Important: I updated chapter 4 and made it longer, so please read it again before proceeding!

Irène's POV

I'm not a woman of word.

I'm sorry — not really — for what I'm about to do, maybe Derek is going to hate Veronica a little bit more.

But getting what you want all the time, cannot be fair for others.

I put on my black sunglasses and I look at the back window as I reverse out of the parking spot.

Two hours drive. Couldn't they place him in a nearer penitentiary?

It's barely noon, but at least they allow visits on Monday. I just left the lecture hall half an hour ago.

It's funny to think I am too rich to go to college, I only do it for fun. I don't have to attend anything and I don't have to work for good grades. My dad being a corrupt filthy rich politician seems useful sometimes.

It was enough to make a few calls, put on my best puppy eyes for my daddy and he arranged a visit with Derek Forster.

Of course, he asked why, and who the fuck is that... but then I reminded him I can ruin his whole reputation with one video.

"Derek, here I come," I say as I reach the highway, I pick the fastest lane and I speed up.

After half an hour of probably going over the speed limit by far, I reach the Penitentiary of Atlanta.

I grab my purse and I press the lock button on
my key to the rouge Lamborghini. Most people here aren't used to seeing this kind of car in a prison parking lot.

I walk to the main entrance, I put my sunglasses over my head before I enter.

"Irène Leroy, please come here," the security guard points to me and I smile. My dad does a good job, sometimes. I'm going to give that to him.

I go to the office and a man in his fifties gives me a form, I fill it with my name and who I am visiting. Just normal procedure.

I turn around to hand the form and I catch the security guard staring at me. I wink and his cheeks seem to flare up.

"Let's get you to the visitation room," the previous man says as he puts his hand on my back. I want to snatch it off but I ignore the urge, for now.

We enter the enormous room. They put Derek in one of the best prisons with maximum security. Weird, indeed.

They mostly do that to rapists, pedophiles, and murderers.

What did Derek Forster exactly do to get himself in here? Now thinking about it, it seems bigger than I thought.

I know James doesn't have the power and financial stability to do this, I "spoke" to him.

"Please, sit here, Miss. Leroy." The security guard points to the seat in the nearest place from where the inmates enter.

I look around and the room is filled with desperate people waiting for their losers to come. It's like a game, seeing your loved ones get worse day by the day, as their time goes up.

"I want him here now," I order him and he nods in fear. Everyone turns to me and a woman dressed in ragged clothes scrunches her nose in disgust. I ignore her unless she does it again, then I might just throw her out.

"What if he refuses?" He asks.

"He won't."

I wouldn't refuse if I were in his place, considering the consequences.

I wait for several minutes before I start to get bored. A second later — which feels like eternity — the guard comes back with a nervous look on his face.

"He refused," he speaks softly as he bents to be on the same eye-level as me.

I steadily stand up and now I'm the one looking down at him.

"I don't care. Do what you have to do to make him come."

"But-"

I sit back down and he stops talking, he leaves again.

I look at my watch to check the time. 4:23 pm already. I have to be home by 8 pm and I cannot waste all my time on this idiot. Why is he refusing all the visits?

Is he refusing Shanice and Dominic's visits? I need to talk to them. They must know something else.

Or perhaps Derek is an idiot who is changed by the prison.

The prison does make you worse, if you weren't a criminal before, you would surely be by the time you get out.

The security guards come back without Derek and I smash my hands on the table, but then I quickly compose myself.

I never fail.

How can he be so idiotic to take the precarious consequences rather than see me?

Jesus Christ, what does Veronica see him?

I stand up and walk to the guard, I hover over him and I whisper decisively in his ear, "one-week solitary confinement."

He nods but is still visibly flustered from being so near me.

I wait again, this time I'm going to lash out at Derek for making me wait. I instantly regret trying to help Veronica. She needs to forget this idiot.

Someone with cuffed hands appears in front of the inmates' entrance and a guard is guiding him to the unkept woman.

The inmate looks at me and I wink. He smirks and I look over my shoulder at that woman.

She is fuming.

I get distracted by the door, again.

The security guard comes alone.

I close my eyes and I exhale deeply, annoyed. I compose myself and I look around me.

"I'm so sorry," he apologizes and I roll my eyes. He is cute but sadly very submissive.

"What did he say?" I ask patiently.

"He simply said no, even when I raised the solitary confinement to seven days."

I scoff. That jerk. At least he has balls. But what does he needs them for while he is isolated?

"Ok then, since he wants to prove he is tough, give him two weeks." I walk away before he even gets to reply and I smile.

Fifteen days is the maximum someone can be in solitary confinement. I would have raised it to three weeks if it was up to me.

I failed, yeah, but I'm sure he is going to be suffering for a while for his decision, maybe next time he will think twice when Veronica visits him.

I could take it back, and let him out but then it would mean I'm not a woman of word.

Which I'm not, unless it's to my advantage, but no one has to know that.

~

One month ago

"You fucking bitch, I'm going to end you-"

"Don't get so emotional, it's a turn-off." I interrupt him.

James sprints towards me and I take a step backward, while the security guards stop him before he hits me.

They hold his hands and I smile, walking closer to him again and I stop only when I'm a few inches away from his face.

"I'm going to ask you again, and maybe I won't throw your father in prison."

"Did you frame Derek?" I whisper in his ear hoarsely while the guards keep him still.

"Go to hell, slut." He spits but completely misses me and the guards put him down violently.

James falls to the floor with his hands behind his back and I kneel near him.

"I understand your pain. It must be so hard when your father comes home drunk and hits you repeatedly," I say while his face scrunches in pain.

"I really do." I caress his face and his expression eases.

"Get him up." I compose myself and they nod.

They help him stand up and I look in his icy blue eyes that feel bland. This guy doesn't care about anyone but himself.

"I'm going to ask you one more time and I won't be very nice if you aren't honest." I point my finger towards his chest and I trace it down to his abdomen.

"Did. You. Frame. Derek?" I mutter every word loud enough for him to hear it.

"If I tell you, will you still report us?"

"Of course not sweetie, I promise." I smile sincerely.

James nods and I wait for him to speak.

"I didn't frame him. I didn't have to, my friend bought drugs from him years ago and he had all the proof." He speaks with honesty and I believe him.

"Who is your friend?" I ask through gritted teeth and he closes his eyes.

He hesitates and I stare at him unnerved. After a long pause which he spends looking around, lost. James finally speaks.

"Dominic."

I wait for a few seconds, thinking of what he told me and I walk to the desk in the office.

My dad bought the whole company just a few days ago.

James looks at me nervously and I smile before picking up the landline telephone.

"Proceed with the lawsuit."

He scowls at me and tries to free himself from the guards but I put down the telephone without even batting an eye.

"Worthless whore- you will pay for this."

I nod at the security guards and they take him out while he continues screaming down the halls.