Chapter 1The Yoga Mat Trap: A Roommate's Lethal Greed

My college roommates found out I was a certified yoga instructor and begged me to lead them in workouts.

I charged them ten dollars a class, four times a week.

Then, suddenly, one day, no one showed up.

When I asked them about it, everyone ignored me.

That's when I discovered my best friend, Chloe, had stolen my business.

She was charging them only eight dollars a class.

But Chloe had only ever taken a few classes with me. She didn't understand the fundamental principles of yoga at all.

Sure enough, a few classes later, her overly aggressive physical adjustments resulted in a classmate's leg being snapped in half.

* * *

Not a single person showed up to my class today.

The dance studio, usually packed to the brim, was completely empty.

A wave of disappointment washed over me.

Was there some mandatory school event I didn't know about?

I packed up my mats and props and headed back to the dorm.

But when I opened the door, I found they had all clearly just finished a yoga session.

I stood frozen in the doorway. "You guys didn't come to my class. Where did you practice?"

Outside studios charge over a hundred dollars a session.

Isn't my ten-dollar class a massive bargain in comparison?

But no one even acknowledged me.

They threw me a few mocking glances and scattered with awkward chuckles.

I suddenly felt like an absolute clown.

I reached out and grabbed my roommate, Lily.

"Lily, what happened? Did I do something wrong?"

Lily turned her head, glaring at me angrily, and violently yanked her arm out of my grasp.

"Get away from me! I can't believe I actually treated you like a friend! How could you scam me like this?!"

I was completely bewildered. "I didn't."

Lily stepped into my personal space, her neck stiff with rage. "Don't give me that bullshit! Tell me! How much do yoga instructors get paid per class outside?!"

She was asking the right person.

My family owns a chain of yoga studios. Both my mom and my aunt are certified Iyengar instructors.

I started professional training with them when I was very young.

By high school, I was already a fully qualified, advanced-level yoga instructor.

So, I eagerly explained to Lily: "For a corporate class of 15 people at an outside studio, the instructor's fee is easily 300 dollars!"

"Bullshit!" Lily shoved me hard, furious.

"We already investigated! Yoga instructors make 100 dollars a class, max!"

How is that even possible?!

Where did she get that information?

My chest tightened with panic. "My family..."

"Your family this, your family that! Stop lying! We looked it up. The Serenity Yoga Studio you're always bragging about isn't even owned by your family! The registered owner's last name is Miller!"

Lily didn't give me a chance to explain before turning and storming off.

But... the registered legal owner of Serenity Yoga Studio is my grandmother. Her maiden name is Miller.