A GOLDEN EMPIRE

CHAPTER SEVENTY- THREE

LA PREP'S MARBLE HALLWAYS gleamed under the bright California sun as the elite students of Los Angeles made their way through the grand double doors. The first day of senior year was always an event in itself, and for the most prominent families of LA Prep, it was no different from a runway show.

Aurora arrived in style, stepping out of her father's chauffeured black ROLLS ROYCE with an air of effortless confidence. She adjusted her oversized CHANEL sunglasses as she looked over the school grounds—freshman were wide-eyed, sophomores were trying to imitate the upperclassmen, and the juniors were buzzing with nervous energy. But the seniors, well, they were already on top.

She wore a white ALEXANDER WANG cropped blazer over a matching pleated skirt, her obsidian waves tumbling down her shoulders. Her grey eyes scanned the crowd as she spotted her closest friends.

Avalon was waiting by the entrance, dressed in a sleek red STELLA MCCARTNEY pantsuit that looked like it belonged in a high-fashion magazine, not a high school. As always, her dark hair was perfectly curled, and her red lipstick matched her outfit. Standing beside her was Kingsley Hawthorne, his tall frame encased in a charcoal GUCCI suit. He was already deep in conversation with Autumn, who wore a soft pastel pink PRADA dress, her black hair cascading down her back like a waterfall.

Aurora approached them, her heels clicking against the polished marble floors. "Miss me?"

Avalon turned, flashing a smile. "Took you long enough. I thought maybe you decided to ditch your senior debut."

"As if," Aurora said, adjusting her sunglasses. "I had to make sure the entrance was grand, obviously."

Kingsley gave her a nod, looking up from his conversation with Autumn. "You timed it perfectly. Half the school just turned to look your way."

Aurora smirked. "Exactly the point."

Just then, Justin Winchester appeared at her side, his hand resting casually on her back as he greeted her with a soft kiss on the cheek. "There she is."

Justin was dressed in his usual polished style—an immaculately tailored navy TOM FORD blazer over a crisp white shirt, his black hair slicked back just enough to look effortless. His smile was the kind that could charm anyone, and he knew it.

"Good morning, babe," Aurora replied, smiling up at him.

The group began to make their way inside, passing the other students who gave them curious glances, some out of admiration, others out of envy. LA Prep was like that—status mattered, and the Empire had always been at the top.

As they approached their lockers, Mario strolled up, wearing a black leather jacket that stood out among the designer suits and dresses around him. His confidence, like his wealth, was inherited, and while he didn't always follow the polished look the others adopted, there was no doubt he belonged. His family's business empire ensured that.

"You all look ready to take over," Mario said, leaning against the lockers with a lazy grin.

"Always," Adrianna replied, appearing next to him. Her hair was slicked back into a tight ponytail, and she wore a daring BALMAIN dress that had sharp, structured shoulders and an eye-catching print. She eyed Mario's jacket, then smirked. "Didn't get the memo? It's couture today."

Mario shrugged, unbothered. "I make my own rules."

"Clearly," Adrianna added with a small laugh, as she crossed her arms, her eyes flicking between Avalon and Mario. "But I have to admit, it works."

The group continued to walk through the hall, passing by the junior lockers where Brandon was standing, surrounded by a group of Blake's friends, his popularity rivaling that of Justin's. Brandon caught sight of them, a friendly grin on his face as he walked over.