Chapter 3

The Goodman Manor blazed with gold and crystal, the driveway packed with luxury cars, and every notable figure in Riverdale gathered beneath its chandeliers.

My face drained of all color, I kept one hand against the wall and dragged myself step by excruciating step toward the entrance of the banquet hall.

Before I could even reach the doorway, the sound of laughter and cheerful chatter spilled out to meet me.

"Mr. Grant, congratulations. I hear the Goodman family is making the announcement tonight."

"That's right. Everyone's been saying Mr. Goodman has his eye on the Grant family's daughter, and after seeing her this evening, I can certainly understand why."

Richard stood glowing with pride, a wine glass in his hand and a smile stretched so wide it seemed to split his face. "Thank you! Sophie's the one who made it happen. She's made us all proud.

"And to make sure she was worthy of the Goodman family, we held nothing back on her tonight."

Across the room, Linda had Sophie at her side and was holding court among a cluster of wealthy women. "Oh, this one? It's a limited-edition Hermès. A million dollars."

Sophie lifted the bag, the one bought with the money that was supposed to save my life, and posed like a peacock showing off its feathers.

"Mom," she asked, lowering her voice, "is Mr. Goodman not here yet?"

Linda waved a hand airily. "Mr. Goodman is overseas handling business. His grandfather is presiding tonight. Once Mr. Harold Goodman gives his blessing, the whole thing is as good as done."

I stood in the shadows and listened to every word, and all I could feel was the sharp sting of irony.

Charles had indeed said he had his eye on the Grant family's daughter. What none of them realized was that I had always been the one he wanted.

I took a deep breath, pushed open the grand doors, and stepped inside.

The banquet hall fell silent for a brief moment.

Every head turned, and every pair of eyes settled on me, a girl in a cheap, faded denim jacket, her face drained of color, looking utterly out of place among the glittering chandeliers and designer gowns.

"Who's that?" I heard someone whisper. "Did she come through the wrong door?"

"How did a beggar get in here?"

Richard's smile froze the instant he spotted me, then curdled into something far uglier.

He strode across the floor and lowered his voice to a furious snarl. "Lily. Who told you to come?

"Are you trying to sabotage your sister's big night? Get out!"

I held onto the edge of a table to keep myself from collapsing. "Dad, give me back that million dollars, and I'll leave right now.

"That money was for my surgery. I'm running out of time."

Linda charged over and slammed her palm into my shoulder.

Glasses shattered across the floor, champagne drenched me from head to toe, and I stood there dripping, utterly destroyed.

Linda pointed a finger right between my eyes. "That money already went to the bag. There's nothing left.

"What's your life even worth? Can it compare to Sophie's future?"

That was when the Goodman family's butler appeared. "What is all this commotion? Mr. Goodman will be coming out any moment."

Richard turned pale with fear and quickly forced a smile. "Just a misunderstanding. Nothing at all."

Then he swung back to me, his eyes hard and venomous. "Security. Throw this crazy woman out!"

Sophie stepped in close and spoke just softly enough that only I could hear. "Look at yourself, Lily. Do you honestly belong here?

"Just go die somewhere quiet and stop blocking my way."