The sun spilled through the tall windows of the Harrington estate, flooding the marble floors in warm gold. Sophia Harrington's heels clicked against polished stone as she descended the staircase, her hair falling in effortless waves around her shoulders. Everything about her screamed control—her designer blazer pressed to perfection, her diamond-studded earrings catching the light, her confidence radiating before she even opened her mouth.
"Morning, sweetheart," her mother greeted from the breakfast table, sipping tea in a silk robe. The resemblance between them was striking; Sophia was the younger, fresher mirror of the woman who had once ruled the same circles.
"Morning, Mom," Sophia replied with a smile, sliding into the chair beside her. Instantly, a maid placed a plate of fresh fruit and croissants before her. She barely glanced at it—she was already focused on the camera mounted on her phone tripod.
"First day back at Crown Height Academy," she said brightly to the lens, her voice smooth and practiced. "The halls, the drama, the competition—you know it's going to be a show. Stay tuned, because the queens are back." She winked, tapped stop, and the red recording light disappeared.
Her mother chuckled softly. "You never take a break, do you?"
"Why should I?" Sophia replied, setting the phone down. "Content doesn't film itself. Besides, this year isn't just any year. Senior year means legacy."
Across the table, Lucas Harrington—her elder brother—lifted his brow from behind a sports magazine. "Legacy?" he repeated, smirking. "Or do you just mean Noah Sinclair?"
Sophia stiffened for a fraction of a second before tossing her hair over her shoulder. "Don't be ridiculous."
Her mother hid a smile behind her teacup. "He's not wrong, darling."
Sophia exhaled dramatically, leaning back in her chair. "Fine. Maybe I mean both."