"I''ve always been top of my ss, ever since I was a kid. Academics, sports, debate you name it, I never let myself lose!"

"If there''s something I want, I get it. No exceptions."

"I''ll do whatever it takes. No matter the cost."

"So, whatever''s going on between Keaton and me, you''d better stay out of it. Walk away. Don''t make me do something you''ll regret."

Winona narrowed her eyes, sizing her up with a smirk. "And what if I don''t back off? What are you gonna do about it?"

Beatrix stared at her over her sses, her voice icy calm. "You''ll regret it. Big time."

Her tone wasn''t loud, but it was cold enough to give anyone chills.

Looking at Beatrix, Winona couldn''t help but think of Zane-people who wore one face in public and another in private. Zane put on that charming, gentlemanly act, but underneath, he was ruthless. And Beatrix? She looked like the quiet, bookish type, soft and reserved, but there was a steeliness in her gaze that said she was anything but harmless.

Winona let out a breath. What did I do in a past life to attract every two-faced psycho in the state?

"Honestly, I wasn''t even interested in Keaton before, but now that you''ve brought it up, I think I''ll get involved-just to spite you. I promise you, I won''t let Keaton end up with someone like you."

Beatrix''s jaw clenched, and she shot Winona a furious re before storming off.

Winona watched her go, her own posture bristling with challenge. Did Beatrix really think she was some pushover?

She was just about to leave when Jessamine and Elysia came over.

"What did Beatrix say?" Jessamine asked.

Winona shrugged, helpless. "She thinks I''m trying to steal Keaton away from her. Came to throw down the gauntlet."

Jessamine and Elysia exchanged a loaded look.

Elysia had just heard from Jessamine that Richard and Janelle had their eyes on Winona for Keaton. Winona clearly had no idea. But Beatrix had alreadye knocking.

Jessamine huffed, indignant. "The nerve of her,ing here to threaten you. If she really cared about Keaton, she wouldn''t be pulling this kind of stunt to manipte him!"

"Seriously," Elysia agreed. "Does she think it''s still 1950? Just because they slept together doesn''t mean Keaton''s going to marry her."

"If she''d really been the victim here, maybe Keaton would feel guilty. Maybe there''d be a chance. But she set him up-and Keaton doesn''t feel an ounce of remorse. He''d never marry her now!"

If Jessamine had to pick a sister-inw, she''d pick Winona in a heartbeat.

Sure, Winona had been married before. She had her share of tabloid rumors- after all, she''d spent over a year stuck in that PR nightmare, and the gossip about her was endless.

Beatrix, on the other hand, was all Ivy League credentials and a spotless reputation. But Jessamine knew that any friend of Elysia''s had to be @good person, Elysia was way too discerning to hang out with just anyone.  s

So Jessamine was all for Winona. Who cared if she''d been married? Who cared about a few scandals? It''s not like Keaton didn''t have his own share of skeletons in the closet. Frankly, Winona was doing them a favor by even considering him.  s

Elysia frowned at the mention of Beatrix. "I heard from Tarquin that Keaton actually has evidence that could clear his name. He''s known along that Beatrix set him up, yet he still pled guilty. I just don''t get it why would he do that?"  s

Jessamine''s eyes widened. "Keaton has evidence?"

Elysia nodded. "That''s what Tarquin said."

Jessamine''s annoyance grew. "Unbelievable! He''s got evidence but still confesses? Makes us worry for nothing! No wonder Dad''s mad at him. He deserves a smack for that."

Elysia asked, "Did you ask him why he pled guilty?"

"I did. He wouldn''t say. Who knows what''s going on in his head! That''s it-I''m going to ask him again."

Jessamine moved to head upstairs, but Winona called her back.

"Jess, let me talk to him. We''ve been chatting a lottely-he might open up to me more easily."

She didn''t want Jessamine getting worked up over this. She''d already figured out Keaton''s style: if you confronted him head-on, he''d just m up. She''d tried that already.

She''d have to find another way.