Seven Years a Fool One Day a Queen (Kristine and Colton) novel Chapter 206

Chapter 206

Youll help me, won’t you?”

Jnder Mrs. Vega’s hopeful gaze, Eliza forced down the sting in her nose and nodded. “All right.”

With that promise, Mrs. Vega finally felt reassured.

he kept Eliza’s hand in hers. “Do you know? Vega has talked about you countless times–how bright you are, how sharp your eye is, how capable. He says you ave guts far beyond your years and that he admires you.”

liza hadn’t realized Vega thought so highly of her.

So I’ve always wanted to meet you, to see if you were really as outstanding as he claimed. Now I know he wasn’t wrong.”

irs. Vega genuinely liked Eliza; in her she caught a glimpse of her younger self.

hey chatted for a long while.

hen Mr. Vega came home.

ega hurried upstairs–he’d heard his mother was ill.

eeing Eliza there, he simply nodded.

he nodded back, stood and said, “I’ll go downstairs to find Mr. Bates and the others.”

adie was wandering the manor, sightseeing. Eliza found her photographing a priceless orchid.

he moment she saw Eliza, she dragged her into the shot.

You can’t come to a place this swank and not take photos–it’s a loss!”

liza gave in and posed.

[eanwhile the housekeeper was turning away a visitor from the Xander.

Mr. Watts, I’m sorry, madam is unwell and not receiving guests. Please come another day.”

ander frowned, glancing at Fliza and Sadie in the distance.

irs. Vega would see Eliza but not him.

Unwell” was dearly an excuse.

he had made her choice: Eliza.

tealizing he had no chance, Xander didn’t press. “Understood.”

Jefore leaving he swept Eliza with a contemptuous look and snorted.

This was the woman Mrs. Vega called “big picture“?

What “picture“-the picture of someone who’d never seen the world?

Mrs. Vega asked Eliza and her group to stay for dinner and invited her to tomorrow’s charity banquet–she was its founder and chairwoman

Eliza accepted.

Mrs. Vega even booked a joint styling session, laying out more than ten haute couture gowns and matching jewels for her to choose from.

Seven Years a Fool One Day 4 Oveen

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Chapter 206

Eliza instinctively reached for black.

“Why always such dark colors?” Mrs. Vega protested. “You’re young–shine! Try this.”

She picked a champagne gown embroidered with black–gold micro–diamonds, a fishtail cut that hugged the hips.

A demanding silhouette, yet it suited Eliza perfectly–her waist–to–hip ratio was flawless.

When she stepped out, Mrs. Vega sang her praises. “If I were a man I’d fall at your feet.”

Eliza blushed.

Mrs. Vega chose pure white for herself, saying it would disguise her pallor.

liza’s heart ached, but she kept smiling; only when the older woman looked away did her eyes redden.

‘ega came to collect his mother; as hostess she had to arrive early.

liza’s hair was still being done, so she would follow later.

irs. Vega told Vega to send a car; he agreed.

When Eliza finally finished, she was texting Mrs. Vega when a black Cayenne pulled up.

he driver hopped out, opened the door and said Mr. Vega had sent him.

he got in without suspicion.

he car wound its way out of the city.

t first Eliza answered emails on her phone, but when the ride grew bumpy she looked up–they were no longer in any district she knew.

Still far?” she asked.

The venue’s a secluded manor,” the driver explained.

he said nothing, but unease prickled. She asked Mrs. Vega for the location pin.

1. rs. Vega replied: Driver couldn’t find you–did you already leave?

iza realized: this wasn’t her ride.

he immediately dropped her live location to Mrs. Vega, then, heart hammering, curled her fingers around the door handle,

hey were on a mountain road, speed moderate.

Without hesitation she yanked the door and rolled out.

ain exploded behind her eyes as she hit the gravel.

he driver braked hard, jumping out with a baseball bat. “Pretty brave, jumping, huh?”

liza tried to stand–her ankle buckled, agony kufing up her leg

efore she could scramble up, the man was on her, three white eyes gleaming “Even prettier up close”

le fisted her hair and dragged her toward the car.

Let go!” She fought, nails raking, but he muscled her inside.

Behave!” He slammed the bat against the back of her skull.

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Chapter 206

A burst of pain, then blackness.

She woke in darkness, blindfolded, mouth sealed with duct tape, wrists and ankles lashed tight.

“Boss, the chick’s awake.”

“Good–games are no fun when they’re out cold.”

Footsteps approached. A hand stroked her cheek, light yet nauseating.

“Skin like water–just pinch it and it spills.”

“This dress was made for her.”

‘Hell yeah, peach ass–gonna be wild.”

Lemme test how wild.”

Eliza thrashed; the ropes only cut deeper.

The hand slid to her butt. “Smart cookie, sniffed out our little pig–butchering trap, even jumped the car and pinged your location. Cute.”

Her stomach lurched–they’d moved her.

How long had she been out? Mrs. Vega would know by now, but searches take time.

The man’s lust was up. He hoisted her off the floor. “I’ll take the first round–y’all drink up.”

Make it quick, boss.”

le laughed. “You know my stamina–two hours minimum. Wait your turn.”

eers followed as he carted her into the next room, tossed her onto a bed and flung himself on top.

Pretty thing, let’s have some fun.”

♡(7)

10:57