Chapter 3
Yeah, everyone thought Alaric was the best I could ever get.
Ivy League education, old money family, movie star looks.
But they all seemed to forget–I graduated summa cum laude from Columbia with a degree in Al and machine learning. I was the one who skipped three grades and got called a “tech prodigy” by Forbes when I was barely twenty
During my sophomore year in New York, I filed for multiple Al patents on my own.
Before I even graduated. I’d founded what became one of the country’s leading Al companies with a few classmates. I still own sixty percent of AskIQ.||
Getting into a family like the Marchands? |
[
That didn’t happen because of my deadbeat, gambling–addict father or by playing some ditzy innocent act.
I earned my damn way in.[]
On the drive home, Viviana called
“Hey, there’s a high school reunion tonight. You coming?”
We’d all gone to the same prep school here in Manhattan, Our old crew got together every year around this time.
Figured since I was about to start a whole new chapter, I should say goodbye properly. So I told her I’d be there
At eight–thirty, I showed up at the address Viv had texted–room 503 at the Platinum Club
Right away, people started asking where Alanc was.
Someone laughed it off “Come on, when has Mr. Hotshot CEO ever shown up to one of these things?;||
That’s when this woman sitting in the corner let out this side little snort.
“Actually, Alarie’s here tonight. I just saw him next door playing white knight–blocking shots for some little college girl “||]
“Damn, Isolde, sounds like your perfect husband’s cheating. Guess your golden days are over, huh?”
I knew exactly who was talking–Camille Ashford
She’d been my biggest competition all through high school, always coming in second place to maƐ]
She’d actually thrown herself at Alaric before we got together.||
When he chose me instead, she decided I’d “stolen” him from her and hold a grudge ever since.
Now she finally had her chance for payback
Everyone else immediately jumped to my defense:
“Bullshit! Alaric’s completely obsessed with Isolde. That man would die before he’d cheat!““]
“I don’t buy it either. Remember how hard he pursued her back in the day? When Isolde got in that accident, Alaric lost his damn mindi“[]
“And when his parents tried to break them up by cutting off his trust fund, he worked at McDonald’s for a month just to buy her a birthday
6.1%
present.“]]
They kept listing all the ways Alaric used to love me.
All those memories flashing through my mind like some cruel highlight reel.]]
Their disbelief just pissed Camille off more. She slammed her hand on the table and stood up
You d
don’t believe me? Fine! Let’s go check out the room next door!”
“Hell yeah, let’s go! We’re not scared of your drama, Camille.
“Come on, Isolde, ler’s go:
go shut her un o
up once and for all!”
Someone grabbed my arm, trying to drag me along to prove Camille wrong.
But I couldn’t move.]]
Because I knew damn well that Camille might be telling the truth.
Viviana started to jump in and make some excuse for me, but when Camille saw me frozen in place, she crossed her arms with this smug look
“Oh my God, what’s wrong, Isolde? Are you actually scared?”
“I always knew girls like you always scheming and manipulating to get what you want–would lose everything in the end. Looks like karma’s finally catching up with you!“]
Just then, the door swung open from the outside.
