Chapter 2I Let My Bully Steal My Billionaire Black Card

We took an Uber to the Serene Springs Resort. The place was stunning—steam rising from the outdoor pools under the moonlight, the lobby smelling of eucalyptus and cedar.

As we walked in, we saw them. A crowd of about thirty students from our psychology lecture were spilling out of the private locker rooms in white plush robes, laughing and shouting. It was a scene straight out of a high-end travel magazine.

Brooke was right in the center, glowing with the reflected adoration of people who thought she was footing the bill.

Then, she saw me.

Her entire body went rigid. For a split second, sheer panic flashed in her eyes, and she instinctively ducked her head, trying to hide behind a tall guy in her circle.

Before she could vanish, her best friend Lexi stepped forward. Lexi was the kind of person who lived for Brooke’s crumbs. She glared at us, her lip curling.

"What are you three doing here? Brooke didn't invite the 'poverty squad' to her party."

"Lexi, give it a rest," Riley groaned.

"No, I mean it," Lexi snapped, looking at the other students to gain support. "You guys have spent the whole semester freezing Brooke out because you're jealous of her family's money. It’s disgusting that you’d show up now to try and leach off her birthday."

Brooke, seeing that the crowd was on her side, regained her composure. She stepped forward, putting on a weary, "bigger person" expression.

"It's fine, Lexi," Brooke sighed. "Some people just don't have any dignity. Sophie, I’ve literally bought out the services for the night. You should probably leave before security makes it awkward."

A few guys in the back started booing us. "Yeah, get out of here! Stop ruining the vibe!"

I ignored them and walked straight to the front desk. The receptionist, a woman named Elena who had known me since I was ten, started to smile, but I gave her a tiny, barely perceptible shake of my head.

"Have they booked out the entire resort?" I asked loudly.

"No," Elena replied, following my lead perfectly. "This young lady has simply stated that she will be personally responsible for the expenses of all her guests."

I turned back to Brooke. "Since the place isn't 'bought out,' we’re staying. We’d like to book three rooms for the night. I don't have my card on me, but I can give you the number—"

"I’ll book it!" Brooke shouted, her voice shrill. "I’m booking the whole thing! Now! I want the resort closed to the public for the rest of the night. No one else comes in!"

She was terrified I was about to recite the membership number she had in her pocket.

Elena looked at me. I nodded, almost invisibly.

"Of course, Miss," Elena said to Brooke. "To close the resort to other guests on such short notice, there is a mandatory 'Exclusive Buyout' fee of fifteen thousand dollars. Are you sure?"

"Whatever," Brooke waved her hand dismissively, acting like she was bored. "Just put it on the card I gave you."

She thought she was playing with house money. She thought she was winning.

The crowd went wild. "Brooke, you're a legend!" someone yelled.

Lexi turned to me, her face smug. "Hear that? You’re not welcome. Go find a Motel 6."

"The spa is supposed to be amazing," another girl whispered, purposely loud enough for me to hear. "I heard they have an open bar for the VIPs and a seafood buffet. I can't wait."

I looked at Brooke one last time. Despite everything, a small part of me felt a flicker of pity. I decided to give her one—and only one—chance to save herself.

"Brooke, are you sure about this? With thirty people, plus the buyout fee, plus the premium liquor you’re ordering... you’re looking at a bill north of fifty thousand dollars. If you can't pay that, it's not just a social gaffe. It’s a felony. Defrauding an innkeeper is a serious charge."

The color drained from Brooke’s face for a heartbeat, but the crowd was already cheering her name. The ego won.