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She caught the warning look Kimberlee shot Alina and the latter, who’d clearly been dipping into the preprandial martinis, zipped up her lips and mimicked throwing away the key.

Maybe she shouldn’t have announced the fact that she was a reporter, Odelia thought now. People tended to clam up when they knew. Then again, Emerald would have told everyone anyway, so there was no point in hiding.

Downstairs, a liveried servant escorted the small company into the dining room, and Odelia’s breath momentarily caught as she was struck by the sheer opulence. Three crystal chandeliers lit up the room. Gilt sconces illuminated paintings of old masters adorning the walls, and the floor was exquisite marble. A glass of champagne was discreetly pressed into her hand and she and Chase were equally discreetly led to the table by another servant.

She recognized Abbey Moret, who was loudly regaling Verna Rectrix and Verna’s husband Thaw Roman with some anecdote, making the couple laugh, and as Odelia glanced around, eyes shining, she saw that all the guests were there except for Emerald and her husband Pete.

“I’ll bet she’ll be the last one to arrive,” said Chase, as if he’d read her mind.

“She is, after all, the Queen of Hollywood,” said Odelia. “Did you have a chance to chat with Alina’s husband?”

“Yeah, actually I did. He seems like a good guy. Said something about his wife having suffered a migraine this afternoon and almost deciding not to come down for dinner.”

“She didn’t look like she was suffering from a headache.”

“The magic of Ibuprofen, no doubt. Reinhart said she suffers migraines so frequently she carries a small pharmacy wherever she goes.”

“And here I thought she was tipsy.”

Next to them, Kimberlee’s boyfriend was taking a selfie with his girlfriend. He looked as impressed with the setup as they were.

“His name is Zoltan Falecki,” said Chase, following Odelia’s gaze. “He’s a hockey player and a pretty great guy. First-time invitee to this famous bash.”

“This is a famous bash?”

“Apparently it is. Every time Emerald wraps a project, she invites the main cast to her house. A way for her to stay in touch with her co-stars. Get to know them a little better.”

“And to assert her superiority,” said Odelia.

Chase grinned.“You said it.”

The moment had come: the lights in the room were dimmed, and suddenly there she was: the queen herself. Emerald Rhone, resplendent in a long black gown with plunging neckline, a diamond necklace adding even more luster.

“Oh. My. God,” murmured Chase, and Odelia couldn’t have put it better.

Chapter 5

“My beloved friends!” Emerald said, as her diamonds shimmered intoxicatingly. “Welcome to my humble abode!”

Loud cheers rang out around the table, and Odelia had the distinct impression this was a ritual many of those present had gone through before. Then she remembered this was the second season ofBig Little Secrets that had been broadcast, so these same people had been here before, exactly one year ago, presumably without any media people present.

“My darlings,” said Emerald with a smile on her face as she glanced around the room. She spread her arms to encompass all those present. “I’m happy—so happy to see all of your lovely faces here tonight. This business of ours can be cutthroat sometimes, and it’s moments like these that remind us all that in spite of that, friendships do exist and thrive—only if we let them!”

“Hear hear,” said Abbey, raising her glass and taking a sip.

“I invited you all here because I admire you—powerful ladies—beautiful ladies—gorgeous creatures!”

Loud laughs and whoops around the room, then Emerald gestured for silence.

“But most importantly because I love you all.” She raised her own glass. “May you prosper and be happy beyond compare. And know that you’ll always have a staunch friend and ambassador in me—salut!”

“Salut!” Alina shouted, and all glasses were now raised.

“Oh, and before I forget!” Emerald said, “I wanted to give a shout-out to one person in particular.” She cast a loving glance in Kimberlee Cruz’s direction. “Kimberlee.” She laughed. “My sweet, darling Kimberlee. How you have grown—how you have blossomed—how you have turned into… me!”

Laughs around the room at this, though not from Kimberlee, who seemed stunned at so much praise. Her hand clutching her chest, she stared at Emerald with a mixture of surprise and adoration.