looks like." Penelope dug her nails into Christopher's arm. "Why couldn't you bid higher?" "Penelope, that's more than our company's quarterly profit-" "I do

screen. "Richard! I was just-" "If anything happens to my wife under your watch, they'll never find your body." "Richard!" Ashlyn scolded, but she was smiling. "Just making sure we understand each other," Richard said sweetly. As Ashlyn left the building, familiar voices made her freeze. "Ashlyn! What a surprise!" Penelope's saccharine tone made her teeth ache. Christopher hovered nearby. "Are you... okay? After everything?" "Never better." Ashlyn moved to walk past them. "What brings you to Sparkle & Shine?" Penelope's eyes glittered with suspicion. Jonathan appeared, as if summoned. "Ah, Mrs. Walker. The meeting went well?" "Mrs. Walker?" Christopher choked. "You work here?" Penelope's voice rose an octave. "I wouldn't say work..." Jonathan smiled mysteriously. "It's more accurate to say-" "She's useless!" Penelope snapped. "Whatever game you're playing, involving her in our rivalry is beneath you." Jonathan's expression hardened. "Mrs. Walker has shown more business acumen in one meeting than you have in years. Her ideas are revolutionary, her vision clear." He turned to Ashlyn. "Shall we discuss the script over dinner?" "Script?" Penelope's face paled. "What script?" Christopher stepped forward. Ashlyn's phone buzzed again. Richard's message read: "Dinner at home. Don't be late. I have more jokes prepared." She smiled at Jonathan. "Rain check on dinner. My husband