Chapter 300

“They’re wearing hoodies,” I said. “It’s hard to see their faces.”

Cassidy pointed out a small device in one of the men’s hands. “They’re recording what’s being said in Victor’s office.”

“This situation is intolerable,” Alex declared. “We must accomplish our mission and return as soon as possible.”

“I’m printing out the images of these men,” Cassidy said. “I’m leaving the printouts with Benson and the memory cards in Alex’s safe.”

“I promise to remain quiet about this unless the faction tries something even worse,” I said.

“If you must tell him, call me first,” Alex said. “You could be putting us in danger, and we should leave Virople immediately.”

I hadn't thought of that. “I promise to call you first.” After hugging Alex and Cassidy goodbye, I left the mansion to pick up Amy.

Our first semester of college began soon, and we wanted new clothes for the occasion.

“How’s things at Archer Manor?” I asked as Amy climbed into the passenger seat of my car.

She grinned. “Ghost-free and peaceful. I’m fully staffed. We should be able to open soon.”

“Heather was great during the crisis,” I said. “She’s smart and a great person.”

“I gave her a shift supervisor position and a raise.” Amy kept smiling. It was nice to see.

“I’m getting nervous about starting the semester,” I told her.

“That’s nothing some new clothes won’t fix,” Amy said. “We will find instant confidence at Gisele’s.”

We talked and laughed like old times all the way to the fashionable shop. It was just what Amy and I needed before starting classes at separate schools.

At Gisele’s, we discovered many other Alphas who were starting classes soon had the same idea as us. The shop was packed.

We waved at people we knew over the racks and shelves of stylish clothing.

“Daisy, look at these tops,” Amy gushed and held a layered, peasant-style blouse in front of herself. “They are darling, and this shade of pink is perfect for me.”

“You’ve got to get one,” I agreed. “I wish Gisele had made some in green.”

We browsed the shop until we had a mountain of jeans, tops, jackets, and skirts slung over our arms. Unable to carry any more, we decided to check out.

We got in line behind two friendly faces.

Hi, guys,” Hallie Edwards and Megan Foster said.

“Oh, you’re buying one of those adorable peasant blouses, too,” Hallie told Amy. “I love how Gisele made an old design seem brand new with a few changes.”

“Why didn’t you get one, Daisy?” Megan asked.

“Pastels don’t work with my coloring,” I replied. “They will look great on the three of you, though.”

“Congratulations, Amy, on your homeless shelter opening soon,” Hallie said. “It’s so generous of you to give back part of your inheritance to the city.”

Amy flashed her a smile. “It’s something I’ve always wanted to do. I’ll send you an invitation to the opening party.”

“Me too, please,” Megan said. “You plan the best charity events.”

Megan and Hallie suddenly went quiet and rolled their eyes at something behind us.

I turned to see who had gotten in line behind us and groaned. It was the Myers sisters, Dani and Tami.

“Look who’s here, Tami shouted.

“The hybrid with the murdered Omega mother,” Dani answered her sister just as loudly.

Their hearts were as ugly as they were at the Foster’s party when they bullied Amy. But I was ready to defend my friend this time.

Amy rolled her eyes and ignored them. “The opening is next week,” she told Hallie and Megan. “I hope you can come and bring someone with you.”

“It looks like we’re not invited to play with the poor Betas and Omegas,” Dani told Tami.

“Fine by me,” Tami replied. “It’s bad enough getting close to this hybrid. Gisele needs to restrict her clientele to Alphas only.”

I moved behind Amy to shield her from the twin terrors. Amy was content to ignore them, but I wanted to say something.

“Only a dirty hybrid would want to associate with all those filthy homeless people,” Tami declared.

Dani reached around me and tapped Amy on the shoulder. “Are you planning to wear those new designer clothes to impress the street people, or were you planning on sharing them with a bag lady?”

The Myers twins burst into laughter at Dani’s tasteless joke.

Before I could say anything, Hallie and Megan stepped in front of the nasty twins.

“I’d be nicer to Amy if I were you,” Hallie told them. “My father says your family’s business is going bankrupt. You may need a room at the shelter.”

“That’s a lie,” Dani snapped. “Daddy’s business is booming.”

“Nope,” Megan said. “My father said the same thing. The Myers Corporation is going under. You won’t be able to afford second-hand clothes in a few months.”

“What did I hear?” Gisele said as she came from behind the counter. She waved a binder page in the air. “Your account is past due by over twenty thousand dollars.”

She and two assistants took the clothing the Myers sisters had intended to charge to their father’s account from the twin’s arms.

“You’ll not have another thing from my shop on credit,” Gisele declared. “Now, get out. My shop is for paying customers. It’s not a charity.”

“Yeah, get out and leave Amy alone,” an Alpha girl we knew from school shouted from the front of the line.

“The penniless Myers twins,” another girl chuckled. “Now they’re as poor as they are mean.”

“Mother heard about the Myers family going broke and removed them from the guest list for my sister’s ball,” Angela Thomas said as she approached the line.

“Good riddance to them,” Megan added. “Nobody liked any of that family anyhow.”

Tami and Dani stood in place, shocked by everything being said around them. They were used to bullying everyone to get their way. But those days were over.

They began shaking with both fear and rage.

“All of you will be sorry when we get home and tell Daddy how you treated us,” Dani declared.

“I’m going to have him buy this store and burn it to the ground,” Tami threatened.

“Yeah,” Angela Thomas giggled. “Your father is good at ruining businesses. His own is going down in flames.”

The store erupted in laughter, and the red-faced twins ran out the door.

Amy and I weren’t laughing, but we were pleased things were changing. Maybe there would be a time when being an Alpha, Beta, Omega, or a hybrid wouldn’t matter.

It would be a wonderful world if people were judged by their hearts and character instead of what class they were born into.

We made small talk with the other girls until it was our turn to pay for our purchases. Then we left the store, hearing a chorus of well wishes.

“I feel a little bad for the Myers twins,” Amy said as we got into the car.

I smiled at my soft-hearted friend. “They had it coming, Amy. Maybe they’ll learn from the experience and become better people.”

“I hope so,” she said. “Do we have time to stop at a jewelry store? Martha’s locket was so pretty. I want one to keep Justin’s picture inside.”

“Sure,” I replied. “I wouldn’t mind looking around a jewelry store for a while.”

A short time later, I pulled in front of the best jewelry store in Denhurst. Amy and I went inside while discussing where we wanted to go for lunch.

But my appetite disappeared when I spotted Chloe inside the store. She was wearing one of her signature skin-tight dresses in a shade of blue.

“That’s Victor’s new office assistant,” I whispered to Amy.

Amy’s jaw dropped, and her eyes widened. “I wouldn't want Justin hanging out with her all day,” she whispered.

“What’s she looking at?” I mumbled. She hadn’t noticed me, and I didn’t want her to catch me staring. But I couldn’t help myself.

“I’d like to try them on,” Chloe told the young male jeweler.

“Yes, miss,” the man agreed. He took a box from the glass case and placed it on the counter.

We watched Chloe take a matching emerald and diamond necklace and earring set from the box and try them on.

She admired herself in the mirror for several minutes while wearing the gorgeous precious stones.

“How can she afford jewelry like that?” Amy whispered.

I shrugged and watched the woman worship herself in front of the mirror.

“They are just what I’m looking for,” Chloe said.

I moved closer until I stood behind her. How could she afford jewelry that cost more than she made in a year?

My head spun, and I backed away from her fast when Chloe handed the jeweler a credit card …Victor’s credit card!