Chapter 30 30
Scarlett's POV
My email inbox was a nightmare.
I sat at my desk in my bedroom, staring at the screen. Sixty-three new emails. All from universities. All received in the last twenty-four hours.
Every single top school in the country was flooding my inbox with recruitment materials.
My phone buzzed. A text notification.
I looked at the screen. A tracking number. FedEx delivery confirmation.
I walked downstairs to the front entrance. Arthur was already there, holding a large cardboard box.
"This just arrived for you, Mrs. Wolfe," he said.
I took the box. It was heavy. I carried it back to my room and opened it.
Glossy brochures spilled out. Personalized letters from admissions offices. A leather-bound folder from Princeton with my name embossed in gold. A USB drive from MIT labeled "Virtual Campus Tour - For Scarlett Romano."
I dumped everything back in the box and shoved it under my bed.
This was getting ridiculous.
I regretted taking that SAT so seriously. I should have deliberately missed a few questions. Should have taken the full three hours instead of finishing in seventy-five minutes.
The next week passed quickly. On Friday afternoon, my phone buzzed during my break.
A text from an unknown number.
I opened it.
A photo loaded on my screen.
My cross necklace.
The simple silver cross that Viola had given me before she died. The only thing I had left of her.
It was sitting on someone's palm. The chain was tangled. The cross was slightly tarnished.
Another text came through.
"Zelda already put it away. Want it back? Come to the celebration party. - Madison"
My hand tightened around my phone.
That bitch.
Another text.
"If you don't show up, I'll crush it. Your choice."
I stared at the photo. At that simple silver cross.
Viola had given it to me when I was fifteen. Right before my first mission with Iron Circle.
She'd pressed it into my palm and said, "Keep this close. God protects those who need it most."
She was the only foster mother who'd ever been kind to me. The only one who'd treated me like I mattered.
When she died six months later, that necklace was all I had left.
I'd brought it with me when I came back to the Romano mansion. Viviana had seen it and wrinkled her nose.
"What is that cheap religious junk?" she'd said. "Throw it away. It doesn't match anything in this house."
We'd fought about it. Actually fought. I'd screamed at her that she couldn't throw away my things.
She'd backed down. But the necklace had disappeared from my room two weeks later.
I'd searched everywhere. Torn my room apart looking for it.
Now I knew. Zelda had taken it.
I typed back a response.
"Better get your knees ready."
I sent it and put my phone away.
Madison wanted me at that party? Fine. I'd go.
And I'd make sure she regretted it.
The celebration party was tonight. Friday evening at The Plaza Hotel.
I finished my shift at six. Arthur was waiting outside with the car.
"Mrs. Wolfe, Mr. Wolfe asked me to remind you about tonight's dinner reservation," Arthur said as I got in.
"Cancel it," I said. "I have somewhere else to be."
Arthur's eyebrows went up slightly. "May I ask where?"
"The Plaza Hotel. There's a party I need to attend."
"Shall I inform Mr. Wolfe?"
"No. Don't tell him anything."
Arthur looked uncomfortable but nodded. "As you wish, Mrs. Wolfe."
We drove back to the estate. I went straight to my room and opened my closet.
I didn't have many nice clothes. Most of what I owned came from Target or Old Navy.
I pulled out a dress that might work. A simple navy blue cocktail dress. A basic dress that fit well.
I grabbed my phone and my small purse. Walked downstairs.
Arthur was waiting by the car.
"The Plaza Hotel, Mrs. Wolfe?"
"Yes."
Arthur pulled up to the hotel entrance at seven fifteen.
Luxury cars lined the curb. Ferraris. Bentleys. Rolls Royces. People in expensive clothes walking through the front doors.
I got out of the car.
"Shall I wait, Mrs. Wolfe?" Arthur asked.
"No. I'll get home on my own."
"Are you certain? Mr. Wolfe specifically instructed—"
"I'm certain. Go home, Arthur."
He looked worried but nodded. "Please call if you need anything."
The car pulled away.
I walked toward the entrance. A doorman in a fancy uniform opened the door for me.
"Good evening, miss."
I walked through the lobby. Followed the signs pointing toward the Grand Ballroom.
The doors were already open. Music and laughter spilled out into the hallway.
I stopped at the entrance.
The ballroom was massive. Crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling. Round tables covered in white linens. A live band set up on a small stage.
People everywhere. All dressed to impress. Designer everything. And there, in the center of it all, was Zelda.
She wore a pale pink gown. Strapless. The bodice was fitted, showing off her tiny waist. The skirt flowed down to the floor in layers of tulle and silk.
Her blonde hair was styled in perfect curls. Diamond necklace around her neck. Matching diamond earrings.
She looked like a princess.
Viviana stood next to her, beaming. She wore an elegant burgundy dress. Her hair was swept up in an elaborate updo.
I watched them work the room. Viviana's hand on Zelda's arm. Both of them smiling. Gracious. Accepting congratulations from everyone.
One of Zelda's friends rushed over. "Oh my God, Zelda, that necklace!" Emma squealed. "Is that Cartier?"
Zelda touched the diamonds at her throat. She smiled modestly. "Yes. It's from their vintage collection. My brother gave it to me as a congratulations gift."
"How much did it cost?" another girl asked.
"I don't like to talk about money," Zelda said softly. "But I think he mentioned something about six figures."
The girls gasped. Clutched each other's arms. Looked at the necklace with awe.
I felt sick.
This whole party was a performance. Zelda playing the role of the perfect daughter. The accomplished student. The sweet, humble girl who deserved all this attention.
And everyone was buying it.
I saw Nico across the room. He was talking to some guys from his country club. Laughing. Drinking expensive whiskey.
Lorenzo was near the bar. He had his arm around some girl I didn't recognize.
The Romano family. All here. All celebrating Zelda's achievement.
None of them had even glanced toward the entrance where I was standing.
I took a deep breath. Time to make an entrance.
I walked toward the ballroom doors. Pushed them open.
The doors were heavy. They swung inward with a loud bang.
Every head in the room turned.
The conversations stopped. The music seemed to get quieter.
Everyone was staring at me.