CELESTINE's P O V

‘‘You have no choice but to leave! Now!’’ Mrs. Maxwell suddenly stood up, and while she was doing so, she motioned for one of the bodyguards to come over to assist her. He stopped beside her, carrying a black shoulder bag, and he handed it to her. Arnold’s mom opened her bag and flung a check at my face. ‘‘That's the equivalent of five million dollars! Leave this place and get lost!’’

When I bent down to pick up the check after it had fallen at my feet, I raised my eyebrows to look at the amount of money that was written on it. ‘‘That is...