Suburbs of New York.
Horse Farm Town.
MAX floored the gas pedal, weaving through the roads with Caroline pointing the way, until they screeched into town.
"This is my family's horse estate," Caroline said, guiding MAX to circle the massive property. She gazed out at it, her face full of nostalgia.
"Holy crap!"
MAX gawked. "I thought your Manhattan villa was huge, but compared to this? It's nothing! You rich folks buy places this big just to keep a horse?"
She couldn't even see inside—it was that enormous.
But driving around the perimeter took so long, she could feel just how ridiculously vast it was.
"Land's cheap out here," Caroline said casually. "One day, I'll take you to see our island and yacht. Now that's big and fancy."
"No way!"
MAX groaned. "Compared to you guys, we're total peasants—even Adam!"
"Adam's not," Caroline corrected. "His wealth might not match my family's peak, but he's up there among the elite. He built it from scratch and just isn't into the flashy lifestyle.
Lots of self-made millionaires are frugal—it's normal.
How could you call them peasants?
Compared to us second- or nth-generation rich kids riding our parents' coattails, when Adam decides to splurge, it's on a whole other level. We'd just be staring up in awe."
"Really?"
MAX wasn't totally convinced.
Adam was generous with her, sure, but day-to-day, he didn't flaunt the kind of extravagance that blew her mind.
Meanwhile, Caroline—just a few words and a quick tour—hit her with a tidal wave of luxury.
She wasn't sure if Caroline was exaggerating.
"Totally," Caroline said, her eyes glinting with envy as she looked at MAX. "Adam's different. Completely different…"
Guys with Adam's kind of money were either old-timers who'd hustled their whole lives or trust-fund kids with limitless inheritances.
But Adam? He had what both types envied: youth, looks, and endless energy!
Back in the day, her old gal pals drooled over him, even pushing her to invite him out as a "fan of his books."
He'd politely turned them all down.
The guy who once needed a fan-idol connection just to catch her eye had quietly grown into someone on her dad's level.
Even at her peak, landing a meeting with him—or pitching a multi-billion-dollar deal—would've been tough.
Her former friends? They didn't even qualify for a rejection.
Their families' entire fortunes topped out at a few billion, max.
The most they could touch was millions, maybe tens of millions—nowhere near Adam's league.
Who'd dare call him a peasant?
"Let's go see Chestnut," MAX said, noticing Caroline's mood shift to something sadder and quickly changing the subject.
"Sure."
Caroline pulled herself together and directed MAX toward the stables.
The manager, David, spotted Caroline and greeted her with a professional smile—no funny business.
"Not bad," MAX whispered to Caroline. "I was braced for some snobby smackdown. Guess I worried for nothing!"
"David's a pro. I wasn't worried about him," Caroline said, glancing around nervously. "It's the others I'm scared of. MAX, cover me—don't let them spot me."
"Unless you duck down and hide, how am I supposed to block you?"
MAX tilted her head up at Caroline, then smirked down at "Adam's favorite asset," letting out a classic snarky jab.
Caroline's long legs towered over MAX—there was no hiding her.
"Well, well, if it isn't Caroline Channing!"
A loud, exaggerated voice cut through the air.
MAX turned to see a gaggle of girls strutting over, dripping with malice.
The leader, a smug rich girl, zeroed in on Caroline with glee.
"The Channings conned everyone, and you've still got the nerve to show your face here? If you ask me, daughter pays for father's sins—they should auction you off too. Might scrape together a few extra bucks!"
"Hahaha! Spot on!"
"I'd bid just to watch!"
The posse cackled, egging on their ringleader.
"What, are you all into girls now?"
MAX stepped in front of Caroline, chin up, staring them down. "Licked her boots back then, and now you're dying to know what it's like to be on the other end?"
"Who the hell are you?"
The head rich girl glared at MAX, unimpressed.
"I'm Caroline's friend!"
MAX jutted her chin out. "Got a problem?"
"MAX…"
Caroline, touched, lifted her head from its slump. "Thanks, but don't fight them over me."
"These bitches were your friends?"
MAX looked at Caroline with pity.
"No," Caroline shook her head. "I don't even know them. Probably wannabes who never made it into my circle."
"Oh, I get it!"
MAX sneered at the group. "I thought they were some hotshot heiresses desperate for a new thrill. Turns out they're just nobodies who couldn't even get close enough to kiss Caroline's feet!"
"You!"
The girls exploded with rage.
No comeback!
That hit their sore spot dead-on.
Especially the leader.
The others didn't even qualify to dream about Caroline's world, so they could shrug it off.
But her? She came from the best family in the group—why else would she be in charge?
Back then, she'd eagerly tried to join Caroline's clique but didn't even make it past the first cut.
Her family just wasn't on that level.
It was the biggest blow of her princess life, a grudge she'd nursed ever since.
So when the Channing scam blew up, she was over the moon.
Running into a fallen Caroline here? It was pure, soul-deep joy.
But before she could savor breaking Caroline, this random, lowlife friend of hers flipped the script and broke her.
"Where's David? Get David over here! How do they let just anyone in?"
The leader shrieked.
"I'm on it!"
The lowest-ranking girl in the posse scurried off to fetch the manager.
"David, kick them out!"
The leader jabbed a finger at MAX and Caroline when he arrived. "This place is for people with status—not every stray cat and dog!"
"Sorry, we'll check on Chestnut and leave," Caroline said, her face paling.
"No way!"
The leader smirked coldly. "How many people here got screwed by the Channing scam? Why haven't you booted this Channing out already?"
"Who'd even wanna stick around?"
MAX scoffed. "With you lot here, this place isn't exactly screaming 'high class'!"
"Sorry, Miss Brie!"
David jumped in. "They're all valued members here. We can't kick anyone out!"
"What?!"
Brie, the leader, yelped. "Caroline Channing's still a 'valued member'?!"
"No, it's Miss Black!"
David turned to MAX. "She owns the Channing estate—sorry, the Black estate now. She's our top-tier member!"
Everyone: "…"
MAX: "…"
(End of Chapter)