The college building stands proudly on a lush green lawn, showcasing a blend of modern design and historical charm. Its brick and glass facade features a central tower with a gleaming copper dome, visible from afar. Arched stained glass windows illuminate the grounds, while a grand entrance flanked by imposing pillars invites visitors inside. The architectural design is remarkable, with wings radiating from the tower connected by covered walkways and courtyards adorned with greenery and seating for students. Inside, high ceilings and ornate chandeliers create a grand atmosphere. Corridors lined with portraits of notable alumni lead to spacious classrooms, lecture halls, and research labs, fostering an inspiring environment for learning and discovery. "Mr. Andre certainly knows how to spend money," Serena remarked as she cruised her 2024 Porsche 911 convertible into the school campus. The place was impressive, complete with an underground garage for students with cars. It's a private school, exclusively for the children of influential families, and as Mr. Andre Hartwell's daughter, Serena fit right in. She had initially planned to study medicine and become a cardiac surgeon, but with everything unfolding, she confidently made the last-minute switch to Business. Serena arrived two days before resumption, which was on Saturday, to settle in before classes officially started on Monday. After parking her car in the underground garage, Serena began searching for her assigned dormitory. "Hey, are you looking for your dorm?" a breezy voice called out from behind her. Serena turned to see a girl approaching, dressed in a short pleated skirt and a camisole topped with a denim jacket. Her blonde hair was pulled back into a ponytail, and she exuded an air of entitlement, reminiscent of a rich man's spoiled princess. "Yes, I am," Serena replied curtly, assessing the girl while trying to gauge her intentions. It was clear she was sizing Serena up, and Serena caught a flicker of disdain on her face. That look was all too familiar, reminding Serena of the judgment her father and his friends often cast upon her mother. "Oh well, my name is Chloe Randolph," the girl said with poise, clearly eager to establish her lineage. Serena recognized the name—her family was well-known, especially since her father controlled a massive oil company raking in billions annually. Serena was aware of some business dealings between their families, and given the respect Mr. Randolph showed Mr. Hartwell, Serena could confidently assume her father held a higher standing in that dynamic. Just how wealthy and powerful was Mr. Hartwell, after all?"Oh, I'm Serena," she replied, offering a lopsided smile that felt a bit like a shield. Perhaps Chloe thought she was plain or unremarkable since Serena didn't bother to share her last name earlier. "What number is your dorm room?" Serena inquired politely, trying to bridge the gap between them. "015," Chloe answered, a small smile gracing her lips as she nodded. There was something almost whimsical about her—a princess plucked straight from a fairy tale, and Serena couldn't help but find it amusing. "Oh, same! I guess we're partners," Serena said, and she noticed a flicker of disappointment cross Chloe's face before she quickly replaced it with a bright smile. "Oh, how lovely! Fate must have brought us together. Come on, let's go!" Chloe chirped, eagerly setting off and leaving her bag behind. "Um, Chloe, your bag?" Serena reminded her, raising an eyebrow. Chloe turned back to Serena with a smug grin, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Well, Serena, I just thought you'd want to hang out with me, so shouldn't you carry my bag?" she said sweetly, though Serena could sense the playful challenge beneath her tone. Serena couldn't help but chuckle at the audacity of it all.She didn't feel the need to make friends; avoiding the drama that often comes with it was easier for her. She had seen how much her mom suffered just from trusting others. "Well, Chloe, I'd love to carry your bag, but unfortunately, I'm not getting paid to do that," Serena replied, mimicking Chloe's tone and adding a touch of sarcasm. Chloe looked surprised, and Serena totally understood why—it's not every day you see a 'nobody' standing up to a privileged princess. "Alright then, I suppose I'll meet you in our dorm room," Serena said with a smile before waving goodbye and walking away, leaving Chloe lost in her own thoughts. Serena finally located their dorm and rushed inside, eager to unpack. But as she started going through her bags, she suddenly froze. "What the h*ll?!" Serena shouted, startling Chloe, who had just walked in. Serena barely noticed Chloe's reaction as panic set in. "No, no, no! These aren't my clothes! What happened?!" Serena's heart raced.
It had to be Serena's mom's doing—she'd swapped Serena's ordinary outfits for this wild collection of expensive, flashy clothes! How had Serena not noticed before? Serena quickly dialed her mom's number, but of course, her mom was ignoring her. Frustration bubbled inside Serena, and just then, she caught Chloe staring at her stuff with wide eyes. "What's going on?" Serena asked a little skeptical about Chloe's look. "If I'm not mistaken, that's the new dress released by Lilac on Thursday! My dad has been trying to get it for me—how do you have one? There are only five pieces out there! Wait, it's not a fake, is it?!" Chloe exclaimed, examining the dress with intense scrutiny. "Hold on—your clothes… they're all designer! Is that bag from Chanel's latest drop?! Oh my gosh, and those sneakers—I've been dying to get my hands on those! How in the world do you have all this?!" Chloe practically squealed, digging through Serena's belongings like a treasure hunter. The excitement in the air was palpable, and Serena's crazy wardrobe switch had turned into the mysterious thrill of the moment! "Honestly, I don't know much about these outfits, but I definitely didn't want them. Is it that obvious these clothes scream luxury?" Serena sighed, already dreading the moment she'd have to step out in them and face the sea of unwanted attention. "Duhhh! Girl, you're going to turn heads for sure! Jealous gazes from all the other girls are guaranteed," Chloe giggled, her excitement infectious despite Serena's anxiety. "This is so bad… what do I even do?" Serena muttered, glancing at the dress with trepidation.
"Wait, you're telling me you don't want people to see you looking all fancy? Who wouldn't want that?" Chloe asked, clearly baffled by Serena's reluctance.
"Whoa! That dress is fire! How did you score that?" Serena said in a mimicking tone. "Well, I'm Serena Hartwell. my Dad's butler got it for me…" Serena replied, her tone dripping with sarcasm. "Does that sound thrilling to you?"
"Oh, please! You'd rather not draw attention because—" Chloe was cut off by her own gasp. "Wait a second! Did you just say Serena Hartwell? As in the daughter of the famous Tycoon Andre Hartwell? The top in our city?!" Her voice was practically a squeal, excitement radiating off her like a sunbeam. "I think so… is he really that influential?" Serena asked half-jokingly, but then a wave of her mom's warning hit her: "You can't go against your father, dear. Drop the idea… he's too powerful." A sinking feeling settled in Serena's stomach, a sense of foreboding creeping in. _Can I really do this?_ "Hellooooo!" Chloe's frantic wave snapped Serena out of her thoughts. Serena was about to respond when their phones buzzed at the same time. An announcement flashed on the screen: they were summoned to the auditorium by noon. Serena's heart raced as she realized this meant the entire school would be there. "Oh no, we've only got an hour! We better freshen up!" Chloe urged, her enthusiasm reigniting. Serena couldn't help but roll her eyes, but a part of her was curious—what would this reveal about her?