Playing the Game Read Free Page B

skipped a beat because she felt slightly dizzy for a split second, but that was all she had time for.
    “You little bitch!” The older woman slapped Roxanne’s face with a gloved hand. Roxanne did not flinch, but narrowed her eyes at the woman, refusing to budge.
    “You can’t hide behind Donald’s protection any longer. I was right all along about you. You’re nothing but a fortune-hunting slut! And now you think you’ve finally got what you wanted—all the money. Well you’re wrong!
    “You put him up to this change in the will and I’ll prove it! It will never stand. I will challenge it immediately.” Penelope turned to her astounded family.
    “We will contest this will. She’ll never get away with it.” She turned back to Roxanne and sneered.
    “I’ll see you penniless and friendless. And then I’ll see you thrown in jail for the murder of my son!” There were gasps. The attorney’s mouth hung open.
    Roxanne couldn’t help feeling a shade paler at the last accusation, before she quickly reset her jaw to a rigid line. Penelope turned and waved her hand at the lawyer signaling that the reading was finished and she stormed toward the door.
    “Wait just a minute.” Roxanne’s voice was quiet, but Penelope stopped with a jolt all the same. When the older woman turned back to look at her, Roxanne could tell that her well-controlled smile and demeanor maddened the woman. It was surprisingly easy to stand there and take the full wrath of Penelope Boswell after all. Somewhere deep down inside, Roxanne knew it didn’t matter what any of the Boswells thought anymore.
    “You can have your precious estate. I want no part of it—or you. As far as this new will is concerned, I’m just as surprised—and displeased—as you.
    “As for murder, I won’t even justify that ridiculous insinuation with a defense.” Roxanne turned to the lawyer. “I don’t want any of it. Draw up the appropriate papers and I’ll sign them.” She turned on her heel and with her chin up, she sauntered past Penelope Boswell to leave the room the way she’d come in.
    No one said a word. They only watched. When Roxanne reached the door she turned to Penelope once again. She lifted her right hand and yanked the monstrous emerald and platinum ring from it. She flung the family heirloom in the direction of her ex-mother-in-law so that it landed on the floor in front of her.
    “You may have that too.”
    A collective gasp was elicited from the small party. “Don’t mistakenly think that this exonerates you in any way. I won’t ever forgive you for killing my son. You will pay for it.” Penelope spoke in a quiet, controlled voice. Her narrow eyes aimed like lasers straight through Roxanne. Disconcerted in spite of her outward poise, Roxanne walked out without taking another breath until she got outside.
     
     
    “And that’s the story.” She patted Dr. Oki on the hand because he looked so distraught after listening to her.
    As the party swirled around her and she found herself staring into her now empty wine glass she felt compelled to somehow cheer her two good friends. They stood staring sympathetically at her. And she hated sympathy.
    “Hey, you guys aren’t doing your part here. Go mingle and spread good cheer and raise more funds; after all this is a fund-raising event.” She looked at them and Laura’s frown was comical.
    “No offense Rox, but this group isn’t the easiest to mingle with. The sports set?” Laura grimaced.
    “You know very well why we chose to focus on this industry. Professional athletes have the two vital ingredients necessary to a successful fund-raising campaign for Children’s Mercy Hospital. They have children and they have money.”
    “I know, and this is only the beginning. It’s September. What will I do this winter?” Laura said.
    She was chairperson of the hospital’s voluntary fund-raising group and she needed Laura’s support to help keep the hospital and their staff involved in