Chapter 1

“Ms. Bennett, don't you think it's a waste for one person to live on such a huge private island?"

I had just finished pressing a black poplar leaf into my specimen book when my phone began buzzing nonstop.

In the Emerald Bay residents' group chat, a woman with a white poodle as her profile picture had tagged me.

Her name was Monica Sullivan, the wife of the property management company's CEO.

"My daughter's getting married next month, and she absolutely loves the glass greenhouse on your island. We're not asking to use it for free—we'll pay you 2,000 dollars for the venue," she wrote.

"Just hand the keys over to the property management office. We'll have the wedding planners go in and take care of everything.

"Don't worry. Your plants won't be touched."

I stared at the screen, confused.

2,000 dollars?

My island had never been part of Emerald Bay's original development. Along with its underground, climate-controlled storage facility and glass greenhouse, it had been carved out of the original development plans and independently appraised at 98 million dollars.

The greenhouse housed my mother's collection of plant specimens. Every single one was irreplaceable.

I replied simply, "Not available for rent."

The chat went silent for a few seconds.

Then Monice sent a voice message.

Her voice was sharp, like a key scraping against the glass.

"Ms. Bennett, aren't you being a little unreasonable? Neighbors are supposed to help each other, aren't they? Besides, you barely even use the place.

I typed back, "I use it every day."

"For what? Tending to your plants? Lounging in the sun? You're a young woman spending every day alone on a private island. Don't you ever worry about what people might think?"

Someone immediately chimed in.

"Monica's right. Community resources are meant to be shared.

"The island is part of Emerald Bay's scenery anyway. Why should one person keep it all to herself?"

Then, one of the residents, Brian Cooper, piled on. "Is she even the owner? I remember when she moved in. There wasn't even a man with her."

I tightened my grip around my phone until my knuckles turned white.

I hadn't been this angry over something so petty in years.

Really.

After leaving Skylark Holdings, I took a long break from everything. I buried myself in the life I actually wanted—quiet mornings at home, caring for my mother's collection, long cups of coffee, and feeding the fish by the water.

I had no interest in arguing with a bunch of bored neighbors.

So, I posted a photo of my property deed, carefully covering the identification number.

"The island is my private property, not a public attraction. Anyone who enters without my permission will be trespassing."

Monica replied with a smiling emoji.

"Oh, trying to scare everyone now?" she wrote.

"Ms. Bennett, surely you know how things work at Emerald Bay. The property management company has the authority to coordinate the use of shared spaces. Your island sits in the middle of the lake, significantly impacting the image of the entire community. You can't simply do whatever you want."

Property manager Victor Hayes joined the conversation.

Edward Prescott, the CEO of the property management company, was his boss, so of course he sided with Monica.

He was clearly trying to pressure me into giving in.

"Ms. Bennett, Mrs. Prescott's request is perfectly reasonable.

"Neighbors are supposed to share resources. Keeping an entire island to yourself for this long hardly seems fair to the other residents."

I stared at the message and laughed.

Keeping it to myself?

I was using my own property.

Monica added, "Mr. Hayes, arrange for someone to go measure the island tomorrow. My daughter hired a photographer with three million followers. We can't delay the schedule."

Victor replied immediately, "No problem, Mrs. Prescott. The property management office will fully cooperate."

I typed back, "Anyone who sets foot on my island without permission will be dealing with the police."

Monica immediately sent another voice message.

"The police? Who exactly are you trying to scare? My husband has the Chief of Police on speed dial. Who do you think they're going to listen to?

"Ms. Bennett, don't overestimate yourself. I'm only trying to negotiate because I'm willing to give you the benefit of the doubt. But if I stop being patient with you, you may find it very difficult to live peacefully in this community."

The group exploded with agreement.

"Exactly. She's so selfish."

"People like her are the worst. They think money makes them better than anyone else."

Then Brian stirred things up further.

"She's young, single, and living alone. Who knows where her money even came from?"

Looking at the messages, I finally understood. They never intended to negotiate. They wanted my island. And to justify taking it, they had decided to paint me as a wealthy single woman with a suspicious source of income.

Monica was abusing her husband's position as the property management company's owner to take what wasn't hers. And a group of people was rushing to flatter her. It was disgusting.

I didn't bother wasting any more time with them.

"Mrs. Prescott, if anyone shows up without an invitation, I'll make sure they regret it."

Monica replied almost immediately. "Then keep your eyes open and watch me walk right in."