Chapter 15: Chapter 15

Panic was scrawled all over Abby’s face as the sputtered, “She… she’s got a peanut allergy, but I’m always super careful, and are the servants…” She choked back tears, her face turned to stone. “This was no accident. Someone’s targeting my . Whoever did this is gonna regret it.”

Alexa was quaking in her boots behind Macy, especially after hearing Abby’s words. Diana was always picky with her food, barely nibbling Alexa, freaked out about being upstaged at the ceremony, had dumped a bunch of crushed peanuts into Diana’s coffee. She just wanted to throw Diana off her game, not send her to the hospital. If Diana got seriously hurt, the Hill family and the Jenkins family would come after her. ‘It was all because Fiona had to poke her nose in Finally, Alexa stuttered out, “Before everything started, Diana sipped some coffee. Clare said coffee helps with nerves… I don’t… I didn’t check for peanuts.”

Fiona flashed a knowing grin when she heard Alexa spill the beans. “What a coincidence.

Abby’snapped out of it, her face freezing over as she stormed up to and smacked her.

“My kid might’ve messed up, but you have no right to hit her,” Macy stepped in between them, fuming.

“She deserves worse than a slap for pulling a stunt like this,” Abby shot back, “Not just her, your whole family will pay if Diana gets hurt.”

Macy was worried about Alexa, whose cheek was puffing up with a bright red handprint. How in the world was she going to speak or perform ?

Looking at Alexa’s swollen check, Fiona felt a twinge of victory. She whipped out a little packet, crushed a brown pill

Il inside, and eased it towards Diana’s mouth.

“What are you doing?” Abby recoiled alarmed.

Before Macy could rip into her, Alexa yanked at her sleeve. She turned to see Alexa wide–eyed, watching Fiona give Diana the crushed pill. Now the focus was on Fiona–if Diana went downhill, Fiona would take the fall, letting Alexa off the hook. If things got ugly, the Jenkins and Hills would blame Fiona. Alexa’s fear flipped to a dark hope–if Diana was knocked out of the picture, nobody could overshadow Alexa at school Worst case for Fiona? Jail time, which meant no more Fiona to worry about.

gave Diana the medicine, she pulled out a slender silver needle.

Abby’s heart was racing as she burst forward, “Hold up! You sure about this? If anything happens to …

Fiona didn’t glance her way; she just coolly slid the needle in. Diana’s eyes fluttered open. Spotting her mom, she whispered, “Mom?”

Abby stood there, gobsmacked and silent.

edged closer, her eyes wide. ‘Fiona just saved Diana? I know her stuff, medically speaking? Alexa’s fists tightened, her mind racing with thoughts of revenge–she wished she had used something way nastier than peanuts and pinned it on Fiona.

Luther’s eyes were glued to Fiona, full of skepticism. This wasn’t Diana’s first allergy rodeo, but usually, it was hospitals and big shot doctors to the rescue, not a quick jab and some mystery meds. This girl had some serious chops. Piqued by both her smarts and looks, he took a step toward Fiona, but Abby, jittery, yanked him back.

Abby was practically pleading now, “Look, today’s a big deal for Diana. She’s the star of the show.

anything to perk her up fast? You’ll get a fat reward, promise.”

“Nope,” Fiona’s reply was crisp. “You saw what just went down. Even a hospital can’t fix her up fast enough. She’s gotta rest. Sure, it’s a big chance she’s missing, but some things can’t be rushed.” Although she refused Abby, she did know how to cure Diana. Fiona thought, “If I her and she could enjoy the applause usual, it wouldn’t last long for them. While miss this, they would remember today forever. Alexa’s mistake won’t just vanish either- everyone will remember her fault. Then even if Abby was angry about this, she could only target Alexa, instead of the school!

Turning to Alexa, Fiona jibed, “Need a mirror? With that face, Nathan’s going to think he’s dating Frankenstein’s other half.

gonna hit the stage

18:20 Mon, 3 Jun @

Chapter 15

looking like that ”

M

, in full freak–out mode, covered her face full of regrets. If she’d known it’d end up like this, never have made a move–she could’ve had her moment in the spotlight instead. Her eyes shot daggers at Fiona,

Fiona, grinning, whipped out a tiny jar, “This baby here can shrink your troubles in live, Slather it on, and bam, you’re a showstopper again. Just 800 thousand dollars, and the spotlight’s all yours. Deal or no deal?

Alexa’s eyes lit up, and she lunged for it, but Fiona danced aside,

Macy joined in, reaching for the jar, but missed. Pivoting back, she snapped, “800 thousand dollars for that itty bitty thing? You’re practically mugging

*800 thousand dollars for your girl’s big break? Bargain, if you ask me Fiona flicked her eyebrows playfully, pocketed the jar, walked off.

“I take it” Alexa blurted. She had worked her tail off for tonight and wasn’t about to let her moment slip by.

“Pay first,” Fiona said.

Alexa was freaking out, so she turned to Macy for backup. Macy shot back, all irritated, “Like, who even knows if lying? Maybe she’s just jelly and

trying to mess with you….

Fiona just stood there with a sly grin playing on her lips, “if you don’t buy it, Mrs. Harrell, why are you losing your cool? Guess you can’t stand the thought of forking over the cash. See, Alexa? You’re not even worth 800 thousand dollars to her”

“Zip it! You want 800 thousand dollars? You got it! But if this doesn’t work, you’re never stepping foot in the Harrell again, it?”

Fiona just opened her arms, all smiles, “Cash first, then you get your miracle cream. Venmo the money