The Valentine Formal was in full swing, the grand hall pulsating with music and laughter. But beneath the surface of celebration, a darker undertone simmered. Kat and Lizzie huddled in a corner, their eyes darting around the room, searching for Liv.
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"I can't believe Jae only wants to dance with Kaye," Lizzie muttered, her voice laced with frustration. "Every time I ask, he's not interested."
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Kat smirked, her gaze fixated on Kaye and Jae. "Don't worry, Lizzie. We'll make sure Kaye gets what's coming to her tonight."
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Lizzie's eyes gleamed with a sinister light. "Do you have everything ready?"
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Kat nodded, pulling out her phone. "I've got the video queued up. It's going to be perfect."
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As they continued to plot, their eyes scanned the room for Liv. They needed to make sure she and Auden was distracted as they would surely prevent this from happening and ruin their entire plan.
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Meanwhile Liv had set out on a different kind of mission. The House of the Phoenix, the Ferruchi’s former estate, now owned by the prominent Burchart’s, loomed ahead, a grand and enigmatic mansion, just on the outskirts of Bloomfield. Her heart raced with anticipation and anxiety as she rode up the private road, darkness and rows of trees on both side of the road, added to the gravity of her mission. Finally, she approached the entrance. Beatrice Burchart was her only hope.
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The security at the heavy metal gates, rang to house and before she knew it, their butler was escorting her through the opulent halls, leading her to a richly decorated sitting room. Beatrice Burchart stood by the window, evident to have watched her as she came up the paved road -her presence commanding and graceful.
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"Miss Cuthbert, to what do I owe this pleasure," Beatrice said, her voice smooth and measured.
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Liv took a deep breath, gathering her courage. "I need your help, Mrs. Burchart. I’ve come to deliver a message from Liana King, she’s being held captive against her will. She was imprisoned falsely, and she sent me here because she believes you’re the only person who would help her."
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Beatrice's eyes widened slightly, but she remained composed. Liana King was a name she had forgotten over the years, but now she was resurfacing like a ghost in a deadly scene. "Liana King, you say. What exactly does she expect of me?"
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Liv's voice trembled slightly as she spoke. "This demand is a lot to ask of you, but she wishes to speak to you directly. She would like for you to come and visit her.” Liv carefully placed a piece of paper on her desk, her hands trembling but her posture upright and her voice steady “This is the address.”
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Beatrice studied Liv for a moment, her expression unreadable. “And what is your relations with Liana King exactly?”
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Liv gulped, if her father was to know of this very betrayal, she would be disowned or perhaps her fate would be much worse than her own mother’s. “I’m her daughter.”
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Beatrice was shocked, “Liana married Antonio Cuthbert. Who would’ve guessed, back in school, your father used to hate your mother’s guts.”
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“As he still does.” There was no emotion when she spoke of her father, thinking of him, made her feel no emotion at all. “He’s the one who put her in that mental hospital, and I can promise you, Mrs. Burchart that my mother is not crazy. Her so called friends have turned their backs on her, my father has rewarded them dearly by funding many of their businesses.”
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Beatrice was intrigued by Liv, her resilience as wilful as her mother’s at that age. Finally, she nodded. "Very well, Miss Cuthbert. I will look into this matter. But you must understand, once I go there and decide to help her, you might have to play a significant part in betraying your father. Are you sure you’re willing to do that?"
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Liv’s face was hardened, there was no contemplating this over. Her mother had missed out on so much of their lives, her affection and love for them, greatly felt in the years she was absent from raising them.
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Liv's heart soared with hope. "I wouldn’t be standing here, if I wasn’t sure, Mrs. Burchart. Nothing will be able to change my mind on this."
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Beatrice offered a faint smile. "Leave this matter to me, I will sort it out, but it will take time, patience is key in the coming days."
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“Thank you, Mrs. Burchart. I’m grateful for your help.”
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As Liv left the Burchart’s warm mansion, a sense of relief washed over her. She had done what her mother asked, and now she had to trust that Beatrice would come through.
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Back at the Valentine Formal, the atmosphere was electric. As Liv arrived, she felt a mix of excitement and apprehension, her mind still on her earlier meeting with Beatrice.
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As Kat and Lizzie's plan unfolded, tensions reached a boiling point. Kat discreetly uploaded the video to the BG Post, the school's online platform, as an anonymous tip. Within moments, the entire dance party's phones beeped with the notification of the biggest scandal of the year.
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The room fell silent as everyone turned to check their phones. The video showed Kaye and Graeme leaving the supply closet, looking suspicious. Then it cut to Kaye and Jae dancing, the implication clear. Whispers and gasps filled the room as Kaye's face turned pale. Everyone knew Graeme and Jae hated each other with a passion, making the video even more scandalous.
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Unbeknownst of the reason behind the chaos, Liv seeks for her friends and once she spotted them, and made her way toward them, but a sense of unease tugged at her. Something didn’t feel right. Finally, she sees everyone reactions and when she finds the source, Kaye was the receiver of their scrutiny. Deep inside her heart she knew without a doubt that Kat and Lizzie was behind whatever spectacle was unfolding.
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Lizzie smirked, satisfied with the chaos they had caused. Liv, races to her friends and snatch both of their phones from their grip. They were going off, trying to reach for it, refusing to admit their involvement.
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“I’m your sister,” Lizzie said angrily, “how could you think I would stoop so low? All this for that wretched two-timer!?”
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“Yes, we were friends since childhood and this for someone you’re not even friends with!?” Kat snapped, folded her arms and told Lizzie to stand back, “We didn’t do this, let her search our phones, she won’t find anything.”
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Expertly they left no traces, and Liv saw no evidence, but she knew them all too well, and this was their way of exerting their authority. She would know, she had taught them. But as the night wore on, the true repercussions of their prank would become painfully clear.
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Kaye stood frozen, her heart pounding as she felt the weight of everyone's eyes on her. The murmurs of the crowd swirled around her, a cacophony of judgment. Immediately, she was triggered by her past memories and the day the entire school put her under a microscope for being a victim of a brutal sexual assault. The oxygen in her lungs lessened and the walls felt like they were collapsing on her chest. She glanced at Jae, who looked equally shocked and betrayed. His eyes were laced with a sense of unforgiveness that made her heart drop in defeat.
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The cold air from the open doors brushed against her skin as she took a shaky breath, her voice trembling, but she composed herself, shot Kat and Lizzie a vile look knowing that only they could have been behind this spectacle. Their laughter taunting and ever-so-antagonising.
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Wiley, having just arrived from searching for Liv, quickly realized what was happening. He checked his notifications and knew what was going on. He scanned the room, his eyes landing on Kat and Lizzie, who were clearly enjoying the spectacle. Determined to help his sister, he made his way through the crowd, anger boiling within him.
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Meanwhile, Joey stood off to the side, looking guilty and anxious. He knew for a fact that he was the one who took the video, and Kat must have stolen it from his phone. The realization of his part in this humiliation hit him hard.
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As the tension reached a breaking point, Kaye could no longer stand the scrutiny. She turned and stormed out of the hall, embarrassment flushed across her face, with Clary and Stasi hot on her heels.
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Liv, unable to hold back her frustration, turned to Kat and Lizzie one last time. "You might have erased the evidence, but you can't erase what you've done. This isn't over."
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Liv went after Kaye and her friends, her eyes dark with anger. What her sister had done, could ruin her agreement with Beatrice. She needed her and Liv would do whatever it takes to ensure her mother gets out. Her interests lied elsewhere.
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Wiley's eyes were blazing with anger as he made his way through the crowd. The murmurs and whispers fuelled his rage, each comment a dagger aimed at his sister. He zeroed in on Kat and Lizzie, who were clearly enjoying the chaos they had caused.
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"Kat! Lizzie!" Wiley's voice boomed, drawing the attention of nearby students. "What the hell is wrong with you?"
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Kat and Lizzie turned, their smug expressions faltering slightly. "Wiley, calm down," Kat said, trying to maintain her composure.
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"Calm down? You think I should calm down after what you've done to Kaye?" Wiley's fists clenched at his sides, trembling with barely contained fury. "You're supposed to be our friends!"
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Lizzie rolled her eyes. "Oh, please. She brought this on herself, Wiley. Don't act like she's innocent."
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Wiley scoffed, his eyes piercing into Kat’s “All of this over a dress? Wait till I show you the power my family actually possess, you’ve just signed the downfall of the Archers.”
He then turned to Lizzie, whom as well was alarmed by Wiley’s rage. “And what has she ever done to you, huh? Is this because Jae wouldn’t give you the time of day? Wake the fuck up! Jae will never be interested in someone so gullible, take the hint!”
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His words harsh and laced with bitterness, was true. He meant every word.
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Wiley took a step closer, his voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. "If you think for one second that this is justified, you have another thing coming."
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Before Wiley could say more, Aaron stepped in, placing a hand on his shoulder. "Wiley, not here. People are staring," Aaron warned, his voice calm but firm. "This will only lead to bigger issues."
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“Mark my words, it already has.”
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Wiley's jaw tightened, but he knew Aaron was right. He took a deep breath, trying to reign in his anger. "You know what? I’m done with all of you. Don't ever talk to me again! And you two," he pointed to Lizzie and Kat, “you better stay the fuck out of my sight!” With that, he turned on his heel and stormed out of the hall, his heart pounding with a mix of anger and despair.
Auden tried to utter a word, but he waved her off when she brushed against his shoulder, not convinced that she was innocent in these dealings.
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Outside, the cold night air hit him like a splash of water, and he took a moment to compose himself. He thought about their previous school, the abuse his sister had to endure, feeling guilty that he had let this charade go on this far. He should have defended her sooner, he should have known what his friends were planning but he was too consumed with masking their family affairs and pursuing Auden, that he neglected his duties towards his sister, whom he vowed to always protect. He needed to find Kaye and make sure she was okay.
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Kaye's eyes were still brimming with tears as she stormed out of the hall, the cold night air hitting her like a slap. Her breath came in ragged gasps, and the weight of the night’s events pressed heavily on her chest.
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"Kaye, wait!" Stasi called out, catching up to her. She wrapped an arm around Kaye's shoulders, offering what little comfort she could. "Let's get you out of here. I'll take you home."
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Kaye shook her head, trying to steady her breathing. "I can't go home like this. My mom will freak out."
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Clary, who had followed them outside, sighed dramatically. "Do we really have to leave? The night is still young, and I was actually having a good time."
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Stasi rounded on her, fury flashing in her eyes. "Clary, how can you be so selfish? Our friend is hurting, and all you care about is your fun. This isn’t about you for once. Grow up."
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Clary’s eyes widened in shock, taken aback by Stasi’s uncharacteristic outburst. She mumbled something under her breath and stepped back, arms crossed defensively.
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Before Kaye could say anything, Liv approached, her face filled with remorse. "Kaye, I am so sorry for what they did. If I had known, I would have stopped it. I swear."
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Kaye wiped her eyes, her voice tinged with frustration. "Thanks, Liv. But it doesn’t change what happened."
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At that moment, Wiley emerged from the hall, his expression a mix of anger and concern. "Kaye, are you okay?"
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Kaye shot him an annoyed look. "Not now, Wiley. I just want to get out of here." She turned to Stasi, nodding. "Let’s go."
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Stasi nodded, guiding Kaye towards her car. As they walked away, Wiley turned his attention to Liv.
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"This is your friends' doing, isn’t it?" His voice was harsh, the anger simmering beneath the surface. "Don’t tell me you and Auden knew nothing about it. I've seen you stand by before when they’ve planned horrible things."
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Liv’s heart sank at his words. "Wiley, I swear, I didn’t know this time. If I had, I would have done something."
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Wiley shook his head, disappointment etched in his features. "I can’t believe you, Liv. You’ve never spoken up before. Why would this be any different?"
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He turned and walked away, leaving Liv standing there, hurt and conflicted. She watched him go, her chest tightening with the realization that he might want nothing to do with her now. The anger towards her so-called friends burned even hotter, fuelled by her feelings for Wiley and her determination to get her mother out.
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Liv clenched her fists, vowing silently to herself. She would make this right. For Kaye, for her mother, and maybe, just maybe, for a chance to earn Wiley's trust back.
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