Chapter 188
“Mom, just leave it there. I’m finishing my homework. I’ll eat it later p>
She hadn’t actually gone to her tutoring session today, but she couldn’t let her family find out, so she was frantically trying to catch up on the day’s assignments.
It wasn’t that she didn’t want to beat Mira. She dreamed of utterly crushing her, of grinding her beneath her heel.
But that bitch was just too damn smart-scoring in the 99th percentile!
Between constantly getting sidetracked by Shane’s missions and losing an entire month of classes recently, Mara knew she could never catch up, even if she worked herself to the bone.
There was only one way to defeat her-destroy her. Ruin her completely!
Mara gritted her teeth, as a bitter, toxic resentment consumed her.
“Sweetheart, you look a little pale. If you’re tired, just take a break. Drink your soup while it’s hot.
Just do your best with your studies. You don’t need to compete with p>
Mrs. Mercer caught herself, cutting her sentence short.
She had been about to say ‘compete with that ungrateful brat,’ but quickly pivoted.
“You don’t need to compete with the top students. Just keeping up is enough.” Thinking about Mira only deepened the heavy guilt Mrs. Mercer felt toward her biological daughter.
The only reason Mira was so successful was because she had the luxury of growing up in the Mercer household. She had never known a day of hardship and had access to every advantage money could buy.
Meanwhile, Mara had grown up in crippling poverty with a terrible education system. God only knew how much the poor girl had suffered.
And instead of staying home to help Mara adjust, that ungrateful brat threw a tantrum the moment her true sister returned.
She completely deserved to be kicked out of the house.
At that thought, the lingering remorse Lacey had harbored since Mira’s departure vanished into thin air.
Realizing her intense expression was showing, Mara instantly forced a bright smile. “I’ll do my best, Mom p>
She picked up the bowl, taking delicate little sips with her spoon.
Mrs. Mercer stood beside her, watching with a soft, affectionate smile.
But before Mara could take more than a few bites, the cozy atmosphere was
shattered by the sharp ringing of a phone.
“Don’t answer that. Finish your soup first p>
Lacey reached out, blocking Mara’s hand as she reached for her cell.
“Who is rude enough to call at this hour p>
She casually hit the reject button.
A second later, Mara’s phone began blaring again.
Mara guessed it was Rex. She was practically vibrating with anxiety, desperate to know if the job was done.
She chugged the rest of the soup, snatched her phone, and bolted toward the balcony. “Mom, I have to take this p>
Lacey frowned. Why was the girl hiding to take a phone call?
But she quickly brushed it off. Mara was growing up; it was completely normal for
her to have a few teenage secrets.
She picked up the empty bowl and headed out the door.
Out on balcony, Mara threw a
paranoid glance over her shoulder. Seeing that Lacey was gone she still securely shut the glass doors.
When she checked the missed call, her brow furrowed. Why was it an unknown number?
Just as she was about to dial back, the same number flashed across the screen.
“Is this Mara? This is the East
District Police Department. We
received a report that you
hired
individuals to intentionally destroy
property.
We need you to come down to the precinct immediately. Otherwise, we can dispatch officers to your residence p>
It was like a surge of electricity blasted through Mara’s veins. Without a second thought, the words ripped from her throat.
“No! No, please don’t come to my house. I’m coming right now. I’m on my way p>
Her right hand was trembling so violently she nearly dropped the phone.
She couldn’t let her family find out she was paying criminals to vandalize property.
Rex and his crew of absolute
bastards! They had sworn they wouldn’t rat her out if things went south. She had even saved his worthless life before!
Street trash really were useless.
Right, money. She needed to bring cash. She had to throw as much money at the problem as it took to make it go away.
Mara shoved her arms into a coat and rushed downstairs. “Mom, something came up. I have to go out for a bit p>
Lacey glanced out the window into the dark night. “At this hour? Where are you going p>
“It’s nothing. I just need to meet a friend p>
Without waiting for an answer, Mara quickly dialed Norman’s number.
In a twisted way, she and Norman were on the same team, so she vastly preferred
using him as her driver over the family’s staff.
“What kind of friend do you need to see this late at night? Can’t it wait until tomorrow p>
Mrs. Mercer’s suspicions flared, and she felt an overwhelming urge to stop her.