The Lincoln crawled through the thick Hollywood traffic.
Even through the tinted windows, Bridie could hear the muffled screams of fans waiting at the venue.
Harriet sat across from her, her face dead serious. "Do not lose your temper today. Do not give the media any ammunition."
Bridie picked at her fresh manicure. "Yeah, yeah. I know."
The car finally jerked to a stop at the drop-off zone. The blinding flashes of hundreds of cameras bled through the cracks in the windows.
A security guard opened the door. Bridie sucked in a deep breath. She pasted a flawless, freezing smile onto her face.
She lifted the heavy sequin skirt and stepped out of the car. The flashbulbs hit her like physical strikes.
Harriet stepped out behind her, her eyes scanning the crowd like a hawk.
Bridie took one step toward the red carpet entrance. Out of the corner of her eye, she caught a flash of neon pink.
Alaina Cherry walked toward her. Alaina wore a massive, fluffy pink princess gown. Five assistants trailed behind her.
Alaina's eyes locked onto Bridie's plunging black dress. A flash of pure, ugly jealousy crossed Alaina's face, but she hid it instantly.
Alex Palmer, Alaina's agent, stepped right into Bridie's path, blocking her way.
Alex smiled, his teeth too white. "Bridie! Why don't you and Alaina walk the carpet together? The media would love a photo of the two besties."
Harriet's jaw tightened. She knew exactly what Alex was doing. He wanted to use Bridie's "evil" reputation to make Alaina look like a sweet, bullied angel.
Bridie stared at Alex. The corner of her mouth twitched upward in a cold sneer.
Alaina stepped forward. She reached out, trying to loop her arm through Bridie's. "Come on, sweetie!" Alaina squeaked.
Bridie didn't blink. She smoothly stepped one foot to the side.
Alaina's hand grabbed empty air. She stumbled forward, her ankle twisting slightly in her heels.
The paparazzi at the entrance caught the movement. The sound of camera shutters exploded like machine-gun fire.
Alaina's eyes filled with instant tears. She looked at Bridie with wide, victimized eyes, looking like a kicked puppy.
Bridie leaned in close to Alaina's ear.
"You look like an unpeeled flamingo," Bridie whispered, her voice dripping with venom.
Alaina's face froze. The fake tears vanished. She gritted her teeth. "You're a washed-up nobody," Alaina hissed back.
Bridie let out a loud, genuine laugh. She let her eyes slowly drop to Alaina's completely flat chest, her gaze full of mockery.
Alex saw the interaction going south. He jumped in, raising his voice for the cameras. "Look at these two catching up!"
Harriet grabbed Bridie's wrist, her nails digging into Bridie's skin. It was a silent order to stop.
Bridie yanked her wrist free. She ran a hand through her dark hair, her posture straightening into pure arrogance.
She blew a lazy, careless kiss to the cameras, completely ignoring Alaina's existence.
The security guards started yelling for the guests to move forward. The carpet was open.
Alaina grabbed her massive pink skirt, trying to rush forward to be the first one in front of the main cameras.
Bridie's eyes narrowed. She used her long legs and took one massive stride, cutting directly in front of Alaina.
She turned her back to Alaina, leaving the girl staring at the flawless, exposed skin of her back.
Bridie stepped onto the red carpet. The flashes blinded her, but she walked forward like a tyrant surveying her conquered land.
