A convoy of blacked-out SUVs idled at the curb of St. Aurelio Academy. Katya Ivanov stepped out, her stiletto heels clicking sharply against the rain-slicked pavement.
Before the rain could touch her, Sergei, her head of security, was there, snapping an umbrella open.
"I can manage," Katya said, her voice icy.
"It is my duty to protect and serve you, Miss. Your father—"
"Everything is always about my father," she cut him off, her eyes narrowing. "Why don't you go attend to his needs instead? I'm sure he has plenty."
Katya turned on her heel and walked into the downpour, leaving Sergei standing with the umbrella.
Inside, the academy was less a school and more a shark tank. A sea of students milled about—dangerous, calculating, and every single one of them an heir to an empire.
Katya reached her locker just as Elara, her best friend, materialized with a mischievous grin.
"Guess what?" Elara didn't wait for an answer. "Damien is throwing a pool party at his penthouse tonight! We need to go shopping.
"Immediately."
"Hello to you too," Katya sighed, pulling her textbooks from her locker. "It is the first day of the second semester. A pool party already? I don't think I'll make it. I have a lot on my plate."
"Exactly. You've been working yourself into the ground these past few months. You need a break," Elara pleaded, widening her eyes. "Besides... I saw this exquisite limited-edition bikini from Chanel. It has your name written all over it."
Katya chuckled, closing her locker. "Fine. I'll be there. But tell me, is this enthusiasm because of your hopeless crush on Damien?"
"What? No! Me? Damien?" Elara stammered, flushing pink. "That's not it. But... it wouldn't be the worst thing in the world if he noticed me."
[The Lecture Hall]
Professor Sinclair was droning on about political theory when the heavy oak doors creaked open. Kieran Romano sauntered in.
"You're late, Romano," Sinclair said without lifting his eyes from his notes. "Though I suppose I shouldn't expect anything more."
"If your class wasn't a cure for insomnia, I might have been first in line," Kieran drawled. "Besides, I don't need lessons on power. It rules my everyday life."
Kieran's gaze drifted to the far corner of the room, locking onto Katya. She felt the weight of his stare but refused to look up. She despised him with a visceral intensity; breathing the same air as a Romano made her feel physically ill.
"Just take a seat, Romano," Sinclair muttered, choosing peace over a power struggle he would inevitably lose.
The hatred between the Romanos and the Ivanovs was no secret. They had been at war for decades, a conflict the other powerful families watched with bated breath. Everyone in this room had parents who had killed for CEO titles or bribed officials to make headlines disappear. But the Romanos and Ivanovs were different. They hadn't just raised children; they had raised weapons to use against one another.
[Poe's Penthouse]
News of the pool party spread through the campus like wildfire. Panic set in as the social hierarchy scrambled to secure the perfect look.
"I think this would look perfect on you," Poe said, holding up a modest blue swimsuit.
Lyra scoffed, barely glancing up from her phone.
"Pshhh. Do you honestly think that... rag would look good on me? I want eyes on me, Poe. I saw the new collection from Chanel. I want the exclusive set. My designer, Andrew, is having it delivered within the hour."
"Okay, then. I'll wear the blue one. It fits me better anyway," Poe shrugged.
"Do whatever you want," Lyra said, rolling her eyes.
Poe retreated to her room, only to be startled moments later by a deafening scream from the living area.
"AHHH!"
Poe rushed back to find Lyra lying dramatically on the floor, clutching her phone. "What happened?"
"Andrew just texted," Lyra muttered, her voice trembling with defeated rage.
"Someone already purchased the swimsuit. The only one in the city. What am I supposed to wear now?"
"It's okay," Poe said soothingly. "We can check for other sets—"
"It is not okay!" Lyra snapped, grabbing her bag and storming toward the door.
"I need to find the bitch who stole my moment. And I have a pretty good idea of who it might be."
[The Library]
"Can I help you?"
Caitlyn spun around, startled, causing a stack of books to tumble from her arms.
The librarian—the unfairly attractive one—caught them before they hit the floor.
"Sorry for startling you," he said, his voice smooth. "I noticed you couldn't reach the top shelf. Here." He handed her a novel titled 4 Crowns and a Lie.
"Looks intense."
"What?" Caitlyn asked, blinking as she returned to her senses.
"The book," he smiled. "It seems thrilling."
"Oh! Right. A friend recommended it," she said, flashing a bright, nervous smile. "I'm not really a book person."
"That explains why I haven't seen you here bef—"
"Luka! There is a customer requiring assistance at the front desk," Mrs. Smith's stern voice cut through the air.
"Yes, ma'am," Luka called back. He stacked the rest of the fallen books into Caitlyn's arms. "Oh, and please thank your friend for me."
"For what?"
"For making me meet the most beautiful person on the planet."
With a wink, he vanished into the stacks, leaving Caitlyn breathless.
[The BFF Suite]
"Oh my god... the bikinis I told you about are arriving in an hour! Guess the best part!" Elara squealed from the kitchen.
"What is with the guessing games today? Just tell me," Katya murmured. She was kneeling on the rug in the lounge, meticulously arranging photographs.
"I placed an order for both of us," Elara said, walking in with two steaming mugs of coffee. "Prepare to have every head turning your way."
"I have always been the center of attention, darling," Katya said flatly.
Elara laughed as she set the mugs down, but her laughter died when she saw the photos on the floor.
"What the heck? Katya... why do you have surveillance photos of Romano and your inside man?"
"I will use these as leverage," Katya said, taking a calm sip of her coffee.
"Leverage... for what? I thought we agreed—no more stalking."
"Elara, darling, you are too innocent for this world," Katya said, her eyes dark. "You have to fight dirty to get what you want."
"And what exactly do you want?" Elara asked, a shiver running down her spine.
"Some things are better left unspoken. Drink your coffee."
Elara stared at her friend. She knew whatever war was brewing between the Romanos and the Ivanovs was dangerous, but she had to trust Katya—even when she did questionable things.
She was still lost in thought when the heavy front door clicked open.