Chapter 3

The next week, at the exclusive Sterling Equestrian Club, I made my next move.

Savy, despite her recent disgrace, had dared to show her face, hoping the incident would blow over.

She was wrong.

I found her attempting to book a prime slot on the dressage arena.

"I'm sorry, Miss Dixon," the club manager said, looking uncomfortable as I approached. "But your membership privileges have been... adjusted."

Savy whirled around. "Adjusted? What does that mean?"

I smiled sweetly. "It means, cousin, that your access is now limited to the public trails. And perhaps mucking out stalls, if you ask nicely."

Her face contorted with rage. "You did this!"

"I merely suggested the committee review memberships to ensure active, contributing members are prioritized," I said. "You understand."

Later, Savy cornered Daisy Maverick, Cal' s younger sister, by the stables. Daisy was a sweet girl, a genuine friend, and I' d recently taken her under my wing, ensuring she had the best trainers and access.

"Stay away from Rory," Savy hissed, grabbing Daisy's arm. "She's a viper, and she'll turn on you too."

Daisy looked frightened.

I stepped out from behind a row of stalls. "Actually, Savy, the only viper here is you."

Savy jumped, releasing Daisy.

"And I suggest you keep your hands off my friends," I continued, my voice cold. "Or you'll find your access to even the public trails revoked. Perhaps a lifetime ban from any Sterling property?"

Savy paled. The Sterling name opened every door in Texas. Being blacklisted by us was social death.

"You wouldn't dare," she whispered.

"Try me," I said, my eyes locking with hers.

She backed down, muttering under her breath before scurrying away.

Daisy looked at me with wide, grateful eyes. "Thank you, Rory."

"She won't bother you again," I assured her.

Word of Savy's downgrading at the club and her subsequent humiliation spread like wildfire through our social circle.

Emboldened by my actions, others who had suffered Savy's subtle manipulations and snide remarks began to act.

Her "forgotten" invitations to luncheons, the "accidental" coffee spills on her designer bags, the sudden unavailability of her favorite hairstylist – it was a campaign of a thousand paper cuts.

Savy, ostracized and miserable, complained tearfully to my father and mother.

"They're all being horrid to me, Uncle Hamilton, Aunt Victoria! And Rory is behind it all!"

I sat demurely, sipping my tea. "Father, Mother, I'm shocked at these accusations. Savy has always been prone to exaggeration. Unless she has concrete evidence of my involvement, it sounds like she's simply experiencing some unfortunate coincidences."

Victoria, my mother, who saw through Savy' s act long ago, arched an eyebrow. "Indeed, Savannah. Accusations without proof are merely slander."

Father nodded. "Aurora is right. Unless you can show us who did what, specifically, there's little we can do."

Discreetly, I was collecting proof – of Savy' s own manipulations, her lies, her attempts to undermine me. It would all be useful later.

Savy, finding no sympathy and facing a united front, temporarily withdrew from the social scene, her eyes burning with a desire for revenge.

Let her plot. I was ready.