Her fingers swiftly navigated the keyboard, inputting Fern Everly. At first, it was the usual: her basic information, school records showing she had graduated from a prestigious private academy, and a public-facing job profile that boasted of her involvement in charity events and community outreach.
Lavender scoffed. “Of course, you look perfect on paper.”
Then she clicked on Fern’s social media accounts. What she saw painted a very different picture. Fern was active across multiple platforms, her pages filled with glamorous selfies, group photos, and snapshots of her at extravagant parties. She was a social butterfly, always surrounded by people, always the center of attention.
The posts were curated, of course—everything perfectly polished—but Lavender had learned to read between the lines. In one photo, Fern clinked glasses with a group of equally glamorous friends, the caption reading: To another victory! Lavender frowned. What kind of victory?