Chapter 81
Chapter 81:
“It’s a luxury condo!” Seraphina argued, looking confused.
“Honey,” Harper cooed, stepping closer, “that building was built in the ’80s for the maids and chauffeurs so they could be close to their masters but not… seen. It doesn’t even have central AC. It has window units p>
Skye took a sip from her water bottle, hiding her smile.
“That’s not true!” Seraphina looked at Liam. “Liam, tell her she’s lying p>
Liam’s face was turning a deep shade of crimson. He had just seen the low price and the address. He hadn’t checked the HVAC specs.
“It’s… it’s a temporary investment,” Liam stammered.
“Right,” Skye said. “Well, just a heads-up, Seraphina. The pool access for Annex residents is restricted to Tuesdays and Thursdays between 6 a.m. and 8 a.m. Hygiene protocols, you understand p>
The tech CEO in the corner snorted into his coffee.
Seraphina looked like she was going to explode. Her face matched the red of Liam’s tie. She looked at the marble floor, then at the “Residents Only” sign by the main pool entrance, realizing she was on the wrong side of the velvet rope.
“I hate this place!” Seraphina screamed. She turned and tried to storm back toward the elevators, but her limp made it more of a hobble.
“Ah, ah,” the concierge called out politely. “Ms. Miller? The Annex elevators are around the back. Through the service corridor p>
Seraphina let out a shriek of pure rage and limped out the front door, nearly tripping.
Liam stood there, abandoned and humiliated. He looked at Skye.
“You enjoy this, don’t you?” he asked quietly.
“Enjoy it?” Skye tilted her head. “Liam, I didn’t buy the apartment. I didn’t move your mistress in. I didn’t make you cheap out on real estate. You built this circus. I’m just watching the clowns p>
She turned to Harper. “Lunch p>
𝘙𝘦𝗮𝖽 𝘄𝗶𝘵h𝘰u𝘵 c𝘂𝘵s 𝗼ո 𝖻el𝗇ovеls.𝘤𝗼𝗺
“Starving,” Harper said.
They walked toward the private, owners-only elevator, leaving Liam standing in the lobby, the laughter of the elite echoing in his ears.
The university cafeteria was an ecosystem of noise and social hierarchy.
Seraphina Miller sat at a center table, surrounded by a dwindling group of sycophants. Her arm was still in a sling, which she draped dramatically over the chair next to her. Jessica was gone—suspended. Tiffany was there, but she was scrolling on her phone, barely listening.
Seraphina was holding court, trying to salvage her reputation. “It’s actually a penthouse suite,” Seraphina lied loudly. “Liam wanted something cozy while our mansion is being renovated. The view is incredible p>
“I heard it faces the alley,” a girl from the drama department said snidely.
Seraphina glared at her. “You heard wrong. Anyway, it doesn’t matter. Liam is taking me to the Vance Family Gala this weekend. It’s the event of the year p>
The table went quiet. The Vance Gala was legendary. Invitations were rarer than diamonds.
“Really?” Tiffany looked up, interested. “I thought only… like, legitimate partners were invited p>