Bonnie's face went pale the moment she saw the access card in Caitlin's hand.

What was going on?

How could Caitlin possibly have a Willow Heights resident pass?

That card was only for homeowners.

Grace, standing nearby, looked equally unsettled. Willow Heights was sprawling, but as a newly built development, only a handful of people had actually moved in. Grace, thanks to the residents' association group chat, kept close tabs on everyone who lived there.

But she had never heard anything about this scrappy girl.

Where had Caitlin gotten that card?

It had to be a fake. No other explanation made sense.

Grace narrowed her eyes, a sneer curling on her lips as she turned to the security guard. "You'd better check that card carefully. Willow Heights doesn't just let random people stroll in."

The moment Grace spoke, Bonnie instantly caught on.

Of course! The card was a fake.

That made sense. Caitlin was a nobody from the sticks-how could she possibly

be a homeowner at Willow Heights? She didn't deserve it.

But the security guard didn't dismiss Caitlin because of Grace's tone. He took the card with respect and said, "Just a moment, ma'am."

Beep!

The moment the card touched the sensor, the gates swung open.

The card wasn't fake at all. A counterfeit could never have done that.

Handing the card back, the guard gave Caitlin a polite nod. "Have a good day, ma'am."

Without sparing so much as a glance at Bonnie or Grace, Caitlin took her card and walked right in, as if they didn't even exist.

The guard watched her go with a look of astonished respect.

He shouldn't have been surprised, really. The truly wealthy were always the discreet ones-never the type to flaunt it like Grace and Bonnie, who acted superior despite hardly having two pennies to rub together.

It was true what they said: an empty vessel makes the loudest noise.

Bonnie was stunned, her face drained of color, dignity trampled under Caitlin's feet. She felt as if her whole world had been turned upside down.

How could this be happening? Had Caitlin actually bought a place at Willow Heights?

Her thoughts spun as she watched Caitlin heading off, gaze fixed on the signpost at the side of the road.

Caitlin's direction pointed straight toward Building 8.

Willow Heights was laid out so that Buildings 1-7 and 27-51 were on the east and west sides, while Buildings 8-26 lined the north and south. The luxury residences and the standard apartments were worlds apart.

Could it be...?

Not only did Caitlin live in Willow Heights, but she might even have a place in Building 8-the luxury section.

Bonnie looked to Grace, her voice trembling. "Grace, did you say Building 8 is the luxury part of Willow Heights?"

Grace hesitated, clearly reluctant, but nodded. "Yeah. That's right."

Bonnie's jealousy was so sharp it made her chest ache.

Why? Why should Caitlin get to live in the most expensive part of Willow Heights?

Had she snared some rich guy again?

She was a divorcée-what right did she have to marry into money?

The thought of Caitlin landing another wealthy boyfriend made Bonnie feel sick to her stomach, like she'd just been punched in the gut.

Seeing Bonnie's reaction, Grace pressed on, "So, do you know that girl?"

"Not really," Bonnie said, narrowing her eyes. "Her name's Caitlin. She was an abandoned baby taken in by some distant relation of my dad's. There's no blood between us. Just over a month ago, her grandfather even brought her to my house, hoping she could freeload for a while. I have no idea how she suddenly ended up with a Willow Heights resident pass!"