Chapter 4
tossed my
phone onto the bed, collapsed onto the sofa, crossed my arms, and settled in to wait.[]
Merge
to
Wait for that “typing…” indicator to turn into a groveling text message from Celeste.[]
But after a full five minutes, the screen dimmed and lit up again. Apart from that glaring payment receipt, our chat was as clean as Celeste’s fake
innocent act.
She really chose to play dead.[]
Perfect.
If the kid won’t listen, time to talk to the parent.
I scrolled through my contacts and found Uncle Harrison’s number–Archer’s dad.[]
Archer was the orphaned son of my dad’s war buddy. His mom was some trashy woman who’d swooped in when Uncle Harrison’s first wife was pregnant, taking advantage of a vulnerable moment.[]
The original Mrs. Sterling–Aunt Margaret–came from a powerful family that was the biggest backer of Uncle Harrison’s company.
So Archer’s existence as a bastard child was the Sterling family’s biggest shame, a thorn they couldn’t remove.[]
Uncle Harrison bringing him into the household was just for show. In reality, he ignored the kid completely, even keeping his allowance on a tight leash.[
So when it came to making this complaint call, his dad was the obvious choice.
The phone connected quickly.[]
“Hey, Daphne! How’s it going? Having a good birthday?“[]
Uncle Harrison’s voice was as warm and friendly as always.
I didn’t beat around the bush.]
“Uncle Harrison, my birthday hasn’t started yet. But there’s something I need to confirm with you.”
“Today Archer took a custom dress from my house and gave it to one of his female classmates to wear. That dress cost seventy–two thousand dollars–I had it specially made for my coming–of–age ceremony.“[]
“What do you think about this situation…”
There was silence on the other end, then Uncle Harrison’s voice came through, barely containing his fury.
“That worthless piece of shit!”
He took a deep breath, and his tone immediately softened.[]
“Daphne, please don’t be upset. That brat screwed up royally! Don’t worry about saving face for me–handle this however you need to! Go straight to him and make him pay you back! If he won’t pay, tell me and I’ll break his legs!”
Look, how quickly he threw his own son under the bus.
Terrified I’d hold him accountable for this mess and damage the relationship between our families.
“Thanks, Uncle Harrison. That’s all I needed
I hung up, and within thirty seconds, an
to
hear.”
“Daphne! Are you serious right now?! What the
was
calling-
you!”
Archer’s furious roar blasted through the speaker, making my ears ring.
“You’re not ev drama!”
short on
cash! Over one stupid dress, you had to drag my dad into this? Do you realize you’ve ruined Celeste’s entire birthday with this
I laughed bitterly.
“First, that’s
S
family’s money, not yours. You don’t get to decide what I can afford.“]
“Second, this isn’t drama–this is a notification. You steal something, you pay for it. Basic justice.”
“Third, whether Celeste is happy or not is none of my damn business.“[]
He was stunned into silence, then switched to a wounded, melodramatic tone.]
“How did you become like this? You never used to be this way! Over one dress, you’re throwing away all these years of friendship?“[]
I felt sick listening to his pathetic whining.
“Don’t talk to me about friendship. Where was our friendship when you locked me in that bathroom? Where was it when you stole my phone?“[] “Archer, I’m only saying this once. Seventy–two thousand dollars. Not a penny less. Either transfer the money right now, or I’m calling the police. The charges will be burglary, with additional unlawful imprisonment. You and Celeste–neither of you is getting away with this.”
His breathing hitched on the other end.]]
He probably hadn’t expected me to be this ruthless.
After a few seconds, he softened his voice and pulled out that condescending tone again.]]
“Daphne
“Stop throwing a tantrum, okay? I know you’re mad that I didn’t spend your birthday with you.“]
“This bratty behavior isn’t cute at all. You know I don’t like girls with bad attitudes. Just apologize to Celeste and we’ll call it even, alright?“[]
I seriously wondered if his brain had been scrambled by a blender. Was he really trying to manipulate me right now?]
“You have ten minutes. If the money isn’t in my account within ten minutes, we’ll settle this at the police station.“[]
To crush any lingering hope he had, I delivered the final blow.
“Oh, and that money your mom left you before she died? Should be around seventy–five grand, right? More than enough to cover this.“]
The other end went quiet except for heavy breathing.
After a long pause, he slammed the phone down.
