Chapter 25
Solana stepped aside, gesturing to the mirror. “Take a look.”
Averie, initially fuming, glanced at her reflection, draped in luxury brands, and smirked. Compared to Solana’s plain waitress uniform, she felt invincible.
“You’re the one who needs a mirror,” Averie sneered. “Look at you–what part of you still deserves him?”
Her eyes landed on Solana’s Jager–LeCoultre watch. “So ‘noble,‘ yet clinging to a watch my dad bought you?”
Solana glanced at the timepiece. “It holds special meaning for me.”
“What, your vanity can’t let go?” Averie sneered. “But fine–Dad said you could keep it. Consider it charity.”
Solana smiled. Robert had said the same in her previous life, watching her wear it to prison. Now, the words meant nothing.
Averie has no idea that this watch contributed to the Webbs‘ downfall.
Averie hated Solana’s calm. “Stop pretending! You’ve cried over that shack of a home, haven’t you? It must be so hard coming downtown.”
“It looks good to me,” Solana said lightly.
“Stop pretending!” Averie snapped, tapping her phone. Solana’s phone pinged with a 700 bucks transfer.
“A temp job pays less in a month. Take it and disappear. Stay away from Mateo.”
“$1,000?” Solana clicked her tongue. “Miss Webb, haven’t you adjusted to reality? For Webbs, 700 bucks is pocket change. Stingy even for a meal–embarrassing.”
Averie’s face flushed. She transferred 7,000 in rage. Solana accepted it instantly.
“Thought you were better than this–just another gold–digger!” Averie scoffed.
“This isn’t for me. It’s repayment for 18 years my parents spent raising you,” Solana said indifferently. “They deserve far more. And your lies about them? Unforgettable.”
Averie trembled. “You–you’re just greedy! I’ll tell Mateo you begged for money!” Too ashamed to argue, she fled.
Solana rolled her eyes. ‘As if I care what Mateo thinks. Come on,‘ she thought.
Back in the private dining room, Averie tearfully claimed Solana had “extorted” her.
Vivian exploded, “Damn, she’s insane! Why’d you give her anything? I’ll get the money back!”
Averie held her back. “It’s okay. Her parents did raise me. I don’t mind the money.”
5
Sophia scoffed. “But Mr. Webb already paid them. They’re leeches.”
Turning to Mateo, Averie said, “Don’t blame her, Mateo. She’s desperate. Let it go.”
Just then, a waiter knocked. Vivian yanked the door open, expecting Solana–but found a stranger.
“Where’s Solana? We want her to serve us!” Vivian demanded.
“She’s off–duty,” the waiter said.
Vivian froze momentarily, at a loss for words.
Sophia, however, suddenly remembered something. “Are all our orders served?”
“Yes,” the waiter replied. “Solana specifically asked me to present this to Miss Webb as a token of gratitude for her generosity.”
As he spoke, a cup of the Snakebite Latte was placed in front of Averie.
Averie’s facial expressions shifted rapidly, her eyes welled up. “W–what does she mean by this?” she asked weakly.
2/2
