WELCOME TO LOCKWOOD

The white Porsche drove through the luxurious streets of Lockwood City, passing towering skyscrapers, expensive boutiques, and elegant restaurants.

Isabella Hayes sat quietly in the passenger seat, admiring the unfamiliar city that would become her home for the next four years.

At eighteen, Isabella was the only daughter of Richard and Catherine Hayes, one of the wealthiest and most respected families in Rosewood.

Her father was a successful businessman who owned luxury hotels and property developments across several cities, while her mother was a well-known interior designer who ran her own company.

Despite their wealth, Isabella had never been spoiled or arrogant. Richard and Catherine had raised their daughter with love, kindness, and good manners. Richard was particularly protective of his little princess, often worrying about her more than necessary.

Isabella had grown up surrounded by luxury, but she was naturally shy, sensitive, and easily intimidated. She was also plus-size, something that had made her insecure about her appearance since high school.

With her long brown hair, round cheeks, soft curves, and beautiful brown eyes, Isabella was pretty, although she rarely believed it herself.

Emily: “Bella, are you even listening to me?”

Isabella blinked before turning toward the driver’s seat.

Isabella: “Huh? Sorry. What did you say?”

Emily Carter rolled her eyes.

Emily: “I swear, you live in your own little world.”

Emily was Isabella’s childhood best friend. The two girls had been inseparable since they were thirteen, having attended the same private school in Rosewood.

Emily also came from a wealthy family. Her father was a successful businessman, while her mother owned several fashion boutiques.

Unlike Isabella, Emily was confident, outspoken, and fearless. She had long blonde hair, blue eyes, and a slim figure, and she never hesitated to defend Isabella whenever someone made cruel comments about her weight.

Their families had been close for years, so when both girls were accepted into Lockwood University, their parents agreed to let them share a luxury apartment in the city.

Emily: “I said, are you excited?”

Isabella smiled nervously.

Isabella: “A little. I’m also scared.”

Emily: “Scared of what?”

Isabella: “Everything. New university, new city, new people.”

Emily laughed.

Emily: “Relax, sweetheart. You’ve got me.”

Isabella smiled.

Isabella: “That’s what worries me.”

Emily: “Bitch!”

Both girls burst out laughing.

As they continued driving, Isabella noticed something unusual.

The Lockwood name seemed to be everywhere.

Lockwood Tower.

Lockwood Plaza.

Lockwood Medical Center.

Even the enormous shopping mall they passed carried the same name.

Isabella: “Emily, why does everything here have the name Lockwood?”

Emily glanced at her.

Emily: “Because the Lockwood family practically owns this entire city.”

Isabella: “Seriously?”

Emily: “Hotels, hospitals, shopping centers, apartment buildings, private clubs. They own almost everything important here. Their influence even reaches the mayor’s office.”

Isabella looked outside again.

Isabella: “That’s insane.”

Emily: “Welcome to Lockwood City, babe. Around here, their name is practically law.”

⸻

LOCKWOOD UNIVERSITY — 8:40 AM

The university was enormous.

Beautiful stone buildings stood alongside modern glass lecture halls, surrounded by gardens, cafés, and luxury cars.

Students walked freely around campus, some carrying laptops while others sat outside drinking coffee and chatting.

Emily parked her Porsche before turning toward Isabella.

Emily: “Ready?”

Isabella took a deep breath.

Isabella: “I think so.”

They stepped out of the car and walked toward the main courtyard.

Isabella instinctively adjusted her oversized cream cardigan, pulling it over her stomach when she noticed several girls wearing fitted dresses and short skirts.

Emily noticed but chose not to comment.

They had barely reached the fountain when a brunette approached them.

Vanessa: “EMILY!”

Emily: “VANESSA!”

The girls hugged before Emily introduced her best friend.

Emily: “Vanessa, this is Isabella Hayes. Bella, meet Vanessa.”

Isabella: “Hi. Nice to meet you.”

Vanessa smiled, briefly looking Isabella up and down.

Vanessa: “Oh, you’re from Rosewood?”

Isabella: “Yes.”

Vanessa: “Cute. Anyway, Emily, are you coming to James Bennett’s party tonight? Apparently Harry’s going.”

Emily’s expression immediately changed.

Emily: “Oh.”

After Vanessa walked away, Isabella looked at her friend.

Isabella: “Who’s Harry?”

Emily sighed.

Emily: “Harry Lockwood. The only son of the family that owns this city.”

Isabella: “Is he nice?”

Emily burst out laughing.

Emily: “Nice? Bella, Harry Lockwood is the most terrifying asshole you’ll ever meet.”

Isabella: “Why?”

Emily: “He’s cold, cruel, arrogant, and completely heartless. People are genuinely scared of him.”

Before Isabella could ask another question, the loud roar of an engine echoed through the courtyard.

A black Lamborghini stopped near the administration building.

A tall young man stepped out, wearing black trousers and a fitted black shirt. His dark hair was slightly messy, and his sharp features were undeniably handsome.

But his expression was frighteningly cold.

Emily: “Speaking of the devil.”

Isabella turned.

Isabella: “That’s Harry?”

Emily nodded.

A brown-haired guy approached him.

James: “You coming tonight?”

Harry: “Depends.”

James: “On what?”

Harry: “Whether you’re planning to be fucking annoying.”

James laughed.

James: “Then you’re definitely not coming.”

Harry: “Fuck off, James.”

A beautiful blonde girl suddenly wrapped her arms around Harry’s waist.

JJ: “Harry, baby!”

Harry looked down at her hands.

Harry: “Get your fucking hands off me.”

She immediately released him.

Isabella stared in disbelief.

Isabella: “He’s so rude.”

Emily: “That’s him being nice.”

Suddenly, another student approached Harry.

Student: “Harry, about Friday night. I wanted to apologize—”

Harry slowly turned toward him.

Harry: “Did I ask you to speak?”

The student froze.

Student: “No, but—”

Harry stepped closer.

Harry: “Then get out of my sight before I give you a real reason to apologize.”

The student hurried away.

Nobody intervened.

Nobody even looked surprised.

Isabella swallowed nervously.

Isabella: “He’s terrifying.”

Emily: “Now you understand why I told you to stay away.”

Isabella looked at Harry one last time before turning toward the university building.

Isabella: “Don’t worry. I don’t want anything to do with him.”

Emily smiled.

Emily: “Good girl.”

They continued walking, unaware that their peaceful first morning was about to take a very unpleasant turn.

Because before the day was over, Isabella Hayes would discover exactly how cruel Harry Lockwood could be.

And it would all begin with one spilled cup of coffee.