Chapter 46

Clara's POV

What were those two up to?

The room fell silent, awkwardness growing in the room.

I guess this was my cue to leave. They had something they didn't want me to hear.

I said my goodbyes before returning to my post.

Although Marcus hadn't asked, I made up a dump excuse of what Derek had asked me to do, just in case Marcus started to get suspicious.

Today, there wasn't much work for me, at least nothing strenuous. I felt a bit bored.

Hours passed, and my lunch break was fast approaching.

My phone rang in my pocket. I wasn't about to make the mistake of ignoring it again.

Layla's name appeared on my screen. I needed to change this because Derek may see it one day and ruin our plans.

I hid in a corner to answer the call. At this stage, all our calls might as well be labelled classified.

"Hello," I whispered into the phone.

"Hi," she answered almost immediately. "I have a plan. If things turn out as planned, we can finally get Madison out of our lives," she announced.

I would like that too. The sooner that happens, the sooner my life can revert to normal, or at least be as normal as it can be after this.

"I need someone who can enter Madison's room without arousing any suspension. We must check her room for any evidence we may use against her, especially regarding the robbery. I'd have someone else do it, but my influence only stretches beyond the security guards." She explained."No, I can't," I answered.

"Please, this may be our only chance to take her out." She pleaded. That was the first.

I sighed. "Look, if she had managed to get this far, do you think she'd just leave behind evidence, knowing full well that a dozen hotel staff can access her room, all the people who work for Derek?" I asked.

"If she is dumb enough to think that leopard skin dresses are still fashionable, I'm sure she may have slipped up." She replied.

"This is a bad idea. So many things can go wrong," I admitted.

"You work there, and you'd just say you were asked to clean up. Besides, you said she trusts you. We can use that to our advantage." She answered.

Except that Madison may or may not have seen Derek and I kissing, which meant I was public enemy number one on her list, maybe just behind Layla.

"Besides, I have a few of my guys in the hotel. I'll alert you if I hear that she is back. You'll be in and out before she even notices." She continued.

She had convinced me. I wanted Madison gone more than anyone. The sooner she was gone, the sooner I could get this lie over and done with.

"Okay, but from now on, I want to know about your plans beforehand, or else I'm walking. I'll make sure to tell Derek the truth as well." I replied.

Layla hesitated before letting out a sigh. "Fine," she agreed. "But you have to go now. That way, you have a chance to leave without getting caught." She answered.

"Fine," I answered.

Our call ended shortly after. I tucked my phone back into my pocket, going to Madison's suite.

Under better conditions, I'd have to talk to her about that little stunt she pulled with Vincent and me.

I knocked first on Madison's door to ensure no one was in there. A minute elapsed, and no one answered. I took that as an invitation, using my staff card to enter the suite.

I opened the door, being met with nothing but silence. I could hear my soft breathing.

What was I even looking for here? A burner phone? Any recordings? Perhaps a diary with all her plans detailed. I'd have to check for anything that seemed out of the ordinary.

I first checked her bedroom. That's usually where people hide things. I searched through her cupboards, underneath the bed, between the mistress, and anywhere else I suspected someone would try to hide anything. I made sure to leave everything as I found it.

After nearly twenty minutes of searching, I hadn't found anything. Nothing was in here, or she was a brilliant mastermind who didn't leave any evidence behind.

I got a text from Ivy, startling me in the silence.

'Are we still having lunch together?' It read.

Getting her into trouble was the last thing I needed. I could try to dig out of this, but how much luck would she have? Blowing her off would be the better decision.

'I can't right now,' I texted back.

I continued my search through the rest of the house.

If anything, there was nothing remotely suspicious or even different from how I had seen it weeks ago. Everything was normal, too normal.

Exhausted, with my lunch break nearly over, I returned to the living room. I sat on the couch and peered around the room, trying to find hiding places.

But something felt wrong, right beneath the couch cushions. It felt a bit uneven and slightly uncomfortable with a small bump.

I'd know this because hotel guests have made the weirdest claims. We always had to double-check everything.

Could she be hiding things here? No one expected it.

I jumped off the couch to examine it.

The seating cushions on the couch were loose, and sure enough, there was a phone under it, along with a folder. Who else would keep these items under here unless they had something to hide?

I hurried to search through the folder's contents, but as luck would have it, the doorknob was turning. Someone had arrived.

As much as I wanted to expose Madison, I needed to ensure I wouldn't be seen.

I couldn't take anything because she'd know. With the recent security measures, they'd see my face clearly on the security cameras, and she would know it was me. I couldn't allow her to become suspicious.

I rushed to fix the couch to its state as the noises at the door continued to get louder.

There was no way I could sneak out of the suite now. My most viable option is to hide somewhere until the coast is clear. Why hadn't Layla warned me of her arrival?

I quickly ran to a hiding spot behind a brick wall, right between the exit to the living room and the passageway to her bedroom. I didn't have time to get too far without getting caught. As long as I was brave enough to peek, I still had a full view of the living room.

How was I going to leave this place?

Sure enough, Madison walked into the suite, accompanied by a mid-fifties version of herself.

They were walking towards me. Luckily, they stopped by in the living room.

Madison sighed, throwing herself on the couch.

She reached her hand underneath the cushions, fumbling for the phone. She pulled it out seconds later.

"Here, mother," Madison spoke. "I need you to get rid of this. Before it gives us any problems."

I peeked, and her mother accepted the phone. I backed away so they wouldn't see me.

This was bad news for me. I'd never have access to that phone now. If she wanted it to disappear, it meant she had something she wanted to hide.

I took my phone out and placed it on silent. I didn't want to get caught because my phone was ringing. It was only then that I realised that Layla had sent me a warning message. I was too caught up playing Sherlock Holmes to notice.

"How are things coming along? You know I didn't come here on vacation." Her mother spoke.

Madison sighed theatrically. "The situation couldn't be more disastrous. I thought this engagement would put some pressure on him, but it's only having the opposite effect on him. Can you believe I caught that hussy I asked to spy on him kissing him in the hallway? Free for everyone to see. Can you imagine what would have happened if someone had seen them? Imagine the news getting out that he was replacing me with some low-grade slut." She said vehemently.

So she knew. Should I be thankful I was still alive?

"Just wait until I deal with her. She'll learn to stay in class." Madison continued.

I didn't want to imagine what she had in mind.

On the bright side, at least it wasn't a death threat.