CHAPTER 16: REAL ESTATE

"What did you do?" Katherine questioned as soon as she entered Bethany’s chamber.

All the models signed with Veila had a private room where they could rest and catch a breath, with all the basic amenities already installed, giving them everything they could ever ask for.

Since Bethany was also Veila’s model, she had a room to herself as well.

"What do you mean what did I do?" Bethany asked, twirling a pink strand of hair around her fingers.

"One of the girls got an allergic attack earlier. I know it was you, Bethany. You did something to her," said Katherine, a big frown on her face.

"So what? Do you care about her or something?"

Katherine’s fists clenched by her sides. "I warned you not to do anything stupid while signing up for this campaign. What if Megan finds out you had something to do with it?"

"Will you relax? I was cautious when slipping the drugs into her food. Besides, you saw how well she was walking on the runway. She has potential and I don’t want anyone to take my spot next to you," Bethany sang while Katherine’s eyebrows furrowed in frustration. "Also Kath, you don’t have to pretend like you didn’t like how I eliminated your rival. Hex is good." Hex was the girl who had gotten a food allergy. "You were the one who asked me to secretly get the girls eliminated and now you’re complaining?" Bethany added with an eye roll.

"You’re impossible! Yes, I asked you to do that but I didn’t say that you could do it so early. Today was only the first day and one girl is already lying in the sick bay."

Bethany sighed. "You’re still complaining my dear Kath. You shouldn’t because we still have a very long way to go."

Katherine glared at Bethany, her mouth parting and closing but there was nothing she could say.

She’d been the one who’d asked Bethany to take care of the girls who looked like they had the potential to replace her.

Megan only needed a girl who was good enough to stand by Katherine as she was the most favored model in Velia, but Katherine wasn’t exactly new to the industry. If Megan found someone much better than her, Katherine herself could get replaced immediately.

The seat as the top model wasn’t permanent as new faces signed into the industry.

"I think you should be worried more about that other girl who mocked me," Bethany said, driving Katherine out of her thoughts. "Alisha Quinn."

Goosebumps rose on Katherine’s body as she recalled Alisha Quinn’s walk.

For a rookie, she was quite too experienced with her walk. She walked like someone she knew. Evangeline. But there was no way that woman was Evangeline. She was already dead more than a year ago.

"She might not only take my spot beside you, but also replace you. I heard Megan talking to her staff about her."

Katherine’s eyes narrowed at Bethany. But she decided to calm herself down. Bethany might be below her but she wasn’t someone she could easily mess around with. At least not now.

"I need you to lay low at the moment. Hex’s allergy attack might be investigated if it got too serious," she warned while Bethany simply sighed.

"You know, you’re very lucky. Evangeline disappeared all of a sudden, and you stepped up to claim everything she owned." Bethany stood up and walked towards Katherine. "It couldn’t help but make me wonder if you had any hand in her disappearance."

Katherine blinked at Bethany then a grin stretched on her lips but she didn’t say anything and walked away.

Katherine walked into the cafeteria and spotted Alisha with Maxine.

’That manager,’ she huffed.

With Maxine being the new girl’s manager, it might be difficult to get to her. But Katherine didn’t want to give up.

When she stopped in front of her, she extended her hand with that same fake smile.

"I haven’t introduced myself to you yet," Katherine said sweetly. "Hi. I’m Katherine Cross."

Alisha glanced behind Katherine and noticed how the girls were all glaring at her with jealousy, as if Katherine were a goddess, probably wondering if she was worthy enough for Katherine to be speaking to her.

Alisha looked down at the woman’s perfectly manicured fingers. The acrylics were so sharp they resembled claws—elegant weapons hidden in plain sight. If she got too close, Alisha was sure she’d draw blood.

"I’m Alisha Quinn," she responded, forcing a polite smile onto her lips as she shook her hands carefully—just in case.

Katherine’s eyes slowly drifted down Alisha’s frame, finally landing on her legs. "I like the way you walk. You’ve got perfect legs," she said, her gaze lingering a second too long. "You remind me of someone I know. Evangeline Montclair."

Alisha’s breath hitched, but she kept her expression steady. "I’ve heard of her," she replied smoothly, still maintaining her smile.

"Who hasn’t?" Katherine continued, placing a hand dramatically over her chest. "We were like best friends, but unfortunately, she cheated on her husband. And then poof—she ran away to only God knows where." She sighed like she was sharing the saddest story known to mankind. "We were like sisters."

Maxine, who had been quietly watching the interaction unfold, finally scoffed.

"Stop lying to my face," she said, clearly disgusted. "You and Eva were anything but friends. Friends don’t marry their friend’s husbands."

Katherine blinked at her, not expecting Maxine to be so bitter with her in public. She thought Maxine would at least pretend to like her so she wouldn’t be shaded by her fans as she was very famous now compared to a year ago. But who was she kidding? Maxine had no fears.

Her gaze narrowed slightly. "Oh, look who it is. Maxine. I didn’t see you there."

"Well, I’m not surprised," Maxine fired back, "You might want to tilt your upper real estate so you can get a better view next time."