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“Fine,” Helena relented grudgingly “I’ll do what you want”

“Good to know” Elle gave a satisfied nod “I’ll have et started on the paperwork to transfer the house, business, and equity over toand get your things out of here, because by the end of next week, you will be locked out of the house Permanently”

“When did you become such a heartless bitch?” Gwen finally spoke up, tears of despair pooling in her eyes as the realization of the situation sank in

Elle laughed “Just today, actually, when I realized that being nice has gotten ot me killed This will be the Elle that the two of you deal with froet used to it”

If Hunter could have cheered out loud, he would have, but he remained quiet, secretly iseven if he didn’t understand the reasons she’d alloen and Helena the ability to walk away from what they’d done

Elle turned around and strode out of the kitchen with her head held high, which Hunter took as his cue that she was done here and ready to leave He followed, but not before he sent one last smirk Gwen and Helena’s way that conveyed a quiet but clear e to the duoYour karma has just been served

Chapter 17

Elle walked back into Hunter’s apart beyond exhilarated and liberated after confronting Helena and Gwen And the fact that Hunter had told her on the drive back that he was proud of her for being such a badasswell, she was practically glowing A huge weight had been lifted off her shoulders today, and even though her stepreement they’d made, Elle couldn’t help but think that her future finally looked pro

“Can I ask you so room, his hands stuffed into the front pockets of his jeans

She heard the curiosity in his voice and aze “Of course”

When he reached where she was standing, he tipped his head to the side “Why did you give Gwen and Helena an option, when you could have pressed charges and still gained everything you wanted?”

“I’eful, vindictive person,” she stated honestly

“It wouldn’t have been revenge,” he countered “It would have been justice”

Elle understood his reasoning, but she had her own “Forthatcompletely destitute will be the worst kind of hell for her” Then Elle recalled what Hunter had told her of the situation between Maddux and Arabella “Your brother went the vindictive route with Theodore Cole by taking his daughter, and that revenge could have cost hieful isn’t everything it’s cracked up to be”

“Well, when you put it that way” Hunter laughed lightly and shook his head “What are you going to do with Claire?”