Skyler shook off her hand, his voice erupting like a clap of thunder, "William!" William clambered down the stairs, his footsteps pounding a rapid rhythm.
"Skyler, are you done talking with Tanya Can we go play now?" Tanya felt a jolt of surprise, not having expected William to be there.
She hoped he hadn't overheard her conversation with Skyler.
But he was only three, a silly little goofball, and likely didn't catch a thing.
"William, where's your mom?" "Mommy's at work," William piped up in his babyish lilt, "I'm gonna play Monopoly upstairs with Skyler. Bye, Lady Tanya." With a quick wave at Tanya, he tugged Skyler back up the stairs.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtTanya sighed, resigned to leave for now.
Once she was gone, William crossed his arms, his face scrunching into a grave expression.
"We're in a pickle, Skyler. She has definitely been bought off by that homewrecker Megan." "I know. Tanya's lips tighten and her pupils shrink every time she lies," Skyler mused.
"Wow!" William clapped his hands, awestruck, "Skyler, you're so cool. You even know all about micro- expressions." He wanted to learn that, too.
Scratching his head with a sheepish grin, Skyler chuckled.
It was a must for master psychologists.
Aurelia stepped out from the shadows, having caught every word of Tanya's probing.
She must suspect that Skyler concocted the poison, hence her attempt to fish for an antidote.
It seemed Megan was her planted pawn near Leopold.
"Skyler, Tanya might think | had you make that potion." "Don't sweat it, Angel. | know how to handle her." With her and Leopold in his corner, Skyler wasn't afraid of her anymore.
Aurelia showed a hint of regret. She knew it wasn't right to involve Skyler in making poison, but she had no one else to turn to.
"I'm sorry, Skyler. This feud between Megan and me shouldn't have dragged you in." Skyler clenched his fists, "Angel, your enemies are my enemies. We'll take her down together." William chimed in seriously, "Mom, we're on a mission of justice, like superheroes. Skyler and | are messengers of justice sent by Superman himself." "Right, fighting villains is what Superman is all about." Skyler nodded vigorously, mirroring William's enthusiastic pose, their classic signature move.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmAurelia couldn't help but giggle.
"Come on. Let's head to the garden for some fun." After Megan took the antidote, the rash subsided.
But the burst blisters turned into sores, and it would be a while before they healed, leaving scars an open question.
If they didn't, she feared her beauty would be ruined.
Her hatred churned like a relentless river, itching to flay Aurelia alive, drain her blood, and scatter her ashes to the wind.
"Jewel, when is the boss going to get me the antidote?" Once she got over this ailment, she'd reciprocate Aurelia's 'kindness', with a faceful of sulfuric acid.
Jewel heaved a sigh, "Your rogue actions got the boss steaming. If it weren't for your impulsiveness, Aurelia wouldn't have struck back. Allen ratted us out big time, and I'm in the hot seat too. The boss has ordered that from now on, everything we do needs Allen's green light." Megan seethed, "That snake Allen, didn't | tell the boss about him controlling me with voodoo? Why does the boss still have us under his thumb?" Jewel snorted softly, "Allen denied it all, and without solid proof, how could the boss take your word over his?"