Rose Is Back With Thorns

chapter twenty nine

She was back.

Legacy distillers was unusually quiet and everyone seemed to be walking on glass edges. There was the once in a while murmuring but no one dared to speak out loud. The tension was tangible and she was loving every passing moment of it.

For a while there, she'd entertained thoughts of letting everything go. Forgiving and forgetting. But this wasn't about her anymore, this was about her precious mother. The woman who'd killed herself because of him. A dang Sylvester. Rose Mayor was about to take pleasure in destroying all of them.

The PI's voice was like an ambience, too far away. She wasn't listening to things she already knew. Things her throbbing heart felt dearly and she and her father had discussed over and over since a week ago when he and her brother had rescued her from Daniel Sylvester; who's punishment was just a phone call away.

"...knew. Because Daniel had claimed propitious business ideas and as a businessman, he knew your father wouldn't resist that. But it was that same night while they discussed the prospects of another deal, that your mother_"

Had been raped by Martin Washington; Daniel's close acquaintance.

She rose to her feet. "Let's leave it at that, Mr Ramsey. As usual your full payment is in your account. Thank you for your time."

Mr Ramsey, a grey-haired, late fifties man, nodded and retrieved his briefcase from the floor, beside him. Standing up, he outstretched his hand and she shook it. "Pleasure, Miss Mayor. Always at your service. My regards to Archibald. He's been too quiet, that one."

A smile that never reached her eyes curled on her lips. "I will deliver your regards, thank you again."

As soon as PI walked out, Gabrielle sauntered in with a sombre expression. "They are here." She announced sorely.

Rose nodded once and followed behind her friend and secretary. Outside the office were three men who greeted her respectfully. "This way, gentlemen."

Once the ding of the elevator sounded, they stepped out with Rose leading them towards what looked like executive offices. They finally halted outside one with bold inscriptions; R. H. Sylvester, on the door post. A stoic Rose lurched the door and led them in. "Gentlemen, Rebecca Hampton Sylvester."

She'd been on the phone and her glower reflected her annoyance for the rude interruption. "Alright!" She beamed, replacing the receiver. "To what do I owe her majesty's visit?" She mocked.

A gentleman stepped forward. "Detective Robins," he flashed her a budge. "And my colleagues. You are under arrest for embezzlement. You have the right to remain silent..." as the Miranda rights were said by the detective, Rose shot one more glare at a befuddled and fuming Rebecca before walking out. They would all pay.

"Are you sure about this?" Gabrielle's worried voice was heard as she rushed to keep up with Rose. She'd stayed outside while the arrest was being made.

Without sparing her a glance, Rose continued outside the company. "They have to pay. All of them."

Her friend just nodded in understanding as Tobias, the chauffeur held open the SUV's door for them. "Ma'am?" Tobias asked once the ladies were in the backseat and he settled on the driver's seat.

Staring outside the tinted window, she spoke authoritatively. "Sylvester Meadows."

***

She was a cream skirt suit, silver necklace and black stilettos. Her brown hair was trapped in a dramatic bun atop her head. Thin, red lips were pursed, displaying displeasure at the unannounced visit. Maureen Sylvester was elegant to say the least. Begrudgingly, she gestured at a white couch and her unwelcome guest settled there comfortably like she was entitled to be there. Maureen studied her.

The woman remained stoic. Maureen couldn't read anything on her expression. It was both frightening and surprising to have her sitting in her living room. Her maroon, pencil dress captured her feminine curves tightly, yet pleasingly. The glimmer of her gold earrings and necklace screamed extravagance. The strap heels only as high as a young woman her age could manage. The wavy, black hair fell like a halo behind her. She was pleasant, a sight. Nothing like the skittish, primitive maid she was, ten years ago.

"Do you want to stare all day? I will then appreciate moving to a more comfortable couch." She said boldly. The meek maid was truly nonexistent.

The host turned towards a middle-aged, uniformed woman a feet from them. "Carla, refreshments please."

"Uh-uh." Was the visitor's declination. Her eyes inspected Carla before averting to Maureen. "We both know what happened to me the last time you served me refreshments."

Rose cocked her head to the side and rose a quirky, shapely brow and watched with satisfaction as the self-assured mistress of the house swallow uncomfortably. She was going to love this. "Oh," creases formed on her forehead as she feigned worry. "Please forgive me. I know with old age fast approaching, your memory might_"

She was cut off. "Show some respect, Rose!"

"Shut your mouth, Carla." Smirking, she continued. "When a fly luckily finds habitation in a palace, it's inclined to think itself royalty." She outstretched her arm and inspected her bejewelled middle finger. With mock sadness, she taunted Carla further. "But Carla dear, it's still just but a fly." She glared at her with repugnance. "You are nothing but a fly. A filthy fly beneath my shoes."

None of the women spoke for a sickeningly silent moment. That was before Maureen intervened. "What brings you here, Rose?"

Revenge. But she wasn't about to make things that easy for the woman who murdered her baby. God, the Sylvesters were nothing but cold blooded killers. "Tell me, what exactly had you put in that juice, Carla? Orange, was it? Yes, orange. What additive was that? And was it by your own volition or..." her eyes met Maureen's. "...was there a force behind that?"

"Rose_"

She hummed feigning deep thoughts. "I've often wondered, Maureen. Was I such a striking resemblance to that woman your husband loved so, explicitly rejecting you?"

That did it. "Get out."

A rapturous laugh echoed in the vast, lavishly furnished living room. "My, was I that accurate?" She heaved dramatically. "It explains why you searched for her daughter in that orphanage to turn her into your maid? Were we so identical you derived pleasure in hurting me, thinking it was her? The dead woman whose skeleton your husband can't seem detach himself?"

Maureen saw red. Her hands clenched in tight fists. "Get. Out. Now."

She took her sweet time to stand up, flatten the creases on her dress and etching a dazzling smile on her beautiful face, knowing well what that did to her. Father had sworn she smiled exactly like mother. "Well, I just felt obliged to come tell you that your golden family name might be looking at major ruination and your distillery's reputation a rather incorrigible tarnishing."

Her tone was frosty but Rose didn't miss the fear there. Maureen Sylvester cared for a spotless reputation than she did her life. "What did you do?"

Rose scoffed. "Me?" She rolled her eyes. "Your Becca dear, might be more versed on this imminent scandal. Well, that's if you have the nerve to visit her in dirty cells with the watchful eyes of the media on you."

She made to walk away but stopped abruptly. "I might be inclined to remedy the issue since I'm not such a bad person."

The hopeful glint in her eyes betrayed her mustered, dismissive tone. "We are not a charity case."

"Of course, Maureen dear. I just thought you should know. I'm just a wall away." With a blinding smile, she sashayed away.

***
A/N
This was so fast. I DESERVE those votes.