Chapter 6

She was smiling politely, acting all friendly.

I nodded.

She walked over and pulled a bank card out of her purse.

I recognized it right away. It was mine.

Yeah, this had to be Claire Lyons.

I'd never met her before, but seeing her now, I had to admit, she really was a city girl, so polished and put-together.

"Emily, Alex told me everything. He was way too impulsive, kicking you out like that," Claire said.

She didn't even bother to introduce herself. There was a flash of mockery in her eyes before she continued, "I chewed him out and brought this card back for you. Didn't touch a dime."

Claire gave a little smirk. "Just take Alex's savings as compensation. Keep it, head back to your hometown, and take care of yourself. Don't bother struggling here anymore."

She was arranging my life like it was nothing.

I could totally feel her sense of superiority. It was like she was born with it.

She was standing below me on the stairs, but somehow it felt like she was looking down on me, telling me what to do with my life, like she actually felt sorry for me.

To her, I was just some orphan from a tiny town, not even worth a second glance.

I guess I was supposed to be grateful or something, since she handed me the card like she was doing me a huge favor.

Honestly, it was just hilarious.

"Should I thank you or something?" I shot back, staring Claire down.

She gave a little smile. "No need. You deserve it. I checked. Houses in Willow Creek cost over two thousand dollars a square meter. With your savings, you can put down a deposit. So your five years weren't a total waste."

I didn't say anything, just sized her up.

She looked confused. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing, it's just I don't see people like you very often," I said.

"People like me?" she echoed.

"Yeah, you're the other woman, but you can just stand here and laugh right in front of the person you screwed over. How do you pull that off?" I asked, genuinely curious.

Her smile finally faded.

She realized I wasn't someone she could just push around.

I wasn't some little girl who'd just cry and run back home with my tail between my legs.

"Looks like our little victim isn't so easy to buy off. Tell you what. I'll sweeten the deal with another thirty thousand dollars if you leave Riverdale today. How about it?" Claire said, giving me a once-over.

Claire looked me up and down, her gaze suddenly turning sharp and serious.

"Even if you gave me three million dollars, I'd still stay wherever I want," I sneered. "You're actually scared of me, aren't you? Afraid I'll expose Alex's true colors and ruin your reputation."

Claire's expression shifted, her gaze darting nervously.

Looks like I was right on the money.

Alex was a social media sensation now, with countless eyes watching his every move.

If people found out he ditched his broke girlfriend for a rich one, he'd get trashed online, and his new girlfriend would get roasted too.

A rich girl like Claire definitely wouldn't want to get dragged into that mess.

"Alex really doesn't know you at all. You're not as dumb as he thinks," Claire said again.

'Did she just compliment me?' I thought.

"Thanks," I replied. Of course, I wasn't dumb. I was just blinded by my love for Alex before.

"No need to thank me. I should be the one thanking you. You just saved me thirty thousand dollars," Claire said.

Claire regained her composure, a playful smile on her lips. "Emily, do you think you've got guts? Think you can push me around?"

Before I could answer, she laughed to herself. "Honestly, you're still just a fool. A low-class girl who's clueless about the real world. All you can do is run your mouth."

"What are you trying to say?" I asked.

"I'm saying I'm done trying to reason with you. I'm not going to be nice anymore. I'm giving you a deadline," Claire said.

"You have to leave Riverdale before nightfall. I don't want to see you again," she added, stretching lazily. "It's been years since I bullied anyone back in high school. Honestly, it's kind of nostalgic."

She wasn't some gangster or a delinquent. She was just born with that arrogant, superior attitude.

And deep down, she was just a bully at heart.

Claire gave me her final warning.

Then she walked out with her bag over her shoulder, every step full of poise.

Outside, a Mercedes-Benz S-Class was waiting for her. She got in and was driven away in style.

I didn't bother with her and rushed to the bank to check my balance.