Dumped My Cheating Ex. Now I'm Sleeping Next to a Billionaire CEO novel Chapter 410

The two girls, heads together and whispering, nearly jumped out of their skins when they heard someone behind them.

James had appeared out of nowhere, so quietly it was almost creepy. One hand was in his pocket and he looked at them with that lazy, unreadable expression of his—but somehow, the air felt heavier.

Abriella spun around, forcing a nervous laugh. “I-it’s nothing! Really!”

Emmy collected herself and met his gaze with a playful smile. “Just girl stuff. Secrets we’re definitely not sharing with you.”

James raised an eyebrow but didn’t say anything else. He walked right over, took the laptop bag from Emmy without missing a beat, and headed upstairs like it was the most natural thing in the world.

Abriella leaned closer to Emmy, whispering as she patted her chest. “He scared the life out of me. My cousin moves like a cat.”

They were just about to follow when a sharp, bossy voice rang out from across the street.

“Abriella! So you really do live here!”

Abriella turned and her whole expression changed.

Mandy was striding over in a bubblegum-pink varsity jacket, looking smug as ever. Behind her came Isabel and a whole squad of girls, all in pastel jackets and perfect makeup, like they’d just come from some exclusive sports club.

Mandy marched up, glaring. “Now it makes sense why you were so desperate to move out. Who’s the guy you hooked up with, huh? Living in Applewood Estate? Must be nice to have a sugar daddy!”

Abriella rolled her eyes, her patience obviously gone. “This is my own place. Say another word and I’ll shut you up for real.”

Mandy flinched but glanced at her friends—and her confidence came rushing back. She scoffed, loud enough for everyone to hear.

“Yeah, right. Since when do you own anything?”

“You’re just some country stray the family dragged in. Do you even know how a credit card works? You think you deserve a house like this?”

Mandy clutched her stomach, tears running down her cheeks. She pointed at Abriella, voice shaking with fury. “You’re just a savage! You don’t deserve the Sullivan name!”

“I’m telling Mom and Dad! You’re done, do you hear me? Done!”

Abriella took a step closer, and Mandy shrank back, eyes full of fear.

Out here, with no parents to hide behind, Abriella was a total wild card—a country girl who didn’t care about rules, and who definitely wasn’t afraid to throw a punch. Mandy thought her little entourage would protect her, but she’d seriously underestimated Abriella’s nerve.

Isabel finally found her voice, frowning in disapproval. “Abriella, we’re all part of the same circle. You’re Ms. Sullivan. You shouldn’t be fighting with your own sister.”

Abriella shot her a cold look. “Want to see if I’ll hit you too?”

Isabel shut her mouth, not daring to say another word.