Chapter 2

The "Ivy League Acceptance Gala" was a few weeks later.

David Miller rented a huge, new mansion for it.

It was all glass and sharp angles. Tasteless, Kayla thought.

He wanted to impress the Astors.

Old money, dwindling fortunes. They needed David's new money.

Chad Astor, their son, was there.

He was an Ivy League dropout. Arrogant.

He was stuck to Tiffany like glue.

Tiffany preened.

She was wearing a stunning gown.

A gown Kayla recognized.

It was a gift from Eleanor. An original E.V. Design.

Meant for Kayla.

A few days before, Tiffany had seen it in Kayla's room.

"Oh, this is gorgeous!" Tiffany had shrieked. "Is this for me?"

"No, Tiffany, it's mine. From Eleanor."

"Eleanor? Who's that? Your little community college friend?" Tiffany sneered.

"Give it to me, Kayla. It'll look much better on me for the Gala. You can wear something... simpler."

She grabbed the dress box.

"I need this. Daddy says I' m the star of the show."

Kayla let her take it.

Eleanor had already told her the plan for that dress.

It had a special seam.

Susan Miller fussed over Tiffany.

"You look like a princess, my darling!"

She glanced at Kayla, who wore a simple, elegant dress Eleanor had also provided.

"Kayla, you clean up surprisingly well," Susan said. "For someone from your background."

David Miller clapped Chad Astor on the back.

"My Tiffany and your Chad, they'd make a powerful alliance, eh?"

Mr. Astor senior smiled thinly. "Indeed. If ConnectSphere' s valuation holds."

Kayla watched them all.

She knew about the swapped scores. She had proof now, thanks to Marcus' s investigators.

She knew about her real Yale acceptance. The official letter was in her bag.

She knew about the dress Tiffany was wearing.

She knew David Miller' s company, ConnectSphere, was built on hype and shaky finances. Marcus had looked into it.

They were all so confident. So smug.

The local news bloggers were there again, cameras ready.

Social media influencers were live-streaming.

The Millers wanted maximum exposure for Tiffany's "triumph."

Kayla felt a strange calm.

The calm before Eleanor and Marcus unleashed their storm.