“I love this movie,” Jewel said, emerging from the shadows on the right side of the theater. She’d changed her clothes again—a simple pair of jeans and a cute top this time. She sat in Francis’s empty seat. “It’s one of my favorites. You too?”

Nicole didn’t answer, choosing to stare at her instead while she tried to stay calm. She’d been set up. Because of course she had.

“Oh, are you giving me the silent treatment now?” Jewel laughed. “They’re fine, Nicole. They are fine, and they will continue to be fine. Luna’s accident was just that—an accident.”

Nicole believed that. Luna had told them all exactly what happened. Her choice to climb the wall. A portrait that her feet were never supposed to touch gave way because it hadn’t been installed properly. No one knew she’d choose to go up there.

“And Harlow?” she asked.

Jewel tapped her chin and bounced her crossed leg in time, like a metronome. “People like to forget that I’m human too because it’s convenient for them to do so. They forget that I have feelings, a good memory, and damn-near-unlimited resources at my disposal. Sometimes they need a reminder.”

In the silence that followed, Nicole found her answer. Jewel had always planned to put Harlow in the ground. What in the hell did Harlow do to her to deserve that?

“And sometimes,” Jewel continued, “people give me a reminder. I stopped breathing when security called to tell me Luna was climbing the wall. My entire body froze on the spot. Just like that.” She snapped her fingers and turned her attention toward the forgotten movie still playing on the screen. Her concern began to morph into a soft grin. “Can you imagine being so driven by the power of your beliefs that you’d be willing to do anything to succeed? Luna didn’t even pause to second-guess herself, not even when Alex rightfully pointed out how wrong she was.” Jewel’s smile continued to grow. “Fifteen and fearless. What a star. The worst thing that can ever happen to her is losing that belief in herself.”

“I don’t think that’s the worst thing,” Nicole disagreed, leaving no room for debate.

“Luna thinks she’s doing all this for me, but she’s not. She just hasn’t figured that out yet,” Jewel said, glancing at Nicole. “You’re a lot like her, but with five years of growing up and common sense on your side. I had that kind of fire once. Nothing was going to stop me from building my empire. And then I did. Want to know what I believe in now?”

“Sure.”

“You.”

Nicole snorted with laughter. “Me. Right. Okay.”

Jewel didn’t laugh or smile. She had spoken with a completely straight face. “Why is that funny to you?”