Chapter 42
Most of the contestants were from the acting or dance departments, with a few others from different majors.Everyone knew those two slepartiments produced the most beautiful girls, so the competition was fierce.
To welcome the new members, Landon had reserved The Azure Hotel for a club dinner party that weekend.
All the members of the tennis clubs were invited, and even a lew people from other departments showed up.
The night before. Stella started stressing out, so she invited Eliana to go shopping for an outfit on Saturday.
When Eliana arrived at the mall with Lunchie, Stella still hasn’t shown up, so Eliana wandered over to a cold drink shop and ordered two milkshakes to wait.
Meanwhile, the owner of Sunset Cafe had finally come to a decision. She offered to sell the cafe to Eliana.
The couple who ran it had decided to stay on and continue working there, helping Eliana manage it.
Elana was thrilled with their decision, promising that she would work hard to turn the cafe’s business around and make it a
By the time Stella showed up at the cold drink shop, Eliana was sitting at a table in a white trendy t–shirt, quietly scrolling through her phone.
Next to her, in the bag resting on the chair, was a furry linle hea poking out, squinting in the sunlight.
It was a peaceful, beautiful scene, sunlight poured in through the window, illuminating Eliana’s profile, while the milkshake on the table gently misted with coolness.
Stella walked over, her face beaming with excitement. “Eli, you have no idea how gorgeous you looked just now! If we used that photo for the beauty contest, you’d totally be in the top ten without a doubt!”
Eliana was busy typing out a message when she heard Stella’s voice. She quickly tucked her phone into her bag and pointed to the milkshake in front of her. “I got you a milkshake
“Thanks!” Stella grinned, and then her eyes landed on Lunchie pecking out of Eliana’s bag. “Is that the little wolf cub we picked up last time? Oh my god, it’s so fat now! Look at that chubby little thing, must be living the high life!”
Well, Lunchie wasn’t exactly eating regular food. It had someone making special meals for it, and its diet was definitely better than most people’s
Lunchuc lazily blinked up at Stella, seemed to remember her, then closed its eyes again, going back to its nap
Eliana picked up her bag. “This little guy’s growing way too fast. Pretty soon, I won’t be able to bring him out anymore.” Stella chuckled, shaking her head.
The two of them let the cold drink shop and wandered into the mall.
Stella was on the hunt for a new dress. She browsed for a while, ut everyone she liked was way out of her budget.
They ended up at a trendy boutique, ready to pick out a dress, but just as they were about to dive in, they ran into Willow
Willow was surrounded by a couple of salespeople, with Shaeryland Charlene right beside her.
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Chapter 42
After Vespa got kicked out, Willow promised Sheryland Chene a shopping day to keep them on her side Neither group had expected to see the other and both were a hole caught off guard
Willow sa alady leaded slows with a bunch of shopping bag learly, she’d been doing some serious damage.
has on the other hand, was holding any thing, clearly had bought a thing
Volside cortest on Willow clips She thought, So Eliana has been playing the “rich girl act at school, huh? Well, look at her son, batch able to even buy a dlies.
Willow, sancile perfect chance to call her out for what she rally as Afterall, she only got to live in Cedar Manor because she had a guy boning the full
This way a goblet opportunity, and Willow wasn’t about to let dip
Stella didn’t want any drama, so she whispered to Eliana, “Eli, let’s just go to another store
But before they could walk away, Willow’s voice cut through the tension. “Elianal Where are you going? What a coincidence pinning imo each other like this, and you don’t even say hi?”
Shacryl and Charlene quickly caught on to Willow’s game, joining in with, “Yeah, you guys just got here, and you’re already leaving Not even going to browse?”
Oh, was Don’t tell the you can’t afford anything! Willow langheil
Obviously, Charlene added, “Look at them, no bags. They’re probably just here to cool off in the air conditioning, Classic”
sell’s stomach churned hearing the comments.
It was her idea to go shopping today, but Elana hadn’t planned is buying anything
Now, Willow and her crew were making it all about Eliana’s supposed inability to buy anything.
Stella spun around, furious. “Can you have a little class?“
Sharryl raised an eyebrow “Who’s lacking class here? I mean, the person picking out a bunch of clothes but not buying anything? That’s real classy”
Charlene chimed in. “Right It’s funny that you’re sticking up for Eliana. What exactly did she do for you? A friend should know better than to hang around someone like her. She’s broke, de, and honestly, who’d want to be friends with someone
like her?”
Stella’s blood boiled. She shoot back. “There’s a saying Birds of a feather flock together. This is the first time I’ve seen. someone like Willow, though, attracting nothing but thes
“They Elana sand flatly, without even blinking
“Yep Flies Stella said, grinning. And some people are even worse than that”
Willow’s face darkened, but she quickly recovered, putting on a fake, pitying smile. “Eliana, there’s been a misunderstanding Em just out here today buying clothes for Charlene and Sharry
Sharryl nodded enthusiastically. “Willow’s such a good person, really. Unlike some people who pretend to be rich but can’t even by a single thing I put a sign at the door if I were the Window Shoppers AllowedTM
Charlene sickened. “I mean, we can’t really say much. Willow’s just so generous. But maybe Stella doesn’t deserve Eliana to spend money on her Honestly, it’s hilarious watching you deled her. What are you getting out of it?” Father, when Stella hesitated to buy something because it was too expensive. Elana offered to buy it for h
her
12.13 Mon, Dec 2
Chapter 42
But Stella had turned her down. She didn’t think friends should be like that, using each other for money.
Now, with Shaeryl and Charlene’s jabs, they were painting Eliana as someone who was just pretending to be rich and couldn’t even treat her friends.
Eliana might not have a lot, but money was the least of her problems.
Eliana pulled Stella into the boutique, her tone light as she said, “Stella, go ahead and pick whatever catches your eye.”
Stella leaned in, her voice barely above a whisper. “Eli, don’t do this. It’s really not worth it. Let’s just leave before you spend money you’ll regret.”
Eliana gave a small shrug and replied casually, “Think of it as a gift to celebrate us making the tennis team.
“But… Stella hesitated.
Before she could say more, Charlene cut in with a snide laugh. Oh, come on. Stop with the act already. Is admitting you’re broke really that hard?”
Shaeryl smirked, adding, “Yeah, why even bother pretending? If you’re that rich, why not just buy the whole store?
Their taunts were sharp, their voices dripping with mockery.
Eliana didn’t flinch. She wasn’t one to fall for cheap provocations, but today, she was in the mood to put these girls in their place.
She tightened her grip on Stella’s hand, leading her further into the store, her tone calm but deliberate. “Alright, as you wish. I’ll take everything in the store.”
