The Rejected True Heiress (Liora and Callum) novel Chapter 487

Chapter 487 

Liora’s POV 

That night, Bianca oh-so-graciously hosted a banquet to celebrate the first day of the tournament. Mia, Zane, and I found seats near the middle of the room, toward the end of one of the longer tables, far enough from the head of the room that I could almost pretend Bianca wasn’t holding court up there. 

Almost. 

But the tiara glittered under the candlelight from half a room away, which made it kind of hard to ignore. She was sitting on her dais, surrounded by her followers, laughing too loudly and waving her wine glass in the air and soaking up all the praise like a fucking sponge. 

I shook my head and looked back down at my plate. Whatever Mrs. Oakes had planned for me in this tournament. I hoped it wouldn’t wind up with me in a full-body cast tomorrow. Or worse, dead. 

“I can’t believe she did all this in one afternoon,” Mia muttered, dragging a bread roll apart with her fingers and handing me half. 

“Money helps,” Zane said. He’d already piled his plate high and was working through it at an impressive speed. ” So does having the entire school staff suddenly very eager to do whatever you want.” 

I said nothing, just poured myself a glass of water and looked at my plate. My ribs were still sore from the third fight, and the cut above my eyebrow had scabbed over enough that it wasn’t actively bleeding anymore, but it was still burning. I wasn’t particularly hungry, but I knew I needed to eat so I could keep my strength up. 

I was just reaching for the serving dish closest to me when I heard the familiar click of heels approaching. I didn’t even have to look up to know who it was. The table around me went noticeably quieter, and that was enough. 

“Liora.” Bianca’s voice was sweet as sugar. “There you are. I’ve been looking for you.” 

I set down the serving spoon. “What do you want?” 

“Is that any way to speak to the hostess?” She clicked her tongue and gestured with two fingers. Before I could react, two of her cronies stepped up on either side of me, their hands landing on my shoulders. 

“You’re sitting with us tonight,” Bianca said. 

“I’m fine here.” 

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