The victory at the Board Meeting felt sweet, but in the world of the elite, a bruised ego never heals quietly. Vanessa wasn't just angry; she was humiliated, and she knew exactly where to find the girl she blamed for her downfall.
---
The neon sign of the Seven-Star Convenience Store flickered, casting a pale blue light over the empty street of the Old District. April was behind the counter, the quiet hum of the refrigerators the only sound in the shop. She was finally breathing again, the weight of the scholarship threat lifted, when the chime above the door rang with a sharp, aggressive jingle.
In walked Vanessa, flanked by her two closest lieutenants, Misty and Tiffany. They looked completely out of place in their silk blouses and designer bags against the backdrop of cheap snacks and linoleum floors.
Vanessa didn't look like the polished debutante from the Board Meeting. Her eyes were red-rimmed with fury as she slammed her $5,000 handbag onto the plastic counter.
