Chapter 3

"Iris!"

Leo dropped the water jug, rushing over like a madman.

His eyes welled with tears the moment he saw the red mark on my cheek.

"Who did this?!"

Brenda recognized his security uniform and burst into a mocking laugh.

"Oh, look, it’s the new security boy, Leo. This cheap girl is your sister?"

"No wonder you both look like trash. It runs in the family."

Leo’s fists clenched so tightly his knuckles turned white.

"Brenda! What gave you the right to lay a hand on Iris?!"

He stepped forward, shielding me behind his back.

Brenda flinched and took a step back, screaming at the top of her lungs, "Help! The security guard is assaulting a homeowner! Security!"

In less than two minutes, Marcus Vance arrived with five other guards.

"What’s wrong, Brenda? Who upset you?" Marcus wheedled, looking like a loyal lapdog.

Brenda spun a wild, exaggerated tale.

In her version, I was a thief who had kicked her dog, keyed her car, and assaulted her. My brother was my inside accomplice.

Marcus whipped around to glare at Leo.

"Leo! How dare you disrespect Brenda! Get on your knees and apologize right now!"

Leo grit his teeth. "Her dog was unleashed and almost bit a child! And she slapped Iris! She’s the one who needs to apologize!"

"Silence!" Marcus whipped out his collapsible baton and pointed it at Leo's nose. "Hold him down!"

The other guards, intimidated by Marcus, began to close in.

More and more residents gathered around to watch, but no one dared to speak up.

"Her husband is Richard, the manager... If we cross her, they’ll cut our water and power..." someone whispered.

Brenda grew even more arrogant. "Hear that? In this community, I make the rules!"

"Marcus, tie this girl up and bring her to the management office! Let my husband handle her personally!"

Marcus approached me, twirling his baton.

Leo spread his arms to block them.

"Don't you dare touch her! Iris is the—"

Realizing he was about to blow my cover in a desperate attempt to protect me, I placed a hand on his shoulder.

"Leo, don't be reckless."

I gave him a look, silently telling him that our investigation wasn't finished.

Leo understood, but his eyes burned with resentment. "But Iris! She slapped you!"

"I know."

I wiped the trace of blood from the corner of my mouth and looked at Brenda.

"You want to take me to the management office? Fine."

"I’d love to see just how powerful your husband really is."

Brenda blinked, clearly caught off guard. She had never seen a "poor girl" remain so calm and defiant in this situation.

"Bitch! Marcus, drag them away!"

Holding Leo’s hand, I didn't resist. We quietly followed them.

Leo lowered his voice, whispering, "Iris, why didn't you just tell them who you are?"

"If I expose myself now, she’ll just get a few days in lockup for assault."

"But will that fix the rot in this community?"

Leo froze.

"Since I’m already here, I’m going to tear this corrupt system out by its roots. Otherwise, my name isn't Iris Hayden."

Brenda marched at the very front of our group like a victorious queen, shouting to the onlookers, "Take a good look, everyone! This is what happens when you try to steal from our estate!"

Listening to her screeching, I let out a cold mental laugh.

Keep dancing, Brenda. The higher you jump now, the harder you'll crash.