Chapter Twenty-one Maina and Jason had managed to slip through a service entrance by bribing a desperate waiter, the air inside Grand Azure Pavillion felt like ice on their skin. They moved through the shadows of the pillars, looking like fallen royalty. Miana’s eyes darted frantically. She had to find the Proprietor before the sun rose on to meet a bankrupt family. There! Jason hissed, pointing toward the raised VIP dais. Standing near the table of the untouched crystal flutes was the man in the charcoal suit, Chase Goodman. "That’s him," Miana whispered, her heart hammering against her ribs. "That must be the Boss Adrian mentioned. He’s the one who bought the venue. He’s the one who froze our credit." She didn't even notice Adrian sitting at a small, circular table just five feet away from the dais. Adrian leaned back, looking bored, casually drinking a glass of bourbon. Lina sat beside him, still dazed by the silver gown she wore, watching the elite of the city with wide, unc

Chapter Twenty-threeLina stood at the iron gate her heart hammering against her chest Lina stood at the iron gates, her heart hammering against her ribs. She was back in her school uniform—neat, pressed, but cheap compared to the South West students gliding past her in expensive designers."Are you sure about this, Adrian?" Lina whispered.Adrian stood beside her, his hands tucked into the pockets of his worn hoodie. To any passerby, he looked like a delivery boy who had lost his way. "Don't worry, Lina. Vipers only hiss when they’re afraid. Just remember you aren't here to beg. You're here to collect the Wildcard."As they entered the Private Training Hall, the heavy double doors slammed shut behind them with a metallic thud.Miana Sterling was waiting in the center of the gym. She wasn't scrubbing floors anymore at least not after yesterday. She was surrounded by six girls from the South West Elite Squad, all of them crossing their arms and wearing predatory smirks. In the corner,

Chapter Twenty-fiveEveryone returned to their seats while the cheerleading girls walked side by side with each other. The ribbon dangling around their wrists.The school proprietor gave a gentle smile as he led Lina and the group of cheerleading girls to the stage. “I’m really sorry for what happened earlier, the two schools have agreed to a rematch. This time, we will have a fair judgment based on the best skill.”Standing next to them was Chase Goodman, he glanced at the proprietor contemptuously as well as the Sterling family and the Lowe family.“Allow me to say something, Proprietor Thorn. Miss Lina is a remarkable talent. She danced and cheered even when her uniform was ruined the other time. That accomplishment was entirely the result of her own skills and effort. Even in a group she will do exceptionally well.”Chase Goodman sounded very impolite and rude but everyone was already used to it. With Chase Goodman's status and the anonymous Ghost of Vista backing him even if he s

Chapter Twenty-sevenThe call was answered immediately. Martha hurriedly said. “Alice, it’s me. Please… can you give me Benedict’s number?”Alice was quiet for a while then finally she spoke. “Martha Andrew?” she asked slowly, as if testing the name. “It’s been a long time. Why would I give you his number?”Martha's face turned pale at the response from Alice, she had known Alice not to be very kind, yet she took the risk to call her regardless but as it seems, she was not welcoming towards her. Her fingers trembled around the phone.But before she could say anything Alice calmly said. “We are family afterall,” she laughed lightly. “Benedict is here I will tell him to call you right away,” she paused. “I saw Lina debut on the magazine cover and I couldn't stop imagining just how well she took after you.”“Thank you, we should meet for tea one of these days,” she whispered—but the line had already gone dead.Martha became enthusiastic, she dropped the phone, and not quite long her ph

Chapter Twenty-nineLeo scrambled away from the counter, his face pale as he dashed into the back hallway. Benedict stood there, tapping his signet ring against the counter in a rhythmic arrogant beat."You see, Auntie?" Benedict said, casting a smug glance at Martha. "The boy is terrified. He’s probably in there right now telling Donnie Fang that a titan of the East District is waiting. Managers like Donnie are like dogs; you have to snap the leash occasionally to remind them who owns the park."Martha beamed, her chest swelling with pride. "You're so right, Benedict. Influence is a language that only people of our status speak. Unlike some people…" She spared a disgusted glance through the glass at Adrian, who was still standing like a statue in the sun. "Who think holding a piece of cardboard is work."Inside the office Donnie fang was haunched over his desk, sweat dripping onto a pile of frantic liquidation documents. When the door burst open, he nearly jumped out of his skin."M