The music hit before the doors even opened—deep, vibrating through the marble floors like a warning. The Vale estate was lit up, every glass wall glowing against the night, filled with people who didn’t belong but acted like they did.
Cash stood at the top of the staircase, one hand resting lazily on the railing, looking down at it all like it bored him.
Kai: “This is already better than anything on campus.”
Kai didn’t wait for a response, already stepping past him, grin sharp, disappearing into the crowd like a spark looking for something to burn.
Mateo adjusted his jacket in the reflection of the glass.
Mateo: “Half these people are here because of you. The other half are pretending they don’t know that.”
Cash didn’t look at him. His gaze stayed on the crowd, slow, unreadable.
Cash: “Then they should try harder.”
Ren stood slightly behind him, quiet as always, eyes scanning, calculating exits, patterns, people.
Ren: “Your mother invited more press-adjacent guests than usual.”
That made Cash exhale faintly through his nose—almost a laugh, but not quite.
Cash: “Of course she did.”
As if summoned, Vivienne appeared at the bottom of the stairs, already perfect, already watching him like he was part of the decor.
Vivienne: “Cash. Don’t linger up there. People are waiting to see you.”
Her tone wasn’t warm. It was polished. Controlled.
Cash finally moved.
Each step down was slow, deliberate—not for attention, but it gathered anyway. Conversations dipped. Eyes shifted.
Mateo slipped into the crowd first, already talking, already weaving connections.
Kai was louder now somewhere to the left—laughing too hard, probably starting something.
Ren stayed close.
Cash reached the bottom.
Someone approached immediately. Of course they did.
Girl: “Hi—um, Cash, right? I follow you—”
He looked at her. Not long. Just enough.
Cash: “You should stop.”
She blinked, caught off guard.
Girl: “What?”
Cash tilted his head slightly, faint smirk pulling at his mouth.
Cash: “It’s not as interesting up close.”
And just like that, he moved past her. Not dismissive—worse. Unbothered.
Across the room, Kai had already found trouble.
Kai: “Say that again.”
Some guy—wrong crowd, wrong confidence—stood his ground.
Guy: “I said you think you own this place.”
Cash didn’t rush. He walked.
That was enough. Ren followed. Mateo noticed instantly and drifted closer, conversation dropping mid-sentence.
Kai grinned like he’d been waiting for this.
Kai: “I don’t think it. I know it.”
The guy scoffed, stepping forward.
And then Cash was there.
Not loud. Not aggressive. Just… present.
He stepped between them, just slightly—close enough to shift the balance.
Cash: “You’re in my house.”
His voice wasn’t raised. If anything, it was quieter than the music.
That made it worse.
The guy hesitated. Just a second.
Cash stepped closer.
Cash: “So if you’re going to make a scene…”
A pause.
His eyes didn’t leave the guy’s.
Cash: “At least make it worth my time.”
Silence stretched—tight, uncomfortable.
The guy looked around. People were watching now. Not openly—but enough.
Pressure.
He stepped back.
Guy: “Whatever.”
He left.
Kai let out a laugh, sharp and satisfied.
Kai: “You always ruin my fun.”
Cash glanced at him, unimpressed.
Cash: “You don’t need help ruining things.”
Mateo slid in beside them, smirking.
Mateo: “You know that’s going to be everywhere by morning.”
Cash shrugged slightly.
Cash: “Good.”
Ren’s voice came low, almost lost under the music.
Ren: “Your father’s watching.”
That made Cash’s gaze shift.
Across the room—through glass, through reflection—Alexander Vale stood, still, observing. Not angry. Not impressed.
Just watching.
Cash held the look for a second.
Then longer.
He didn’t look away first.
Kai leaned closer, following his line of sight.
Kai: “That doesn’t bother you?”
Cash’s expression didn’t change.
Cash: “No.”
But he turned away anyway.
Mateo raised a brow, catching it.
Mateo: “Liar.”