Chapter 4

I completely ignored Calliope’s confused frown and turned my attention to Hastings.

The senior manager pressed a hand to his earpiece, listened for a second, and then leaned in close to me.

"Miss," he whispered respectfully. "Lennox is currently rushing here and will arrive within fifteen minutes to personally apologize."

"The Lennox family has also offered to surrender their core coastal real estate project in exchange for your forgiveness."

A heavy silence hung in the VIP box for about three seconds before the entire room completely lost its mind.

"Did she really just say Lennox is coming to apologize to her?" a frat boy wheezed, wiping fake tears from his eyes.

"She's literally having a psychotic break right in front of us!"

Arlo stepped forward, crossing his arms over his Varsity jacket with a disgusted shake of his head.

"You really don't know when to quit, do you, Juno?"

"Last year, a scholarship kid spilled a drink on Calliope, and Lennox had him expelled and doxxed all over the internet within twenty-four hours."

"Is that really the kind of hell you want to bring down on yourself over a bruised ego?"

Calliope tossed her hair over her shoulder, her malicious confidence fully restored by Arlo's words.

"You heard him, Juno, so I highly suggest you get on your knees right now."

"My cousin is already on his way here from his private yacht, and if he walks in and sees you disrespecting me, your life is officially over."

I pulled out a chair, crossed my legs, and looked at Calliope with a mocking smirk.

"Are you really going to use Lennox to threaten me?"

"At last month's Hampton Capital Summer Gala, he couldn't even secure an inside table."

"He spent the entire night awkwardly standing by the pool, desperately waiting to hand his business card to actual billionaires."

A sudden wave of shocked whispers flooded the room as the wealthy kids exchanged uncertain glances.

Calliope’s face turned bright red, her perfectly manicured nails digging deep into her palms.

"You don't know anything about our business, you broke bitch!" she screamed, completely dropping her classy socialite act.

"My family just secured a massive investment from a mysterious multinational syndicate last week!"

"Our background is absolutely untouchable now, so crushing a nobody like you is easier than stepping on an ant!"

I rested my chin on my hand, looking at her with genuine amusement.

"And how do you know that the mysterious syndicate controlling your family's lifeblood doesn't belong to me?"

I shifted my gaze to my ex-boyfriend, who was watching me with absolute contempt.

"Arlo, after spending the last six months with me, did you really think you knew who I was?"

Arlo let out a harsh, patronizing laugh like he had just heard the funniest joke in the world.

"I know exactly who you are, Juno."

"I dumped you because you were a socially worthless charity case who couldn't offer me a single advantage in life."

"You're just putting on this crazy act because you're insanely jealous that I upgraded to a real queen."

I stared at him, honestly amazed by his sheer delusion.

This spineless coward really thought way too highly of himself.

"You genuinely think you're worth my jealousy?" I started, but Calliope violently cut me off.

"Shut your mouth and get on your knees right now, Juno, or I'll make sure you're blacklisted from every job in this state!"

I smiled, shaking my head slowly.

"I'm not going anywhere."

"I'm going to sit right here and wait for Lennox to get on his knees and beg me not to pull that syndicate funding."

This statement was the final straw for the desperate social climbers in the room.

"Calliope, why are you even giving this garbage a chance to speak?" the frat president yelled.

"She just insulted Lennox in front of everyone, we need to teach her a physical lesson!"

"Yeah, just give the word, Calliope, and we'll force her head to the floor ourselves!"

These pathetic kids were practically foaming at the mouth for a chance to prove their loyalty to the Lennox family name.

Calliope licked her lips, her eyes flashing with pure cruelty.

"Whoever strips her down to her underwear and throws her into the ocean tonight gets a guaranteed spot in the highest-tier secret society tomorrow."

Instantly, four massive varsity football players stood up, their eyes locked on me like hungry wolves.

Hastings immediately stepped in front of me, using his own body as a human shield against the approaching athletes.

I didn't even flinch as I calmly checked the face of my vintage watch.

I raised a single finger in the air.

"I'll remember the faces of everyone who just stood up, but I should warn you all."

"You only have one minute left."

Calliope burst into another fit of manic laughter.

"What happens in one minute, Juno?"

"Is my cousin magically going to appear and defend a broke waitress instead of his own family?"

"You really won't give up until you're completely destroyed!"

She pointed a shaking finger at me and screamed at the football players.

"Grab her right now!"

Just as the massive athletes lunged forward, a deafening crash echoed through the suite.

The heavy glass doors of the VIP box were violently kicked open from the outside.

"Stop right there!" a furious voice roared through the room.