Chapter 27 Harper : 76 55 vauchers "Just look at you , showing up to this party in a rag version of the designer dress my daughter is wearing . It shouldn't even come as a surprise because you've always lingered behind people who were brighter and better than you . You're just the quiet girl people remember when they need somebody to screw . " Her words stung , but I held my head high , refusing to look away . " I was watching you in the dining room . You make it so obvious that you still want my precious son - in - law . It's embarrassing . He's never wanted you , not even my son does . He had his fun with you and that was it . " Just as I opened my mouth to speak ... Smack ! The palm of her hand landed against my cheek so hard that it echoed in the hallway . My head jerked sideways and the few strands of hair I had perfectly styled turned into a mess. The sting burned through my skin so hard that I just stood there with wide eyes and parted lips . She took a step back , her chest rising with satisfaction . " I've been wanting to do that since the day you slapped my daughter . " " Harper ! " Ella and Zoey came rushing down the hallway from behind her as fast as they could in their heels Harper . Margot looked back , like she was amused . " Oh , hell no ! " Zoey growled , shoving Mrs Aldridge to the side so they could get to me . I only saw her lose her balance with wide eyes , my friends blocking the view of what came afterwards . " She fucking hit you ? " Zoey's voice trembled with rage as she held onto my right arm . " I'm fine , " I said quietly even though my cheek was still hot and stinging . " No , you're not ." Ella gritted her teeth , standing on my left and holding my other arm . I could finally see Mrs Aldridge and she was fuming as she fixed her hair . " How dare you ? This is what happens when rats are invited where they don't belong ! " " Oh , yeah ? " Ella scowled . " Say that one more time and I'll- " " There's no need for that . I said I'm fine , " I repeated , my voice firmer this time . I caught her wrist before she could get a chance at shoving Mrs Aldridge , too . If that had been Tiffany , I would have slapped her right back with no hesitation , but it wasn't a bratty girl from school . It was a grown ass woman and I wasn't raised to hit my elders no matter what . My mother and Anna Chapter 27 always told me that , especially my sister . " I'll have the three of you thrown out . Just wait ! " she warned us as she stormed off . 55 vouchers Even before she turned at the corner , Ella sighed with an effort . " Harper , I know you would've stopped me , but she's still lucky I didn't have my shoe in my hand . My heel is so sharp that I would've loved to rip through her dress ! " " Are you seriously okay ? " Zoey's voice was softer now as she neatly positioned the strands on the sides of my face . " I just needed a change of scenery after what I saw between ... " I trailed off , swallowing the lump in my throat . " I just needed a change of scenery . I didn't know I'd end up with a slap on my cheek ." " If you want , we can go home . " " Zoey's right . " " I'll be fine . I just need a distraction ." I gave a half smile . " You know what ? " Ella raised her eyebrow thoughtfully . " There's so much artwork to look at . That's totally your thing . " They had never been as interested as I was in art , but they held me close and led me straight to the second floor , right where I wanted to be . I stopped in front of a painting and said , " Thanks , you two can go back . I bet Adrian and Aiden are looking for you right now . " " Yeah , but that can wait ." Ella nudged me softly . Zoey grinned . " She's right , but Aiden is so dreamy , damn . " Those words got a weak laugh out of me . " I'm glad you're here with me , both of you . " " You know , I'm still so mad about Mrs Aldridge slapping you . I would've tackled her if you hadn't stopped me . " Ella cracked her knuckles . My lips curved into a warm smile . " I'm glad you two were ready ." " Do you think Mrs Aldridge will seriously have us thrown out of this party ? " Zoey nervously gritted her teeth . Ella huffed . " Looks like we'll just have to wait and see . " " Okay , enough about that ." Zoey faced the art . " So ... is this an upside down tree? " " Nah ," Ella shook her head , " it looks like a person upside down and damn , that's a big head . " I chuckled with amusement . " You two are seriously hopeless . Let's try that one more time . What do you see ? " I pointed at my favorite painting . 7:28 Tue , Sep 16 Chapter 27 76 E55 vouchers " Uhh ... " Ella tilted her head . " That's a stick figure , probably about to be abducted by aliens . " " Definitely aliens ! " Zoey noted with full conviction . " The clouds look like a spaceship ... or mashed potatoes ? " I burst into laughter while shaking my head . " Wow . " Ella shrugged with a chuckle . " What ? Don't you always say that art is supposed to be open to interpretation ? Fine , what do you see ? " I tilted my head , turning a little serious as I stared at the canvas . " I see a lone child sitting on a roof and staring at the stars . This reflects loneliness , innocence and longing for more . " Ella and Zoey leaned forward to look at each other , then burst into laughter . " Harper , how the hell were you able to get all that from this ? " Zoey snorted . " You're such a poetic nerd ." " You two need to understand that art says the things we don't know how to say . It captures the feelings no one else sees . " Ella raised her hands in defeat . " Alright , alright , we get it . This has always been your thing , not us , but hey , we love you anyway . " Zoey pulled me in for a hug , Ella standing right behind me . " You know what ? " I said with my eyes closed . " I think I'm done here and we can get back to the party ." " Seriously ? " They both broke the hug excitedly . I rolled my eyes . " I know that you're both dying to get back to the Barclay twins , so let's go ." Mr and Mrs Aldridge and Uncle Sebastian left the party early , probably not wanting to get in the way of how wild the party could get without them around . While moving through the crowd , I was looking around for Maddox but there was still no sign of him . " Didn't that witch say she'd make sure the three of us are thrown out ? " Zoey's eyes narrowed . " She must've failed . I'm glad she did ! " Ella let out an evil chuckle . As Ella , Zoey and I were on our way to our previous seats , Tiffany was already there with a slightly sober Kate and even whispered something to her while looking at me . I couldn't even tell my friends about it as they had decided to move faster at the sight of Adrian and Aiden waiting for them right where they had been before . I was so bothered by ' Tiffany's sinister smirk that I kept looking at her even when I was already close enough to take a seat on the other end . The last thing I wanted was to deal with being around her , so I thought I'd change seats and let my friends 7:28 Tue , Sep 16 Chapter 27 have fun with the twins . 76 55 vouchers Just as I was about to face another direction while constantly glancing at her , I slammed into someone and that made me snap out of it . I looked right in front of me , meeting Grayson's gaze when I looked up . " You might want to look where you're going ! " he yelled over the music . He smirked at me and I forgot how to breathe . " Hey ! " I managed to say . He suddenly brought his face real close , then placed his lips right against my ear . It sent shivers down my spine . " Enjoying the party so far ? " He pulled back just enough to lock eyes with me again and it felt like time had stopped . Quickly , I snapped out of it , nodding while taking a step back just so I wouldn't be too close to him . I expected Tiffany to come over and do something as that was the first time she was seeing me with Grayson that close after a while , but she just sat there and even leaned back in her seat with her legs crossed . He started talking to me about the party and the food and it was then that she rose to her feet . To my surprise , she walked right past the two of us . " Babe ? " he called out to her , as if wondering where she was going . Right before the next song played , Kate had a sinister smirk and said , " She'll be right back . She just thought it would be fun to play a little game . " She looked right at me when she mentioned the second part and it left me feeling uneasy . Was this going to be another truth or dare moment ? I hoped not . 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