Natalie Rodrigo sat in the dimly lit confines of her opulent apartment, a glass of red wine cradled delicately in her hand. The city skyline sparkled outside, but her gaze was fixed on the faint reflection in the window-a woman who had clawed her way to the top through sheer determination, manipulation, and ruthlessness.
She tilted the glass, watching the liquid swirl, crimson like the simmering rage that had lived in her heart for years.
Daisy Croft.
The name was a thorn in her side, a bitter reminder of everything she could never have. Daisy’s laughter, her radiant confidence, the effortless way she captured the hearts of everyone around her-it made Natalie sick.
Her hatred, however, went deeper than mere jealousy. It was a venom that had seeped into her veins from the moment she first met Daisy as a child.
—
Natalie was ten years old when her mother first took her to the Croft estate. Her mother, a maid, had brought Natalie along on a particularly busy day, desperate for extra hands. The Croft mansion was enormous, its grand halls adorned with chandeliers and priceless artwork. To young Natalie, it was a palace straight out of a fairytale.
That’s where she first saw Daisy. The little girl, only eight at the time, was playing in the garden, surrounded by flowers and sunlight. She wore a dress that seemed to sparkle, her laughter ringing out like music.
Natalie watched from the shadows, envy coiling around her heart.
“You must be Natalie!” Daisy’s cheerful voice broke through her thoughts.
Startled, Natalie turned, only to find Daisy standing in front of her, offering a bright smile.
“I made extra cookies in the kitchen,” Daisy said, holding out a plate. “Do you want some?”
Natalie hesitated before taking one, mumbling her thanks.
From that moment on, Natalie became a silent observer of Daisy’s life.
She watched as Daisy grew up in luxury, doted on by her family, never wanting for anything. Daisy was kind to everyone, even Natalie, but her kindness only deepened the resentment festering within Natalie.
As they got older, things only got worse. Daisy’s beauty blossomed, her talent shone, and her charisma made her the center of attention. Natalie, on the other hand, was always a step behind, clawing her way through life, unnoticed and unappreciated.
And then there was Louis.
—
Natalie drained the rest of her wine in one gulp, the memory of Louis Grant bringing a bitter taste to her mouth.
She had fallen for him the moment she saw him, long before Daisy ever entered his life. Louis was everything she wanted-powerful, composed, and devastatingly handsome. But he had eyes for only one woman.
Daisy.
It was unbearable. Watching the man she loved care so deeply for someone who already had everything.
Natalie clenched her fists, her nails digging into her palms.
She had tried to play the part of the best friend, pretending to celebrate Daisy’s victories, to comfort her in her losses. But every smile she offered, every encouraging word she gave, was laced with poison.
The breaking point came when Daisy and Louis’s engagement was announced.
Natalie had locked herself in her apartment that night, tearing apart everything within reach. How could he choose Daisy? The spoiled princess who didn’t know the first thing about struggle, about survival?
That’s when Natalie made a decision. If she couldn’t have Louis, she would destroy the one thing that stood in her way: Daisy Croft.
—
Now, sitting in her luxurious apartment, the same fire of hatred burned in her chest.
Her last attempt to ruin Daisy had failed miserably. She had underestimated Louis’s vigilance, his unwavering devotion to Daisy. But this time, she would be smarter.
Natalie picked up her phone and dialed a number.
“I need you to gather the team,” she said, her voice cold and sharp. “We have unfinished business.”
“Yes, ma’am,” the voice on the other end replied.
Natalie hung up and leaned back in her chair, a cruel smile playing on her lips.
Her plan wasn’t just about eliminating Daisy anymore. It was about reclaiming her power, proving that she could take everything Daisy had and leave her with nothing.
—
Far from the glamorous world she inhabited, there was another side to Natalie’s life. She had long since aligned herself with powerful figures in the shadows-the kind who thrived on fear and destruction.
Her connections to the underworld were extensive, her influence undeniable. But even there, she was beginning to encounter resistance.
The Mafia boss she reported to had grown weary of her obsession with Daisy.
“You’re jeopardizing our operations,” he had warned during their last meeting. “This personal vendetta of yours is a liability.”
Natalie had laughed it off, assuring him that she had everything under control. But the truth was, she didn’t care about the consequences. She was willing to risk everything to see Daisy fall.
—
As the night deepened, Natalie stared out at the city lights, her mind racing with possibilities.
She would hit Daisy where it hurt the most-her reputation, her career, her relationships. She would isolate her, humiliate her, destroy her. And when Daisy was left with nothing, Natalie would be there, standing tall, triumphant.
The world had always favored Daisy, showering her with opportunities and love. But Natalie was done playing second fiddle.
“If I can’t have it,” she whispered to herself, her voice dripping with venom, “then no one can.”
And so, the wheels of her next plot began to turn, shrouded in secrecy, fueled by years of envy and a heart twisted by unrequited love.