Slow-Cooked Revenge

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The private thermal spa party was in full swing, but my fianc was nowhere to be found.

I headed toward the VIP wing to look for him.

Suddenly, glowing lines of text flashed across my vision.

[Why is the tacky side character at the sauna? The male lead is busy making out with the fake heiress in there!]

[Watching her use her own money to book a luxury sauna, only for it to become a love nest for our main couple, is just so satisfying!]

[Hehe! That is what she gets for hogging the fiance title. Let her choke on it!]

Simon, my fianc's assistant, stepped into my path, blocking the hallway.

"Miss Harrington, Mr. Davenport said he went to fetch your fresh towels. He asked you to wait back in the private cabana."

[Look at the assistant being an absolute bro, covering for them!]

[Our sweet, beautiful Cassey belongs with the male lead. If I were there, I would help trick this trailer trash too.]

[Jim is so wild. He slammed the door so hard he jammed the safety lock. They literally cannot open it from the inside!]

I glanced at the blistering wave of heat visibly seeping through the cracks of the heavy glass door.

Then, I looked at the yellow "Out of Order" sign hanging on the handle.

I pulled out my phone and dialed the local resort town locksmith.

"Hi, the sauna door lock is jammed. Just take your time driving the golf cart up the mountain. Anytime within the next hour is fine. I will be waiting right outside the door."

[No way! If they wait an hour, the main couple will be boiled alive!]

...

"Tara, what are you just standing around here for?"

A group of Jim's trust-fund friends strolled down the corridor.

Leading the pack were Madison and Carter.

They were part of Jim and Cassey's inner circle, the kind of old-money snobs who never hid their absolute disdain for me, the biological daughter who was only brought back to the Harrington estate a year ago.

Madison rolled her eyes, her voice dripping with mockery.

"Didn't Jim tell you to wait in the cabana?"

"Are you scared of getting lost? Never seen a luxury alpine resort before?"

Carter chimed in with a cruel smirk.

"Tara, even if you technically hold the title of fiance, try not to be so clingy. Jim deals with enough corporate stress as it is. He finally gets a weekend to unwind, and you are sticking to him like a leech. It is pathetic."

[Exactly! This side character is so gross. Tell her to get lost!]

[Do not interrupt the main couple making babies in there!]

[The temperature inside is spiking. The side character needs to leave so the assistant can figure out a way to break the door and save them!]

I ignored their taunts. Instead, I turned my attention to a passing resort attendant.

"You. Bring a velvet lounger over here."

"And two heavy-duty electric fans. Point them directly at me."

"I also want iced watermelon, frozen grapes, and the most expensive gelato you have in the kitchen. Bring it all right here."

The attendant blinked in surprise but quickly hurried off to follow my orders.

Madison scowled. "Tara, what kind of psychotic break is this?"

"This is the VIP corridor. What are you doing setting up a picnic here?"

I paid her no mind, settling comfortably onto the plush lounger the staff had just wheeled over, and scooped a spoonful of rich vanilla gelato into my mouth.

"I bought out this entire wing for the night. I will eat wherever I please."

"If my face offends you, the exit is right behind you. Feel free to roll your way out."

"You!" Madison gasped, her face turning a blotchy red.

Simon was visibly panicking now. His eyes kept darting toward that tightly sealed sauna door.

The heat leaking from the seams was already making the hallway unbearably stuffy.

"Miss Harrington, it is incredibly humid out here. Resting in this heat is terrible for your skin."

"How about I escort you to the facial spa downstairs?"

I took my time, speaking in a slow, deliberate drawl.

"No need. I just noticed the lock on this sauna is broken."

"What if someone is trapped inside?"

"I am a good Samaritan at heart. I simply must stay right here and stand guard until the locksmith arrives."

All the color drained from Simon's face.

He knew exactly who was inside. His boss and his boss's precious little secret.

[Ahhh I am so mad! This toxic bitch is doing this on purpose!]

[Wait, does she know something?]

[No way, she is just a brainless cannon fodder. How could she know?]

[We are doomed. Cassey has a fragile constitution, and it has to be over 120 degrees in there by now! If they do not get out, someone is going to die!]

Madison stomped over, pointing a manicured finger right at my face.

"Tara, stop being such an attention whore!"

"There is an 'Out of Order' sign on the door. Why would anyone be inside?"

"You are just throwing a tantrum to get Jim's attention, aren't you?"

"Newsflash. Even if you pull these pathetic stunts, Jim will never look at you twice!"

Carter nodded in agreement.

"Exactly. Look at how vulgar you are acting. You do not even compare to a single hair on Cassey's head."

"The Harringtons only took you in out of pity. Do not start thinking you actually matter."

I shot them a freezing glare.

I was the biological Harrington heiress, lost to the foster system for twenty years.

I was brought home barely a year ago.

But my biological parents and my older brother had already poured all their love into Cassey, the imposter they raised in my place.

They hated that I spoke bluntly. They hated that I did not know how to play the sweet, submissive debutante.

Even my fianc, Jim, a man I was betrothed to since childhood, was completely obsessed with Cassey.

I had tried so hard to fit in, to please them all.

All I got in return was endless cold shoulders and vicious mockery.

So, I was done playing nice.

I tossed the leftover watermelon rind onto the silver tray. The sharp clatter echoed in the hallway.

Madison and Carter bristled, their pride wounded.

"Who do you think you are throwing an attitude at?" Madison crossed her arms, glaring down at me.

"Do you think just because you have the Harrington last name, we are scared of you?"

"In our circle, Cassey is the only Harrington girl we recognize!"

"You are just a piece of trash who showed up halfway to steal her life!"

I let out a dry, mocking laugh.

"Steal her life? Madison, did your daddy buy your high school diploma? You really lack basic comprehension skills."

"Cassey stole my identity and spent twenty years burning through my parents' bank accounts."

"How exactly did I steal anything from her?"

[The side character is so stubborn! Blood means nothing, emotional bonds are what truly matter!]

[Cassey is so kind-hearted. If she was not worried about protecting this bitch's fragile ego, she would have gone public with Jim ages ago!]

[Someone figure out how to save them! The temperature is hitting 140 degrees!]

[Jim stripped all his clothes off, and Cassey is getting delirious! Any longer and they will severely dehydrate!]

Simon was sweating bullets, gripping his two-way radio but terrified to openly call for backup.

"Miss Harrington, I am begging you. Please just leave. I will handle things here."

"If Mr. Davenport comes back and sees you acting like this, he will be furious with you again."

I leaned back into the velvet cushions, entirely unbothered.

"Furious? What do I care if he throws a fit?"

"Nobody touches that door today without my permission."

Realizing playing nice would not work, Carter's face darkened into a nasty scowl.

"Tara, you are already a laughingstock in high society, and now you have the nerve to act arrogant?"

"If you do not get up and leave right now, you can forget about ever being invited to our parties again!"

"Yeah! We will completely blackball you!" Madison shrieked in agreement.

I looked at them, finding the whole situation utterly hilarious.

The old me would have swallowed her pride and taken the abuse just to squeeze into their elite little bubble.

I used to force a smile through their sneers.

I paid for all their lavish tabs just for an excuse to spend a few extra minutes with Jim.

But now? Why the hell should I?

"Deal." The word slipped effortlessly from my lips.

Madison and Carter exchanged confused glances, clearly not expecting me to agree so easily.

"What did you just say?" Madison's eyes widened.

"I said deal. I was getting sick of dealing with you freeloading parasites anyway."

"I already closed the tab for today. If you want to keep partying, open your own wallets."

"Oh, and do not forget to Venmo me for the fans and the drinks. We are splitting the cost."

[Is the side character insane? How dare she speak to the male lead's friends like that!]

[Wasn't she terrified of being isolated?]

[Forget about her! Cassey just collapsed into Jim's arms in there! SOS!]

[Jim tried to ram the door, but he has no strength left! It is heavy-duty reinforced glass, he cannot break it!]

Simon finally snapped. He gritted his teeth and lunged forward.

"Forgive me for this, Miss Harrington!"

He reached out to physically shove my lounger out of the way.

I locked eyes with him, my voice dropping to a lethal whisper. "Touch me, and see what happens."

"You are nothing but Jim's lapdog. You really think you can put your hands on me?"

Simon froze mid-step.

Right at that moment, a deeply displeased voice boomed from the end of the hallway.

"Tara, what kind of ridiculous scene are you causing now!"

I looked up.

It was my biological brother, Blake Harrington, flanked by a detail of private security.

Seeing her savior arrive, Madison instantly morphed into a weeping victim, running up to him.

"Blake, thank god you are here!"

"Look at Tara! She is blocking the hallway like a maniac, insulting us, and even screaming at Jim's assistant."

Blake's brow furrowed in disgust. He marched right up to me, demanding answers.

"Where is Cassey?"

"We have been looking everywhere for her. And here you are, hiding out and stuffing your face?"

Looking at his blatantly biased, angry face, I forced down the familiar sting of betrayal.

"She is a grown woman. How would I know where she wandered off to?"

Blake stood over me, his tone dripping with condescension.

"Watch your attitude! Cassey has a delicate constitution. If something happens to her, can you bear the consequences?"

"Get off your ass right now and go find her!"

I took a slow sip of my iced fruit juice, perfectly composed.

"Not going. I am waiting here for the locksmith."

"What damn locksmith? Are you out of your mind!"

Blake violently swiped his hand across my table, knocking over my glass.

The crystal shattered against the marble floor, splashing sticky, freezing juice all over my dress.

He didn't show a shred of guilt. Instead, he stared at me with pure revulsion.

"Tara, when will you stop this?"

"Every time we go out, you have to ruin the mood for everyone."

"Do you have any idea how cheap and pathetic you look when you act like this!"

[Tell her, brother! He has such good taste!]

[This toxic bitch needs to be kicked out of the Harrington family!]

[Make him drag her away! It is 160 degrees in there! Cassey is losing consciousness!]

[Jim is gasping for air, his skin is completely red! Get that door open!]

"Blake, that was the absolute last time I ever let you physically touch me."

I glared at him with dead eyes, standing up to brush the sticky fruit pulp off my designer dress.

"If you do not want to wait for the locksmith, then smash the door down yourself."

"If you actually have the guts to do it, I might actually respect you as a brother."

Blake laughed, a harsh, mocking sound. "Tara, you are a completely unreasonable lunatic!"

"Guards, drag her out of here. Do not let her embarrass us any further!"

Two burly security guards immediately stepped up, grabbing me forcefully by both shoulders.

[Yes! Amazing job, brother! Throw this annoying woman out!]

[Once she is gone, the assistant can finally break the door and save them!]

[Hold on, my precious Cassey! You will be out soon!]

[Jim is getting heat spasms! Oh my god, my heart is breaking for him!]

"Let me go!"

I thrashed violently, digging my fingernails desperately into the decorative wooden pillar beside me.

Blake waved his hand impatiently. "Pry her fingers off!"

The guard aggressively twisted my knuckles, pulling a sharp hiss of pain from my lips.

Reacting on pure adrenaline, I ducked my head and sank my teeth deeply into the guard's hand.

"Argh!"

The guard howled in pain, instinctively dropping his grip.

Thick drops of blood splattered onto the pristine marble floor.

[What the fuck! Is this crazy woman part dog? She bites!]

[Zero class! Who cares if she has biological ties, she is absolute trailer trash to her core!]

[Call the cops on her! Do not let her delay the rescue any longer!]

Seeing the blood, Blake roared in fury.

"Tara, you dare assault someone!"

"I am going to teach you a lesson today. You are going to learn your place!"

Madison shrieked from the sidelines.

"Call security! Call the police!"

"She committed assault! Let the cops lock her up!"

Within minutes, two local resort police officers arrived on the scene.

Blake pointed a rigid finger at me, his voice strictly authoritarian.

"Officers, my sister is mentally unstable. She has been causing a massive disturbance and just violently bit my security guard."

"Please take her down to the station. Process her however you see fit."

Madison and Carter eagerly nodded along.

"Yes! We saw the whole thing!"

"She is violently unhinged. Keeping her here is a public safety hazard!"

The two officers looked at the guard's bleeding hand and frowned heavily.

"Ma'am, you are suspected of physical assault. Please come with us."

Cold metal handcuffs snapped around my wrists.

I let out a low, chilling laugh.

"Alright, officers. I will go with you."

"But I highly recommend you do not wander too far. Because the biggest scandal of the century is about to blow wide open right here."

"What kind of garbage are you spewing now!" Blake yelled.

Right at that moment, the elevator doors down the hall chimed open.

"Blake! Did you find Cassey yet?"

An elegantly dressed older woman in stilettos practically sprinted out of the elevator.

It was my biological mother, Beatrice Harrington, her face tight with panic. Trailing behind her were several high-society wives from her country club.

Blake hurried over to steady her.

"Mom, why are you up here?"

"How could I not be? Cassey said she was going to change her swimsuit, and it has been half an hour! No one has seen her!"

Beatrice was frantic, but then her eyes landed on me in handcuffs.

She froze for a second before her face twisted into pure, unadulterated rage.

"Tara, you absolute disgrace! What kind of mess are you making now!"

"Your sister is missing, and you are sitting here stuffing your face and fighting with the police?"

"I should have never brought you back! You are a stain on the Harrington name!"

[Yes, Mom, tell her! This evil side character does not deserve the Harrington name!]

[Only our sweet Cassey is worthy of being the heiress!]

[Take her away! Officers, drag her out of here!]

[The metal door handle is literally scorching hot! Cassey and Jim are dying!]

The officer tried to de-escalate. "Mrs. Harrington, your daughter bit someone. We need to take her in for questioning."

Beatrice curled her lip in disgust. "Take her! Get her out of my sight!"

"Lock this uneducated savage up for a few days so she learns some manners!"

"Do not let her stand here and distract me from finding Cassey!"

I looked at the woman who gave birth to me, watching how desperately she wanted me to vanish, and I just laughed out loud.

"Mom, aren't you looking for your precious Cassey?"

"You can stop searching. She is right behind that door."

I gestured with my chin toward the heavy glass door with the "Out of Order" sign.

Beatrice followed my gaze, her expression faltering.

Blake immediately snapped back.

"Bullshit! There is a maintenance sign on it. Why the hell would Cassey be in there?"

I raised an eyebrow.

"Do not believe me? Just ask Jim's assistant."

"He has been standing guard outside this door since the very beginning. He hasn't moved an inch."

Every single pair of eyes in the corridor snapped toward Simon.

Simon stammered, his entire body trembling.

"N-No... Boss and Miss Cassey... they aren't in there..."

I smirked coldly. "Oh? Then who cranked the sauna dial to the absolute maximum?"

"And who jammed the safety lock from the inside?"

"Mom, your precious little Cassey is in there right now, rolling around naked with my fianc..."

Smack!

Beatrice lunged forward and slapped me across the face with all her strength.

Half my face went numb before burning hot. The metallic taste of blood flooded my mouth.

"You filthy-mouthed little whore!"

Beatrice was shaking with rage, pointing a trembling finger at my nose.

"Knowing what kind of trash you are, you dare spread malicious rumors about your sister and Jim?"

"Cassey is pure and innocent! She would never do something so shameless!"

"You are just jealous that she is better than you, that everyone loves her! You are just trying to ruin her reputation!"

The country club wives behind her shook their heads in disapproval.

"Tara, this really crosses the line. What kind of sister makes up lies like this?"

"Exactly. We watched Jim grow up. He is a gentleman. He would never do such a thing."

I touched my burning cheek, my eyes turning completely devoid of warmth.

Smack!

A second, infinitely louder slap echoed through the hall as my handcuffed hands swung up and cracked fiercely across Beatrice's face.

The entire corridor gasped in horror.

Blake's eyes widened in sheer disbelief.

"Tara! You hit Mom!"

Beatrice clutched her cheek, screaming as she tried to claw at me.

"You animal! I gave birth to you, and you dare strike me!"

The officers quickly stepped in, shoving themselves between us.

"Mrs. Harrington, contain yourself. No physical violence."

Shielded by the police, I watched her act like a rabid dog.

"You gave birth to me, but you never spent a single day raising me."

"If you are so convinced I am lying, then open the damn door and look for yourself!"

"Look and see if your perfect little daughter is in there stealing another woman's man!"

Pushed to the brink of insanity by my words, Beatrice completely lost it.

"Fine! Open it! Let's see how you talk your way out of this when it's empty!"

"If nobody is in there, I will beat you to death with my bare hands today!"

She stormed up to the sauna and aggressively grabbed the metal handle.

"Ah!"

She violently recoiled, clutching her hand. The metal was scalding hot.

Right at that moment, the resort locksmith came jogging up the hallway with his heavy tool bag.

"Excuse me, coming through! Make way!"

The locksmith worked fast. He pulled out an industrial drill, and within seconds, he shredded the jammed lock cylinder.

Click.

The heavy tempered glass door finally pulled open.