Bella nodded quickly, eager to leave, but Alexa's voice stopped them cold.
"Why don't we join you?" Alexa said with a sweet, venomous tone. "We're all friends here, aren't we?"
Her red lips curved into a smile that didn't reach her eyes.
Scarlett's patience snapped. "I don't remember being friends with snakes," she muttered under her breath, but Alexa only tilted her head innocently, pretending not to hear.
Then, as if to twist the knife, Alexa gestured toward the girl beside her. "Oh, this is my personal maid, Freya."
Freya's smile faltered, her cheeks flushing a deep pink as she looked down at the floor.
Bella's brows knitted softly, her heart sinking at the humiliation in the girl's expression. She stepped forward slightly, her tone warm and gentle. "It's nice to meet you, Freya," she said kindly, as if she hadn't heard the word maid at all.
Freya looked up, startled, her green eyes flickering with gratitude. "N-nice to meet you too," she stammered softly.
