Chapter 3
Seeing me, Carter jumps up with this guilty smile:
“Sloane! You made it.”
Melody’s staring at her lap like the world’s biggest victim. Total opposite of her bitchy energy at the party.
I ignore them and sit next to Madison.
Soon as I grab the menu, Carter slides over:
“Sloane, the whole internet thing… look, Mel knows she screwed up. She just cares about me too much, you know?
Makes her all jealous and shit.”
With that, he nudges Melody. She bites her lip and barely whispers:
“Sorry, Miss Winters. I misunderstood you before. Please don’t be mad.”
Acting like I actually did something to her.
I put down the menu, looking straight at Carter:
‘I’m not mad, just think it’s pointless. But heads up–control your girlfriend. If her drama affects our families‘ partnership, that’s bad for everyone.”
Carter’s face tightens, voice getting defensive:
‘Look Sloane, Mel’s just young and dumb, alright? I dragged her here to say sorry. Can’t you just… I dunno, stop lexing on her with your family money? Just let it go, for me?”
Before I can respond, Madison snaps:
‘Dude, that’s bullshit. Melody totally started this by posting lies about Sloane online and doing that whole crying act on livestream. Now she says sorry and we’re all supposed to forget it? If someone went online saying your company was dodging taxes, you’d be fine with just ‘my bad“?”
Another friend jumps in:
“Seriously, Carter. We all grew up with Sloane–you know what she’s like. Why would she waste time stealing YOUR girlfriend?”
Everyone calling him out, Carter’s face turns red.
Seeing nobody’s on her side, Melody starts crying:
17:04
She Slandered Me to Millions. (Cue the Fake Tears Live!) But Her Viral Performance? All My Courtroom Evidence!
1.5%
Chapter 3
“I knew it! You all have your little clique protecting your precious ‘bro‘! Just gang up on me!”
Hearing that, Carter doesn’t even try to reason–just chases after her.
Dead silence in the room.
Madison rolls her eyes:
“What a psycho. Carter’s completely pussy whipped.”
Isip my tea, staying quiet.
Soon enough, Mr. and Mrs. Hayes show up at my house personally.
Mrs. Hayes looks apologetic:
‘Oh sweetie, I’m so sorry–this is totally on me for not keeping Carter in check. But I already froze the little brat’s ards and read him the riot act about controlling his crazy girlfriend.”
Mr. Hayes nods:
Exactly, Sloane. Honestly, we’d be nothing without you and your dad having our backs all these years. Don’t mind Carter being an idiot, okay? Look, how about dinner Thursday night? Come over and we’ll talk business, plus Carter wes you a real apology.”
eeing their genuine concern, thinking about our families‘ long history, I nod:
Look, out of respect for you two, I’m willing to move past this. But business is business–the project has to stay clean. nother screw–up and my hands are tied.”
Mr. and Mrs. Hayes thank me repeatedly.
Winner night, I show up thirty minutes early at the Hayes place.
oon as I walk in, I hear Mr. Hayes laying into Carter upstairs.
You didn’t invite Melody tonight, right? Can’t have any more drama.”
Ars. Hayes chimes in:
If that psycho keeps pulling this shit, she’s not setting foot in our house again!”
When Sloane shows up, you apologize like you mean it. This deal with the Winters is everything–one more fuckup ind you’re both out on your asses!”
Carter’s mumbling some half–assed agreement.
I wait outside till it goes quiet, then knock.
17:04
She Slandered Me to Millions (Cue the Lake Tears Live!) But Her Viral Performance? All My Courtroom Evidence!
1.7%
Chapter 3
Mr. and Mrs. Hayes practically sprint over when they see me, ordering Carter to play host.
“Sloane sweetie, just make yourself at home. We need to run upstairs and get those contracts ready–be right down.”
I smile and nod.
The second they’re gone, Carter’s face turns ice–cold.
I ignore his attitude, heading for the couch. Just as I sit down, there’s screaming from outside.
“SLOANE! GET OUT HERE!”
