Heartstrings on Fire (Agnes and Jared) novel Chapter 843

Cecile's laughter rang out with a piercing edge, drawing the gaze of everyone in the room. "Agnes, looks like I owe you a drink today," she declared with an unmistakable note of challenge.

Back in the day, Cecile had been the ringleader of the notorious Mean Girls at school. There wasn't a soul on campus who didn't know her name. Wielding her status as the mayor's daughter like a club, she bullied her classmates mercilessly, driving some to transfer and others to darker fates. She was the cancer everyone whispered about, the villain in every story.

The incident that led to Cecile's expulsion was still fresh in everyone's memory, and it was all thanks to Agnes. No doubt Cecile hadn't forgotten, and her sudden appearance now could only mean she was seeking a confrontation.

Cecile's eyes flickered to the glass of juice before Agnes, and without another word, she dumped out the fruit juice and poured a shot of whiskey. "Drink up, Agnes. Let's call it even for old times' sake, what do you say?"

Agnes replied coolly, "Sorry, I've stopped drinking."

"Come on, Agnes, don't make excuses. Just down this one and we'll bury the hatchet. I'll start." Cecile filled her own glass to the brim, downed it in one gulp, and gestured for Agnes to follow suit.

Despite her show of bravado, Cecile's act wasn't fooling anyone. A murmur went through the crowd, and someone began to coax Agnes. "Come on, Agnes, keep the peace. Just have the drink."