The Path Less Traveled

manded an explanation, which I refused to give. I simply repeated that the engagement to Liam was off, a final decision. The air was thick with unspoken accusations. Chloe, for her part, was a

looked up Ethan Stone, the venture capitalist from my memories. He was still relatively unknown, but I remembered he was on the cusp of making several key investments that would launch his career into the stratospher

hat afternoon. It was a major social event, and our family' s absence would cause more gossip than my presence. "You will behave yourself, Ava," sh

of meek compliance. Ins

the air. I saw the Hayes family seated at a prominent table, Liam looking sullen and his mother radiating cold fury. I felt

ad to wa

fresh air on the adjoining terrace. I found a quiet spot and called the n

s Ch

you to tell anyone who asks that you and I were in a meeting this morning from 9 AM to

e. "A meeting? B

. I'm about to be accused of something I didn't do, and I need

ath. "Okay, Miss Chen. 9 to 11 A

a wave of relief washing ov

end, a girl named Sarah, trailing behind her. Chloe's expressi

ping with false sympathy. "We were all so worr

eyebrow. "Oh

able where a wealthy older woman was in a frantic discussion with th

want to say anything, but... I saw you. Near Mrs

ember to plant the bracelet in my purse. They would "reluctantly" suggest a sear

arah?" I asked

the truth. If you took it by mistake, we can

I got defensive, I'd look guilty. I

," I said plainly. "I di

rived with Liam's mother, both of them l

leanor demanded. "First the s

d, loud enough for the people at nearby tables to he

want to clear this up." She then turned to the hotel manager who had joined the group. "Perhaps,

essure from several high-profile guests was

l," I said, holding

ke it, a man's voice c

n't be n

I remembered from business journals-charismatic, with sharp, intel

with surprise. The mood of the group shifted instan

ng the group. "I'm afraid there has been a mistake. Miss Chen co

ed. "What do you

hat Miss Chen was with me. We had a business me

as far more powerful than a quiet meeting with a tech pr

ly looked at the person she must have paid, a young waitress who was sta

fied, caught in the crossfire. She stared at Chloe, then at m

g. "Miss Davis... she... she paid me! She gave me a bracelet and told me to s

fixed on Chloe, whose face had turned a ghastly shade of white. Her carefully

oking wildly at our mother for supp

n cold. "Why would she lie, Chloe? You

. His mother was looking at him, her expression demanding he do something to distance their family f

't know what kind of sick games Chloe is playing," he announced, his voice ringing with false sincerity, "but

rowing Chloe under the bus without a second thought.

g, her entire future-it was all crumbling around her. As the hotel security escorted the crying waitress away for a formal statement, my stepmother grabbed Chloe's arm an

-