Chapter 2The Outcast Is Actually The Boss

Harrison’s face turned the color of spoiled milk.

But because I’d agreed to the medical exam, he swallowed his pride and hurried Victoria to get me out the door the next morning. The "physical" was exhaustive. They ran every test in the book, taking enough blood to fuel a small army. By the time we got home, I was drained. I collapsed into bed and fell into a heavy, dreamless sleep.

I woke up in the middle of the night, my throat parched. As I crept downstairs for water, I passed the study on the second floor. The door was ajar, and the muffled voices of the Montgomerys drifted out.

"Is it handled?" Victoria’s voice was sharp, devoid of the maternal softness she feigned in public. "No loose ends?"

"What could go wrong?" Harrison replied, his tone dismissive. "She’s an eighteen-year-old girl from the middle of nowhere. No matter how sharp her tongue is, she has no idea what’s happening. I’ve already established the medical records in her name. As far as the world is concerned, it was June who had the procedure. Serena’s reputation remains spotless."

I heard the rhythmic tapping of a pen against a mahogany desk.

"Good," Harrison continued. "The only reason to bring that girl here was to have her take the fall for Serena. And if the other matter comes to light... well, we’ll just send the mountain girl to prison. Serena is our jewel; I won't have her life ruined by one mistake."

I felt the corners of my mouth twitch into a smirk. I turned and walked silently down to the kitchen.

They thought I was just a "mountain girl." They thought they could play me because I was young.

This was going to be fun.

The next morning, the house was quiet. Harrison and Victoria were out, leaving Serena in the living room with a guy who looked like he’d stepped out of a Ralph Lauren catalog.

As I came down the stairs, I caught the tail end of their conversation.

"Serena, have you decided on a college yet? Do you think your scores are high enough for the Ivy League?" the guy asked. "Honestly, it doesn't matter. My dad said we could just go abroad together. Italy, maybe? What do you think?"

Serena looked down, playing the part of the modest debutante. "If we go abroad together, what will people say? Besides, I think I did okay. I should be around a 1200 on my SATs."

I was sipping a glass of milk, and at that, I couldn't help it. I snorted.

I’d heard from the housekeeper that these two had spent a fortune on Serena’s education over the last eighteen years. Private tutors, elite prep schools, equestrian camps, golf lessons—the works. And she was proud of a 1200?

The guy stood up, his face flushing with anger. "You must be the sister. Do you even know what the word 'respect' means? Serena and I are having a private conversation. What’s so funny?"

I set my milk down and looked him over. He was handsome in that boring, cookie-cutter way.

"Oh, you’re big on respect, are you?" I asked. "Did your parents forget to teach you to introduce yourself before demanding things from people?"

Serena rose gracefully, her hand fluttering to the guy’s sleeve. "Parker, please. I’m sure she didn't mean it that way. Don't let it bother you." She turned to me, her smile a masterpiece of fake sweetness. "June, this is Parker. His father is a close associate of Dad’s. Parker and I grew up together."

The childhood sweetheart. Of course. It was practically a cliché. I nodded, bored already.

But Serena wasn't done. "June, Mom and Dad mentioned you took your finals this year too. Have you checked your results? How do you think you did? I know the schools out in the country aren't... great. If the results are bad, don't worry. You can always redo the year."

I leaned back against the counter, casual. "I did alright. Probably around a 1590 on the SATs. Might even be the top of the state."