Chapter 34

Monica jolted out of bed, her eyes wide at the image Samantha had just sent in their group chat. It was Izzy with none other than Liam Horvath! The image showed the two of them enjoying dinner and talking. There was, of course, nothing inappropriate about it–except for the fact that Izzy was smiling!

[So, they really know each other?] Arianna was quick to respond it wasn’t a secret that Arianna always had a thing for Liam and had been trying to get in contact with him. Unfortunately, her attempts weren’t going well. Every effort she made was met with interference from Liam’s secretary.

[I told you, they grew up with each other.] Monica replied. Then she added, [But this is the first time she’s had dinner with him.]

[She’s probably playing the victim card again,] Monica typed quickly, a smirk tugging at her lips. She leaned back against her headboard, the soft glow of her phone illuminating her face. [Liam’s polite, you know. He feels sorry for her.]

[Sorry for her?] Arianna replied almost instantly. [Why would he feel sorry for her? Isn’t she some big shot with the Rossi fortune? What’s there to pity?]

[You don’t know her like I do,] Monica sent, her fingers flying over the keyboard. [She’s always been… complicated. When we were younger, she’d get into all these messes, and it was always someone else’s job to fix them. Liam probably sees her as a charity case.]

[Really?] Samantha chimed in. [Because she looks really comfortable in this picture. Doesn’t seem like someone begging for scraps of attention.]

[That’s how she is,] Monica shot back. [Always playing it sweet, like butter wouldn’t melt. But Liam knows better. He’s been around long enough to remember the tantrums and the drama.]

[Drama? What kind of drama?] Arianna asked, her curiosity piqued. [What happened back then?]

Monica’s grin widened. This was her chance to steer the narrative. [You don’t know the half of it. When we were kids, she was a nightmare. I remember this one time she ruined a family dinner because she threw a fit over dessert. Can you imagine? She made such a scene that Liam’s grandfather had to step in and calm her down.]

[Over dessert?] Samantha sent a laughing emoji. [You’re kidding

[I wish I was,] Monica typed. [And then there was the time she ran off during one of those weekend trips with Liam’s family. Everyone panicked, thinking she’d been kidnapped or something, but she’d just wandered off to pout by the lake. Liam found her, of course, but I’m sure he remembers the headache she caused.]

[Wow… no wonder Liam avoids her,] Arianna replied. [Who’d want to deal with that kind of baggage?]

he’d take her seriously. He’s probably just indulging her out of

look so happy in this picture?] Samantha asked, sending another screenshot zoomed in on Izzy’s smile. [She looks like she’s having the time

knows how to manipulate situations

bad, why hasn’t he cut her off

her, so cutting her off completely would look bad. He’s just being strategic. Trust me, there’s

you say so,] Samantha sent, though her reply felt skeptical. [Still, she looks really cozy with

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Chapter 34

of typing bubbles before continuing. [You’ll see. She’ll push too hard, and Liam will put her in her place. He

hope I’m there to see

71%0

she closed her phone. The stories she told them were, of course, true–at least some of them. However, she hadn’t mentioned that Izzy’s tantrums were

given take while Izzy and everyone else got ice cream–exactly what Monica wanted. The lake incident occurred because Mónica hadn’t been invited on the trip. She opened her phone again and saved the photo. She could send it to Calen and create more trouble, but she wouldn’t do

family events with Liam was because of Calen. Yet, Izzy dared to see Liam now. Monica snorted. Foolish, she thought inwardly.

Izzy was clearly pulling another one of her classic tantrums, but this time,

had to be

anniversary. And now, not even a week later, there she was, having dinner with Liam Horvath,

was trying to

Izzy. So spoiled, so predictable.

to show her displeasure. Monica had seen it all before. Izzy was the type to

her

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