Chapter 82
Chapter 82:
“Liam is the CEO of Kensington Global,” Seraphina snapped. “He can bring whoever he wants p>
Skye was walking past with a tray of salad. She stopped. She could hear the desperation in Seraphina’s voice.
She walked over to the table. The air temperature seemed to drop.
“The Vance Gala?” Skye asked. “That’s ambitious, Seraphina. Considering the Vances are notoriously strict about the guest list. ‘No ring, no bring’ is the unofficial motto p>
Seraphina stood up, wincing as her injured leg took her weight. “Liam has pull p>
“He’s a CEO on an allowance,” Skye corrected. “But good luck. I’m sure you’ll find a way to… sneak in. It’s what you do best p>
Skye walked away before Seraphina could respond. She headed straight for the library.
She found Ethan Vance in his usual spot, feet up on a table, reading a comic book inside a textbook.
“Ethan,” Skye said.
He jumped, dropping his feet. “Skye! Hey. You look… menacing. I like it p>
“I need a favor p>
Ethan raised an eyebrow. “I’m listening p>
“Seraphina thinks she’s coming to your family’s gala,” Skye said. “Liam can’t get her in. He doesn’t have the clout anymore p>
“Okay,” Ethan said. “So she stays home. Good p>
“No.” Skye leaned in, her hands on the table. “I want her there p>
Ethan looked confused. “Why? She’s toxic. She’ll just cause a scene p>
“Exactly,” Skye said. “I want her on the biggest stage possible. I want her to climb so high that when she falls, everyone hears the crack p>
Ethan studied her face. He saw the cold calculation in her eyes.
𝗝𝘰іո 𝘵𝗵𝗲 𝖼оm𝘮𝘶ոi𝘁𝘺 𝗮𝗍 𝖻е.𝘤𝗼𝗆
It scared him a little, but it also fascinated him.
“You’re terrifying,” Ethan grinned. “I’m in. What do I do p>
“Send an invite,” Skye said. “A blank one. Make it look like it came from the committee. Let her fill in her own name p>
“My brother Julian checks the list personally,” Ethan warned. “If he catches me p>
“He won’t,” Skye said. “Or if he does… tell him it’s for entertainment value p>
In the Vance estate control room, Julian Vance watched the security feed from the university library. He had hacked his brother’s phone weeks ago—parental supervision, he called it.
He listened to Skye’s request. He watched her face.
He took a sip of his scotch.
“Interesting,” Julian murmured.
He picked up his phone and dialed his head of security. “Let the Miller girl in on Saturday,” Julian ordered. “And alert the photographers. We might have a show p>
Two days later, Seraphina found a heavy, cream-colored envelope in her mailbox at the Annex.
She tore it open with her good hand.
The Vance Family cordially invites…