In the glittering world of Westbridge, where mansions line the streets and family legacies are worth their weight in gold, five childhood best friends-Lisa, Theo, Gabe, Gen, and Sam-have grown up in the shadow of privilege, bound by a friendship as...
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The morning sun filtered through the tall windows of the Kingsley Hotel's dining hall, casting a soft glow over the opulent breakfast spread laid out for the guests. The air smelled of freshly brewed coffee, buttery croissants, and a hint of citrus from the fruit platters. The room was filled with murmured conversations between old-money families who had stayed the night after the Solstice Gala.
Lisa slipped into the hall, oversized sunglasses firmly in place, though it wasn't exactly sunny inside. She had hoped the glasses would hide the evidence of her sleepless night—the red, puffy eyes that even Gen had commented on earlier. As she approached the long dining table where her friends were already seated, she realized she wasn't fooling anyone.
Theo was the first to look up, his brow furrowed. "Hey, St. Clair. You okay?"
Lisa forced a smile, shrugging. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just didn't get much sleep."
"Couldn't have been that bad of a night," Gabe teased, raising an eyebrow as he took a sip of his espresso. "Or were you up all night scheming?"
Lisa shot him a playful glare, sliding into the empty seat beside him. "Something like that."
Across from her, Gen gave Lisa a subtle look of concern but said nothing. They'd agreed to keep Lisa's secret just between them for now. Still, the weight of last night's conversation hung heavy between them, unspoken.
Sam, seated next to Gen, grinned. "You look like you could use a little pick-me-up," he said, pushing the coffee pot toward her. "I'm pretty sure coffee cures everything."
Lisa smiled, appreciating the gesture, and poured herself a cup. "Thanks, Sam. I'll need all the help I can get today."
Sam wasn't just the quiet, artistic type. He was the one who made mornings like this bearable—the kind of person who could bring light into a room without even trying. His energy was contagious, and Lisa found herself feeling a little lighter, just by sitting next to him.
"Always happy to be your coffee dealer," Sam added with a wink, his usual sunny vibe lifting the mood around the table.
Before she could take a sip, a familiar voice interrupted their small circle. "Good morning, everyone!"
The group turned to see William Kingsley, Theo's father, striding toward them. His salt-and-pepper hair was neatly combed, his tailored suit impeccable despite the early hour. He exuded the kind of effortless charm that came with being a Kingsley—a man who commanded attention without trying.
"Good morning, Dad," Theo greeted, rising from his seat for a brief handshake.
William gave his son a proud smile before turning to the others. "I trust you all enjoyed the gala last night?"
Lisa nodded politely, though the last thing she wanted was to talk about the previous night. "It was lovely. Thank you for hosting."
William beamed. "It's our pleasure. The Solstice Gala is a family tradition, after all. And I'm glad to see all of you here bright and early—though some of you look like you could've used a bit more sleep," he added with a chuckle, his eyes landing on Lisa's sunglasses.
