The Beyatch Manual (2)

After helping herself to a bowl of strawberries, Ria Zhang went back to her room and slumped on the bed. The salt she sprinkled over the strawberries has already turned pink. Munching one strawberry after another, Ria Zhang racked her brains out of ideas how to demolish the enemy's support system.

That was the fourth one in her list. She knew the previous Sierra Co was able to do just that, striking over Kara Lu and Marvin Kang's friends. This time, she needed to crush the very core to which they gather strength. Anyway, everything will fall into place after she got the data from that Anonymous.

The last on the list was taking advantage of the social media. Based from what she overheard from Lulu and Danni, social media was a thing in this lifetime. Ria Zhang rolled her eyes. This was the only thing on the list she had to change. The original list was to take advantage of the bulletin boards. Yeah, she knew. Living in her own lifetime was pretty much boring. Maybe, that's why she chose to focus on writing instead of looking for a boyfriend.

Placing the almost empty bowl on the small table, Ria Zhang went to the computer. Browsing thru the history, she learned that Sierra Co doesn't log out her social media accounts. What a carefree and trusting woman, she thought. Ria Zhang needed to wait for the information before she can launch her most-awaited attack.

She glanced at her watch. There were still two hours before the scheduled exchange. What would she do? Two hours were still a lot of time to kill. She stood up from the chair, got the bowl, and went out of the room.

In the kitchen, Lulu and Danni's eyes were glued on the respective screens of their smartphones. They did not even notice Ria Zhang who leaned on the door's frame, clutching an empty bowl in one hand.

"Kara Lu is such a goddess. I mean, look at those curves," Danni exclaimed, her fingers were busy swiping down.

Lulu nodded. "She's almost perfect. Good background, nice upbringing, beautiful face, and a lovable fiancé. What could she ask for?"

"Nothing more. But she's not your boss, so I suggest that the two of you stop praising her inside my territory," Ria Zhang said, the words flowed from her mouth smoothly.

Danni and Lulu stood up from their seats, they lowered their heads. "Young Miss!"

Ria Zhang raised an eyebrow. "I value loyalty more than anything else. If you want to work for that Kara Lu beyatch, I don't mind. The door is always open. Do you understand me?"

"Yes, Young Miss!"

Ria Zhang went to the kitchen sink and put the empty bowl. With one last look, she walked out of the kitchen.

The two maids released the breath they were holding as soon as Ria Zhang went out.

Danni made a face. "That's why Marvin Kang doesn't like her. Her attitude smells like a rotten fish in the market."

Lulu shook her head. "Stop it. We're just maids. Despite her attitude, she never abused us, right?"

"Whatever. I bet Kara Lu is much nicer as a boss."

Ria Zhang smiled through it all. She was good at eavesdropping. In fact, she was holding the top spot if there was a ranking on that. She crossed her arms as she headed towards her room. How to be a certified beyatch? Eliminate possible spies.

That Danni wanted to work for Kara Lu? Oh well, she was a good boss so she will help her. Inside her room, she went through the cabinet of Sierra Co. Until now, she has no idea how the previous Sierra Co died. There was no wound all over her body when she woke up. Also, she didn't see scattered tablets near and around the bed.

Was it possible that because of too much heartbreak, Sierra Co's heart just stopped beating? Going through the cabinets, she saw the beauty products and health supplements behind another partition of the closet. As she tried picking a bottle, another partition came into view.

Pulling it open, empty white bottles collapsed, rolling down on the floor. Damn. She bent down and pick one. Inspecting it, Ria Zhang realized that it has no label. Opening the cap, she sniffed the inside. It smelled like candy.

She wrinkled her eyebrows. What kind of meds were these? Going in front of her computer, she opened the browser and search for the white bottle. The results popped out seconds later.

Sleeping pills? Ria Zhang glanced at the bottle again. Was Sierra Co suffering from insomnia? She went back to the closet and looked for a bottle which had not been used yet. She found two.

"Her insomnia must be that terrible to have lots of these," she said aloud.

Going out of her room, she looked around first, making sure her two maids would not see her. Tip toeing towards the kitchen, Ria Zhang looked like a thief in her own apartment. She still has thirty minutes before the scheduled exchange of information.

Opening the refrigerator, she put one tablet each on all the water containers. She sneered. Let's see how you would react after, she thought, gloating. The sounds of footsteps disturbed her thinking, and glancing around, she went under the table, hiding and praying they would not notice her.

Danni's voice entered Ria Zhang's first. "I could not understand why we keep serving under her," she whined. "Okay, she is not abusing us but I couldn't stand her attitude!"

"Stop it," Lulu said. "She's still the Young Miss Co. It would do no good if you keep criticizing her."

Danni rolled her eyes. "So, what if she's the Young Miss Co? Did you see the Co Patriarch and her parents defending her? Only the Young Master has even visited her."

"You know what? You just need a cold water to wash out your frustration," Lulu opened the refrigerator and brought out a pitcher of water. Placing it on the bar counter, she pulled a drawer and also brought out two glasses.

"Whatever. I really think Kara Lu is much better than Sierra Co," she poured water on one glass and gulped it.

Lulu has also done the same. Danni has not changed at all. Even when they were younger, she has always loved the glamorous side of life even if she cannot afford it.

Danni opened her mouth to yawn. Why was she suddenly felt sleepy? She pulled a chair on the dining table and sat. Lulu mirrored her friend's action.

"Did you sleep late last night?" Lulu asked.

"Look who's talking. You also feel sleepy, right?"

Lulu yawned again. "So weird. I just wanted to sleep," she leaned on the table.

"Me too."

A moment later, the snore of Danni was heard inside the kitchen. Ria Zhang crawled from under the table. She stood up, admiring her work.

She raised an eyebrow. "You dare go against me?" She poked Danni's shoulders. "I am Ria Zhang, dear. Your ideas are so not into my league. Duh."

Ria Zhang went back to her bedroom. She sat in front of the computer, staring on the screen absentmindedly. After she got hold of the information, she would find ways to earn money. It was hard to move without the necessary resources. Although Stan Co has a lot of money, she cannot always demand from him.

A ding woke her up from her thoughts. Ria Zhang clicked the message. The information has been delivered. She reached for her phone and keyed in a string of numbers. Transfer of money was successful.

Thank you for the cooperation, she typed on the message box.

'Till our next transaction,' the other party replied.

Ria Zhang clicked the folder and saved it on the attached hard drive. She opened the folder and browsed the information. So extensive, huh? She curled her lips. No one offends Ria Zhang and friends and gets away with it.

Early in the morning, Danni opened her eyes. Since when did her bed became rough and hard? Her eyes roamed around. Why was it that the surrounding was different from her quarters? She almost screamed! She was outside a gate. She stood up, looking around.

Where was she? It was still early; the wind was chilling even though she wore a thick jacket. "I think I am dreaming." She pinched her arm hard. "Ouch!"

She wasn't dreaming! She looked up, searching for clues. On the arch outside the gate, it said 'Lu Residence'.

How did she end up there?!

Danni would learn later that she should not have go against Sierra Co. Sierra Co was the devil of all devils.