Chapter 2

The next afternoon, I took time off from school and went home.

Capitano had confirmed that the Milovich family would be conducting an arms deal at a warehouse on the outskirts this weekend. I planned to sneak in and gather information.

I picked up the equipment I needed from the Family's base and brought it back to the mansion. When I pushed through the front door, I found a group of scantily clad women grinding to blasting club music in my spacious living room.

I was furious. I stormed in and killed the music.

The woman at the center of it all clicked her tongue and turned around. It was Tina, that insufferable face of hers.

"You. What are you doing in my house?"

Damian saw me come in and rushed over in a panic, stepping in front of me.

"Miss, you're back early. Did school let out?"

"Explain. Now!"

Before he could speak, Tina charged at me and tried to slap me, but Damian blocked her.

The other women huddled together, whispering.

"So that's how it is, Damian! You've been keeping this little tramp behind my back, haven't you? Why else would she have a key?"

I scoffed. "What are you even talking about? It's my house. Of course I have a key."

A flicker of doubt crossed Tina's face before it hardened into deeper contempt. "The nerve. This is my boyfriend's house, and some random student just claims it's hers? That's hilarious."

Damian's face flushed even redder. He grabbed Tina's purse and started pushing her toward the door.

"Honey, can you go first? You've all had your fun. I still have things to handle here."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Tina shrieked. "If we leave, what are you going to do with her? Fool around?"

"Stop it, baby. Just go. I'll call you later."

It took Damian considerable effort to finally usher the group out. I surveyed the trashed house, my expression ice-cold, arms crossed, waiting for an explanation.

"I'm sorry, miss. My girlfriend doesn't know any better. She said things she shouldn't have. I apologize. She insisted on bringing her friends over to see the place, and I couldn't say no, so..."

"Damian, in the year you've worked for me, have I ever treated you badly? I pay you the highest salary in the business. But you? You've been passing off your employer's belongings as your own. First the car, now the mansion. Do you even want to keep this job?"

Damian brought over a clean chair for me to sit on, then served me dessert and a drink.

"Please don't be angry, miss. I promise this is the last time. I'll call the cleaning service right away."

"That girlfriend of yours is way too materialistic. You'd be better off ending it now." I took a bite of cake, pretending my anger had subsided, and looked at Damian with something like pity.

He froze for a second, then chuckled awkwardly. "You're right, miss."

"By the way, I'm going out with some classmates this weekend. You can have the days off."

"Thank you, miss."

The next day at school, I noticed people pointing and whispering about me everywhere I went.

Confused, I walked into the classroom. A friend rushed over, looking anxious, and told me to check Facebook.

I pulled up my phone and opened the school forum. There was a post accusing me of being a kept woman, and it already had over a thousand likes and shares.

It even had a pile of photos. Me in the back seat of the Rolls-Royce. Me talking closely with Damian. The two of us coming and going from the mansion.

The post was written convincingly, almost believable. I'd always been a high-profile figure on campus, so now that everyone thought the rich heiress image was fake, they all piled on. The comments section was on fire, tearing me apart for being shameless and corrupting the school's reputation.

I scrolled through a few lines, closed it, and headed to the president's office.

The president owed my family a favor. He'd personally arranged my enrollment and was the only person here who knew my real identity.

I gave him a brief rundown of the situation. He immediately had the post taken down and assured me there would be no more rumors.

I took the opportunity to extend my leave and go home for some peace and quiet.

The moment I stepped outside the school gates, an unwelcome guest appeared.

Tina was standing by the road holding an umbrella. When she saw me come out, she sauntered over with a smug look.

"So? Got kicked out of school, didn't you, you little slut."

"I knew it was you. Was that really necessary? Going after a student."

"Hahaha, that's what you get for trying to steal my man. If I ever see your face around us again, you'll pay for it." Tina drew a finger across her throat, then turned and walked away.

I pulled out my phone and called Damian. "I left early with my friends. Take a few extra days off."

Then I went to another safe house and texted Capitano to keep a close eye on those two.