Chapter 29 Betrayal And Blood

• The restaurant was dimly lit, the low hum of conversation filling the air as Clara slipped into the private booth Gabrielle had chosen. Across from her, Gabrielle sat with effortless poise, her crimson lips curled in amusement. The scent of expensive perfume and something more dangerous power, manipulation hung between them like a veil.
• Gabrielle twirled the stem of her wine glass between her fingers, watching Clara with the calculated patience of a predator. "You look tired, darling. The stress of keeping up appearances finally catching up to you?"
• Clara didn’t flinch. “If you had something important to say, you wouldn’t have dressed it up with wine and fake concern. Get to the point.”