His Broken Toy Came Back to Destroy Him

Hadley's POV

As a regular student, I never expected to fit into the world of trust fund kids. But this real estate heiress reached out to me, said she'd show me how the other half lives, even promised to introduce me to New England's most powerful heir.

I thought she'd be my friend. Thought she actually cared. I even fell for him.

Until she framed me for stealing confidential school files. Until he said, "Just a scholarship kid. No one's gonna miss her." That's when I understood. I was never more than their toy.

They tore up my textbooks, stuffed dead rats in my locker, spent six months tormenting me online and off. My mother couldn't take the vicious comments. Her heart gave out. And me? After I completely broke down, they drove me to the coastal cliffs.

Ice-cold water flooded my nose and mouth. Suffocation dragged me down into despair. I hate myself for being weak. Hate them for their arrogance. Hate this rotten system that treats people like me as disposable.

But when I opened my eyes again, I was back. Back to the night she pushed me toward him.

This time, I won't be fooled.

A champagne cork pops right by my ear. I jerk awake, gasping, cold sweat soaking through my shirt.

No freezing water. No suffocating darkness.

Instead, I'm in the VIP room of the most exclusive private club near Whitmore University. Rich kids sprawl across the sofas. The air reeks of expensive alcohol and perfume.

I sit frozen in the corner, death grip on my cheap canvas bag.

"Hadley, why are you spacing out?" Blair Hartley loops her arm through mine, wearing that sweet smile.

I turn and stare hard at that face.

This face cried on camera about how I stole from her. This same face ordered people to shred my books and fill my locker with dead rats.

Blood rushes to my head. My fingers dig into the bag hard enough to tear it. But I force myself to stop, bury the rage deep in my chest.

I came back. Back to sophomore fall, the month everything started. The turning point that destroyed my life.

Last time, in this exact room, Blair showed off her control over me to the other heiresses. For fun, she pushed me at Preston Blackwell, the top heir on the entire East Coast.

And me? That pathetic, insecure idiot desperate to belong? I actually believed Blair was being nice. Actually fell for the untouchable Blackwell heir.

Not this time. I won't be their plaything again. Who says a sewer rat can't tear out an elephant's throat?

"God, look how pretty Hadley is. Total waste keeping her single." Blair pulls me to my feet, looking toward the man sitting in the center of the room, silent this whole time.

Preston Blackwell.

He's wearing a black shirt, collar slightly undone. His eyes sweep over me like I'm some bargain bin item with the price tag still on.

"Preston," Blair says sweetly, "didn't you say you needed someone obedient? What about our Hadley? Straight-A student, you know. Sure, she's broke as hell, but she's sweet and knows her place. Best part? She'll do whatever you want."

The room goes dead silent for a beat. Then laughter erupts.

"Seriously, Blair? Preston with a scholarship kid?"

"Yeah, she probably can't even afford one of his ties!"

Last time, I turned red under their mockery, wanted to disappear into the floor, shook my head frantically. Preston just smirked and said "Boring," making me the joke of their entire circle. Later, Blair sweet-talked and manipulated me until I became Preston's dirty little secret, his pet to summon and dismiss at will.

But this time? I won't just make him want me. I'll make him and Blair destroy each other, along with their entire families.

I take a deep breath and slip into that nervous, slightly starstruck expression I perfected last time. I lift my eyes to Preston, letting them go just red enough at the edges.

"I know I'm not good enough for Preston. But I'll do anything... if he'll have me."

The room goes dead silent.

Blair's smile freezes. She clearly didn't expect the quiet mouse to suddenly volunteer. But her eyes light up fast. A dog that begs without being told? Even more fun.

Preston stops flipping his lighter. Finally looks at me directly. Those cold eyes hold assessment, contempt, and a hint of cruel amusement.

People like him, raised on pedestals, get off on watching people like me throw away our dignity.

He leans forward slightly, grabs my chin, forces me to meet his gaze. "Anything?"

I swallow the nausea churning in my stomach, lower my eyes obediently, and lean into his palm.

"Yeah."

Preston laughs softly, lets go, pulls out a wipe and cleans his fingers like I'm something dirty. "Alright then. Stay. Pour."

Blair immediately shoves me forward, drops her voice to a whisper. "Hadley, move it. This is the best thing that'll ever happen to you. Without me, you wouldn't even get to breathe the same air as Preston."

"Thank you, Blair." I turn to her with the most grateful smile I can manage.

Then I walk over to Preston, kneel on the carpet, pick up the expensive bottle of wine, and pour it steadily into his glass.

Preston lifts the glass, swirls the red liquid with those long fingers, then points at the massive mug sitting nearby, filled to the brim with mixed hard liquor. His voice comes out cold. "Drink it."