Chapter 88

Grace's soft smile, paired with her gentle words, sent a comforting warmth right through Adrianna.

A rush of affection made Adrianna's heart skip. If she wasn't careful, she'd end up idolizing Grace outright.

Chloe rolled her eyes at the whole display, not bothering to hide her annoyance. "Wow, the friendship here is so moving I might cry. Listen,Beatrice is set on getting that beauty cream. If you refuse her, Johnny's going to be furious, and life with the Holdens will turn ugly for you."

At that, Grace arched an eyebrow. "Turn ugly for me?You do realize, right? My mom absolutely dotes on me-she's never been one to favor sons. I get spoiled far more than Johnny ever has."

In the past, Grace might have doubted her place,but now there was no question: Julia treated her like a little princess, showering her with love and luxuries.

She continued, a sly edge in her voice, "Didn't you catch Johnny's latest complaint to Beatrice? My mom's a platinum member at every major designer house.The shoes, the bags, the clothes she buys for me-they're all limnited edition, bought in sets. Johnny only gets that kind of attention at Christmas and his birthdays."

When it came to women like Chloe, nothing worked better than highlighting the exact things they longed for most.

Fuming, Chloe let out a huff. "You spoiled brat," she spat, her jealousy plain as day, but she had no choice but to stalk off.

Just as she turned to leave, Grace's voice rang out,cold and clear. "And Chloe, you might want to tell Beatrice this: if she betrayed Johnny, she'd better be ready for payback. Don't say | didn't give fair warning."

"What are you implying? Beatrice would never betray Johnny!" Chloe stopped in her tracks, caught off guard. She tried to sound indignant, but the defensiveness in her voice betrayed her. "Quit trying to start trouble between them!"

Grace just lifted her shoulders in a small shrug,opting to let the conversation drop.

The gesture only made Chloe more certain that Grace was out to cause drama. She shot Grace one last scowl before storming off.

As Chloe's figure disappeared down the hall, Grace's mind started to turn over what she'd just seen.

Apparently, Beatrice's involvement with an older man was something even Chloe didn't know about.

Then again, what girl would ever confess to her friend that she had found herself a sugar daddy?

In any case, Grace doubted Chloe would prove loyal if things got ugly. Their friendship struck her as shallow, more convenient than genuine.

After Chloe was gone, Adrianna stepped closer and said softly, "Grace, there's something I haven't told you. The truth is... my parents aren't ordinary

workers. They're actually in the military..."

Words tangled on her tongue, and for a moment she simply fell silent, unsure how to explain without saying too much.

Because of the sensitive nature of her parents' work -always shrouded in secrecy-she was bound by more than just family loyalty. Even she was kept in the dark about the true details of their assignments.

Grace caught the hesitation and responded with easy reassurance, "You don't have to explain anything to me. I'm not like Chloe or Beatrice-I don't get hung up on background or status. All I want is for you to stay yourself, and for our friendship to stay solid." Power and poverty meant little in Grace's eyes; she'd met people from every walk of life, and none of it ever changed what really mattered to her.

"Grace,you really are the best! Honestly, if I were a guy, l'd propose to you on the spot!" Adrianna threw her arms around Grace, utterly delighted, the picture of a devoted fan.

There was truth in Grace's words-so long as they stayed true to themselves, nothing could threaten the bond they shared. All those other details faded into insignificance.

Grace paused, a hint of mischief in her eyes. "Well,technically, we're not old enough for marriage yet."

Romantic feelings for women had never sparked in her,and there wasn't a man on her radar either.

Right now, her mind was set on her life and goals-romance could wait.

Meanwhile, Chloe was fuming elsewhere. "Isn't it ridiculous how full of herself Grace Miller has become? First, she refuses to sell her beauty creams for a fair price, then she tries to slander you and wedge herself between you and Johnny! Honestly,she has no shame. People say she's always seen with strange men in flashy cars-who knows what she's realy up to? And now she dares accuse you of betraying Johnny!"

Chloe poured out her loyalty to Beatrice, but her words only made Beatrice's anxiety grow sharper.

Already uneasy from guilt, Beatrice couldn't take Grace's threats lightly. Waiting around for disaster wasn't an option-she needed to act.

"Forget her," Beatrice retorted, trying to sound confident. "I'll talk to Johnny myself. If I play it right,he'll make sure Grace coughs up that cream. Once that's done, you'll get your share too."

Hearing Beatrice's promise lit up Chloe's face. She wasted no time in sliding over and looping her arm through Beatrice's. "You're amazing, Beatrice. You always look out for me."

Beneath it all, Chloe was desperate for her own taste of beauty.

"That's what friends are for-I'll always have your back." Beatrice assured her, sounding proud and self-assured.

There was no doubt in Beatrice's mind.With Johnny so firmly under her sway, she believed getting what she wanted would be a breeze.

As soon as lunch rolled around, Beatrice wasted no time bringing up the subject with Johnny.

"Wait, you want Grace's skincare stuff?" Johnny blinked in surprise.

Sure, he understood the obsessian girls had with skincare-and he cared plenty about his own looks-but could Grace's concoctions really be worth all the hype?

He couldn't help but wonder how her products had become such a craze throughout the school.