The Scorned Heiress: No More Mercy novel Chapter 379

"Do you really have to speak to me like that?" Jake says, his frustration cracking through his carefully constructed patience. "I am still your older brother, Tara."

"And?" Tara counters, finally peering down at him. Positioned high in the branches, her sharp gaze and poised demeanor give her the overwhelming aura of a reigning queen staring down a peasant.

"I know you're furious about Jade," Jake says, lowering his voice conspiratorially. "And you have every right to be. I finally see her for what she is—a manipulative bitch. You were entirely right to hate her. I'm completely done with her. It's only our parents and those two idiots who are still blinded."

He takes a step closer, gazing up at her with desperate earnestness. "Let's call a truce, Tara. If we team up, we can destroy her. I will back you up on every single move you make."

Jake waits for her reaction, feeling immensely proud of his pitch. By offering a genuine apology and serving Jade up on a silver platter, he assumes he has given Tara everything she wants. They share the same blood; surely she won't reject her own brother when he is offering total loyalty.

She doesn't need his help to crush Jade. She is holding back simply because she is intrigued by Jade's illegitimate status and Jovani's shadowy background. Tara is convinced Jovani's ultimate goal stretches far beyond merely replacing Deanna. There are still missing puzzle pieces, and keeping Jade in play is the easiest way to expose them. Beyond that, Tara thoroughly enjoys watching Jade play her foolish brothers like cheap fiddles. She cannot wait to see the utter devastation on their faces when they finally realize their precious little sister has been using them all along.

Looking down at Jake, Tara knows his calm demeanor is a lie. He is practically vibrating with suppressed rage, biding his time to execute his revenge. Out of the three brothers, Jake is notoriously the most vindictive and petty. Realizing he was reduced to a pawn by his adopted sister has undoubtedly bruised his massive ego beyond repair. He only wants to use Tara as a weapon to do his dirty work.