Tranquility And Turmoil

"Turning them against each other? You mean Cassie and Ethan?" Brooke asked, making sure she understood what this man was thinking.

"Precisely. After monitoring Miss Crane's personality, I can deduce that she is nothing short of a leech, with no true loyalty. Types like her are always prone to self destruct." Thane lectured as though he were in a real classroom.

Brooke frowned, she knew that Cassie was cheap, but how was giving her one bag going to expose her?

"Just watch how things unfold, you'll surely see something interesting come out of this." Thane assured her, brimming with confidence.

Brooke nodded, "I've decided to trust you, so I'll just have to wait and see." She had a feeling that something big would happen, and wanted nothing more than a front seat to it.

Changing the topic, he asked, "How did the appointment go?"

She let out a sigh, "He wouldn't budge, that man really plans on keeping me in his pocket forever. If only there was a way to force his hand...wait a minute!" Brooke's eyes dwindled with hope.

Thane looked over his shoulder, revealing the fireflies that sat on his index finger. "Did you figure something out?"

"The lawyer! There was a lawyer I contacted to help draft the divorce papers. She insisted that I run tests, to serve as evidence in court. But Ethan tore up all the results." Brooke recalled.

"Then," Thane cut in, "She must still have a copy of those results in your file."

"Yes, I handed her a copy. But, do you think she'll give it over? Ethan threatened her not to disclose anything to the public." Brooke turned worried, that her lead was just a dead end.

Thane chuckled, he found it amusing that Brooke even dared to compare her pitiful husband's influence with his.

"Don't worry, I'll take care of it." He said, getting on one knee in front of her. "You go rest up, I've arranged for someone to see you."

Brooke blinked twice, she was having a guest? But who could Thane have arranged to see her?

"Mr Grayson," she mustered courage, "About your proposal..." She nervously clutched onto her clothes, finding it hard to bring herself to discuss marriage.

"It's fine-" Thane tried reassuring her, but Brooke had something she felt she needed to say.

"Please, let me think about it a bit more. I don't want you thinking I accepted just because I feel indebted to you. If I'm going to do this, then I want it to be a decision I made solely on my own." As soon as she said what was on her mind, Brooke realized how selfish she must've sounded.

Little did she expect the warm grin on the man's face. "You're finally making your own decisions."

"Y-You're not angry?"

He patted her head, "That's all I wanted to hear, that you'll take me seriously. You have no idea how happy that makes me."

Hearing him say that made Brooke unexpectedly happy, she felt like she should say something back, but he got up and turned to leave.

"I'll see you tomorrow. Goodnight Brooke." He said with a small smile.

Brooke naturally smiled back, though a bit awkward. "Goodnight Mr Grayson."

While some sweetly bade each other goodnight, there was turmoil and chaos brewing in the household of others.

Serena had her friends over from her club to celebrate Cassie's success and offer their apologies for the attack she had to go through.

But in reality, Serena had invited them to show off the bag that Cassie had recently gotten from a fan. After seeing the live stream, all the ladies at the club all fawned over Serena.

After all, that brand was the creme de la creme of luxury brands, and moreso the designer was very hard to reach.

"See this, my Cassie can do anything, even her fans are of the highest caliber." Serena boasted, showing off the bag to the third set of women for the day.

Cassie sat excitedly next to her mother, all day long she had been showing off her gift, and was more than glad to continue doing so.

"Stop it mother, it's just a bag. I love anything my fans give me. Even if it's well wishes." She said, earning pleased glances from all angles.

"Say, do you not really know who gifted you this?" One of the women piped up. "What sort of fan gives such an intimate gift?'

Serena frowned. "Hey! Just what are you insinuating?!"

The woman faked an apology, "Sorry if I sounded crass, it's just hard to believe for others. Right ladies?" The rest of the guests nodded.

'These women, who do they think they are?! They definitely set this up just to embarrass me.' Serena clenched her jaw, trying not to get violent.

Ever since she married Luther and was introduced into the entertainment industry, she learned she had to be polite at all times, even when she was insulted. At first Serena made mistakes and got into petty cat fights.

But when Cassie started gaining fame, she was forced into taming herself.

Cassie scoffed, "Others opinions can't be helped, but you know auntie, this generation is much more open minded." She tossed them a reckless grin, "Only old washed up hags would ever think that way."

"You-!"

Her voice was drowned out by Ethan's loud shout. "Cassie! Where are you?! You fucking gold digger?!"

Cassie nervously reached for the bag to hide it, but Ethan walked in on them and the first thing his gaze landed on was the bag. He dashed for it and tried to snatch it out of Serena's laps, but Cassie got it first.

"So it's true?! You dared to disobey me?!" Ethan yelled, rolling up his sleeves.

Cassie clutched the bag to her chest, "Ethan, it's not what you think-" But she was too late, he dragged her by the wrist and forced her upstairs.

Serena immediately started to shoo away her guests, "Hey! What are you busy standing around for? This isn't a show, get out!"

The women were stunned that Serena could send them away in such a hostile manner.

They exchanged confused looks with each other, all wondering why the city's richest man was in Serena's house.

"Hey Serena, what is going on here? Why is Ethan here? And why was he so angry with Cassie?" Her 'friend' Evelyn asked.

Serena was scared that Ethan would get violent and do something that would cause problems for her reputation at the club.

She needed to get these women out.

"Did you not hear me the first time?" She picked up a glass of champagne, "I said get out!" She yelled, pouring the glass all over Evelyn!