Chapter 135

Ava’s POV

I could hear my feet pounding on the floor as I raced toward Elaine's apartment within Grayson's estate, Isabella trailing behind. A single, burning thought consumed me: How dare they?

Reaching the entrance, I knocked softly, more out of habit than intention—my mother had always stressed gentle knocking. Isabella, however, snapped, "What do you think you're doing?"

Before I could answer, she pulled me back and pounded on the door. "Elaine, we know you're in there! Open this door, or I swear I'll break it down. Five seconds. One two three—"

The door swung open, revealing an irritated Elaine. Her hair was disheveled, her expression pure annoyance. "What is the meaning of this?"

Isabella yanked my phone from my hand, holding it up beside the bug we'd retrieved. "No, what is the meaning of this?"

Elaine's gaze darted between the phone, Isabella, and me. Her eyes narrowed. "I don't know what you're talking about. And as you can clearly see"—she gestured to her silk robe—"I was getting ready for bed."

"It's three in the afternoon," Isabella retorted sharply.

Elaine smirked. "I need my beauty sleep anytime. You wouldn't understand the concept of 'beautiful.'"

Taking a deep breath, I spoke calmly. "Elaine, why did you bug my phone? That's a massive invasion of privacy."

Her eyes narrowed further. "Like I said, I have no idea what you're talking about."

She started to close the door, but Isabella was faster, grabbing Elaine's hair and yanking her into the hall. Before I could intervene, Elaine hit the floor with a thud but quickly sprang up, furious.

"I've had enough of you two!" Elaine hissed.

I stepped between them, my patience wearing thin. "I'm so tired of this, Elaine. Grayson and Rickon are missing, and instead of helping, we're fighting. I've had enough of your threats, your attitude, and your drama."

"And who's going to stop me? You?" Elaine sneered. "What are you going to do, Ava? Sleep your way to control, like you did with Grayson?"

The words stung, but I remained composed. In her eyes, I saw bitterness, anger, and hate. She wasn't the same girl she'd been before the fire. Whatever heart she once possessed, she'd buried it long ago.

I'd come here angry about the bug, determined to confront her. But now, I realized this confrontation only fueled her rage. I was done being her outlet.

"What?" Elaine sneered. "Nothing to say now?"

I took a step back, noting her surprise as I turned to Isabella. "Let's go."

Isabella blinked. "What?"

I shook my head, already walking away. "I'm not doing this anymore. Let's wait for news about Grayson and Rickon."

Elaine's voice followed us. "What? You're just going to walk away? Not mad about the bug anymore?"

Isabella grabbed my arm. "Lilian, she admitted it!"

I didn't falter. "She wants a fight. I'm not giving her one. Grayson and Rickon are what matter—not Elaine's games."

"So you're just letting it go?" Isabella asked incredulously.

I smiled faintly. "Who said I was?"

Back at Grayson's mansion, the atmosphere felt different. I headed toward the grand hall, intending to check on things, but stopped short. The decorations were being changed.

Bewildered, I glanced around. "What the hell is going on?"

Brianna rushed past, carrying fabric. I called out, "Brianna, what's happening?"

She froze, then gestured toward a corner. "It's them," she whispered. "They're really scary."

My stomach dropped. Sitting in the corner, as if they owned the place, were my parents. My mother flipped through a magazine; my father was engrossed in his phone. They looked like they were perched on a throne, observing with disdain.

I stalked toward them, my heels clicking sharply. "Excuse me?"

They both looked up. My mother lowered her magazine; my father adjusted his glasses.

"You've forgotten how to greet, Ava?" they said in unison.

Stunned, I blinked. My father, the original Pierce, and my mother, who married into the name, had always presented a united front. Growing up, I'd never seen genuine warmth between them, but they were unbreakable together. That unity had always intimidated me. Not anymore.

I crossed my arms. "What are you doing in my house? Why are you changing the decorations? Who let you in? Who gave you permission?"

My mother turned to my father, her lips curling. "I told you this is what she's become."

He shook his head, ignoring me. "I can see that. All those years wasted."

"Excuse me!" My voice rose. "I'm standing right here! If you don't answer, I'll have the warriors throw you out."

My father's gaze scanned me critically. "Why is your hair so messy? And what on earth are you wearing?"

"What?"

My mother leaned closer. "I told you, she looks and dresses like a hippie now."

Enough. "Both of you—out. Now."

I didn't care about the growing audience. I pointed to the exit. "Leave. Right now."

My father adjusted his glasses and rose slowly. "You're causing a scene, Lilian."

I stiffened. I hated being called Lilian.

"Then stop giving me a reason. Goodbye."

My mother sighed. "Why must you make everything a fight? We've seen the errors of our ways and came to support you in hosting your first ball."

I scoffed. "If you're going to lie, Mother, at least make it believable. 'Seen the errors of your ways'? You've never accepted fault! Let me guess, your high-society friends—the ones who act superior—chose my ball, didn't they? You tried to host your own, sent out invitations, but because this is Grayson's estate, and everyone knows being in my good graces as his Luna trumps any association with you, they sided with me. That's why you're here—desperate to seize control."

"You don't know what you're talking about," my father snapped.

I smiled coldly. "Oh, I think I do. It must burn you that you can't control me anymore. That I've risen to a rank higher than either of you. This is my ball, and I'll run it my way. If you still want an invitation—"

Isabella's voice cut through. "Lilian. I just got a text from Liam. He couldn't reach you."

My parents faded from my focus as I moved toward her. She nodded grimly. "They found them, but they're not coming home."