Elayne stood by the open door of the SUV, shivering in the morning air.
Cornell stepped forward. "I will ensure the child is transferred to a private room and attended to, Miss Baxter. Go."
He gave her a look. It wasn't malicious. It was a warning. Go before he loses his temper.
Elayne got in.
The ride back to the Baxter house was silent. Gunnar typed furiously on his phone.
When they arrived, the street was blocked. Not by police, but by delivery trucks.
Dozens of them. Men were carrying boxes wrapped in silver paper into the house.
"What is this?" Elayne asked.
"The engagement gifts," Gunnar said, not looking up. "Part of the deal. Jewelry, couture, assets to stabilize your family's image."
They walked in.
Meredith was in the hallway, ripping open a box. She pulled out a diamond necklace that caught the light like fire.
"Oh my god," Meredith gasped. She saw Cornell. "Is this... is this for the Baxter girl?"
Cornell paused. He looked at Elayne, standing in the shadow of the doorframe. Then he looked at Meredith's greedy face.
"Yes," Cornell said. "For the future Mrs. Kirk."
Meredith screamed. "Tiffany! Tiffany, wake up!"
Tiffany, Elayne's stepsister, came running down the stairs in a silk robe. She saw the diamonds.
"He sent them!" Tiffany shrieked. "I knew it! I said on my stream last night that a mystery billionaire was watching me!"
Meredith grabbed Tiffany's shoulders. "He wants to marry you, baby! Look at this!"
Elayne stepped forward to speak, to correct them.
Cornell caught her arm. His grip was firm.
"Let them," Cornell whispered. "A lightning rod is most useful when it draws the strike away from the real target. Let Tiffany play the princess. It keeps you out of the line of fire."
Elayne looked at him, shocked. "Why?"
"Mr. Kirk doesn't care who signs the papers, as long as the name is Baxter," Cornell said. "And if they are distracted... you have leverage."
Elayne looked at Tiffany, who was trying to shove her wrist into a diamond bracelet that was too small. She looked at Meredith, who was already calculating the pawn value.
A plan formed in Elayne's mind. A way out.
If Tiffany thought she was the bride... Elayne could disappear. She could take her son and run while they were distracted by the wedding circus.
Elayne stepped back into the shadows.
"Yes," Elayne said softly. "Congratulations, Tiffany."
Tiffany looked at her with a sneer. "I told you, Elayne. You're just the help. Gunnar Kirk wants a real woman."
Tiffany held up a dress-a size 2 Chanel. "I'll fit into this by the wedding," she declared, sucking in her stomach.
Elayne watched the farce. "I'm sure you will, Tiff."
Gunnar had already gone to the study to take a call. He hadn't witnessed the mix-up.
Elayne smiled. It was a cold, sharp smile.
Enjoy the diamonds, Tiffany, she thought. You're just fattening yourself up for the slaughter.
