Chapter 88

Valerie’s POV

I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. “Why on earth did you have to take things that far?” I hissed at Clara, my voice sharp enough to cut through steel.

Clara shrugged, her expression cool and detached. “She crossed a line, Valerie. Lyra slapped me first, so I slapped her back.”

I stared at her, incredulous. “You nearly tried to take Lyra’s life,” I reminded her, my tone accusatory. “This wasn’t part of our plan. The plan was to make her feel inadequate—humiliate her—then walk away without eliminating her.”

Clara met my glare, unfazed. “It happened in the moment,” she replied. “She hit me.”

I ground my teeth. “If Sienna and Audrey decide to press charges, I won’t be able to defend you,” I warned. “You know who Alistair is—he’ll see that you pay for this if he ever finds out.”

Clara’s eyes flicked downward, but her voice stayed steady. “So, what do we do now?”

I let out an exasperated sigh. Did she really just say “we”?