If they went to the court for Starfish Refineries, there were higher chances that they would get jailed and incur heavy penalty instead of going scot-free. Nothing had flummoxed and irritated Helena as much as Dawn in her new avatar. Five years back she had so easily chased her away from there and she returned back with full force. At this point of time Helena wanted to wring her neck and watch her writhe in pain. She looked at Anne who had walked to the window and was watching the scenery outside with a blank stare.

Ten minutes passed without them saying anything. With body shrouded in mental stress, Helena lit up a cigarette and blew the smoke in the air to relieve some tension. "Call a meeting with the lawyers," she said in a shaky voice. Set up the meeting at the earliest. We don't have much time to prepare." Helena would go all out to get the date extended. And then— then she would prepare herself for it nicely. Instead of spending her energy in dealing with the personal problems of the Wyatt family, she would concentrate on the trial. But she needed that chance. Desperately.

​​

When Anne called Hertz, he said that it was difficult to get all the ten lawyers but he hoped that at least half of them would attend the meeting and that too after 8PM. Minutes dragged for eternity after that.

None of them spoke for the next half an hour, each occupied in their own thoughts, in their own version of doom that was hanging on their heads. Because of the sliver of hope that Dawn had given them, they had relaxed their meeting with the lawyers too. It was going to be one long night.

Helena was on her fifth cigarette when Anne's phone buzzed.

When Anne saw the name that was flashing on the screen, her lips bared her teeth in a snarl. "You bastard! You have run away with your whore and left us in a lurch. How long do you plan to hole up in that place? Wait till I send my goons to kill you!" growled Anne.

"Have you signed the divorce papers, Anne?" said David.

Anne walked back to her desk with one hand on the hip and the other holding her phone to her ears. "Sign the papers and let you go so easily?" she scoffed.

Helena looked at Dawn with incredulous expression. In a low voice she said, "You haven't signed the papers?"

Anne ignored her. "No David, I haven't signed them and I won't. Do you think I am going to let you enjoy with that mistress of yours while we suffer here? Not a chance. I am going to drag you with me in the hellhole and trust me when I get to be with Rose all by myself, I am going to wrench her gut out!"

David let out a throaty laughter. "Stop that drama, Anne. You sound like a jealous wife!"

Helena stopped smoking. She stared at her with disgust.

Anne lashed out. "I am not jealous, David. You can have a dozen mistresses and I wouldn't care. But you left us in the lurch here. Helena and I are battling everyday to deal with Dawn. Get that fat ass of yours over here and help us through the situation rather than fucking that bitch and grinding it over her!"

"I am going to ground it on anyone I like, wife," he said coldly, emphasizing on 'wife'. "Just sign the papers and prepare yourself for another grueling court case."

Anne's nostrils flared. "Ass! You would be able to slap the case if you will wriggle out of the Starfish Refineries litigation. And for that you need to come here. Tomorrow we have the hearing and you better be here by 8AM, else you can kiss goodbye to your dreams!"

"Anne, sign the goddamned papers!" he shouted. "You are going to regret it!"

"No!" she replied stubbornly and disconnected the call. The bastard was enjoying with his mistress in the Bahamas while she was here fighting all alone. The last threat would definitely bring him back here.

"How will it help when he will come here Anne?" asked Helena. "And why haven't you signed the papers already?" She sounded infuriated.

"He should help us instead of enjoying out in the Bahamas."

Helena and Anne were in the meeting with the lawyers until 4AM in the morning. They planned the strategy on how to get the date extended. It was crucial for their forthcoming schemes. Helena had never been so riled up in her life. She loved total control. She hated when things didn't go according to her plans. And she deeply regretted as to why didn't she poison Dawn instead of her mother. Clare was an idiot who she could have easily disposed off like a toy, but her daughter— she was a prick.

---

Dawn was getting ready in her room, when Daryn came from behind and watched her as she dressed. He leaned on the door with his ankle crossed over another leg and hands crossed across his chest. "Stop ogling mister," she said as she shimmied into her black thongs. "You must have seen me naked a thousand times at least."

Daryn gave a lewd smile. "Never can get enough of you."

She wore her bra and turned to buckle the hooks. Her breasts were getting heavier.

"Gods!" he groaned and ambled to her. She slipped in her black silk shirt and gazed over her shoulder to look at him. His hands were already inside her shirt and groping her full breasts. Slowly they trailed down to her navel and into her thongs to her clit. He ground his fingers over them. "Mine," he groaned again.

"I need to attend that court case dear," she said as she gyrated her hips on his finger.

"My greedy babe," he said in response.

She rolled her neck back and leaned on his broad chest. "If you continue with your ministrations I am going to lose the trial before it begins."

Reluctantly, Daryn withdrew his finger and his hand from her breast. He pulled down her shirt and said, "We continue this in the evening."

"Nah! That's too far. I am coming to your office as soon as the hearing is over."

He looked at her wantonly. This woman maddened him. "Are you ready for the trial?" he asked.

She took a pale pink skirt and wore it. "I am, mostly."

"Be careful, love. They are vicious," he cautioned her. "I am going to sit through the trial."

She turned to him and kissed him on the lips. Then cupping his face she said, "I am so glad that you weren't involved in my father's killing. It would have quashed my heart…"

He smiled hoping that she forgave Gayle. Would she? He leaned into her hands and kissed her palm.

---

The court was packed with reporters from the media and other interested people.

Lily Wyatt was sitting along with Anne and Helena. They had dark circles under their eyes. They had come a long time back and were sitting with their lawyer, discussing something.

When Dawn walked in, she noticed the crowd. Hated it. Jutting her chin out with confidence, she walked ahead. The crowd fell silent and she walked up to her lawyer. The three women on the other side glared at her like vultures. She gave them a sweet smile and sat down.