Chapter 2

“Fuck you and your thinning hair, Harper," I said as I walked into the airplane, ignoring the looks of the other passengers.

Ivy gasped while Harper whined over the phone. "I told him specifically not to tell your dad, I swear."

I rolled my eyes as I sat down. "I'll skin you in hot oil if this turns out to be the worst week of my life," I grumbled.

Ivy whistled. "I highly doubt it could be bad. I'm scrolling through their biography, and fuck, Ambs. Your mother is a genius gold digger."

"The Aldridges are—" I removed the earbud to listen to the pilot's instructions.

"Guys, I have to leave now. The plane's taking off. I'll call when I land," I rushed out before they could say a word and ended the call.

I sighed, leaning back against the chair and shut my eyes. I wondered what Ivy was saying about the Aldridges, but it didn't matter. After all that's happened, the only thing that would bring me joy is if the Aldridges were hideous.

At least that way, my mother wouldn't have it all.

I had just gotten out of the plane, and my joints still ached from sitting when I heard a deep voice call out my name.

Frowning, I turned to see a man in a black suit behind me, holding a small card. "Amber Sinclair," it read.

"Good afternoon, Ms. Sinclair. Your mother asked that you be transported to the house safely. If you may, please come with me."

My jaw hung open shamelessly. "What's my mother's name?" I asked, unable to believe that my mom had someone like this working for her.

The man looked at me. "Mrs. Vivienne Aldridge," he replied, his brow slightly cocked up.

He's right... well, half-right. She's not married yet, so she's not an Aldridge.

I cleared my throat and handed him my bags. "You may lead."

He led me to a sleek black Mercedes Benz that I knew I couldn't afford even with five years' worth of my income. For the second time that day, I wondered just how wealthy the Aldridges were.

Sooner than we left, we arrived at what I'd say is the most insanely beautiful place I've ever visited in my life. "The Aldridges Estate" it read.

Did I ask just how wealthy they were? Turns out, they were so absurdly, impossibly rich it made my head spin.

The gates alone were taller than some apartment buildings I'd lived in. The house... if you could even call it that. It was an estate, the kind that made everything I'd ever seen in magazines feel like kindergarten projects.

Multiple wings, terraces with glass railings, and a front lawn that could have fit a soccer field. I swear I saw a helipad tucked behind a grove of cherry trees.

I couldn't help but notice the other cars parked. Sleek Lamborghinis, Bentleys, and a lineup of black Audis that probably had license plates worth more than my apartment.

My stomach twisted. This is wealth that could bury ten generations and still not budge.

The car came to a stop, and the door opened. I stepped out, jaw still slack from being open.

"Welcome, Ms. Sinclair. Martha inside will show you to your room. Please freshen up and rest. I'll return to pick you up in an hour for dinner."

Martha? Room? Rest? Dinner?

Dinner?

Was I meeting the Aldridges today? This evening?

"Will I be having dinner with them?" I asked. The man looked at me blankly. "If you mean the Aldridges, then yes. Dinner will be set at the Royal Palace Hotel."

I shook my head, feeling overwhelmed. If they had a place as magnificent as this, what's the need to have dinner in a hotel?

I stepped into the room and let out a breath I didn't realize I'd been holding. I'd been too overwhelmed and shocked by the display of wealth I'd seen so far.

Which god had my mother prayed to, to land an Aldridge? It clearly wasn't the Lord our savior. He didn't reward evil with good.

The second I turned on my phone, I was flooded with an influx of messages and calls from Ivy, Harper, and Dad. Just as I sat down to reply to them, their call came in again.

"What the hell, Ambs? The Hampton is just two hours away, not five hours," Ivy rushed out.

"Relax, mummy, I just had time to check my phone!" I replied, lying down fully now.

"Have you met them? Are they as wealthy as we read? Are they as good-looking? Do the rich also cry?"

I paused at the last question. "The fuck is that last question?" I asked, shaking my head.

"They're richer than whatever it is you read, and no, I haven't met them yet. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to get ready for dinner with the Aldridges."

"Ambs, wait. I know what you've planned, but don't do it," Harper suddenly said, and I froze.

"What? What are you talking about?"

"Listen to me, child. Remember that proposal I showed you? The one about a strip club and gambling house where winners get to learn tech. Charles Aldridge had enough money to sponsor it. If you ruin his wedding, he'll never meet me, and I won't be able to pitch my business, and he won't be able to invest," she said in one breath.

"Firstly, Harper, no one is investing in a strip club where they can learn tech. Secondly, I don't have any plan to ruin their wedding."

"Amber..." Ivy and Harper said at the same time.

"I have to go, guys. Talk later," I hung up again, tossing the phone away.

I lied. I have the biggest plan to ruin their wedding. My mom doesn't deserve a happy ending, not after what she did to Dad. This week in the Hamptons, I'll do everything humanly possible to stop the wedding.