Alessia just shrugged , palms up , looking as innocent as ever . " I'll let go - as long as you promise to stop causing trouble . " " Trouble ? So what if I am ? What can you actually do about it ? " Lucy's voice was shrill , though her words lacked conviction . " Do you still think you're the darling of the Tate family ? You're just some stray no one even knows . With a snap of my fingers , I could ruin you . " Her bravado was laughable , earning more than a few raised eyebrows from the onlookers . Stella started forward , but Alessia , as if she had eyes in the back of her head , stretched out an arm and blocked her path - stopping her with uncanny precision . Stella knew Alessia had her own way of handling things , so she let her be . Besides , Alessia always had a better sense of boundaries than she did . And even if things really got out of hand , Stella would handle the fallout herself - what was there to be afraid of ? It was just the Summers family , after all . If her own father showed up , even they would have to tread carefully . " We're closing for the night ," Stella announced , her tone polite but steely . " Out of respect for me , I'd appreciate it if everyone could keep tonight's events to themselves . " She glanced around the room , her warning perfectly clear , but her words gave everyone an easy way out - a chance to save face . Several people nodded eagerly , eager to appease her . Seeing this , Stella's lips curved into a smile , and her voice softened . " Sorry for the disruption tonight . Your tabs are on the house , and next time you visit , you'll each get half off . " With that , the savvy ones took the hint and made their quiet exit . Everyone who frequented this place belonged to the city's elite - they all knew better than to risk their own interests by gossiping about the powerful . At their level , connections mattered as much as money - if not more . Stella was.set to inherit the Laines fortune , a family that owned two - thirds of the city's nightlife . Who in their right mind would pick a fight with her ? The waitstaff began clearing the room as the crowd dispersed . The doors were locked ; the club was suddenly quiet . Stella took charge , coordinating the cleanup and preparing to close for the night . 15-40 Meanwhile , Alessia and Lucy were still squared off . " The Tate family's throwing a ' welcome home ' party , you know ," Lucy sneered . " I heard the real daughter is transferring into our class the day after tomorrow . What about you ? Do you even have enough money for tuition anymore ? Actually , are you even shameless enough to show your face at school ? " Her words dripped with sarcasm , but Alessia remained unfazed . Only Liam , standing behind her , looked suddenly stricken . " So what , Lucy ? Since you can't leech off me anymore , you're already making plans to cozy up to the real Tate heiress ? " Alessia emphasized the word ' real ' with deliberate sharpness . Lucy's face tightened , but she glared back , refusing to back down . " Best of luck with that , " Alessia added , her voice oddly sincere - and that stung Lucy's already fragile ego even more . She'd known Alessia since middle school . No matter how hard she tried to win her over , Alessia always kept her distance . Lucy had even bullied a new transfer student just to gain Alessia's trust - only for Alessia to befriend the girl instead and cut Lucy off completely . But Lucy's father's company had business ties with the Tate family , so she could only swallow her pride and put up with it - for five long years . " Don't get cocky . What makes you think you're even on my level now ? " Lucy scoffed . " After just one summer , we're worlds apart . Did you really think those people who used to flatter you actually cared about you ? It was all just mutual exploitation , nothing more . I can't wait for school to start . " " Worlds apart ? " Alessia echoed softly . Lucy , thinking she'd struck a nerve , straightened up , suddenly emboldened - but to everyone else , she just looked desperate . 15:40