"Ms. Pearce, the exit''s that way-why are you running toward the stables?"


    Rachel turned, meeting Ste''s eyes, which glinted with an amused, almost mocking smile.


    "The riding arena''s up ahead. With raining down like this, it''s deserted by now. Or are you nning to go horseback riding in a storm?"


    Rachel''s breath caught in her throat.


    Watching the scene unfold, Simone shook her head faintly, her gaze toward Rachel edged with a hint of scorn.


    Having grown up navigating the constant scheming within the Lerman family, Simone found Rachel''s little tricksughably na?ve.


    Aurora, too, was no stranger to envy and rivalry among girls. She''d seen her share of subtle maniptions, and Rachel''s attempt hardly measured up.


    The two of them stood quietly, saying nothing.


    Keen wanted to speak up for Rachel, but seeing his mother''s stern expression- and his father equally silent-he swallowed back his words.


    At that moment, Rachel felt like some unfortunate creature on disy at the zoo, watched and judged by everyone.


    Finally, Haynes spoke.


    "Rachel, if you''d like to go home, then go ahead. Change into something dry first I''ll have someone drive you."


    Rachel''s eyes flew wide, and fat tears rolled down her cheeks. She looked as helpless as a child who''d just been scolded, her voice trembling.


    "Haynie..."


    Before she could say more, Ste chimed in, "Didn''t you want to leave, Ms. Pearce? What''s wrong-changed your mind?"


    She paused deliberately, then added, "Or... do you not even know where the exit is?"


    With a wave, Ste signaled to a staff member.


    "Thisdy seems to have lost her way. Would you please show her out?"


    The attendant''s tone was professional and kind. “Of course."


    She approached Rachel. "Miss, would you like to stop by the changing room


    first?"


    Rachel clenched her fists so t


    that


    Buc


    nails bit into her palms,


    one after another yet


    she


    barely felt the pan.


    She lowered her gaze, hiding the venom in her eyes.


    Her desire to get rid of Ste grew fiercer than ever.


    Once Rachel had left, Keen finally exined to the others why he''d slipped away earlier.


    "Mom gave me a lucky charm, and I identally dropped it."


    He opened his palm to reveal a slightly damp pendant, lying quietly in his hand.


    Ste blinked in surprise. "That charm... I thought you''d given it to Rachel?"


    Keen mumbled, "I was just lending it to her Since it was a gift from Mem, realized should let anyone else have it, so I asked for it back."


    Ste pressed her lips together, silent for a moment.


    After a pause, she said gently, "Next time you need to go get something, tell Mom or Dad first, all right?"


    Keen nodded, solemn and sensible. "I understand. I''ll always let you know from now on I won''t make you worry."


    Ste smiled faintly but said nothing more.


    Keen and Joshua were both soaked from the rain, so they headed off to shower and change.


    Joshua had just finished pulling on dry clothes when he noticed a slender, familiar figure standing in the doorway.


    He raised an eyebrow and walked over.


    "Still here?"


    Rachel''s eyes burned with barely contained resentment. "Joshua, did you see what Ste just did? She humiliated me in front of everyone! She made sure I couldn''t save face at all!"


    Her chest heaved as she fought to rein in her emotions. "Joshua, she''s bullying


    me!"