The Billionaire's Twisted Crown

Scarlett lay fast asleep when her phone buzzed again. For the third time.

She groaned and snatched it up without checking the caller ID.

"Hello? Who is this? Speak up...I can barely hear you!"

A sharp voice pierced through the speaker, jolting her fully awake.

"What the hell, Scarlett! Why can't you fucking pick up your damn phone? I've called you like...what? A million times already!"

Scarlett rolled her eyes, her voice thick with annoyance.

"What do you want this time, it's almost midnight, can't I get some sleep?"

The voice snapped back, furious.

"Bitch, you don't talk to me like that. I've sent you an address. Fucking wake up and get the hell out of the shit you're sleeping on and bring my necklace to me now!. It's at the top of my dresser!"

Of course. Isabella.

Her cousin. The queen of entitlement and...

Scarlett blinked, finally registering the demand.

"Wait, what? Now? You can't be serious...it's 10:58 p.m."

But the line had already gone dead.

She sighed, what was she expecting, dragging herself out of bed. She knew better than to defy Isabella. The consequences were never worth it. So she got dressed and stepped into the cold night. By the time she found a taxi, it was already 11:10. Exhausted, she kept dozing off in the back seat, her body begging for sleep. She wanted to turn back. To crawl under her blanket and forget the world.

But they never let her be.

She didn't know why Isabella needed the necklace so urgently, especially at this hour. Isabella was wicked and manipulative, and always two steps ahead for this reason Scarlett had long learned to stay quiet.

Her cousin had always acted like the world owed her everything. And Scarlett? She was just the unfortunate one who had to serve her. It had been that way ever since her parents died in a car accident 10 years ago and her aunt had to move in with her perfect...daughter.

Reluctantly, Scarlett arrived at the address Isabella had sent.

Stepping out of the cab, she gasped.

The mansion was breathtaking. Towering columns, glittering chandeliers visible through tall windows, and a fleet of luxury cars parked like trophies. She wondered how Isabella got to be invited to such a luxurious place. She barely had time to take it in before a maid appeared.

"Are you Scarlett Brooks?"

Scarlett turned. "Yes... I am. How can I help you?"

"Miss Isabella Martin asked that I bring you in," the maid replied.

She followed her through a back entrance and into a lavish room. There sat Isabella, draped in a silk evening gown, sipping champagne like she'd invented it.

"Hello, cousin..." Scarlett began.

"Did you bring the necklace?" Isabella snapped.

Scarlett nodded, reaching into her bag. "Yes, I-"

"Then why are you standing there like a fish? Hand it over before you ruin it."

Yeah, that's if fish could stand. Scarlett thought but said nothing.

She walked into the room, towards Isabella but