CHAPTER 7
"Yea, we met yesterday," Logan heard Nia say and gave her a sharp, warning look.
Do she seriously want to tell my mom about our encounter on the sidewalk? Is she that stupid and clueless?!
Logan wondered, baffled.
Nia barely glanced at him as she relayed their awkward meeting to his mother and sister. To Logan's horror, they burst out laughing at her story.
"I think that's why he's been acting like such a kid," she concluded, her voice laced with mockery.
Logan stiffened, his eyes narrowing.
"Did I just hear you call me a kid?" he demanded, uncrossing his legs with exaggerated drama.
"Of course. You did the same thing first, remember?" Nia snapped, crossing her arms defiantly. The movement unintentionally pushed her breasts upward, drawing his gaze to the slightly open buttons of her shirt. Logan's eyes lingered for a brief moment, much to his own annoyance.
Clenching his jaw, he forced himself to refocus, letting his irritation fuel his anger.
"Do you even know who you're talking to?" he demanded, his voice cold. "Like seriously, you should be on your knees apologizing, right now!"
Nia let out a humorless laugh, instead.
"I should apologise for your arrogance? Seriously?" She said, with a look that suggested he was crazy.
Logan was speechless. The audacity!
Jared was fucking wrong after all, the bitch hadn't changed a bit!
He looked at his mom and sister, expecting them to defend him. Instead, they seemed to be enjoying their banter.
"Your son and heir to the Duvernoy's legacy is being disrespected in front of you in his house, by a lowlife who's putting on her gladrags that even our servants wouldn't even wear and you're doing nothing mom? You should have her locked up with those dogs already for the sake of Christ!" Logan said with a horrified look on his face.
Lena gave an exasperated shrug.
"I can't do anything when she's right, Logan. Besides, abusing power isn't our style, especially not against a sweet, honest girl like her," she said, smiling warmly at Nia.
Nia smiled back, and Logan felt a surge of irritation. He felt like breaking a flower vase on their heads one after the other and zooming off with his car.
"Sweet? What's even sweet about this lowlife?" he snapped, giving her a scornful once-over.
He wished he never did that.
Looking at her intently for the first time, he truly noticed her. In the daylight, her flawless skin and striking features stood out, especially in the crisp button-down shirt she wore. His gaze lingered again on the open top buttons, which annoyed him even more.
"Logan, that's enough," Lena said firmly.
"Like I care," Logan muttered under his breath.
"Don't be offended Nia, that's just how he is, always proud and arrogant. It's funny to see his reaction to his perfect match," Dianne said, laughing.
Logan shot his sister a death glare, which only made her laugh harder.
"So, Nia," Lena said, smoothly changing the subject, "what would you like to eat or drink?"
"Oh, nothing, ma'am. I'm fine, really. I actually need to get back to work," Nia replied, standing up.
"You work during the weekends?" Dianne asked, surprised.
"I work every day," Nia said simply.
"What? You don't go to school?" Lena asked, her brows furrowing.
"I do, but I work after school hours," Nia explained.
"Why? And which school do you attend?" Lena pressed, concerned.
"Because—"
"Because she's a lowlife," Logan interrupted with a smirk.
Nia clenched her fists, clearly holding back.
"Logan, stop it," Dianne snapped, while he rolled his eyes.
"I work to support my parents financially," Nia said, deliberately ignoring him. "I attend Stankreft High."
Lena's expression turned to pity.
"That's one of the worst schools in Starbury," she said sadly.
Logan snickered.
Before anyone could say more, Lena's phone rang. She answered it cheerfully.
"Hi, honey. Yes, she's still here."
Logan groaned inwardly. It was his dad. Things were about to get worse.
Lena gestured to Nia to sit down while she told her husband everything that happened, about how Nia found the purse, without even taking anything from it. She even went further to tell him that Nia worked after school hours to support her parents financially.
Logan watched warily as his mom's grin widened during the call. When it ended, she looked positively delighted.
"What did Dad say?" Dianne asked eagerly.
"Well," Lena began with a radiant smile, "he said Nia must be rewarded for her honesty and kindness. Starting this month, we'll place her parents on a monthly salary of $5,000. And we'll cover all of Nia's high school and college expenses from now on."
"What?" Logan exclaimed, his voice rising in disbelief.
"That's not all," Lena continued, ignoring him. "We'll transfer her to Brunswick School tomorrow, and she'll start either on Monday or Tuesday."
Logan was livid now. "WHAT THE HELL!!"
"Oh my gosh, Nia, I'm so happy for you! You totally deserve this," Dianne said, rushing to hug Nia, who was stunned.
"I'll be attending Brunswick School?" Nia murmured, while Logan glared at her.
He saw tears well up in her eyes and was irritated.
"Hold back your tears sweetheart because you're not. Stenkreft is perfect for you, I'll talk to dad about this shitty reward," Logan said, standing up to leave. He couldn't take this all any longer.
"Your father's mind is made up, Logan," Lena said calmly. "You know how he is when he's decided something."
Logan clenched his fists in frustration. His father never backed down once his mind was made up.
"What's the big deal with you, Logan?" Dianne asked, frowning at him.
Logan glared at her.
"We can't attend the same school. And besides, Brunswick School is one of the best schools in America, so there's no place for a lowlife like her there. I can't even stand this girl!" He spat, giving Nia a dirty look.
"It's not like I'd have anything to do with you in school," Nia shot back with a disgusted look.
"I don't even want to see you there at all so just reject it," Logan growled.
Nia looked at him like he was crazy.
"You talk like someone that's mentally ill most times. I can't reject such a privilege just because an entitled brat said I should," she replied, her tone dripping with disdain.
Dianne snickered while Lena stifled her laughter, which only infuriated Logan more.
Logan's evil smile materialised.
"No biggie, I have my trump card."