Chapter 34
“Trouble? So what if I am? What can you actually do about it?” Lucy’s voice was shrill, though her words lacked conviction. “Do you still think you’re the darling of the Tate family? You’re just some stray no one even knows. With a snap of my fingers, I could ruin you.”
Her bravado was laughable, earning more than a few raised eyebrows from the onlookers. Stella started forward, but Alessia, as if she had eyes in the back of her head, stretched out an arm and blocked her path–stopping her with uncanny precision.
Stella knew Alessia had her own way of handling things, so she let her be. Besides, Alessia always had a better sense of boundaries than she did. And even if things really got out of hand, Stella would handle the fallout herself–what was there to be afraid of?
was just the Summers family, after all. If her own father showed up, even they would have to tread carefully.
“We’re closing for the night,” Stella announced, her tone polite but steely. “Out of respect for me, I’d appreciate it if everyone could keep tonight’s events to themselves.” She glanced around the room, her warning perfectly clear but her words gave everyone an easy way out–a chance to save face.”
Several people nodded eagerly, eager to appease her. Seeing this, Stella’s lips curved into a smile, and her voice softened. “Sorry for the disruption tonight. Your tabs are on the house, and next time you visit, you’ll each get half off”
With that, the savvy ones took the hint and made their quiet exit. Everyone who frequented this place belonged to the city’s elite–they all knew better than to risk their own interests by gossiping about the powerful.
At their level, connections mattered as much as money–if not more. Stella was set to inherit the Laines fortune, a family that owned two–thirds of the city’s nightlife. Who in their right mind would pick a fight with her?
The waitstaff began clearing the room as the crowd dispersed. The doors were locked; the club was suddenly quiet. Stella took charge, coordinating the cleanup and preparing to close for the night
Meanwhile, Alessia and Lucy were still squared off.
“The Tate family’s throwing a ‘welcome home party, you know, Lucy sneered. “I heard the real daughter is transferring into our class the day after tomorrow. What about you? Do you even have enough money for tuition anymore? Actually, are you even shameless enough to show your face at school?“}
Her words dripped with sarcasm, but Alessia remained unfazed. Only Liam, standing behind her, looked suddenly stricken.
“So what, Lucy? Since you can’t leech off me anymore, you’re already making plans to cozy up to the real Tate heiress?” Alessia emphasized the word ‘real’ with deliberate sharpness.
Lucy’s face tightened, but she glared back, refusing to back down,
“Best of luck with that,” Alessia added, her voice oddly sincere and that stung Lucy’s already fragile ego even more.
She’d known Alessia since middle school. No matter how hard she tried to win her over, Alessia always kept her distance. Lucy had even bullied a new transfer student just to gain Alessia’s trust–only for Alessia to befriend the girl instead and cut Lucy off completely.
But Lucy’s father’s company had business ties with the Tate family, so she could only swallow her pride and put up with it–for five long years
“Don’t get cocky. What makes you think you’re even on my level now?” Lucy scoffed. “After just one summer, we’re worlds apart. Did you really think those people who used to flatter you actually cared about you? It was all just mutual exploitation, nothing more. I can’t wait for school to start.
“Worlds apart?” Alessia echoed softly. Lucy, thinking she’d struck a nerve, straightened up, suddenly emboldened–but to everyone else, she just looked desperate.
