimate my own mother. As it turns out, she’s more than ready to throw me to the wolves if it makes her richer, or if it gives her more power over my father’s company.”
“Shit,” Penny hisses, staring persistently somewhere to our right.
I follow her gaze and see them coming. “Shit,” I echo.
Like mismatched twins out of a porcelain Barbie factory, Crystal and Georgina make their way through the swelling crowd of sparkling guests, their hips swaying in perfect sync as they smile at us. The two women walk like they own the place, commanding everybody’s attention. They act as if everyone should be worshipping at their glimmering feet, wrapped in strappy, nude sandals with diamond inserts and perfectly pedicured toes. I feel nothing but anger when I look at them, a fire burning within me, brighter with every step they take in my direction.
“We’re going to need more alcohol for this,” Theo says as he steps closer and slips his arm around my waist to keep me glued to his side.
Dominic and August stand tall with Todd beside them, while Penny takes a deep breath and puts on a polite smile, as any self-respecting host should do.
“Ladies,” she greets Georgina and Crystal as they reach us. “Glad you could make it. You both look stunning.”
“Thank you,” Crystal replies with a fake smile, then looks at me long enough to let that familiar dread seep into my bones. “And thank you for having us. It’s quite the party you’ve managed to put together.”
“It doesn’t compare to the Met just yet, but you’re getting closer,” Georgina adds with a cool fake smile.
“Agree to disagree,” Dominic fires the first shot. “Why are you here, anyway? Didn’t peg either of you for the charity type.”
“It’s a society event, and we’re part of the society,” Georgina replies, then gives me a frown. “I’m surprised to see you, though, Phoebe.”
“Why wouldn’t she be here?” Penny shoots back.
Crystal sighs and turns her sights on me. “We just figured you’d crawled back into a hole after the weeks’ worth of embarrassment you’ve caused our family.”
And so it begins.
“You’re making a fool of yourself,” I say to Crystal. “Out of all the places to try and humiliate me, and you had to pick an important charity event.”
“You do a good job of humiliating yourself, honey,” my sister replies. “Screwing around with three men, shaming our family name?—”
“I’d watch your mouth if I were you,” Theo warns her.
Penny tries to step in. “Guys, gals, come on. We need to keep things civil here. If you have something personal to discuss, duke it out as far away from this building as possible,” she says, looking specifically at Crystal and Georgina. “Otherwise, enjoy the drinks, enjoy the evening, and get the hell out of my sight.”
“Figured you’d pick her side, Penelope,” Crystal says, crossing her arms. “You clearly don’t understand what’s at stake.”
“What’s at stake is that you and Mom are trying to strip me of my rightful inheritance,” I say, determined to hold my own in front of them. “On top of that, you’re accosting me at a public event, harassing me. How’s that going to work out for you in court, with all these witnesses?”
“What witnesses?” Crystal laughs. “Your fuckboys, your chief ass-kisser and her boy-toy?”
“Hey, why the drive by?” Todd mutters, looking downright hurt. He’s not a long-term option for Penny, that much is obvious. But he’s been nice and decent so far. He certainly doesn’t deserve to get caught in the crossfire.
