Patty hadn't lied about meeting a friend that evening—bumping into Gaia really had been pure coincidence.
The real story, though, was that Gaia never actually extended an invitation.
The moment Patty spotted Gaia, she abandoned her original companion and practically threw herself at the chance to spend time with her.
Since getting closer to Gaia, Patty had been scheming constantly about how to maintain her favor. Being the Dixon family heiress meant Gaia commanded attention everywhere she appeared. With Patty's sights set on marrying into the powerful Brady family, she understood that winning over Darius alone wouldn't cut it—she needed to become indispensable to Gaia's world.
If Patty could elevate her social standing, maybe Darius's mother would finally acknowledge her existence.
Gaia represented the perfect pathway to that goal.
Her instincts had proven spot-on.
Patty had been glued to Gaia's side, accompanying her on shopping sprees, fancy dinners, and exclusive events.
