- 4.
As I got in the car, my heart started pounding in
my chest.
Why was Blake Sterling looking for me?
Did he think I was in on it, and he was planning
to take us all down together?
But I quickly talked myself down.
Even if Sterling was out for revenge, the texts
on my phone, and the bruises, could be my
witnesses.
Whatever Sterling used to be, he was also the
head of the family.
The car pulled up in front of my building.
Sterling’s assistant made a call, and a few
minutes later, Crystal and my parents came
strutting out, all dressed to the nines.
They were decked out in their finest, looking
super–expensive.
The worst offender, of course, was Crystal, who
was already acting like the First Lady of
Sterling Enterprises. She actually started
bossing Sterling’s assistant around. “Uh, Mr.
Song, you came to pick me up in this? Next
time, don’t come with a car that’s not luxury,
okay?”
My dad chimed in, “Yeah, my daughter’s gonna
be Mrs. Billionaire, you can’t treat us like this.”
Hearing this, I’m like, “OMG. I had the biggest
second–hand embarrassment for them.”
Song, clearly a pro, just smiled thinly. “My
apologies. Please, get in the car. Mr. Sterling is
eager to see you.”
Crystal finally deigned to climb in, but then she
saw me. “Janice, what are you doing here?”
Before I could answer, Song told her, “Ms.
Janice is Mr. Sterling’s guest.”
Crystal rolled her eyes. “Janice, always playing
<
the good girl, huh? But when there’s a chance
to score, you come running.”
I just pursed my lips and said cooly, “Who
knows if it is a good thing.”
“Without your sister, you wouldn’t even be here.
One more word and you’re out.”
As he said that, Dad was about to slap me in
the face.
I instinctively braced myself, but Song grabbed
his wrist. “Mr. Smith, I said, Ms. Janice is Mr.
Sterling’s guest.”
Song’s smile vanished, and the atmosphere in
the car turned ice–cold.
Dad sheepishly withdrew his hand. “Just
kidding.”
The car went silent, but our family group chat
<
exploded.
Crystal: Janice, what did you tell Song? Why is
he taking your side? (with an angry face emoji)
I was just as surprised as she was.
Crystal: If you said anything you shouldn’t have,
I’ll freaking kill you.
Mom and Dad joined the chorus, warning me
not to mess things up for Crystal and telling me
to make myself scarce once we arrived. I wasn’t
allowed to talk to Sterling.
But what they didn’t realize was that this wasn’t
exactly a choice.
I replied, Me: Got it.
The three of them finally seemed satisfied and
went back to fantasizing about the gifts they’d demand from Sterling.
<
Dau was Laikinly about upyidulily lua lansion.
If Sterling was so rich, buying the family a villa
was no big deal.
Mom wanted two pounds of gold jewelry,
saying she’d wear it all at once.
Crystal started planning a destination wedding,
complete with a global livestream.
I shook my head.
We’d been driving for hours, leaving the city behind and heading into the sticks.
e three were too busy daydreaming to
ance out the window.
The car finally stopped in front of an abandoned warehouse. Song’s smile was as
cold as the wind. “We’re here. Everyone out.”
Crystal glanced around. “What is this dump? Aren’t we going to Sterlina’s mansion? What are
Aren’t we going to Sterling’s mansion? What are
you doing bringing us here? I’m going to tell
Blake, and you’re going to be so sorry.”
Song got out of the car and opened the back
door.
A gust of cold air rushed into the car. He was
blocking the exit.
“That’s what Mr. Sterling wants. If you don’t
want to get out, we’ll have to drag you.”
