Chapter Thirteen: Breadcrumbs and Close Calls
Celia was trying to enjoy her croissant in peace when Prince showed up at the café.
She froze mid-bite. "Do you ever knock? Or text? Or… I don't know, exist like a normal human being?"
Prince slid into the chair across from her, ignoring the way the barista nearly fainted at his presence. "You're avoiding me."
Celia swallowed the flaky lump of pastry. "Avoiding you? Please. If I were avoiding you, I'd be in another country by now."
His eyes narrowed. "You've changed, Beverly."
Oh, crap.
She forced a laugh. "Changed? Isn't that what personal growth is about? Everyone loves a good rebrand!"
But Prince wasn't buying it. He leaned forward, elbows on the table, gaze sharp enough to peel her like an onion. "Before, you cared about appearances. Every word, every move, calculated. Now? You mock sponsors, roast reporters, and laugh at Vanessa like she's harmless."
Celia's throat went dry. "So… you don't like me laughing at her?"
His lips twitched, almost a smile. "I didn't say that."
For a second, the air between them shifted. Softer. Dangerous.
Celia quickly shoved another bite of croissant in her mouth to break the moment.
⸻
By the time she got home, Vanessa had launched her next missile.
Her phone buzzed with an ominous notification: VANESSA WENT LIVE.
Celia groaned. "What now, the sequel to Crybaby Chronicles?"
She tapped in. Vanessa sat surrounded by elegant flowers, fake-sweet smile plastered on.
"I wasn't going to bring this up," Vanessa began, "but people deserve the truth. Beverly's father… well, let's just say his business isn't as clean as he pretends. Certain documents suggest… questionable dealings."
The live chat went feral.
SpillItNow: OMG shady father confirmed???
PrinceProtectionSquad: If this affects Prince's family I'm rioting.
DramaQueen: Vanessa never lies 😭
Celia nearly dropped her phone. Questionable dealings?
She didn't know much about Beverly's father except that he radiated "I hate my daughter" energy. But shady business? That was new.
⸻
Minutes later, Lila burst into her room, hysterical. "Darling, this is a catastrophe! The stock price of your father's company is plummeting! People think Vanessa has evidence!"
Celia pressed a hand to her forehead. "So let me get this straight. I'm supposed to fight fake news, run an influencer empire, dodge Vanessa's claws, and deal with daddy's Wall Street crimes?"
Lila sniffled. "Precisely."
Celia threw herself face-first into her pillow. "I reincarnated for this?"
⸻
That night, Prince texted again.
PRINCE: Don't answer Vanessa. Don't engage her.
CELIA: Easier said than done. She's obsessed.
PRINCE: She's dangerous. Stay out of her way.
CELIA: You sound like you know something.
…no reply.
Celia groaned. Of course he knows something. And of course he won't tell me.
⸻
Later, she drifted into another dream. Beverly stood in the corner again, silent.
"What's the deal with your dad?" Celia demanded. "Vanessa's throwing shade like she's got receipts."
Beverly's lips pressed tight. "Stay away from him. Stay away from Vanessa. If they drag you into it…" Her voice cracked. "You won't survive."
Celia woke up sweating, her heart hammering.
She grabbed her phone and stared at Prince's last unreadable message.
Maybe Beverly was right. Maybe she should run.
But running wasn't her style.
Vanessa wanted war? Fine. Celia was done playing defense.
She cracked her knuckles, opened Instagram, and typed:
"Vanessa says she has proof. Cute. While she's busy staging fake crying sessions, I'll be here enjoying my croissants. 🥐 Stay tuned, drama llamas."
She hit post and smirked.
The battlefield was set.