Yet her darting eyes gave her away.
Stella’s lips curved into a cool, almost taunting smile. Without breaking eye contact, she reached for a pair of scissors lying on the table. Holding them out to Lindsay, she said smoothly, “Go ahead. Isn’t this what you wanted? Here’s your chance. Take these scissors and destroy the dresses-or come up with some other brilliant way to ruin them. Let’s see if you’ve got the nerve.”
Lindsay reeled from Stella’s abrupt challenge. Her eyes wide, she shot back a fiery retort. “You think I lack the guts?”
A tremor of mixed anger and panic vibrated through her voice.
Stella’s smirk only widened, her tone laced with provocation. “You claim courage? Prove it. Stop the chatter; I’m itching to see your next move.”
Consumed by fury, Lindsay seized the scissors with a fierce grip, hoisted them aloft, and brought them down toward the lavish dresses, unleashing the pent-up storm of jealousy and resentment.
Yet, in the throes of her wrath, a seed of doubt paused her hand.
A flood of anxious thoughts swirled through her mind. Was this a ploy by Stella?
Stella’s eyes, gleaming with mockery, fixed on Lindsay. “What’s this? Halting mid-rebellion? Weren’t you just a fountain of bravado?”
.. ‘s …
It was then that the realization dawned on Lindsay. Her eyes narrowed, a glint of malice flashing through. “Playing games with me, are you?”
Her words were sharp as she took a cautious glance around and indeed, her gaze caught the ominous blink of a red light from a surveillance camera tucked in the corner.
Unfazed, Stella followed Lindsay’s alarmed look and offered a thin smile. “Ah, not so naive, I see.”
She then taunted, dripping with scorn, “You boasted of daring to make the cut. What now, spooked by a little camera? Seems your bravery was just for show.”
Lindsay’s cheeks burned a fierce red, her indignation simmering.
Through gritted teeth, she spat, “Don’t get cocky, Stella.”
Ignoring her, Stella advanced, plucking the scissors from Lindsay’s grasp with a chilling calm. “Heed my warning, Lindsay. Dare disrupt my event, and I’ll make sure it’s your undoing. I could crush you without a second thought.”
The resolve in Stella’s eyes sent an icy shiver down Lindsay’s spine.
Feeling the weight of panic, Lindsay was shaken by Stella’s menacing words, causing her to flinch back, her wheelchair edging backward slightly.
Pointing an accusing finger at Stella, Lindsay’s voice cut through the air. “Stella, you set this trap for me!”
Stella merely laughed off the accusation, her voice dripping with condescension. “Did I lure you backstage? Did I coerce you into the dressing room? Lindsay, spare me the drama. I have every right to have security remove you immediately.”
With a dismissive gesture, Stella tossed the scissors aside. They clanged against the floor, landing perilously close to Lindsay’s feet, sending a chill of fear up her spine and whitening her face with dread.
At that moment, Doreen entered, her eyes widening briefly in surprise at Lindsay’s presence. She quickly composed herself and turned to Stella. “Everything’s in place. The launch event will start any minute now.”
Without missing a beat, Stella gave Doreen her orders, her gaze still fixed on Lindsay. “Escort Lindsay to the spectator seats. And announce on the microphone that backstage access is strictly off limits without explicit permission, including to anyone from Prosperity Group. Let’s make it clear: Lindsay’s unauthorized intrusion will be tolerated this time only. There won’t be a repeat.”
Doreen nodded, her response crisp. “Absolutely.”