of cheap decorations and earnest spe

at in the ba

g a little too loudly. She wore a dress that looked expensive – probably

a nervous sophomore named Mark, announced

s shy," he said, his voice crac

Brittan

rd, a sympathetic

' s such a sham

ulled out the supplementary

ittany announced, her voice ringing with fa

rittany, that' s incredibly

eze or a very low limit for non-essential purchases until they could review her spending. He' d been hesitant, not wanting to seem untrusting, but I' d been gently insistent,

iped th

He swiped

. "Uh, Brittany...

over the nea

? That' s impossible. Try it

clined. Insufficient funds,

Her eyes darted around, landing briefl

losing its confident lilt. "My guardians... they have very strict p

ts? Her lies were ge

wealthy, generous" Brittany Evans c

as my

and walked

, my voice calm and

linked to my personal allowa

," I said, handing Mark the c

rateful. "Oh, Jess! Thank you

my card.

any with confusion, others with dawning suspicion. He

gone, replaced by a flicker of something cold and calculati

Jess. So glad it' s sorted." She quickly made an excuse

all, grim s

only the

ther had used once for a sensitive bu

a Miller. I need to hire you f

Evans and her real connections. Especially