Page 17 of One Last Step

I do find them after several minutes.They're in the history exhibit on the second floor, sitting cross-legged on top of a replica of an ancient Egyptian sundial.They're laughing and whispering to each other, and once I decide that they're not damaging anything, I leave them alone.Sophie needs to interact with children, and there's no need for me to hover.

I leave the history exhibit and head for the stairs, but I stop when I hear voices from behind one of the grandfather clocks.I stop and listen carefully.

The first voice is Elena’s.“You’ve convinced me that you’re very upset.Is that supposed to sway me?”

“Itshouldsway you,” Margot retorts.“I’m sure you don’t want your family’s history to become public knowledge.”

I stifle a gasp.Elena laughs and says, “Would you likeyourfamily history to become public knowledge?”

There’s a brief pause.Then Margot says, “You don’t want to threaten me.You run a toy museum.I’m one of the wealthiest people in Geneva.”

“I very much doubt that,” Elena retorts.“But I don’t give a damn who you are.I purchased the timepiece fair and square.You had your chance, and you didn’t purchase it.That makes me wonder just how wealthy you really are.”

“You donotwant to test me!”

“You seem very confident about what I don’t want to do.Let me enlighten you of what Iwantto do.”Elena’s voice drops in pitch and becomes deadly and far stronger than I’ve heard before.“I want to ruin you.I want to laugh while the world recoils in horror at you and your family’s history.”

Margot sounds afraid when she replies, “You wouldn’t dare.You’d ruin your reputation too.”

“You’re right.I wouldn’t dare.As it stands now, I wouldn’t dare.I strongly suggest that you do nothing to upset the current balance.If I had nothing to lose, I might be willing to make sure that you lose everything.”

“Oh, go to Hell, Elena.”

“You first.”

I hear heels click and quickly duck behind another grandfather clock.Margot comes into view, storming toward the stairs.Her heels echo as she descends to the party below.

A moment later, Elena comes into view.After what I’ve heard, I expect to see triumph on her face.Instead, she is pale and shaking with fear.Her arms are crossed over her chest, and she bites her lip, looking at her retreating foe.

I don’t know exactly what I’ve overheard, but it’s clear that Elena’s concern with the Rousseau family reputation isn’t unfounded.They are at risk of suffering a scandal.

The question is why?

CHAPTER NINE

I smile at Sophie over breakfast the next morning.Elena is downstairs, seeing the museum, so it's just the two of us in the dining room."You and Luc seemed to be having a lot of fun last night."

Sophie blushes crimson but shrugs and says nonchalantly.“Yeah, he was cool, I guess.”

“What did the two of you do?”

She blushes further.“I don’t know.Talked and stuff.”

“What did you talk about?”

She rolls her eyes.“We talked about how we were going to get married and have tons of kids and kiss each other all the time.Is that what you want to hear?”

“Honestly?Yes,” I tease.“You two would make an adorable couple.”

She rolls her eyes.“Whatever.”

I laugh and say, “I’m just glad you found someone your own age to spend time with.”

She glares at me.“It sure beats hanging around with a smelly old governess all day.”

“I know,” I reply, holding her gaze.“Imagine how I feel stuck with myself all the time.It’s a pain I wouldn’t wish on my worst enemy.Besides.Luc ismuchmore handsome than I am.”

She tries to maintain her glare, but the corners of her mouth twitch, and when I smile at her, she breaks down and giggles.When her laughter subsides, she rolls her eyes and admits, “You’re notthatbad, I guess.”

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