Chapter27
Sure, it was just a school auction, and none of the student works were from famous artists. But it was for charity and investment, so starting prices weren’t cheap.
Especially Morning Sea, which had won first place. Its starting bid was over 1.7 million dollars.
But if Whitney was willing to drop the cash, Dora had no reason to stop. him.
She said, “Morning Sea was painted by my little brother. If you want to talk usage rights, talk to me, and I’ll have him sign.”
Whitney had already figured she hadn’t painted it herself. “So how should we handle this? I’ll draw up a contract and talk it through with your parents.”
“You worried I’ll take a cut off the top?” Dora joked.
Whitney paused–actually thinking about it–then nodded. “Good point. I’ll send you a draft once it’s ready.”
“Sounds good.” Dora nodded, and Whitney walked off
When the three of them got back to the classroom, they walked in just as Linda was speaking.
“My parents are throwing a recognition party for me–to officially
introduce me as their daughter. I don’t have many friends in this circle yet, so I hope you’ll all come.”
When she saw who had just walked in, Linda flashed a sweet, innocent. smile. “Dora, you should come to the party too! There’s going to be tons of
great food. If you don’t have a dress, I can lend you one Mom and Dad bought me a bunch of new ones–you can come pick whichever you like.”
Effie rolled her eyes and shot back instantly, “Spare me. Those dresses of yours only fit your scrawny frame. Dora doesn’t wear hand–me–downs–and she couldn’t care less about your so–called ‘good food.“”
Dora’s lips curled into a faint smile. Every time she crossed paths with Linda, she was reminded just how fiercely her friends had her back.
Sure, she wasn’t the Hendrix family’s golden girl anymore–but that didn’t mean she was standing alone.
She couldn’t even be bothered to spare Linda a second glance. As she walked to her seat, she said lightly, “Seems like the etiquette teacher the Hendrix family hired wasn’t all that competent. Didn’t she tell you invitations should be sent out at least a week in advance? A verbal invite doesn’t count–and honestly, it’s kind of disrespectful.”
After hanging her bag on the side of her desk and sitting down, Dora finally looked up, locking eyes with Linda. “Or… are you trying to humiliate me on purpose?”
“Of course not!” Linda quickly denied it, her hands wringing together as she put on her best wronged expression. “Dora, I just thought… your adoptive family doesn’t have much money. Life must be hard for you now. I wanted to invite you to the party so you could apologize to Mom and Dad. Maybe then… they’d agree to take you back.”
Dora let out a cold, dry laugh. Ellie didn’t bother holding back.
“Are you seriously mental? Always going on about apologies. What exactly did Dora do that she needs to apologize for, huh?”
Linda immediately went silent. Her head dropped, and fat tears started rolling down her cheeks–like some pitiful, delicate little flower.
Chapte
Effie couldn’t stand that fake act of hers.
Linda was always the one starting trouble–making snide, backhanded comments, taking cheap shots at Dora–and then she’d cry like she was the one being bullied.
If she wants to play the innocent card, fine–but does she have to be so bad at it? The performance is so over–the–top, it is like she wants everyone to see through her. Does she really think the rest of them, born and raised in wealthy families, are that easy to fool?’ she thought.
Sure enough, Kayla wasn’t about to let a chance to cozy up to the Hendrix family slip by. She immediately stepped in to defend Linda.
“Effie, Linda’s just too kind. She’s only worried Dora’s having a tough time. There’s no need to come down so hard on her.”
“Kind?” Effie scoffed. “More like brain–dead. Did she even ask Dora if she wanted to go back to the Hendrix family? Who the hell does she think she is, making decisions on her behalf like some kind of martyr?”
Kayla opened her mouth, but no words came out.
She was part of the same elite circle, so of course she could see through Linda’s little act too. But unlike Effie, she played by different rules.
Effie was one of a kind in their class of thirty–two–an only child, born into a loving, stable family. Her parents were happily married, and she was being groomed to take over the family business one day.
But Kayla? She had an older brother and a younger one. There was no inheritance waiting for her. Her future had already been decided: she’d be married off to help the family secure a business alliance.
