Chapter 1
Embridge City was getting clobbered by a rare snowstorm, the kind that hits once every five years. Downtown’s busy streets were empty, the wind howling and snow biting like icy needles.
Snow piled up past ankles, nearly to knees, and in the dead of winter, a girl trudged through it in a flimsy summer dress. Her skinny frame pushed against the gusts, moving slow but steady.
Meanwhile, the Prosperity Hotel was throwing a fancy birthday party for Averie Webb, the darling daughter of Roberton Properties‘ big–shot CEO.
Inside, it was all clinking glasses and stunning gowns, worlds away from the blizzard outside. The posh, heated lobby buzzed with glitz and chatter.
Clink, clink!
Someone tapped a wine glass, and all eyes turned.
Robert Webb stood in the spotlight, raising his glass with a grin. “Hey, thanks for coming out to celebrate my girl Averie’s big day. Averie, come say hi to everyone!”
“Go on, sweetie,” Gloria Webb said, giving her daughter a gentle nudge and a proud smile.
A young woman in a sleek LV strapless gown–straight off the spring runway–strolled up to Robert’s side. “Dad,” she said with a playful smirk, then flashed a big wave. “Hey, y’all!”
Robert, beaming like a proud papa, grabbed her hand. “People love to rag on my business wins, but let’s be real: my real win’s right here—Averie.”
He shot her a soft look. “I thank my lucky stars for you every day, kid. Just want you happy.”
“Dad, I love you.” Averie’s eyes teared up as she hugged his arm.
The room exploded in applause.
Whispers floated through the crowd.
“Miss Webb’s a total gem–gorgeous, Embridge University grad, and a hotshot writer. If she were my kid, I’d be bragging louder than Robert!”
“Forget her resume–she’s the daughter Robert moved mountains to find. No wonder he treats her like she’s made of gold.”
“That drama five years back was insane Robert hit the jackpot tracking her down.”
“What about the other girl?”
“Oh, you didn’t hear? When she found out her real folks were dirt poor, she clung to the Webbs like a leech. Robert and Gloria were sweet enough to keep her on as an adopted kid–money’s no problem for them, you know?
“But she kept acting like she was the real deal, always trying to outshine Averie, even bullying her. Then her actual parents
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Chapter 1
showed up, and–get this–she was so desperate to stay she ran over her own dad with a car to dodge going back!”
“No way! Someone’s that twisted?”
Just then, a cheer erupted from the front, yanking the gossipers‘ attention back to the party’s electric vibe.
A jaw–dropping birthday cake was wheeled to the stage’s center, candles glowing, colors popping like crazy.
Mateo Porter, looking slick in a navy suit, held a bunch of lilies and strode toward Averie, who was stealing the show.
“Happy birthday, Averie,” he said with a grin, handing her the flowers.
Averie’s cheeks turned pink as she grabbed the lilies, smiling.
Mateo took a half–step back, dropped to one knee, and flipped open a blue velvet box. His eyes locked on hers. “Marry me, Averie.”
Averie froze. A proposal at her birthday bash? She was stunned, too thrilled to speak.
The room went nuts.
“That’s the Hickum Construction heir, right?” someone whispered.
“Roberton Properties and Hickum Construction? Perfect match! I’m so jealous!” another said.
The younger girls squealed, “Ugh, Mateo’s insanely hot! I can’t!”
Even Robert, onstage, looked shocked. Gloria tugged his sleeve, buzzing. A tie with Hickum Construction would be huge for Roberton Properties.
Robert snapped out of it and grinned at Averie. “Hey, don’t just stand there! Say yes!”
Mateo, still on one knee, flashed a warm smile.
Averie’s heart raced as she reached for him. But then, the hall’s doors burst open, a cold draft hitting hard. Everyone shivered.
‘Who shows up this late?‘ people thought.
Heads turned.
A girl stood at the door–short hair, scary thin, in a thin summer dress despite the freezing cold. Her skin was purple, shaking hard. But her eyes? Cold as ice, fixed on the Webb family onstage.
Some whispered about a beggar, but someone piped up, “Wait, that’s a Versace dress. Old, though. I couldn’t even get one back then.”
“Check her bag,” another scoffed. “Chanel, but discontinued. And what’s she stuffed in there? It’s bulging. So tacky!” “Who’s this girl?”
Onstage, Averie glanced at the door. Her face went pale when she saw who it was, and she scooted closer to Gloria like a 2/3
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Chapter 1
scared kid.
The Webbs recognized her too.
Robert growled, “Who let her in?”
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The girl at the door smirked. “What, I need a fancy invite now?” She strolled forward, wet shoes smudging the pricey wool carpet with snow.
With a sharp grin, she said, “This place? Used to be ‘Serenity Hotel,‘ not ‘Prosperity Hotel.‘ Built to my taste. I know every room, every exit, every camera blind spot. Still got it all locked in, Dad.”
Boom–the room erupted in gasps.
“Is that Solana? The Solana from way back?” one muttered.
She snorted to herself. ‘Yeah, Solana. But not that wide–eyed girl anymore.‘
“She’s got some nerve showing up. Thinks she’s still a Webb or what?”
“Total shameless move.”
Solana had heard “shameless” a million times five years ago. Back then, she’d fought to defend herself. Now? Those words didn’t even sting.
Someone gasped, “Didn’t she go to prison?”
Yup. She did.
She’d walked out of jail that morning, hopped a ten–hour bus, and landed back in Embridge City. A city that hit her like a cold slap, full of old grudges.
Robert saw her coming and barked, “I’m not your dad! This is Averie’s party–get out or I’m calling security!”
“Security? Pfft.” Solana shot him a fearless grin. “Relax, I’ve got nothing left. What’re you scared of? That I’ll spill all your dirty secrets from back then?”
