<b>Chapter </b>44
:
<b>42 </b>
Jade’s POV:
“Well, at least some of us have academic achievements to be proud of,” Linda interjected, clearly stung by Bill’s mockery. “Emily’s math scores have improved tremendously this semester. Her counselor says Princeton is practically a guarantee now.”
Frank’s face lit up, desperation for good news evident in his expression. “Princeton? Really? Is that
true, Emily?”
Emily flipped her hair back, confidence radiating from her perfect posture. “Getting into Princeton is definitely happening for me.”
I noticed Max’s eyebrows furrow slightly as he studied Emily. She quickly averted her gaze from his questioning look, suddenly bing fascinated with her manicure.
“Well, that’s just wonderful!” Patrick eximed while practicing his swing with a titanium driver. His lime green polo shirt strained against his golf–induced pot belly. “If you get into Princeton, I’ll have a special gift waiting for you.”
Nancy adjusted her designer golf gloves with manicured fingers. Her over–processed blonde hair was pulled back in a severe ponytail that seemed to stretch her skin ufortably tight. “Impressive. Princeton is extremely selective these days.” Her smile didn’t reach her eyes.
Before Emily could respond, Nancy’s gaze shifted to Max, who was awkwardly holding a golf club, trying to mimic the stance of a professional golfer on a nearby poster.
“Poor boy,” Nancy said with exaggerated sympathy that dripped with condescension. “With that leg, you can’t even manage a proper stance. Such a shame.” She shook her head dramatically.
I watched Max’s face go pale. He quietly ced the club back in the rental bag, his eyes fixed on the floor, his shoulders hunched forward like he was trying to disappear.
Something cold and dangerous stirred inside me. I put down my sparkling water and turned to Nancy. “Since you’re so concerned about my brother’s condition, maybe you’d like to donate a few tens of thousand dors toward his corrective surgery? I’m sure with Uncle Joe’s sessful business,
you could spare it.”
The lounge fell silent. Every eye turned toward us. Nancy’s mouth opened and closed like a fish out of water, her perfectly lined lips forming an ‘O‘ of shock.
10:10 Wed<b>, </b>Sep 17
“I… well, that’s not what I meant,” she sputtered, her face reddening. “We all have our burdens to
bear. Life isn’t fair, you know.”
“Then don’t pretend to care while using someone else’s pain as conversation fodder,” I replied, my
voice low but clear enough to carry across the silent room.
<b>42 </b>
Frank tugged at his cor nervously, a vein in his forehead throbbing. “Jade, please. That’s no way to speak to your aunt.” His voice was pleading, eyes darting between me and his siblings.
Joe set down his premium golf club with a deliberate ck against the marble floor. His face flushed with the righteous indignation of the perpetually privileged. “Frank, you really need to teach your daughter some manners. This kind of disrespect is uneptable. In my house, children know their ce.”
“What do you expect?” Bill sneered. His polo shirt cor was popped, and his khakis pressed to perfection. “Look where they live. You can’t expect trailer park kids to know how to behave in ces like this. Probably their first time seeing cloth napkins.”
Frank’s forehead beaded with sweat as he apologized profusely, his hands fluttering nervously. “I’m so sorry. Jade’s just been under a lot of pressure with exams. She didn’t mean any disrespect.”
I stared directly at Bill, wondering how he’d look with that smug smile broken. But Max’s presence beside me kept my darker impulses in check.
Patrick waved his hand dismissively. “Let’s not ruin our family time with arguments. We’re here to enjoy ourselves.”
Emily pulled out her phone and began angling it for a selfie, though I could see she was actually trying to capture the luxurious surroundings in the background. Her fingers trembled slightly as she tried to frame the shot to include the crystal chandelier and herself, while excluding the tense family standoff.
“Let our Princeton–bound schr document this special asion,” Nancy said with a fake smile that didn’t reach her eyes. “Go ahead, Emily. Make sure you get the chandelier in the shot. That lighting will be divine for your Instagram.”
Emily adjusted her position awkwardly, clearly ufortable with Nancy’s sudden attention.
“We just stayed at an even more…” Linda began, but Emily interrupted her with a forced cough.
Joe began showing off his custom golf clubs, exining the purpose and price of each one in
<b>10:11 </b>Wed, Sep 17
excruciating detail. “This putter alone cost nearly a thousand dors,” he boasted, holding it like it
was made of solid gold.
<b>42 </b>
He turned to Frank with a patronizing smile. “Real business deals happen on courses like this, Frank. Maybe if you yed golf<b>, </b>you wouldn’t be stuck in that dead–end job. Connections are everything.”
Frank nodded ufortably, his eyes downcast, epting the humiliation without protest.
“Actually, Jade,” Joe continued, examining me like I was a mildly interesting specimen under a microscope, “if college doesn’t work out for you, mypany could use a receptionist. Fifteen dors an hour. Not bad for someone with your… qualifications.”
“Thank you for the offer,” Frank said quickly before I could respond, clearly terrified of what mighte out of my mouth.
“Jade won’t need your charity job,” Max suddenly spoke up, his voice surprisingly firm. “My sister will
be attending Princeton University. She’s smarter than everyone herebined.”
Billughed, the sound sharp and mocking. “Right. We all saw that video of her bombing the SAT
essay. Empty test booklet goes viral! That’s the only way she’ll make it into college headlines.”
Max’s hands clenched into fists, but I ced my hand on his shoulder, silently telling him to let it <ol><li>go. </li></ol>
The tense atmosphere was broken when an impably dressed server approached our group, carrying a silver tray with champagne flutes and elegant hors d’oeuvres. He walked directly to us, bypassing other waiting guests who had been there longer.
“Ms. Morgan,” he addressed me with unexpected deference, “these are our exclusive ck Card member refreshments. I hope they’re to your liking.”
Another server whispered to the manager, who immediately hurried over, adjusting his tie as he approached.
“Ms. Morgan,” the manager said with a broad smile, “wee to Grand za. We’re honored by your patronage. Your private reserved tee is ready whenever you’d like to begin.”
<b>10:11 </b><b>Wed</b><b>, </b><b>Sep </b>17
Badass in Disguise