Chapter 7

A black Maybach sat parked in the shadows, away from the streetlights.

Through the half-rolled-down back window, I could make out a hint of red from a cigarette ember flickering in the dark.

It was Eric's car.

He was right there, but he couldn't even be bothered to get out and say a word to me.

In his eyes, I was nothing more than a sulking dependent, only worthy of being summoned by one of his subordinates.

It was Secretary Lee, Eric's executive assistant, who stepped out of the car and walked over.

At the same time, the sharp click of high heels echoed behind me.

Mya came running out of the apartment building, gasping for breath.

She snatched the handle of my suitcase so hard that the suitcase lurched sideways.

"Where are you going? " Mya demanded, trying to wrestle the handle from me. "You're not leaving until you explain yourself. "

I looked at her, then with a quick twist of my wrist, I yanked the suitcase out of her grip.

"Don't touch my stuff, " I said coldly.

My eyes drifted past her shoulder, landing on the dimly lit hallway behind her.

"Did you come down here to explain why you were caught on the security footage shredding my things? " I asked.

Mya's face went pale in an instant.

She shot a panicked glance at Secretary Lee, who was now right beside us, her eyes flickering with panic. "It was a prank. How was I supposed to know you'd care so much about that stuff. "

I couldn't help but smirk.

I didn't even care enough to argue back.

My gaze slid past her and settled on Secretary's businesslike expression.

He stopped a couple of steps away from me and adjusted his gold-rimmed glasses.

"Miss Linwood, Mr. Hart asked me to pass on his message, " Secretary said.

His tone was flat and matter-of-fact.

"About the whole thing with the yacht, if you go back and apologize to Miss Clark right now, Mr. Hart won't blame you for what happened, " Secretary said.

I tightened my grip on the suitcase handle.

Secretary gave my cheap canvas suitcase a quick once-over.

Secretary continued, "Mr. Hart is very disappointed in your behavior tonight. He wants you to understand your situation.

"The only reason you got into Riverdale Academy's high school and can survive in this crowd is because of the Hart family. Without Mr. Hart, you're nobody. "

I lowered my gaze.

I let go of the suitcase handle, pulled out my phone, and lit up the screen.

The Hart family's driver's number, the villa manager's contact info.

With a few swipes, I deleted everything, gone, just like that.

Then I looked up at Secretary.

"Tell Eric I'm not accepting any of his terms, and I don't need his forgiveness, " I said coldly.

I reached into the side pocket of my canvas bag and pulled out the black credit card, the one that had chained me to Eric for ten years, a symbol of everything I owed him.

I gripped it with both hands and snapped it in half.

Without a second thought, I dropped the broken pieces right in front of his shiny shoes.

Mya's eyes went wide as she reached out to block my way again.

"Sis, are you crazy? If you walk away like this, Eric will really cut you off for good. " she cried.

I sidestepped her, dodging her touch.

I gripped the suitcase handle tighter, brushed past them, and walked off into the night.

Behind me, Secretary's usual calm tone finally cracked, frustration creeping into his voice.

"If you walk out that door, don't expect Mr. Hart to pay a single cent for your tuition or living expenses ever again! " he shouted.

I didn't even slow down.

The plastic wheels of my suitcase rumbled across the rough asphalt, echoing through the night.

Every step I took was steady and resolute.