Chapter 4

Seth glared at me like I was insane.

"Vanessa, do you have a death wish?"

"You think you can just casually drop Mr. Vance's name?"

"Are you trying to get me killed?"

His frat-boy buddies stared at me with pure rage.

"Do you have any idea how hard we fought for this airport pickup?"

"Grayson Vance bought out Seth's company last year."

"Our entire livelihoods depend on him now."

"The only way Seth keeps his executive spot is if we impress Mrs. Vance."

"And you're out here spreading psychotic rumors that you know the CEO?"

"Are you trying to ruin Seth's career?"

I wiped the blood from my split lip.

And slowly turned my head.

Then locked eyes with Seth.

My stare must have been dead cold.

Because Seth frowned.

A flicker of genuine panic flashed across his eyes.

Chloe saw that tiny shift in his expression.

Her eyes turned venomous.

She pointed right at my nose

"Vanessa, you ungrateful bitch."

"Seth was kind enough to offer you a roof over your head!"

"Don't push your luck."

"I know you're bitter about the past."

"But trying to sabotage his career out of petty revenge?"

"That's sick."

Hearing her say that...

It felt exactly like three years ago.

No matter what I did, Chloe would twist it.

She would feed her poisoned version of reality to Seth.

In the early days, he used to defend me.

But by the end, he always took her side.

Just like right now.

Seth shook his head in disgust.

"You're such a jealous shrew."

But this time, he didn't keep screaming at me.

He went quiet for a second.

Then he pulled out his checkbook.

He scribbled a check for twenty grand.

And shoved it right in my face.

"For the sake of what we used to be, I'll let this slide."

"Take the cash."

"Go buy some clothes that don't look like trash."

"If you really don't want to nanny Chloe's kid..."

"I'll pull some strings and get you a decent job next week."

"Don't worry."

"Ever since the Vance acquisition, this kind of money is pocket change to me."

Watching him play the generous billionaire savior made my stomach turn.

Clearly, life had been way too easy for him lately.

The whole group watched me.

Waiting for me to grovel and take the money.

Instead, I shoved his hand away.

I reached over and snatched my diamond bracelet right out of Chloe's hand.

I gave him a polite, freezing smile.

"No thank you, sir."

"I don't take handouts from strangers."