Chapter 108

Tossing priceless treasures around like it was nothing-honestly, Charlotte had only dreamed about doing something this wild. The bodyguards were loving it, too. They were practically racing each other to see who could throw out the most expensive stuff. In just a few minutes, the attic felt lighter, almost airy, with so much junk cleared out.
In one corner, Charlotte spotted a reddish-brown sandalwood box. The lid was carved with the oddest-looking fish. It didn’t fit the box at all. But Charlotte recognized it right away-Nora’s nickname had been Fishee. That box could only belong to her mother.
She let the baseball bat fall from her hand, walked over, and crouched down. After brushing off the dust, she opened the box. Inside was an old black-and-white photo. The woman in the picture was stunning, with delicate features and a bright, lively beauty. She looked effortlessly elegant.
There were a few scattered papers, too—some medical books, sheet music, and a bunch of things Charlotte couldn’t even begin to understand. A tangle of cheap- looking jewelry was mixed in as well.
Charlotte closed the box and hugged it close to her chest. When she turned around, she locked eyes with the couple glaring at her from the doorway. Her gaze was icy, her expression so deep and unreadable that it sent a shiver down their spines.
Why was she looking at them like that?
Charlotte hadn’t been gone long when a piercing scream rang out from downstairs. “Fire! The house is on fire!” shouted one of the maids.
The couple, still shaken, stumbled outside. One was limping, the other clutching an injured arm. Panic pushed them forward.
Flames were already tearing through the garden, lighting up the night.
“My garden-” Elizabeth’s voice cracked. She turned on Steven, her eyes burning with anger. “This is all Charlotte’s fault. It has to be!”
“I told you she wasn’t right, but you just had to let her come back,” Elizabeth sobbed, her whole body trembling. “Now look at this mess. I swear, she came back just to get revenge!”
Revenge?
The word hit Elizabeth hard. A wave of dread rolled through her. Earlier at the police station, Jesse had said he thought he saw Charlotte at the casino. Was she really trying to clear her own name?
Elizabeth squeezed her hands into fists, but she took a shaky breath and forced herself to calm down. There were so many witnesses from five years ago. There was no way Charlotte would dare dig all that up
again. She wouldn’t rigning
herself just to get back atthem. She had to believe that.
…
Charlotte had barely left the Main Family estate when her phone buzzed with a message from Shirley.
Charlotte, we were supposed to have tutoring today. Where are you?
If she hadn’t been so half-asleep when she agreed, there’s no way she would have promised to meet on a weekend. Honestly, Shirley was so dedicated, she might as well run Vanguard High herself.
Charlotte frowned, thought for a second, and replied, You pick the place.
Almost instantly, Shirley sent a location. It was right downtown, only ten minutes away by car.
Charlotte got in the car and headed to the spot—a huge, crowded shopping mall.
As soon as she stepped out, she noticed a swarm of people at the entrance, Tons of girls were holding up signs that said things like Kenneth and Kenneth, I love you!” All of them were bubbling with excitement as they headed inside. Cóntent
Charlotte rolled her eyes and opened her bag, pulling out a simple red string bracelet. She slipped it on her wrist.
“I’m going to study. I’ll head home on my own later,” she told the driver.
“Yes, Miss,” he replied. He’d been worried about Charlotte’s safety before. But after seeing her trash a room and set fire to the Main Family estate he’d changed his mind completely. If anyone needed to worry, it was everyone else.