Crescentia spent the night at the hospital, unwilling to leave Noella's side. She planned to go house-hunting the next day, even if it meant settling for the smallest, most affordable apartment.
She spent the night sending out emails and texts to her relatives, informing them about her parents' deaths, the cruel betrayal of her aunt and uncle, and Noella's condition.
Some responded with half-hearted condolences which she already concluded to be fake but claimed they couldn't help financially. Others read the messages and ignored them altogether.
"They must be working with them too," she muttered under her breath, gripping her phone tightly.
The Belmore family wasn't the wealthiest in Velmora, but they ranked among the top five. However, her father being a senator in Velmora, making him the richest among his siblings, made him a prime target for jealousy and greed from his siblings.
Had they plotted his murder?
Her gaze darkened as she stared at the last message she received—a text from her uncle advising her to listen to Magnus about being a hooker to pay for the medical bills.
Magnus was her father's elder brother. Their true nature was finally coming to light. There was this urge to send a befitting reply but she held herself back.
Crescentia shut her eyes, taking a deep breath to hold back her tears. When she opened them, they settled on Noella's sleeping figure. She looked so peaceful, so unaware of the storm raging around them.
A new determination settled in her chest.
She grabbed her phone and started searching for a job. College could wait—right now, Noella's health came first.
After an hour of searching, she found an opening for a waitress position at a nearby club. It wasn't glamorous, but it was honest work, and that was all she needed.
The next day, Crescentia set out to find the club. To save money, she decided to walk.
A decision she immediately regretted because her mind wandered as she walked, replaying the events of the past few days. Her parents' deaths. The confrontation with Magnus. Juliette and Lucian's betrayal.
Had Magnus really killed them? She had accused him just to see his reaction, but the way he lashed out… Either he was naturally short-tempered, or he was hiding something.
Either way, she was going to find out the truth.
A loud honk startled her out of her thoughts. She flinched, her heart leaping into her throat as a sleek black car sped past her—on the pedestrian walkway.
She barely dodged it in time.
She spun toward the driver, rage bubbling to the surface. Through the side mirror, she caught a glimpse of his face.
He did that on purpose.
"You idiot! Can't you see where you're driving?!" she yelled, ripping off her slipper and hurling it at the car's headlight. "You're driving like an old man!"
The man didn't react. He simply drove off, as if she were beneath his notice.
Crescentia let out a frustrated huff, only to realize she had drawn attention from other pedestrians. They shot her odd looks, whispering amongst themselves.
She muttered under her breath, slipping her shoe back on. "I'm not the crazy one. He is."
A few minutes later, she arrived at the club. It was still closed, but some staff were already inside, cleaning and preparing for the night shift.
She approached one of them and tapped their shoulder. "Hi, I'd like to apply for the waitress position."
The staff member gave her a once-over, taking in her simple outfit—a bargain purchase from a convenience store sale—and her long, dark hair tied in a messy bun.
"You'll need to speak to the manager. Come with me," they said, leading her inside.
Crescentia followed, unsure of what to expect. She had only been to a club once, when Lucian dragged her to a friend's birthday party—then promptly disappeared, leaving her stranded among strangers.
Thinking back, she realized how naive she had been.
"Clara!" the staff member called.
Crescentia's brows furrowed at the familiar name.
A woman in a knee-length black skirt turned around, her curves accentuated by the snug fit of the fabric. Crescentia's eyes instinctively landed on her chest before snapping up to her face.
"Clara?!"
"Cress!!"
The two women rushed toward each other, wrapping themselves in a tight embrace.
Clara was her best friend—someone she hadn't spoken to in a few days now. Between everything that had happened, she had completely forgotten that Clara had mentioned getting a job at a club.
"Wait, you're looking for a job here?" Clara asked, confusion flickering in her icy blue eyes as she tucked a strand of light-blonde hair behind her ear.
Crescentia hesitated for a moment before telling her everything.
By the time she finished, Clara's expression had darkened with fury.
"They did that to you? And that Juliette of a bitch dared to steal—" She stopped herself, exhaling sharply. "To think a loser like Lucian is even wanted by a woman is baffling."
"I'm trying to move on from them for now," Crescentia admitted. "I need a job to pay for Noella's medical treatment."
Clara flinched, her anger melting into concern. "I don't want you working here, Cress. Look, I'll lend you some money—"
"I'm not here to be a hooker," Crescentia interrupted firmly. "I know it pays well, but I won't stoop that low. And as for the money, don't worry about it. I don't want to be indebted to you."
"What nonsense are you saying?"
Crescentia took a deep breath before gently grasping Clara's fingers. "I've already made a deposit, so there's not much left to pay," she lied.
Clara gave her a hard look, reading between the lines. She knew Crescentia wasn't the type to ask for help.
Finally, she sighed. "Fine. Come on, I'll show you what you'll need to do once we open."
Just as Crescentia was about to follow, her gaze landed on a familiar figure.
It was the same man who'd nearly ran her over earlier.