During the break, Lyra walked over and sat beside her, concerned.

  “June, what’s going on with you lately?” she asked gently.

  “Lyra?” she blinked, disoriented. “Did you say something just now?”

  “Are you ok?” Lyra’s gaze dropped to June’s phone. On the screen was a photo: Clarissa and William beneath a blooming pear tree. Clarissa was caught mid-laugh, while William looked at her with a faint, unmistakable smile.

  Lyra’s heart twisted. William rarely smiled like that. Not even when they were kids, not even when he stood beside her for years as her “brother.” And now, with just a glance from Clarissa, that stoic expression softened?

  Trying to sound casual, Lyra offered, “They’ve been getting close lately… This morning, I saw them walking together. They looked… comfortable. Like they were really getting along.”

  The color drained from June’s face. “What are you saying?” Her voice was sharp. “Clarissa and William? Are they… dating?”

  Lyra rushed to explain, her tone laced with forced innocence. “No, no, don’t get the wrong idea! I’m not sure… It might not be like that.”

  But June wasn’t listening. Her hands tightened around her phone. Her mind was somewhere else.... “She’s already left the Lancaster family, hasn’t she?”

  Lyra nodded, “Yes. She’s living on her own now. But… my parents are giving her two-thirds of the inheritance.”

  June jerked her head up. “What? Two-thirds? Are you serious?”

  Lyra lowered her gaze, her voice soft, almost fragile. “It’s fine. I didn’t come back to the Lancaster family for money. And… I did steal Dorian from her. If this helps my sister forgive me, I’m willing to give it up.”

  “Lyra,” June snapped, “you’re too naive. That woman? Forgive you? Have you already forgotten how she humiliated you at that banquet in front of everyone?”

  Tears welled in Lyra’s eyes, but she bit them back with a trembling smile. “Maybe I deserved it. I hurt her first. If letting her take the inheritance makes her feel better… then I don’t mind.”

  June fell silent. Lyra tilted her head slightly, watching her. “You’ve been acting strange lately. Is something going on?”

  “I…” June hesitated. Her confident, brash demeanor cracked for the briefest moment. She looked down, avoiding Lyra’s gaze.

  Before Lyra could press further, the bell rang. Lyra gave her a light pat on the arm. “It’s okay if you don’t want to talk about it. I won’t force you. I’m heading to class.”

  She stood and walked off, leaving June staring after her. Once Lyra was gone, June’s expression hardened. Her fists clenched tightly at her sides, knuckles white.

  After school, she stood by the gate, debating whether to ask Lyra to lend her some money. But before she could open her mouth, Lyra had already slipped into the Lancaster family’s car and was whisked away without a glance back.

  June stood there alone, her chest tightening. Of course. Lyra wasn’t hers anymore. She was a young lady now—chauffeur, privilege, status. She didn’t walk home with June anymore. Probably never would again.

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  Then she saw her. Clarissa.

  Standing beside a white Ferrari, her bag slung over one shoulder, her silhouette graceful and unbothered, the golden light catching the waves in her hair. She moved with the kind of effortless allure that turned heads—an intoxicating blend of elegance and power.

  People watched her. Boys, girls, even teachers. No one could look away. June’s jaw tightened. Her nails dug into her palm.

  No job. No money. No choice but to keep looking. But after a full day pounding pavement and knocking on doors, she came back with nothing but sore feet and a heavier heart.

  Part-time jobs used to come easy. But today? Rejection after rejection. Door after door closed in her face. Disheartened, she barely noticed the man she collided with until it was too late.

  She stepped back instinctively, her mood foul enough to snap—until her eyes caught the swirl of ink on his forearm… and the grin she would’ve recognized anywhere.

  Darkwood.

  A sick chill rippled through her. She turned, but two more men were suddenly at her back, blocking her escape.

  “What do you want?” she spat. “I gave you everything I had!”

  Darkwood’s smile didn’t fade. “Your dear daddy was back at our table last night. Lost another hundred grand. Then ran like a coward. So now it’s on you.”

  June’s face drained of color. “Where would I even get that kind of money? I already gave you everything!”

  She turned to bolt—but one of them grabbed her by the arm before she could take a single step.

  “You—what are you trying to do?” she stammered, her voice cracking.

  “What do you think?” The men closed in, tightening the circle.

  She backed up, trembling. “I don’t have anything left! Go find Jace, that bastard! This has nothing to do with me!” Tears spilled as panic overtook her.

  Darkwood stepped forward, his fingers curling under her chin. She recoiled, but he gripped tighter.

  June’s looks were on par with Lyra’s—above average, pretty enough. Without makeup, she was plain, but today she’d applied a light touch for her job hunt, and it made her almost striking.

  Darkwood gave a slow, deliberate smile.“What’s the point of chasing after Jace, that worthless cripple? He’s not worth a damn. But you? You’re different. I’ll take money and beauty, sweetheart.”

  June’s breath caught. She spun on her heel, tried to run—but fingers twisted in her ponytail and yanked her back.

  “Let me go!” she screamed, her voice raw. But the alley swallowed her cry.

  Her screams eventually faded to weak, broken whimpers. When the men emerged, Darkwood looked refreshed, while June’s torn clothes lay scattered on the ground like the remnants of a shattered doll.

  Darkwood adjusted his belt, and the two followers around him were eager to try. However, the man stopped them, “What are you gawking at?” he snapped.

  “Boss, let us have a turn,” one of them whined.

  “Yeah, it’s been ages since I’ve had a virgin. She must’ve been tight as hell, right?” the other added.

  Darkwood knelt and grabbed her arm, chuckling low in his throat as he pulled her up.

  June flinched as if touched by fire and shoved him away with all the strength she had left. “Get your hands off me! You sick bastard!”

  His expression darkened in an instant. The cruel glint in his eye sharpened, and his hand shot out, fingers clamping around her throat.

  “You better drop the attitude,” he said coldly. “You’ve got a decent face, and your body’s not bad either. I’m giving you a chance here. Be mine, and I’ll make sure you never worry about money again. Hell, I’ll even wipe your daddy’s debt clean.”

  June’s eyes burned with fury. “I’d rather rot in hell,” she spat. “You’re disgusting.” Just the thought of what he’d done—and what he was suggesting—made her stomach churn.

  “I’m going to the police. I’ll have you arrested for rape!”

  But before she could move, one of Darkwood’s men stepped forward and handed him a phone. He unlocked it and hit play.

  June froze. The screen came alive with the sound of her own voice—raw and panicked. She didn’t need to see more. Her breath hitched, and she stumbled back, pale as a sheet.

  “You…” she whispered, eyes wide. “You recorded it?”

  Darkwood’s smile returned, cruel and slow. “I’m not in this business because I’m stupid. You want to scream? Go ahead. You want justice?” He leaned in, lowering his voice. “Unless you want this video all over the internet. You think I’d run a casino without connections? So be smart. Stay quiet. Play nice.”

  He reached out and gave her cheek a light, mocking pat before turning away.

  June dropped to her knees, her mind spinning, her chest tight with rage and shame.