Gina descended the grand staircase with the grace of a queen approaching the guillotine.
In the main living room, Elberta sat on the brocade sofa. But she wasn't alone.
Sitting next to her, pouring tea, was a young woman with platinum blonde hair and a dress that was too tight for a Tuesday afternoon.
Delisa Park. Hansford's mistress.
Elberta slammed her teacup down. "You fired Higgins! Who gave you the right?"
Gina walked over and sat on the opposite sofa. She crossed her legs. "She was a criminal, Mother. I saved the family from a lawsuit."
Elberta sputtered. "Nonsense! Well, since we are short-staffed, Delisa here has graciously offered to stay in the main house and assist Hansford with his... late-night campaign work."
It was a slap in the face. A mistress living under the same roof.
Delisa smirked at Gina. "I hope I won't be in your way, Mrs. Burris. I know you need your rest."
Gina didn't get angry. She smiled. It was a bright, terrifying smile.
She reached out to Vesper, who handed her a blue folder.
"That's lovely, Delisa," Gina said. She opened the folder. "However, according to the Prenuptial Agreement between Hansford and myself, specifically Clause 14, Section B of the revised agreement-the one Hansford signed last year when he needed my family's trust to bail out his 'charity' foundation: 'The cohabitation of any non-familial female in the primary residence for more than three consecutive nights constitutes Malicious Emotional Infliction.'"
Elberta froze. She knew the original contract. But she had forgotten the addendum she'd dismissed as a desperate wife's foolishness.
"This clause," Gina continued, tapping the paper, "triggers the 'At-Fault Divorce' provision. If Delisa stays, I file for divorce tomorrow. And I take 50% of Hansford's voting shares in the Burris Group."
The room went dead silent.
Elberta loved money more than she hated Gina. Her eyes darted between the girl and the document.
"You wouldn't dare," Elberta whispered.
"Try me," Gina said. "Imagine the headlines. 'Senator Burris Loses Family Fortune to Mistress Scandal.'"
Elberta turned on Delisa with the speed of a viper. "Get out."
Delisa's jaw dropped. "What? But Hansford said..."
"I said get out!" Elberta shrieked. "Go to a hotel! You are not staying here!"
Delisa stood up, her face flushed with humiliation. She grabbed her purse and stomped toward the door. As she passed Gina, she hissed, "You think you've won?"
Gina leaned in, sniffing the air. "Your perfume is cheap, Delisa. Hansford hates vanilla. He'll get bored of you in a month."
Delisa gasped and fled the room.
Elberta was shaking with rage. "You are a snake, Gina. You think you can control this house?"
"I'm just looking out for the family assets, Mother," Gina said soothingly. She stood up and walked to the tea service. "Here, let me pour you a fresh cup. You look flushed."
Gina turned her back to Elberta. With a practiced flick of her wrist, she uncorked the vial in her sleeve and let three drops of the caffeine concentrate fall into Elberta's Earl Grey.
She turned back, her face a mask of dutiful concern.
"Drink this," Gina said, handing over the porcelain cup. "It will settle your nerves."
Elberta snatched the cup, glaring at her. She took a long, angry sip.
Gina watched the liquid disappear. Checkmate.
