Chapter 32
“She should have never been invited here one of the girls declared with a huff.
The three of them. self–appointed defenders of Willow, surrounded her protectively.
Elana barely suppressed a laugh at their indignation. “Seriously get it straight,‘ she said, crossing her arms with a smirk, When did I ever say I wanted to join you?”
The words were barely out of her mouth when the trio jumped at the chance to ridicule her.
“If you’re not here for Willow, then why did you come to Cedar Manor one of them asked, raising an eyebrow
“Seriously, did you actually think you could own a place in Cedar Manor? Keep dreaming!” another sneered, crossing their
“Yeah” a third chimed in, pulling out their phone. “I checked online–the occupancy rate is ninety–nine percent! Willow rented the last available unit. The only vacant space left is the top–floor penthouse.”
They all looked at her with a mocking smile. “Are you going to claim you own the penthouse?” the first one added, clearly amused. “Please, if you’re going to lie, at least do your homework!”
At Cedar Manor, the higher the floor, the higher the price, and the penthouse was worth several times more than the regular
apartments.
Willow had tried to rent it herself, but it was too expensive, and even availability was an issue.
There’s no way Eliana managed to get a hold of that penthouse when I couldn’t, Willow thought smugly.
With a knowing smile, she leaned forward. “Eliana, don’t push yourself too hard. I don’t mind. Just throw away that dog in your bag, and you can still come inside my apartment. In fact, if you want, you could even stay with me.”
To the other three women, it seemed like an easy choice–throwing away that scruffy dog for a chance to live in luxury.
But Eliana chuckled and shook her head.
“Forget this apartment,” she said, her voice dripping with disdain “Even if you offered me every unit in Cedar Manor, I wouldn’t give up Lunchie.”
She glanced at their stunned faces, eyes narrowing, “Maybe you should just check your eyes out Lunchie isn’t a mutt–he’s a Kenai Peninsula wolf”
Her words hung in the air, the implications twisting around their minds.
They exchanged skeptical looks.
”
She’s lying. No way that’s a wolf pup, they thought.
Willow replied. “Eliana, it’s a mutt. Stop trying to fool us. The elevator’s coming–just get rid of it
Eliana sighed. She wondered if Willow could even understand plain English.
There was no point arguing any further.
The clevator dinged, and the doors slid open. A middle–aged woman in a crisp black uniform stepped out, her gaze landing
on the group
She offered Eliana a respectful nod. “Miss Davis”
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Chapter 32
The others froze, confined.
Eliana’s tone softened. “Ophelia Merritt?”
“Yes, Miss Ophelia replied with a slight how.
Willow and her friends exchanged puzzled glances, still trying to purce together what was happening.
“Miss Davis, after you. Ophelia said, gesturing to the open elevator.
BK 66%
Eliana stepped inside, and Ophelia turned to the others, her professional smile never wavering. “Aren’t you coming?”
Slowly, they shuffled inside.
Ophelia pressed the button for the top floor and then glanced at the group. “You haven’t selected your floor yet.”
Willow awkwardly jabbed the button for the twenty–first floor–ust one level below the penthouse.
The atmosphere in the elevator turned tense as it climbed upward
Eliana’s phone buzzed with group messages–Thomas and his friends were curious about Eliana’s appearance at Cedar Manor
Eliana casually typed out replies, barely sparing the others a glance.
Lunchie peeked out from her bag, baring his tiny fangs in a mock growl.
Willow and the others hadn’t expected Eliana to go to the penthouse floor.
No way! they thought.
When the doors opened on the twenty–first floor, Willow hesitated, staring at the open doors.
Eliana, unbothered, continued tapping away on her phone.
Finally, Willow stepped out, leaving Eliana behind. Before the doors closed, she blurted out a question to Ophelia. “Is she… is she really living on the twenty–second floor?”
Ophelia blinked, surprised by the question. “I’m sorry. Miss, what do you mean?”
“She’s my sister, Willow stammered. “I don’t understand–she couldn’t possibly afford the penthouse. What’s going on?” “You’re her sister?” Ophelia asked, raising an eyebrow. “I think you must be mistaken.”
Just then, Eliana finished her messages and tucked her phone away. She shot a cold glare at Willow, who paled under the intensity of her gaze.
“Eliana’s in our class, one of them said. “There’s no way we’re wrong. She’s just a regular person–there’s no way she could rent the penthouse!”
Ophelia’s professional mask cracked, a hint of annoyance creeping in. “I’m afraid it’s you who are mistaken. Rent? The penthouse is never up for rent”
She pressed the button, and the elevator doors slid shut, cutting off their protests.
low’s mind rared. Not rented… then bought? That’s impossible!
Buying the penthouse was a financial feat out of reach for even Willow.
2/3
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Chapter 32
Renting had been an option Willow barely managed to afford, buying was a different level entirely.
Watching the elevator disappear, Willow’s face twisted in frustration. Nothing about this made sense.
“What’s going on?” one of the other women asked hesitantly.
“I
Willow forced a smile. I have no idea. Let’s just go inside. I’ll ask Eliana later.”
As they stepped into Willow’s sleek, spacious apartment, one woman piped up, “Willow, you don’t think Eliana tricked your parents into giving her money, do you? I mean, how else could she rent that place? How vicious!”
Willow knew better.
Ever since Eliana had left the Garcia family, their parents had cut her off completely.
There was no chance she’d managed to get a single cent from them, much less enough to rent a luxury apartment.
That manipulative brat must have found another way, she fumed silently.
“By the way,” another friend mused, glancing wistfully upward, “living in Cedar Manor’s penthouse would make you part of Dratora City’s elite. I’d love to see that rooftop garden.”
The eager tone matched the earlier flattery they’d lavished on Willow, but now it only grated on Willow’s nerves.
Willow shot the speaker a withering look.
The girl immediately backtracked. “Of course, Willow, you’re way better than Eliana. She’s so vicious!”
Willow’s smile didn’t reach her eyes as she scanned her fingerprint to open the door.
Her friends eagerly rushed inside, gawking at the elegant interior
Upstairs. Eliana entered her penthouse with Ophelia, setting Lunchie down to explore.
The light streaming through the massive floor–to–ceiling windows illuminated the luxurious decor, the space exuding understated elegance.
Lunchie’s paws padded excitedly on the hardwood floor as he darted into the sun–drenched living room.
