Chapter 80
Chapter 80:
Skye started to laugh.
Skye: The Annex? Does he know?
Alistair: He didn’t ask. And the sales agent didn’t volunteer.
In Azure Bay, the Main Tower was for owners. The Annex was originally built for staff, then converted to “affordable” luxury units. It had no view, shared laundry, and a separate, much less grand entrance.
Liam thought he was moving his queen onto the board. In reality, he had just moved a pawn into the line of fire.
“Welcome to the neighborhood, Seraphina,” Skye whispered to the wind. “I hope you like the view of my trash chute p>
The lobby of the Azure Bay Main Tower was a cathedral of marble and gold leaf. It smelled of lilies and money.
Skye walked through the automatic doors, wearing a simple yoga outfit that probably cost more than Seraphina’s entire wardrobe. She was meeting a contractor to review renovations for the penthouse before putting it on the market.
The elevator dinged.
Liam and Seraphina stepped out. Or rather, Liam stepped out, and Seraphina limped. She wore oversized sunglasses indoors and a dress that was far too short, her arm still in a sling, her neck brace bedazzled with rhinestones.
They froze when they saw Skye.
The lobby was busy. Mrs. Vanderbilt was walking her prizewinning poodles. The CEO of a major tech firm was reading a paper in the corner.
Seraphina recovered first. She pulled down her sunglasses and smirked, ignoring the pain in her neck.
“Well, well,” Seraphina announced, her voice echoing unpleasantly. “Hello, neighbor p>
Skye turned slowly. “Seraphina. Liam. I see the motel kicked you out p>
“We bought a place,” Seraphina bragged, clinging to Liam’s arm with her good hand. “Liam bought it for me. Right here. Same address as you. Guess you’re not so special anymore p>
𝗦h𝖺𝗋𝗲 𝘆𝗼u𝘳 𝖿а𝘷𝗼r𝘪𝗍e𝗌 fr𝘰𝗺 𝖻𝖾l𝘯𝗈𝗏𝗲𝗅ѕ.𝗰𝘰𝘮
Liam puffed out his chest. “Skye. We’re just heading to the pool. Try not to make a scene p>
Just then, the glass doors opened again. Harper Quinn breezed in, swinging a set of car keys. She saw the standoff and stopped. Her eyes went from Skye to Seraphina’s bedazzled neck brace, and a wicked grin spread across her face.
Harper walked up to them, wrinkling her nose. She sniffed the air audibly.
“Do you smell that?” Harper asked Skye. “It smells like… desperation and Icy Hot p>
Seraphina gasped. “Excuse me p>
Harper ignored her. She looked at Liam. “Liam, darling, I saw your rental car parked around the back. Near the dumpsters. Is everything okay p>
“It’s not a rental,” Liam said defensively. “And I parked in the resident lot. For Building B p>
Harper’s eyes widened in mock horror. She put a hand to her chest.
“Building B?” Harper repeated, loud enough for Mrs. Vanderbilt to hear. “Oh, Liam. You mean the Service Annex p>
The lobby went quiet. Mrs. Vanderbilt covered her mouth to hide a giggle.