Chapter 3

Hadley's POV

Blair slams the diamond necklace onto the coffee table. The metallic clang cuts through the penthouse.

"My dad dropped two million on this last month. Birthday present. I had it in my bag this afternoon watching Preston play at the gym, and now it shows up in yours!"

"I brought you around, looked out for you, and this is how you repay me? You're a thief, Hadley!"

I stand there, eyes on the necklace. Then I glance at my bag on the floor. The zipper's been ripped open. My beat-up textbooks and cheap pens are scattered everywhere.

Same playbook. Different day.

Last time, it played out almost exactly like this. Except back then it wasn't a necklace. It was some vintage watch Preston kept in his desk. I shook so hard I could barely speak, dropped to my knees begging them to believe me. Preston beat me bloody. Blair filmed the whole thing, posted it online, and destroyed what was left of my reputation.

I'm not angry. I'm almost amused. For all their money and power, these people can't even frame someone with any creativity.

I turn toward Preston. He sits on the couch, smoking, legs crossed. Watching me through the haze like I'm something stuck to his shoe.

"You think I stole it too?"

Preston's mouth curves into something cruel. "Poor people want things they can't have. Pretty natural, right? Blair's not wrong. You don't belong here."

He doesn't even bother asking questions. Just convicts me on the spot. Because in their world, being broke is a crime all on its own.

"Preston, don't let her get to you. She's not worth your time." Blair glides over to him, all sweetness and venom. Then she whips around to face me. "We caught you red-handed, Hadley. What've you got to say for yourself?"

"Red-handed?"

I laugh. Blair freezes. Even Preston's eyebrows go up.

"What the hell are you laughing at? You thief!" Blair's voice goes shrill.

"I'm laughing because you're terrible at this." I let the smile drop. "Blair, how do you even know that necklace is yours?"

Blair looks at me like I just grew a second head. "Are you insane? It has my initials engraved on it. BH. And everyone at school knows my dad bought it for me!"

"Fine. But how do you know I'm the one who put it in my bag?"

"Preston literally just watched me pull it out! What, you think I planted it on you myself?!" She throws her shoulders back, all righteous indignation.

"Why not? This afternoon at the gym, you gave me your bag to hold. Then you went to the bathroom twice and made me bring it in both times. After we got here, my bag stayed in the entryway. And you went out there once to grab takeout."

I lay it out calmly. No panic. Just facts.

Blair's eyes flicker. But with Preston here, she doubles down fast. "Quit twisting everything around! You're broke, you wanted something nice, so you stole it. And now you're trying to blame me? Preston, look at her. Call the cops. Get her arrested. Get her expelled."

Preston stands and walks toward me, looking down like I'm an insect.

"Hadley, let's not make this ugly. Get on your knees. Apologize to Blair. Give the necklace back. Then get out of my sight. I won't call the police."

He thinks this is mercy. Thinks I'll drop to the floor and kiss his feet, grateful for the scraps he throws me.

"And if I don't?"

Preston's expression goes dark. "What did you just say?"

"I said I didn't do it. So I'm not apologizing."

"Perfect. Just perfect." Blair yanks out her phone, shaking with rage. "You want to play stubborn? Fine. I'm calling the dean right now. And the cops. Let's see how long you last when the whole school knows what you really are."

She dials. Puts it on speaker.

"Hello? Yes, this is Blair. Hadley Mitchell stole my diamond necklace. Caught her with it. We're at Preston's place. You need to get over here. Bring the police."

She hangs up. Grins at me like she's already won. "You're done, Hadley. Your life is over."

Preston drops back onto the couch. Just watching.

I look at Blair's flushed, triumphant face. Nothing but contempt.

Go ahead. Make this as big as you want.

Less than twenty minutes later, the dean and two cops show up. The dean walks in, all smiles when he sees Preston and Blair. Then he turns to me and his face hardens. "Hadley! You're a disgrace to this school! We gave you a full ride out of the goodness of our hearts, and you pull this?"

One of the officers steps forward. "Miss Mitchell? Miss Hartley filed a report saying you stole valuable property. We need you to cooperate. Was this necklace found in your bag?"

"Yes."

"So you admit you took it?"

"No."

The dean scoffs. "Still lying? The evidence is right there. You think the police are stupid?"

Blair crosses her arms, looking smug. "Hadley, if you get on your knees and beg right now, maybe I'll be nice. Maybe I'll tell them to go easy on you."

I watch her standing there, so sure she's won. My hand slides into my pocket.

"Blair, you really think money and power mean you can do whatever you want? That you don't even need to check security footage?"