Hailey’s POV
The moment Lilly disappeared down the hallway, Vanessa’s entire demeanor shifted. Her warm, casual smile melted away, replaced by something cruel, and cold enough to make the room feel smaller.
She stepped closer, each movement precise, like a predator closing in on its prey. Her eyes locked on mine, unblinking and calculating, and I could feel every ounce of her focus pressing against me, weighing my resolve, my intentions, my very existence.
“Stay away from Ryan,” Vanessa said slowly, her voice low and smooth, but heavy with unmistakable menace. The words didn’t just carry a warning—they carried a promise. “Leave the Williams mansion. Leave Ryan. Leave everything connected to him. Walk away quietly… or you won’t live to regret it.”
My chest tightened, anger coiling like
