Joanne’s POV:
I watched Mira’s face, the way her lips twisted as she leaned forward, practically sneering. "I want you to stay away from my boyfriend, Joanne. Don’t drag him into your sick gas. That’s what is it to ."
Her words took a mont to settle in. Boyfriend? A flicker of confusion passed through , and I could feel my brow furrowing. Mira hadn’t ntioned anything about a boyfriend before. And, frankly, I didn’t care. She was far from my favorite person, with her holier-than-thou attitude. But to co in here, acting like I was trying to steal so nobody? I forced a casual tone. "Mira, I have no idea what you’re talking about. What boyfriend do you think I’m getting involved with?"
The only guy I’ll ever be interested in is Arec and not so no na.
Her gaze hardened, a glint of irritation flashing in her dark eyes. "You know exactly who. Klaus. And I don’t care what you do with Ella, honestly, I can’t stand her either. But leave him out of it. I don’t want to see Klaus dragged into any more of your sches."
Klaus. The na clicked in my mind, and I rembered. He was the lowlife ex of Ella I’d roped into tarnishing her image online, the one whose videos and posts hadn’t done nearly enough damage. A smirk tugged at the corner of my mouth as the realization settled in. Mira, of all people, had picked up Klaus like a lost puppy. Could she be any more predictable? Birds of a feather... I almost laughed. But Mira wasn’t here to be laughed at, and she’d clearly co with more of an agenda.
"I didn’t know he was your boyfriend, Mira," I said, fighting to keep my tone level, as if I was apologetic. "Besides, Klaus wanted to help. He couldn’t stand Ella either, told himself he wanted to see her brought down a peg. I just gave him a nudge in the right direction."
"Save it, Joanne." Her tone was icy, eyes narrowing as she shifted her weight with that practiced air of superiority. "I don’t care who started what. The point is, thanks to you, he’s hiding like a criminal. Do you realize what kind of ss I’m in trying to clean this up? My family would never accept him if they knew."
I rolled my eyes when she wasn’t looking, fighting the urge to call out her hypocrisy. Mira wasn’t exactly known for caring about anyone other than herself. She was the queen of using people, and she’d tossed away more "boyfriends" than I could count. Klaus would be another discarded fool in her line, but that was her problem, not mine.
"Alright, if it’s such a big deal to you," I said with a shrug, "consider it done. I’ll stay away from Klaus. Wouldn’t want to disrupt your fairytale romance."
Her lips curled into a thin smile, almost mocking, as she pulled out a thick wad of cash from her designer purse. She tossed it onto the table between us, the crisp bills fanning out. "Here. This is exactly the amount you paid him. Take it. Consider this a refund, and a warning, don’t try my patience again, Joanne."
I stared at the cash, hiding my amusent. It was almost funny, her trying to threaten with money, as if that could intimidate . But her tone, that barely-veiled threat, grated against my pride. She stood up, brushing a nonexistent speck from her immaculate jacket, and her shoulder bumped into as she strode past.
I could still feel her cold stare as she threw one final glance my way, her expression a mask of disdain. Then she slamd the door on her way out, the sound echoing through the quiet room.
I watched her taillights fade through the window, a string of insults bubbling up in my mind. Spoiled brat, I muttered under my breath. If it weren’t for her uncle’s wealth, Mira would be nobody, a vapid socialite living off her family’s na. Yet she’d marched into my ho, giving ultimatums and throwing money at like I was so low-rent fixer.
The cash sat on my table, a silent reminder of her "warning." I crossed the room and picked up the wad, counting through it with a detached satisfaction.
Indeed she has given the exact amount I’d paid Klaus, a paynt I’d once regretted, given that his efforts had barely made a dent in Ella and Arec’s relationship. But now? It was like a free refund on a bad investnt. I chuckled, pocketing the cash. Thanks, Mira.
As the rush of her visit faded, I felt myself relax, mories bubbling up unbidden. Mira and I had gone to the sa school for years, from preschool to high school. She’d always been the self-appointed queen bee, ordering people around, expecting the world to bend to her whims.
Most people had been either intimidated or impressed by her... except Arec. He was the only one who could put her in her place, the only one she couldn’t manipulate. That was why I’d clung to him all those years ago. He was different, powerful in a way Mira couldn’t touch. Watching him brush off her entitled tantrums had been sothing of a thrill.
I couldn’t deny that so part of wanted that sa sway over him. But unlike Mira, I knew how to be subtle, to wait for my mont. Ella, the unfortunate complication, would be dealt with in ti.
I leaned back against the couch, crossing my arms as I thought. Mira might have bought herself a little peace of mind with that money, but her arrival had only fueled my determination. She might be able to intimidate soone like Klaus, but ? I wasn’t about to let so spoiled heiress think she could control .
I’d play nice for now, give her a false sense of security. But in the end, I would have Arec to myself, and Ella and her foolish protectors would be nothing more than a mory.
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