Be My Wife, Be Rich by Charlotte Aaron Novel

Chapter 14

Nobody at school tried to chat with Fiona for the rest of the day. Fine by her she was digging the quiet. Aher the last bell, Fiona wandered around the campus, just chilling before heading out. Just as she hit the front gate, a sleek car pulled up.

The window slid down, and there was Alexa with a smirk. “Need a lift?”

Clare stuck her head out too, acting like she was doing Fiona a solid. “Didn’t you hear Alexa? Hop in, let’s go!”

guys enjoy the

Fiona shook her head, “Nah, I’m good.” She nodded towards Summerlyn Garden down the road. “It’s just a short walk to my place. You guys

ride.”

Clare let out a huff, “Your place? Or you mean that rental? Wonder how long you can keep up the act without the dough.”

Fiona hitched up her backpack, “If I like it, maybe I’ll just buy the place with cash. It’s not like I’m broke.” She was on her way to becoming Ms. 80 Million

Dollars.

Alexa just scowled, her fist tight on her knee.

Meanwhile, back at the Harrell residence, Dexter clocked out early and hit home. Once Alexa rolled in, the family gathered for dinner. Macy, as sweet as ever, asked Alexa about her day at school. Alexa was all half-hearted, clearly having something else on her mind.

“What’s with you today?” Macy prodded,

Alexa fiddled with her lip, “it’s Fiona she…” She stalled, then spilled it, “She called out a teacher in class, said they had no right teaching. Made a whole

scene.

Dexter’s fork hit the table with a clack. “That girl’s asking for trouble. Her credit card? It’s toast!”

Alexa glanced down, “Mom, you don’t get it, that teacher’s bad news. And honestly, the whole thing’s got me worried…

got you worried?” Macy snapped, her voice icy and her eyes sparking with spite. But when she glanced at Alexa, her tone mellowed a bit. “Just ignore her, okay? Pretend she’s invisible. I’ve written her off as my kid, and I’m not giving her the time of day. I’m hoping her to mess around, so Charlotte can have a reason to cancel the engagement. If she thinks she’s nabbing a cool hundred million dollars, she’s dreaming Forget about her-focus on the opening ceremony instead. Cora rang me up today, Eveline and a bunch of high-rollers from Paellan will be there, including folks from the Hill and the Parker families. Maybe Sebastian will attend too. Nail this event, and you’re a shop-in for the Quinn family’s daughter-in-law. I hear there’s a vote for the crowd favorite too. Don’t let some nobodies mess with your head. I’m not letting you lose to Abby’s kid.”

Abby Jenkins was Diana’s mom, and Luther’s aunt. Grew up with Macy, and they both hitched their wagons to their hubby’s towns, always measuring their lives against each other. Lately, the Jenkins family was rolling in it, way past the Harrell family, and Macy was just chomping at the bit to get one over on Abby. Complicating things, Diana was no slouch-she was outclassing Alexa left and right. Macy had been stewing, itching for a chance to show Abby who was boss.

Dexter made a face and let out a frustrated sigh, “Man, just thinking about this gets my blood boiling. The Hill family is all in for their son-in-law, while your mom would rather toss our company to some random than let us have a crack at it. She won’t lift a finger for me. If she did, would I be eating Kenneth’s dust?”

The last thing Macy needed was Dexter’s griping, “Skills not cutting it? Whose problem is that? Think you’re in Kenneth’s league? Guy’s not exactly doling

out handouts to his kin!”

When it looked like a full-blown fight was brewing/Alexa jumped in, “Cut it out, you two.” She locked eyes with them, full of drive and smarts. “Chill, I got this. I’m gonna knock your socks off this time. Nobody’s grabbing my spotlight” She knew this was her shot to be top dog-no ties, no equals. And she wasn’t about to forget Fiona, the thorn in her side she was dying to pluck.

The day sped by, and soon it was showtime. The ceremony kicked off at 1:30p.m., wrapping up at 5, with no morning classes. The Blueden Girl’s School

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Chapter 14

Mon, 3

had snagged the swankiest spot in Paellan-Valmead Hotel-for a posh dinner as a big thank you,

In the makeup room, Alexa eyed Diana, who was practicing her lines in front of a mirror, eyes shut, Alma’s heart surged with envy. Glancing down at two cups of coffee in her hands, a sly grin spread across her face as she sidled up to Diana

Meanwhile, Fiona was chilling at home, digging into a lazy brunch before moseying over to school. Nearing the auditorium, she stumbled on a buzzing crowd of kids gabbing outside.

“Heard Diana passed out cold during the final run through. Her mom’s flipping out inside,” someone whispered.

Fiona’s brow creased at that news. The Jenkins family was new money in Jerraloth, and Diana had the Hill family’s name behind her. A scandal here would tie the school up in knots, and Evelina, who was old and in her shaky health, would be in a frenzy. Not shipping a beat, Fiona shouldered her way through the crowd to see what was up

Inside, the stage was mobbed with onlookers. Diana was sprawled on the floor to one side, eyes closed, with odd, spotty rashes on her face and hands, her skin ghostly and slick with sweat.

Bounding onto the stage like a pro, Fiona eyed the crowd around Diana and barked, “Give her some room, guys!”

Macy was there, fuming at the sight of Fiona. “What are you doing here, Fiona? Always butting in. Scram!” Macy had always been scared of Diana stealing Alexa’s spotlight and kinda hoped something would trip her up. Seeing Diana all messed up, Macy couldn’t help feeling a bit gleeful. She figured Diana was just getting a taste of her own medicine for her mom was always showing off. It was just the Karma. But here was Fiona, swooping in and risking dragging the Harrell family through the mud too.)

Fiona caught the glee in Macy’s eyes. Spotting flustered Alexa biting her lip behind Macy, Fiona got a hunch and stared her down. Alexa crumbled under that gaze and tried to duck out of sight. Fiona just shook her head, then hollered, “Back off, let Diana breathe!”

“Fiona, you-

“Zip it!” Fiona snapped back, ice in her voice, which shut Macy up like a clam, Pushing past everyone, Fiona crouched by Diana and quickly undid the top

burn of her dress to help her breathe

“What’s gotten into you?” Abby was freaking out.

Diana was as cold as ice, barely breathing.

Fiona shot Abby a look but didn’t say a word. She pressed on Diana’s upper lip, glancing over at Alexa again. “Looks like an allergic reaction, and it’s bad. Anyone know what she had before she keeled over?”

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