Chapter 54

Nina’s POV

I stood in the presidential suite, watching Alexa with narrowed eyes. Her gaze darted around the room, refusing to meet mine. I could see right through her—she was lying, and we both knew it. She was fidgeting nervously, her fingers tapping on the strap of her designer bag as if it could somehow distract from the tension thickening in the air.

The other girls waited in silence, eyes shifting between Alexa and me, unsure of what to believe. I could feel their doubt, the way they all wanted Alexa to defend herself, to tell us what was actually inside that safe. She claimed it was jewelry—something of “great value.” But I knew better. This wasn’t about gold or diamonds.

I crossed my arms, allowing a small smirk to play on my lips. “No, it’s actually the opposite, Miss McDonald,” I drawled, letting the title sink in, watching her flinch. “It’s something very special. A plastic ring,” I said, my voice calm and unyielding.

The color drained from A