Chapter 2

My stomach dropped. So that was what she meant.

My daughter froze too. "Mom... what are you saying?"

Northmere School—the most exclusive private high school in the city. Grades, extracurriculars, interviews—that was just the entry ticket. What really secured admission was a recommendation.

Every spot had to be backed by someone. A board member, a foundation donor, someone who had been feeding the school connections for years. No recommendation, and your application went straight to the waitlist, no matter how perfect it looked.

My daughter Christy's letter was already locked in. But now? Now it was just handed over like it was nothing as compensation.

Christy stared at Sadie, waiting. Sadie just looked annoyed.

Then the other girl piped up from behind.

"Mom, who are these people? Why are they in our house?"

Sadie's face tightened. She took a breath, like she'd made up her mind.

"Get these lunatics out of here. Now. Someone call security."

Christy's eyes went red. Her voice cracked.

"Mom... what's wrong with you? I'm your daughter!"

Christy reached for Sadie's sleeve. Sadie yanked her arm away.

"What are you talking about? I'm not your mother."

"I only have one daughter—Zora Hallowell. I don't know who you are."

I grabbed Christy before she could fall.

"Sadie, have you lost your mind?"

The room went quiet. People at the table exchanged glances.

"Is that kid for real? Or just some scammer?"

The girl—Zora Hallowell—piped up, loud and sharp.

"Did you just crawl out of some gutter and decide to call any rich person 'Mom'?"

Before I could respond, the two guards from outside burst in with more men.

"Sorry, Miss Ballard. Our bad—they slipped in. We'll haul them out and hand them over to the police."

They moved toward us.

I pulled Christy closer and locked eyes with Sadie.

"Explain. Now. Don't make me do something we'll both regret."

Sadie frowned. "Zora doesn't have a mother. I'm just helping her out with the school people. Stop making a scene."

Then a louder voice came. "Get out. While you still can."

Ronan strolled over, smirking.

"Babe, this is Velvet Bay, our place. We don't let trash like this walk in."

He turned to the guards. "What are you waiting for? Break their mouths. Teach them a lesson."

"Can't let our guests think we're soft on crime."

The guards grinned. They raised their batons and stepped closer.

I held Christy tighter. "Sadie. Say something."

For a second, she looked unsure. Then Zora tugged her arm.

"Mommy, I'm scared... How did they even get into our house? If you let them go, what if they come back for me?"

Sadie patted her head softly. Then she took a breath.

"Don't worry. Mommy won't let that happen."

"Forget the mouth. Break their legs. So they can't hurt anyone. Especially not my baby girl."