Thriving

Auctions

Amber sat on a sofa in the parlor next to Thea while Moira and Walter talked with the officers who brought her home.

"Isn't this like the third time the police have escorted you home?" Amber leaned over and whispered.

"Isn't that none of your business?" Thea fired back.

"Okay, grumpy." Amber raised her hands in defense, falling back into the sofa.

"Thank you, officers. My wife and I appreciate it." Walter told the cops. "I'll see you out." He led them to the front door.

Moira turned to Thea. "Last time it was public intoxication. This time breaking and entering. My, how we are moving up in the criminal world."

Thea stood up, sighing. "You know, when you pay off the store owner, you should check out the merchandise. They got some pretty killer outfits."

Amber rolled her eyes. It amazed her that some people got to do whatever they wanted and not care about the consequences because of how much money lined her pockets.

"Thea, go get ready for school," Moira said.

"Uh, you know, I was thinking of taking a sick day."

"Fine." Moira gave in. "Then get some sleep."

Thea walked away proudly with a smirk on her face. "You look like crap." She told Oliver.

"You're letting her play hooky?" Oliver asked.

"When your sister gets like this, it's best to give her her space," Moira explained.

"She's testing you."

"Yes." Moira nodded. "Who'd she learn that from?"

"Ooh," Amber whispered, accidentally gaining her father's attention.

"Don't you have school?" He asked.

"I'm waiting for Jess to pick me up," Amber replied.

"I'm here, I'm here," Jessica called, practically walking into the parlor on cue. "Sorry, I'm late. I got distracted by the cop car out front. Is everything okay here?"

"Don't ask," Amber spoke up before anyone else could. "It's a touchy subject." She whispered, grabbing her backpack off the floor and walking over to Jessica.

"Thea?"

"Mmhmm."

"How long exactly has this been going on?" Oliver questioned.

"Not that long," Moira said.

"Since before I made detective," Jessica answered at the same time, earning a glare from Moira. "Wow, look at the time. You need to get to school." Jessica glanced at her watch and then led a complaining Amber out of the mansion.

"It sounds like giving Thea space is only encouraging her," Oliver told his mother.

"Parenting a teenager requires a delicate approach. You'll learn that soon enough."

"Giving her space isn't parenting."

"It worked with you, didn't it?"

Oliver sighed. "Mom. When I was her age, you and Dad would let me get away with murder. Looking back, I could have used less space and more parenting." He stated before leaving his mother to ponder over their conversation.

* * *

The murder of James Holder was plastered all over the news. Another one of Starling City's wealthy elite dead but by gunshot this time. Yet it was clear to the SCPD that The Hood had been present on the roof where James Holder died.