ONCE A HEIRESS, NOW THE BILLIONAIRE'S MAID

with dread and could barely process what had just happened-her father cutting her off, the humiliation, the anger... and now, her bank balance. How had she ended

rful, if slightly groggy, voice answered

"Layla..." she started, trying all she could to speak calml

ious? We popped bottles, danced on the tables... everyone wa

her friend's voice as she hesitated. "Layla, you have no idea. My dad was just her

moment, then Layla gasped.

mble. "Yes, Layla. He's done. He's taken everything from me. And I can't

sober. "Val, don't worry. I'm on my

do something, anything, to feel like she had control again. With shaky legs, she rose and made her way upstairs, clinging to the railing as thou

elling faintly of smoke and spilled champagne. She stepped into the shower, twisted the handle, and let the cold

e night before, but everything came back in hazy, flashing images: Layla raising a bottle in a cheer, the neon lig

cking under the weight of her frustration. "Valeri

out a shaky breath. She was so used to having everything handed to her, always able to call her father or

in her life, she

el. She caught a glimpse of her reflection in the mirror-her usually rad

red to her reflection, her words

sank-it was an invoice from one of her favourite designers. The total: forty-five thousand dollars. The number glared back at her, and

ctantly swip

st sent you the invoice. The dresses should be arriving any moment now-if they're n

erie could manage, her v

"They're the best of my latest collection. You're going to

" Valerie asked, d

ficient funds." Bernice chuckled, as if it were some funny joke. "I was shocked! I m

ing came up recently, and, um... I don't even remember placing these orders, actually. But

reflection wide-eyed and pale. She felt the weight of her world crashing down around her, her extravagant lifestyle now a burden instead of a pleasure. Que

took a deep breath, straightened herself, and rushed

st sent me an invoice for forty-five thousand dollars. Forty-five thousand! I don't eve

ight! You know what? Val, calm down," she said, though the shock on her face was clear. "Forty-five thousand

te. "And I was hoping maybe you could lend i

ou, but I don't even have half of that in my account. Forty-f

at am I supposed to do, Layla? It's either I find that money or Bernice will probably blacklist me from every exclusive boutique in th

but calling you out would be messy, is she

e might be. I'm

ked again only to be met with Valeria's red

!" Valeria yelled, grabbing one of her pillows to her se

e with a thoughtful expression. "Well, I hate to say it, but... maybe it's time to sell one of your cars. I mean, you have four, and two of them are just

ned. "Sell my car?

ulous and scandalous, I'm sure you don

special! Dad gave them

ng about survival here, not sentimentality. You ne

. Do you know anyone who could set up a quick, discreet sale?" as thoug

know a guy who specialises in this. He can get yo

But Layla's steady gaze reminded her that she didn't have the luxury of hesitation. S

e going to get through this. Just one car, and you'll be back on track. Hopefully this would

eak smile, hoping t