The gates of the academy didn't feel the same on Monday morning.
Usually, the entrance was a chaotic runway of designer bags, revving sports cars, and loud laughter. But today it was different.
Valerie walked through the main courtyard, her head lowered. Beside her, Lyra kept her stride even, though her sharp eyes were constantly scanning the crowd.
Immediately, the atmosphere shifted.
The moment the cousins stepped onto the pavement, the surrounding groups went dead silent. Dozens of eyes locked onto them. Phones were pulled out subtly, fingers flying across screens as the school group chats went into an absolute frenzy.
"That's them."
"The cousins."
"Imagine being blood-related to the D'Angelos and pretending to be a normal rich kid."
"Bro, I heard Secret Service literally raided the yacht with submachine guns."
"Chloe is fucking finished."
Valerie let out a miserable, stressed breath, pulling her jacket tighter around herself. "Oh my God. I hate rich people."
