Back in the apartment, steam still clung to the mirror as Elara stepped out of the bathroom, towel wrapped tightly around her. "Did he really expect me to say yes?" she muttered, dropping onto the edge of the bed. "What's the difference between me and Sandy if I did?"
Madeline didn't look up from the TV. "Daniel never loved you."
Elara gave a bitter laugh. "Then it's history repeating itself. Over and over again."
Madeline clicked her tongue. "You're not seriously considering being his side piece, are you?"
"We're not even dating," Elara said quickly, rubbing lotion into her arms with sharp, anxious strokes. "Daniel… he threatened to hurt anyone I see. Do you understand? Anyone. I can't risk someone else's life. Especially Max's"
Madeline finally turned, eyes sharp. "Daniel is a psychopath, El. You know that."
"I do," she said, her voice tightening. "That's why I'm keeping my distance. Maxwell doesn't deserve to be dragged into this. And Bianca…" she exhaled, shaking her head. "It would look like betrayal."
Madeline leaned back on the couch, watching her friend wrestle with herself. "What the heart wants, it wants. You're fooling yourself if you think you can keep running forever." She paused. "And by the way, Daniel called."
"Maddie, I don't want to hear that…" Elara paused.
she snapped her lotion bottle shut, eyes flashing. "and, this isn't about running, it's about survival. I lost Charles because of Daniel's obsession. I won't lose anyone else."
The room went quiet. For a moment, only the hum of the TV filled the space. Then Madeline said, softer, "And what about you? How much more of yourself are you willing to lose before you start living again?"
Elara froze, the question hanging between them heavier than the steam in the air. Then, with a forced smile, she changed the subject. "Forget it. Tomorrow's the company party, and you're coming with me. Don't say no, I promised Adrian that I am coming with a friend. Please…"
Madeline arched an eyebrow. "Tomorrow's Monday. Don't tell me…"
"I'll handle the details," Elara said quickly, slipping into her dress. "Just be there. No scandals, no drama." She sat down beside her, forcing a laugh. "Now hush—my favorite program is about to start."
"Ooh wait… Mr. Ranveer will be there…" Madeline said cheekily.
"There we go!" Elara placed down the remote, assuming her question and focusing on the screen.
…
At the Monroe Family…
"Ed, I'm so disappointed!" Bianca slapped the newspaper on the table and looked up at her brother. "We walked together and I knew the newspapers would be talking about us today. But Maxwell shut them off. What's going on!"
"He's a businessman, Bianca. He's just being cautious," Edward replied, scanning the headlines.
Mara, their mother, peeled her eyes from the TV screen and looked at her daughter. "Bianca, there is nothing great about this Maxwell that's drawing you to him. We've already achieved what we wanted!"
"But Mom," Bianca's voice trembled, "along the way I fell in love. I knew the plan was just to use him, but I now seriously want to marry him. He was my childhood sweetheart, come on guys…"
Mara rose slowly, walking toward her. "Bianca, the Prince of Port will be coming to see you, and don't forget you are already married to him in private. We want to expand our roots to Port. Don't lose focus."
Bianca's eyes filled with tears. "I don't want to be used by you people anymore. I want a life of my own. Maxwell and I grew up together. We understand each other. I love him, Mom. Can't you see that? for once, consider my feelings mom…"
Mara sighed and placed a palm on her daughter's back. "Baby, I know all that. But it worked perfectly with our plan."
"No! I'm not leaving him!" Bianca cried. "Ed, you know how I feel. Why would you hide my marriage from the media if not to protect what I have with Maxwell?"
"And what do you think Maxwell will feel when he finds out?" Mara asked coldly.
"I can't be married to two men, what's wrong with you people?" Bianca burst in anger. "Have you ever considered my relationship with Maxwell? And the true feelings I have had for him since childhood? If you don't let me run this, I will let the prince of Port know you played him!"
"I'll divorce the prince of Port in secret," Bianca shot back. "This family thrives on secrets anyway!"
Edward's jaw tightened. "We can't risk that. Our partnership with Port is too important. Sooner or later, the Monroe family will take the title of the richest in the country, and Maxwell Ranveer will be beneath us. Think about that."
"I don't care!" Bianca screamed, tears streaming. "I love Max, and if you try to ruin this, I'll blow everything up, including your precious partnership! and please, avoid threatening me. I won't take it lightly."
Edward moved closer, lowering his voice but not his anger. "This company was built on hard choices, Bianca. We all sacrificed for it. You'll have to as well."
"Then listen carefully," she hissed, trembling but defiant. "If you stand in my way, the Orion Company can burn to ashes." She paused, "I love Maxwell and you, and mom and dad won't do anything stupid to blow me up… I will return the favor!" She stormed off, slamming her door and collapsing on her bed in tears.
Edward turned to his mother, rattled. "What do we do now?"
Mara's eyes narrowed. "We let her float in her fairytale for now, while we plan. We can't lose Port. Wycliffe would destroy us if he felt betrayed."
"And if Max finds out?" Edward asked. "We can't handle Max mom, we can't."
"Only if his feelings for her are real," Mara said coolly. "Maxwell is… not easy to understand. He's distant, and, maybe, or maybe not he's into her. We can't know until we figure it out."
Edward hesitated, then muttered, "Maybe he's just stalling the marriage because he's still recovering. But if not…" He trailed off, unsure whether Maxwell Ranveer was an ally, or the greatest threat they had ever faced.