Total pages in book: 63
Estimated words: 63289 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 316(@200wpm)___ 253(@250wpm)___ 211(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 63289 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 316(@200wpm)___ 253(@250wpm)___ 211(@300wpm)
“Correct.”
“However, she probably knew that my ignorant ass could not call her out on being Chinese, when she was Korean.”
Worry covered his face. “So, she lies to you just in case.”
“I'd been looking for an assistant all year. Everyone in the literary world knew. Hell my fans even knew. I vlogged about it sometimes.”
“The detective would have told her this in regular reports about you.”
I nodded. “And she could have just been watching me like some crazy stalker.”
He shook his head. “I hired two additional men to watch you. . .I only told them to take note of men coming in and out of your house. I wanted to see who my competition was.”
“Another weird thing.”
He ignored me. “But, I never told them to note the women that were walking in and out of your house.”
“Would they have recognized Estelle?”
“These weren't people that worked on my property. I hired out.”
“Fuck. So. . .Shi could be Estelle which means—”
“Your assistant is trying to kill you.”
I trembled. “Now, it makes sense why she would want to do it at the party—”
“In front of me.”
“To hurt you.”
“It would have destroyed me.”
I thought back to his invitation. “She solved the heart puzzle.”
He frowned. “You cheated?”
“That's not really the point of why I said that.”
“But you did cheat?”
“Can we concentrate on the fact that she is good at puzzles?”
“I can't believe you cheated. The next puzzles you will do on your own.”
I rolled my eyes. “Was Estelle good at them or not?”
“Very good. Everyone knows I love puzzles. She didn't seem interested in puzzles the first year, but once she knew I liked them, then she jumped on them.”
“It was another way to impress you.”
“Hmmm.” He gazed at the bubbles. “How long has she been working for you?”
“Less than a month. Did you know you were going to invite me to the party?”
“I did.”
“How far is this party planned out?”
“Eight to nine months.”
“Then, she knew you would invite me.” I blinked. “But, you waited until a week before the party to invite me.”
“It was nervousness. Uncertainty.”
“What if I said no?”
“You would have continued to be invited for any event I had.”
“And you think she would have just continued to be my assistant the whole time?”
“Probably, if the goal was to kill you in front of me.”
“Shit.” I swallowed. “I think it's her. What should I do?”
His frown deepened. “I wish I could appear in the limo with you.”
“Or at least I could bring the gun and question her on the way to the manor. But, it won’t come with me when I repeat a moment.”
He widened his eyes in fear. “Maya, she clearly has a gun. Do not question her on that ride.”
“How am I going to just sit next to her like everything is okay? I want to wring her damn neck.”
“Maya—”
“If it is her, then it will be hard for me to just sit next to her.” Then, my stomach twisted, and my reality began to spin.
Wait. No. Not now.
“Maya, do you feel that?”
“Yes.”
I felt like I was floating and then falling. My vision blurred. “Shit.”
“Maya. . .”
My body shook uncontrollably as I tried to reach out to Ethan, but he was no longer there.
No.
My reality shattered around me.
“Ethan!” I shut my eyes. “I. . .”
My heart pounded in my chest.
I love you.
The warm fragrant liquid left me. No longer wet, I felt the fabric of my gown against my body.
Fuck. It's getting harder and harder to leave him.
I wanted to be in his arms.
Then, M.J.'s Do You Remember the Time played around me.
Chapter 19
The Endless Reckoning
The sleek black limousine glided through the bustling city streets to the back drop of M.J. remembering the time when he fell in love.
Claire yelled over the music. “Yes. I love M.J.”
I opened my eyes.
They all danced to the music.
It's Shi. Or should I say. . .Estelle?
I turned her way as she snapped her fingers.
You fucking psycho person. I'm going to kill you.
I just had to be patient and figure out the best way to stop her.
I leaned forward and checked out the red purse. One of the moments before Estelle had asked me if I wanted some aspirin and that she had a whole pharmacy in her purse.
Yeah. You got poison and a gun in there too.
I checked the purse.
It was halfway open. Enough space for her to quickly dive her hand into it and pull out the gun.
I needed to get that purse away from Estelle. Once I did, I could confront her.
I curved my lips into the fakest smile. “Hey, Shi.”
“Yes, Maya.” Estelle winked at me.
Bitch, don't be winking at me.
I forced myself to keep that smile on my face. “Can we switch sides? I don't want to be the first person out.”
“O-kay.”
I rose, ducking my head.
Estelle picked up her purse and scooted to the right.