Chapter 2: Sabotage, Scandal, and the Final Straw

I opened my bedroom door—and my blood pressure nearly exploded.

My underwear and socks were shredded and scattered all over the floor.

There was a big makeup stain on my bedsheet.

A plastic tub of water sat on my vanity, filled with eyeshadow, powder, and highlighter—turning the water rainbow-colored.

My glass display case of Lego models was in pieces.

And the worst part: my cat was covered in red paint. At first glance, I thought it had been skinned.

My beautiful British Shorthair was unrecognizable!

I took several deep breaths to stop myself from committing murder.

I shouted, “Mallory!”

After a long pause, her door finally opened.

Mallory strolled out, acting all indifferent.

“What?”

I pointed at my room.

“Who did this?”

Mallory shrugged, looking like she needed a slap.

“How should I know? Maybe your cat got upset while you were on your ‘date.’”

She practically spat out the word “date.”

I laughed in disbelief, nodded, and pulled out my phone.

“Fine, it wasn’t you? I’ll call the cops and let them find out.”

Before I could dial, Mallory lunged and snatched my phone.

“So what if it was me?!”

“My boyfriend bought you expensive clothes. Ruining a few of your things is fair, isn’t it?!”

She was still stuck in her delusion. She kept saying Ryan was her boyfriend—did he even know she existed?!

Some people are shameless beyond belief.

We wrestled over the phone.

As my anger cooled, I realized the stuff she ruined wasn’t that valuable. Forget getting her detained—I wasn’t even sure the police would take the case.

But how could I really make her pay?

Suddenly, I let go of the phone and flashed a “friendly” smile.

“Fine, I’ll let it go this time. But don’t do it again, okay, Vivi?”

Mallory was thrown off by my reaction.

She looked me up and down, thinking I’d chickened out. She puffed up and said,

“That’s more like it! There won’t be a next time. If Ryan buys anything, it’s for me, not you!”

I smiled and watched her walk away.

As soon as she disappeared, my face fell.

What an idiot.

I grabbed my cat carrier, put my cat inside, and headed straight for the pet store.