Justin’s car rolled to a steady stop in the parking lot of Phoenix Crest Estate.
He unbuckled his seatbelt, hopped out of the driver’s seat, and jogged around to open the passenger door for Lisette.
His grin was ridiculously sunny.
“Lisette, we’ve landed.”
Lisette tightened her coat and stepped down gracefully.
She had on this bold red coat that practically radiated presence.
Hands tucked in her pockets, ponytail casually thrown over one shoulder – her whole vibe screamed confidence with a side of “don’t mess with me.”
Even Justin—the trust-fund kid who practically grew up lounging in champagne-soaked penthouses—couldn’t help but shrink under that look.
Yeah, his agent was scary.
Dad really outdid himself this time.
He was buying him a damn steak.
Noticing his stare, Lisette turned to him.
“Still this place.
Last time, you rushed out and stopped me.
This time -”
Justin jumped in with a cheeky grin, “This time, I’m your loyal sidekick!”
Lisette tossed him a glance and shook her head.
“No.
I’d rather you be my sharpest blade – fearless, cutting through the noise, making it big, owning the spotlight.”
Justin froze for a beat.
Her words fired him up.
He pumped his chest a little and vowed, “I won’t let you down.
I’ll give it my all!”
“Let’s move.”
With that, Lisette led the way, Justin confidently striding beside her, Hannah trailing behind, already thinking about snacks.
They hadn’t gone far when they bumped into two familiar figures – a woman with sleek black hair in a houndstooth coat, and a sharp-eyed man who looked to be in his forties.
Yep.
Amber and her agent Eric.
Seriously, what were the odds?
Lisette lifted a brow slightly.
Amber’s initial reaction on seeing Lisette was surprise.
Then, spotting Justin and Hannah behind her, that flicker of disdain in her eyes practically jumped out.
Ugh, these two were just as annoying as Lisette.
One had a wicked mouth.
The other, quick with a clap back.
Amber glanced at Eric with a look: ‘What are these three clowns doing here?’
Eric’s eyes said: ‘Beats me.
If they push, we push back.’
Amber: …’You better hold it down.’
Eric: ‘Don’t worry, I got it.’
Justin’s memory was rock solid.
First glance, Amber looked familiar.
Second glance, definitely seen her before.
Third glance – oh!
She was that lady who sobbed her makeup off, total hot mess.
“Hey, weren’t you that auntie who cried into her mascara the other day?
Did you get a lift or something?
“Which clinic did it?
Super effective!”
Amber’s smile cracked on impact.
Irritated, she snapped, “What nonsense are you talking about?
I didn’t have surgery!
So stop spreading lies.”
Justin blinked.
Wait, he had been trying to compliment her.
How did it backfire?
He looked miffed.
“Whoa, chill, auntie.
I was asking a question.
You know what rhetorical means?
Curiosity isn’t a crime.
You’re the one mouthing off without thinking!
I said nothing but admiration!”
It was enough to drive anyone nuts.
Being called “auntie” over and over by a guy only a few years younger than her – even a saint would lose it.
Amber’s face turned an unflattering shade of red, furious but barely keeping it together.
Eric patted Amber’s shoulder, trying to calm her down, then stepped forward to face the sharp-tongued troublemaker.
“Amber’s only twenty-two.
She’s still in college and will graduate next year.
You calling her ‘auntie’ and accusing her of getting work done – if that’s not slander, it’s gotta be picking a fight.”
Justin raised his brows, eyes wide in mock surprise.
“Still a senior at twenty-two?
Oof, didn’t meet credit requirements and had to repeat a year?”
Amber almost choked on air.
Her anger flared back up instantly.
That little bastard!
Repeat?
Your whole family’s repeating!
Amber scoffed loudly and shot a glance at Lisette.
“Why don’t you mind your own business?
Instead of guessing about me, maybe ask your agent here why she had to take a break from college.
She’s my classmate too – same age and all.
You should be more curious about her little academic hiccup!”
Lisette’s academic leave had stirred quite a buzz back then, yet her family kept it tightly sealed.
Even Maverick didn’t know the full story.
Amber had tried pressing Bryce a few times, but each attempt hit a wall.
To this day, no one really knew why Lisette had dropped out.
Justin turned to look at Lisette and caught a flicker of darkness pass through her eyes.
So there really was a reason behind her leave. Enjoying the story? Read on at g.com.
Must’ve been something heavy if she didn’t even want it mentioned.
Without missing a beat, Justin jumped in to defend her.
“Our girl Lisette looks young for her age, alright?
Even if she stayed back ten years, she’d still look like a delicate camellia.
You, on the other hand?
One year behind and already giving grandma vibes!
“Sigh, the gap between people is just wild sometimes.”
Amber’s face turned crimson.
“You – ”
“Oh yeah?
What are you gonna do?” Hannah clenched her fists, her round face lifting up in defiance, posture screaming ‘come at me’.
If there was one thing she was good at, it was fighting.
One word from Lisette and she’d launch herself at Amber like a torpedo and knock her into next week.
Amber couldn’t forget the pain from the last time Hannah knocked her flat.
At the first sight of her braced-up knuckles, she instinctively took a step back.
Eric moved in front of her like a shield, pretending not to notice Hannah’s violent vibes, then trained his eyes on Lisette – the one clearly calling the shots.
“Miss Cavendish, you and Amber grew up together.
No need to go nuclear here, right?”
Lisette tilted her head, giving him a quick glance.
“Right.
No need.”
Just when Eric and Amber thought tensions were cooling down, Lisette folded her arms, gaze like ice.
“Yeah, because if a dog bites you, you don’t bite it back.
Gross.”
She patted Justin’s shoulder and said like she was giving life advice, “You should really take notes from Hannah – no need to waste breath when your fists can do the talking.”
Amber bit her lip hard.
She had every reason to believe Lisette was flat-out encouraging Justin to hit her.
And she had proof!
Justin’s eyes lit up like a Christmas tree, nodding like an obedient puppy.
“Got it!”
“Good boy.”
Expression neutral again, Lisette strutted off toward the set, Justin and Hannah following eagerly behind.
Amber stared hard at Lisette’s back, her emotions in absolute chaos.
The only reason she got kicked from Imperial Favor was because of Lisette.
If it weren’t for her stirring things up, driving a wedge between her and Maverick, no one would’ve had an excuse to report her for sneaking off-set.
That backstabber just wanted her role!
Now she had to settle for being the lead in some low-budget web drama.
Pathetic.
“Uncle.”
She called over Eric.
He leaned in, and she shielded her mouth with her hand to whisper, “Lisette’s getting way too cocky.
Find a chance, get some guys to rough her up a little.
Clean job, no loose ends.”
“No problem.”
Eric nodded knowingly, giving her a reassuring glance before accompanying her onto the set.