The massive house on the private drive felt cold and empty, which was precisely how Jessica liked it when her schemes were underway. She quickly showered, changed into a sleek, sapphire blue designer dress, and grabbed a coat—she needed to leave the chill of the Lance estate behind. Her plan was already in motion.
Jessica pulled up to a modest, ranch-style house in a quiet, older neighborhood. The contrast between this home and her father's mansion was intentional; she always preferred the challenge of conquering men who believed they were above her influence. She slowly knocked on the door, a sly smile spreading across her lips.
Christopher Patrick opened the door. He was handsome, rugged, and wore a look of intense, internal conflict. He looked down at Jessica with a stern face and exhaled deeply, his gaze calm and steady in her eyes.
"Jessica, I told you I have already…"
"I know, baby." Jessica purred, running her finger lightly down Christopher's rugged jawline, her eyes twinkling with feigned adoration and genuine sensuality. "You are upset with me." She leaned into him. He moved away slightly from her softness, but she felt his body tremble—that tiny tremor of weakness was all Jessica needed.
"You know what you mean to me, Chris. I often rush into things, and sometimes I don't think straight, but the truth is you are all I need. My past actions with Dan were just… a moment of confusion. A habit."
He pursued his lips, his resolve visibly wavering. "And Dan Trace? I saw him all over social media again, talking about his 'better half.'"
Jessica let out a small breath of air and leaned her shoulder against his chest. "Let's go in and talk about it. Give me a chance to explain, honey. I'm cold."
"Jessica, I have work in the morning. Real work."
Jessica didn't panic. She slid her hand down his side, resting her fingers lightly on his belt line, and smiled softly up at him. She sighed in resignation, her yearning still projecting through the sound.
"I really, truly need you tonight, Chris. I've been so stressed dealing with my father and the divorce. I just need one evening where I feel real, honest affection." Her voice was soft, and she whispered gently into his ear. She felt him tremble next to her, and this just fueled her dominance.
A few more minutes of coaxing, and she was in the house.
The interior was clean, organized, and masculine, a stark contrast to her own chaotic luxury. Soon, she and Christopher were intertwined on his broad sofa—their hands caressing each other, their skin touching, and their breath hot. Jessica relished the moment, feeling his surrender as they moved to the bedroom.
As they made love, Jessica asked him how much he enjoyed her, whispering that he knew he needed her. She enjoyed commanding and dominating him—not just physically, but mentally. She knew Christopher had a deep-seated resentment toward the wealthy elite, a resentment she was currently exploiting.
Hours later, they lay side-by-side, Jessica's head resting lightly on his chest. She smiled to herself, feeling the victor.
Christopher prodded gently, trying to lead the conversation away from the intimacy and toward his professional life. "So, Amber's new business seems pretty strong. A lot of the local suppliers are buzzing about a massive development."
Jessica stiffened, the relaxation draining instantly. A frown bloomed across her face. "Her business? Amber Ann works at the research labs in Carson City, or she did. She certainly isn't running a business."
"I don't think so," he corrected, kissing the top of her head and running a calming hand down her side. "That job ended a few months ago. Everyone in my firm knows about the Blue Serene development. It's the talk of the region."
Annoyance and a cold, rising anger flooded Jessica. She sat up abruptly, pulling the sheets around herself. "What is this new business? Tell me everything."
Christopher, seeing her mood shift from sensual to demanding, hesitated. "It's actually a resort and spa complex. She's going to own the main complex and residential properties—and, I think, she will rent out or sell some of the individual properties there. My company is bidding on the carpentry contract for the main lodge. It is going to be a seriously successful venture, they say."
Jessica truly became enraged. Amber Ann—always the quiet achiever, the secret power. A concrete, vicious plan began to form in her mind, a scheme that would hit Amber Ann where it hurt the most, ruining her future happiness. She forced a calming smile back onto her face.
"I hear your wife can't have children," Jessica murmured, testing the waters.
Christopher stiffened dramatically at the comment. He sat up fully, moving away from her and pulling a pillow between them – as if it were a buffer or some sort of security for him. "How do you even know that?"
"Calm down, love. I want to help, not criticize." Jessica slid closer to him, closing the distance he had tried to create. "And I know that the same way that I knew your wife would be of town working this week."
She kissed him softly, her tongue gently brushing against his skin, Christopher trembled again.
She smiled at him coyly, her eyes locking onto his conflicted expression. "I do not mind giving you two babies, Chris. Think about it. Fertility procedures will help with this. I know how badly you want children. You can tell your wife the babies are adopted. She wants children just as much as you do."
Christopher frowned deeply, his inner struggle palpable. "And what do you want from me? Nothing in your life is free, Jessica."
Jessica smiled, believing Christopher would agree. She slid closer to him and put her hand on his thigh, letting her fingers trace a line upward.
"Just allow me this. I want to carry your baby for you—I want to help you like you have helped me." And I want a massive, undeniable scandal that will destroy Amber Ann's perfect life, forever tying me to you and ensuring my access to the money I need, she thought, her smile widening.
Christopher sat in silence for a long moment, staring at the wall, wondering how much he could trust this woman that he had loved all his life – and how much money she would eventually fleece from him.
Jessica leaned into him and quietly began to plan. She would use whoever she needed to help her to get what she wanted – a permanent division between Amber Ann and Dan.