The Billionaire Playboy’s Secret Family
Chapter 81

Elizabeth stood in front of her office windows overlooking a view of the city but she wasn't really seeing it. There was another image in her mind: the image of Regina prancing on stage shining. She had gone to the opening of Selena expecting a good laugh. How was she to know Regina actually had talent? She was nothing more than a stripper. A person like that couldn't have talent and certainly didn't belong on a proper stage. Yet the accolades were already coming in. Elizabeth returned to her desk and looked at the entertainment headline again. Selena Lives Again!!

Last night was the opening to an amazing, earnest telling of the tragic story of Selena Quintanilla. Selena is portrayed by a stunning Regina Avery, formerly Regina Torres. Regina gave a stirring and heartfelt performance of the music icon even singing the artists most iconic songs in Spanish. Tears for the singer's tragic end were in everyone's eyes as they stood giving the performance its much deserved standing ovation...

Elizabeth tossed the paper aside in disgust. What made it worse was that Regina did truly shine on stage. Her singing was superb but also her ability to act. It was clear she had plenty of experience given her poise on stage in front of so many. She didn't appear nervous in the slightest.

But the real sting was after the performance during the meet-and-greet. The moment Regina entered the room she was practically swarmed with people wanting her attention.

She might have been stuck in that circle forever if Marcus hadn't swooped in like an action hero. Picking her up bridal style he carried her away with a stern warning to her admirers to mind their manners toward his wife.

The action had certainly brought a blush to Regina's face but that didn't stop her from kissing him rather passionately in front of everyone. Elizabeth had gripped her champagne glass so hard she broke off the stem. How?

How had Regina won his heart so completely? Why was he so warm and happy with her when he only ever gave Elizabeth a cold shoulder?

"... Miss Quenn, you have a phone call from Miss Madison.

Line One."

Elizabeth huffed hitting the button on the speaker, "I told you not to call me."

"But Elizabeth...l-I've been fired. I lost my pension. I lost everything. And I just got a notice I'm being sued for defamation of character and abuse of power. I can't fight this on my own."

"And that's somehow my problem?"

"I did everything you said."

"I told you to get rid of those kids. I told you to make them disappear and make sure their mother rots in the sewers.

Where are those kids now, huh?" Elizabeth demanded." They are at the Avery estate living like lost princes and princesses. And what about that woman? Where is she? I'll tell you. She's in Marcus's arms. That's where. You are the one who broke our deal." "I didn't know she'd get Tracy Conroy for her lawyer. How could I have known she had that kind of connection?"

"You should have planned better. Don't ever call me again," Elizabeth smacked the end button before leaning back with a sigh. What the hell was she going to do now?

"Hello Elizabeth."

She jerked to attention to see Cybil standing at the door.

Elizabeth quickly straightened smoothing her skirt as she smiled at her former mother-in-law-to-be, "Cybil, come in.

Sit down. I wasn't expecting you today."

"That's fine. This won't take long," Cybil stepped into the office quietly shutting the door. "I came here to talk to you woman-to-woman but I see now that it will have to be woman to monster." "Excuse me?"

"You're the one who sent CPS after Regina and tried to take away her children."

"..HI don't know what you are talking about."

Cybil raised her hand revealing her cell phone. Tapping the screen a somewhat muffled version of her previous conversation issued out, "I told you to get rid of those kids.

I told you to make them disappear..."

"That-that is an illegal recording. It's not admissible in court. I didn't give you permission to record that."

"Oh? Like you got my permission to record me now?" Cybil asked glancing up at the security camera in the corner. " The only difference between my recording and yours is that you can't make mine disappear." Elizabeth frowned, her mouth twitching.

"How could you?" Cybil stared at her. "How could you even conceive of doing that to my grandchildren and their mother?"

"She doesn't deserve to be a mother. She's just a slut. You should ask her where she has been working these past few years."

"If you are talking about the Masque, I already know. I know more about that place than you ever will" Cybil smirked. "In fact, I helped build it."

"..Y-you what?"

"The owner was my best friend since we were kids until she got engaged to that unbelievable bastard. He promised to love her forever...well apparently forever until his first love returned begging for him to take her back," Cybil snorted."

He abandoned his fiancée and unborn child in the rain to be with that b***h. She disappeared for over twenty years. I didn't hear a word from her until she came back almost ten years ago. She said she had an idea for a business and even had the location picked out. She just lacked the funds and asked if I would help. Well, how could I say no?"

Elizabeth blinked not sure if she believed what Cybil was confessing to her now. Never once had Cybil mentioned any of it to her before.

"She was always so smart. If that bastard had stuck to his promises she would probably be sitting in a seat very much like yours. She still could if she wanted to but she doesn't want to see him. So you see, there is nothing about the Masque you can tell me I don't already know seeing as ! am a silent partner in it," Cybil suddenly smiled. "Regina actually reminds me a lot of her. Maybe it comes from being forged in fire. I'm so glad Marcus found her again. I might even forgive Miles for keeping it all from me. And I will not let you try to pull them apart... though I doubt you could. Stay away from my son and my daughter-in-law and my grandchildren unless you want everyone to know what a conniving b***h you really are."

Cybil raised her phone to be certain she understood before turning back to the door. Pulling it open she found herself face-to-face with Vincent Hudd. Belatedly she recalled Elizabeth had been going out with him for the past few months. After Marcus publicly humiliated her she had given up trying to chase after him and had moved on to another potential partner.

The Hudds were in the same tier as the Avery family though they had lost some footing with other elite families because of the current patriarch's personal choices. He had good business sense but was not so lucky when it came to partners. After a rather rocky marriage, he divorced and married another only to divorce a second time. He had remained single since. He had two children, each by different mothers, though there was some doubt about their parentage especially as Vincent had been born rather soon after his first marriage. He had a passing resemblance to his father but Cybil had her doubts knowing his mother.

"Ah, Cybil," Vincent nodded glancing from her to Elizabeth and back again. "It's good to see you..! was going to take Elizabeth out to lunch...I can come back."

"That's fine, I was just leaving actually," Cybil turned up her nose. "By the way, next time you see your father perhaps you can give him a message for me." "Oh?"

"Tell him: Mary, Rebecca and his grandson are doing just fine without him," Cybil smirked before brushing past him.

She marched to the elevator and stepped on it. As the doors closed she looked up to see Vincent staring at her, speechless. Cybil couldn't help but smile. How little these kids knew about their parents. It could fill an encyclopedia.