Chapter One – Blue Panties (Lila's POV)
"Mom, seriously? Going to your old bestie's house is the first thing we do after coming back to Averton City?"
I gave her my best puppy eyes, which usually worked when I wanted something unreasonable. "But I wanted to eat at Monkey's Burgers first. You know they were my favorite when I was a kid! That restaurant exists only here, and I've been dreaming about it for years."
Mom stopped the car in front of a giant gate and turned off the engine. "We'll eat later. We're already here. This is her house."
I blinked at the enormous white mansion. "Wait… Valeria's house?"
"It's Victoria Cole, darling," Mom corrected, raising her voice like I'd just insulted the Queen of England.
The house looked like it had stepped right out of one of those teen TV dramas—the kind where the rich bully lives, the one who always flips her perfect hair in slow motion. A sprawling lawn, white pillars, a black iron gate, and way too many windows for one family. Yep, textbook mansion.
"Are you going to sit in the car all day?" Mom opened her door and gave me the look. "Let's go."
I followed, smoothing down my medium-length white dress. It was simple but elegant, and comfy enough for a long car ride. The summer breeze made my long brown hair float, and as I caught my reflection in the car mirror, I sighed. My brown eyes—sometimes hazel when the sun hit just right—looked a little too thoughtful today. Probably because I was overthinking my life choices and the fact that I'd be starting a new job soon.
Mom gave me a little push toward the mansion. "Come on."
We rang the bell, and a maid in a crisp uniform opened the door within seconds. "Are you Miss Margaret and her daughter… Lalla?"
I threw up my hands. "It's Lila."
The maid chuckled politely. "Sorry, Miss Lila. Please, come in. Lady Victoria is waiting in the living room."
The inside of the Cole mansion was a Pinterest board for rich people. High ceilings with chandeliers that sparkled like stars, a sweeping marble staircase, and walls covered with art that looked more expensive than my entire college degree. Even the air smelled rich—like fresh flowers and old money.
The living room was no less impressive: velvet couches in deep emerald, crystal vases with roses, and a piano in the corner that looked untouched yet perfectly polished. Sitting gracefully on the main couch was her: Victoria Cole.
She had short brown hair styled in a sleek bob, striking green eyes, and sharp cheekbones that made her look like she'd been born to command entire rooms. She had that aura—powerful, intimidating, but warm enough to make you want her approval.
The moment she saw Mom, she rose with surprising speed and opened her arms. "Margaret! You haven't changed a bit, my dear." Her smile widened as her gaze shifted to me. "And your daughter… she's a mini version of you."
I wasn't going to argue with that—Mom and I were practically twins with twenty years between us.
Mom laughed softly. "I missed you, old friend. And you haven't changed either. You're still beautiful as always."
Victoria tapped the seat beside her. "Come, sit, both of you." She looked at the maid. "Eva, bring some coffee and sweet things, please."
Eva soon returned with silver trays stacked with delicate pastries, cookies that smelled like butter heaven, and steaming cups of coffee served in porcelain so fine I was afraid to touch it.
As we settled, Victoria tilted her head at Mom. "So, how have you been all these years, Margaret?"
Mom smiled. "Great. A normal life, nothing exciting."
"And you came back because your daughter found a great job here?"
Mom nodded proudly. "Yes, with a very good company. That's why we're here."
Victoria's green eyes sparkled with interest. "What's the company's name?"
I opened my mouth to answer—Velours Company—but just then, Eva placed the tray in front of me, and the smell of coffee distracted me. I lifted the cup carefully, inhaling the rich aroma.
Then Victoria's question changed. "So, Margaret… your ex-husband is still missing? Did he really run away?"
The air froze. Mom's smile faltered.
As for me? The second anyone mentioned my dad, my nerves flipped like pancakes. My hand shook—and of course, the coffee spilled straight onto my white dress.
"Lila, are you okay?" Mom leaned forward.
Victoria jumped up . " The bathroom is down the hall, first door on the left."
I muttered thanks and rushed off, praying my dress wasn't completely ruined.
The bathroom was as ridiculously luxurious as the rest of the house: marble counters, gold faucets, and a bathtub the size of my entire old apartment. I left the door half-open in my hurry.
I tried rubbing the stain with water, but it only spread. Panic rising, I searched for anything—soap, tissue, anything. That's when I spotted a folded blue cloth on the edge of the tub. Jackpot.
I grabbed it and started scrubbing the stain. Miraculously, the coffee began to fade.
I was about to sigh in relief when a deep voice boomed behind me:
"Pervert!"
I froze.
I spun around to see a tall man—muscular build, black hair styled like he was born in a fashion magazine, and eyes so piercingly blue they looked like ice. Except right now, they were blazing with disgust.
"A perverted woman," he accused, stepping closer. "Why are you holding my blue pantie?"
My jaw dropped. "What?"
He jabbed a finger toward my hand. "Don't play innocent. That's mine."
I looked down. In horror, I unfolded the fabric I had been rubbing against my dress.
It wasn't a cloth. It wasn't a tissue.
It was a very, very real pair of a men's blue underwear