Meanwhile, Lucy had already told her aunt all about Avery's invitation and how she had made such a wonderful new friend. Aunt Madison was overjoyed to see Lucy settling in and finding happiness.
A few days later, Lucy walked up to the Potter residence and knocked gently on the door. Expecting her arrival, Avery pulled the door open with a radiant smile, delighted to see it was Lucy standing there.
"Hello, Avery," Lucy greeted her with a warm, friendly grin.
"I'm so glad you came!" Avery said happily, immediately reaching out to take Lucy's hand. "Come on, I have to show you the penthouse!"
Filled with lively energy at having Lucy over, Avery led her to the private elevator, stepping inside together as it glided smoothly up toward the penthouse.
"This elevator takes us directly to the upper floors," Avery explained, watching as Lucy looked around, clearly fascinated by the modern, high-tech features of the home.
"Okay," Lucy smiled.
"I originally thought about us going to the cinema with my brother," Avery mentioned as the elevator moved. "What do you think?"
"That should probably be for another time," Lucy replied gently, wondering if Avery would mind.
Avery turned to look at her with an understanding nod. "I thought so too. Besides, Jasper isn't even around today, so we wouldn't have been able to go anyway." Leaning casually against the elevator handrail, she continued, "Jasper went out to hang out with his friends."
"Okay," Lucy responded.
A soft chime signaled their arrival, and the doors slid open to reveal the penthouse.
Lucy's green eyes widened slightly as she took in the breathtaking space. Floor-to-ceiling glass walls wrapped entirely around the perimeter, flooding the open-concept interior with brilliant natural light while offering unobstructed, postcard-worthy views of the sprawling cityscape. Double-height ceilings created an immediate sense of grand scale and voluminous space. Avery watched Lucy with a pleased smile, noticing how much her guest appreciated the architecture. A dramatic floating staircase led upward to a mezzanine level, adding an artistic touch to the room.
"Your penthouse is absolutely beautiful," Lucy murmured.
"Thank you," Avery beamed. "Let me show you around. Once we're done exploring, we'll order some pizza."
"Okay!" Lucy said, her excitement clear.
The layout featured a vast living and dining area designed perfectly for grand entertaining and intimate relaxation. Lucy walked over to the dining space, admiring its sleek design, while Avery used her phone to order from a nearby pizzeria so they could munch on something delicious later.
High-end natural materials anchored the modern aesthetic—large-format marble flooring, exposed architectural concrete accents, and custom millwork. Lucy paused to admire a sleek, double-sided ethanol fireplace that served as a stylish partition between the living room and the lounge zone.
The gourmet kitchen blended seamlessly into the main living space, outfitted with custom Italian cabinetry, waterfall-edge marble countertops, and integrated professional-grade appliances. A grand waterfall island with cascading seating served as a natural social hub, complemented by a concealed butler's pantry for effortless hosting.
Avery guided Lucy through every corner of the residence, eventually leading her to the private master retreat, which felt like a five-star hotel suite. It featured expansive walk-in closets with custom glass-front display shelving. The adjoining spa-like ensuite bathroom showcased freestanding soaking tubs positioned directly before panoramic windows, oversized rainfall steam showers with multi-jet systems, and dual floating vanities.
Finally, Avery showed her the private outdoor sanctuary—a wrap-around rooftop terrace featuring an expansive landscaped deck, a pool, a hot tub, a built-in outdoor kitchen and bar, minimalist lounge seating tucked under modern pergolas, and ambient fire pits for cozy evenings spent under the stars.
"Everything is just stunning," Lucy said, taking it all in.
"Thank you," Avery replied warmly. "Which part of the house do you like the most?"
As they continued walking and exploring, Lucy pointed toward the terrace. "I really like that spot outside where I can sit and look up at the stars."
Avery smiled brightly. "You are welcome to come up here whenever you want."
"Thanks so much, Avery."
Later, the two girls were comfortably seated on the plush couch, happily eating slices of warm pizza, sipping soda, and watching television. Lucy felt completely at peace and deeply happy. In the back of her mind, she thought of Elsa; she couldn't wait to tell her all about Avery's gorgeous penthouse and how much fun she was having. She decided she would call her sister later.
On screen, a character did something clumsy, prompting Avery to crack a funny joke about the movie. Lucy burst into laughter, and Avery joined right in. Both girls were truly enjoying the time of their lives, and Avery felt a deep sense of gratitude for her new friend, finding Lucy to be a genuinely kind and wonderful soul.
Over in Bellth City, Elsa was having a productive day out shopping. She treated herself to a fresh wardrobe upgrade—picking out elegant dress gowns, everyday clothes, stylish shoes, and new bags. Afterward, she headed to the supermarket to stock her fridge and pantry with fresh groceries. As she walked, a bold thought crossed her mind: with the money Jordin had given her, she could easily afford to buy her own home and finally move out of her current apartment.
Things were looking up in other areas of her life, too. She was excelling in her driving classes, feeling confident that in just a few months she would be driving like a professional and holding her own driver's license.
Back at home, relaxing comfortably on her couch, Elsa pulled out her phone to chat with Lucy. And Lucy was lounging on her bed, resting and messaging her back. Lucy excitedly told Elsa all about Avery, the breathtaking penthouse she had visited, and how sweet Avery had been to show her around and invite her over. Reading the messages, Elsa smiled, genuinely happy that Lucy was thriving and making such great friends. In return, Elsa updated Lucy on her driving lessons, telling her how she'd soon be a licensed pro. Lucy replied with a rush of warmth and pride—she felt so lucky that Elsa was more than just a friend; she was family. The two of them continued chatting happily about all their favorite things.
Meanwhile, at the Logan Villa, Lucas was spending a quiet moment in his room. Seated on a magnificent couch, he held a sleek tablet in his hand, closely reviewing Jane's work schedule. He had carefully tracked her hours to figure out exactly when she would be free, planning the right moment to approach her and strike up a conversation. A confident, happy smile spread across his face at the thought that he would finally get to see her again in just a few days.