Chapter 17 Amber

Days after the trunk show Amber was still licking her wounds. The one thing she was grateful for was that word of her humiliation had not managed to reach Bishops Harbor. She'd written to Remi on one of her finest Benneton Graveur note cards, saying how sorry she was about what had happened and reiterating her innocence. No doubt a text would have been quicker and easier, but Amber had read enough to know that a handwritten note on fine stationery revealed a certain grace and refinement of the sender. She knew Remi had joined her husband, Norris, in Paris, so she wasn't too alarmed that she hadn't heard back from her yet.

She'd been putting off having a more in-depth conversation with Jackson about Daisy Ann until she'd done more research into White Orchid Designs. For Amber's purposes, the About page on the company website didn't offer much. There was a dramatic photograph of Daisy Ann wearing the necklace that was the inspiration behind White Orchid's founding; a necklace designed and handcrafted by Daisy Ann's mother. One thing did stand out, however, and that was the fact that although the company was begun by Daisy Ann ten years ago, it hadn't become a full-time venture until just three years ago, following her father's death. Prior to that, it appeared to be more of a vanity project than a real business. Daisy Ann was quoted as saying: My father always said that you must fall in love with your work to be successful and happy. He was passionate about what he did. After his death, I realized that what I loved was creating these beautiful pieces, and so I left the oil company and followed my passion, dedicating myself to White Orchid Designs full-time. Amber stopped reading and sat back for a moment, digesting what she'd just taken in. So, Daisy Ann had worked for Jake's company all those years, when really what she'd wanted to do was run White Orchid. When Amber killed Jake, she had freed that entitled and spoiled prima donna and enabled her to quit her job and do what she loved. Daisy Ann should be grateful to Amber, and instead she'd treated her like rotting trash. It was time for Amber to get even with this condescending bitch once and for all. Devising a plan of action would now be her top priority. As Jake had always said, Keep your saddle oiled, and your gun greased.

She scrolled through more website hits until she came to an article in Entrepreneur Magazine. Amber's nose wrinkled in annoyance when she saw the photo of Daisy Ann looking gorgeous in a red double-breasted suit, her blond hair swept up in an elegant bun and a sampling of her jewelry designs spread out on a table in front of her. She scanned the article, then reread the last section of the interview.

"Ms. Briscoe, you've had several offers to buy your company. The latest from Valene Mart. Would you consider selling and making your beautiful designs accessible to a larger audience?"

"One of the things that makes White Orchid so special is that each design is unique. While of course I'd love to grow our customer base, I would never do so by allowing my designs to be duplicated and mass-produced."

Amber bookmarked the page, then went back to the search bar and entered Valene Mart. She'd never heard of it, but it was a large chain in the Southwest that sold everything from toasters to tires. She could see why Daisy Ann wouldn't want them to distribute her designs. She clicked on the jewelry tab and saw that the most expensive item was less than a hundred dollars. A far cry from the thousands Daisy Ann made on a single piece. Very interesting.

"Mommy, Mommy."

Amber looked up from her laptop to see her son running toward her with Jackson right behind him. They were both in T-shirts and bathing trunks. "Hi, sweetie. Are you and Daddy going swimming?"

He nodded, smiling, and Jackson said, "I'm going to Daphne's. It's time Jax met his sisters."

"Really? It would have been nice for you to tell me ahead of time. What if I had plans with him?"

"Get real, Amber. The most time you've ever spent with him was in the delivery room."

"That's not fair," she said, her voice shrill.

Jackson closed his eyes, shaking his head for a moment. "We're leaving." He took Jax's hand and something in that possessive gesture gave Amber second thoughts. A picture formed in her mind of a perfect little family—Jackson in the pool with their son, surrounded by blond, leggy Daphne and her two daughters. Amber was the one who'd gotten fatter and more swollen over nine interminable months, the one who had suffered through six hours of labor and then an excruciating delivery to give Jackson the son he so desperately sought. And afterward, all the dieting, Pilates, and fitness training to get back into shape. She wasn't about to let Jackson use her son as a pawn in his quest with Daphne. Jax was her pawn to use, dammit.

She slammed down the lid of the computer and jumped up from the chair. "Wait."

Jackson stopped, turning to look at her.

Even though she had a foot out the door already, it irked her to think of Daphne spending any time with Jax. He was hers after all. "Why does he have to meet them now? He's a toddler. Why can't it wait until he's older? It's not like they're all going to hang out together. He's just a baby."

"They are his family. Brothers and sisters grow up together. That's how they bond." Jackson's words came out slowly and precisely, as if he was talking to a child.

Amber glared at him, her jaw clenched. She felt like spitting. "Since when did you become so sentimental about family bonds?"

"You wouldn't understand."

"You're right, I don't."

"Everything with you is intrigue and scheming. You've never done anything with purely good or decent motives, so how could I expect you to get it?"

"Your motives are hardly decent, Jackson, so cut the morally superior act."

He gave her a withering look and left the room with Jax.

Amber's heart was beating so fast, she could feel a pounding in her ears. It was laughable, Jackson throwing around words like goodness and decency. He of all people should be the last one to accuse her of scheming. Especially with what he had planned for Daphne. Until Amber could make it clear that she was the one doing the leaving, she didn't want anyone to see Jackson spending too much time with Daphne. She wasn't about to let him make a fool of her. This was a small town, and she knew that everyone would love to see her ousted from the Parrish estate and Daphne returned to it. From the outside Daphne and Jackson had appeared to have the perfect marriage, and Amber was painted as the interloper. Yes, it was true that she'd seduced him and gotten pregnant while he was still married to Daphne, but so what? He was the one who'd been married, not her. She was sick and tired of taking the blame. No more. Amber was preparing for battle, and this was going to be a take-no-prisoners kind of war.