Accept the QUEEN BEE task to meet Melissa at her charity event. Ask Maria about Melissa.

The tension in the Range Rover thickens at the mention of Melissa's name. You tap the QUEEN BEE task on your phone screen, accepting it with a soft ping. A notification appears: "Task accepted! Attend Melissa Harrington-Bellingham's Children's Hospital Gala on Friday night (3 days from now) and establish your place in the hierarchy. Reward: 45 Babe Bucks upon completion."

With the task accepted, you turn your attention to Maria, who's still nestled between you and Rick in the backseat. "So like, who exactly is Melissa? I know she's Becky's mom, but what's she like?"

Maria shifts uncomfortably, glancing at Rick whose jaw has visibly tightened. "Well," she begins carefully, "Mrs. Harrington-Bellingham is... formidable. She runs the Harrington Foundation now, focusing on children's causes. Very respected in London social circles."

Rick makes a dismissive sound. "She's a social climber who used my money to buy her way into the upper crust."

"Daddy!" Becky protests from the front seat, twisting to look back at him. "Mom's charity work is like, actually real. The hospital wing she funded saved Tyler's life."

Maria nods, her professional demeanor momentarily reasserting itself. "The Children's Hospital Gala is one of the premier social events of the season. Black tie, extremely exclusive. Her annual fundraiser typically raises over two million pounds."

"Sounds fancy," you giggle, bouncing slightly in your seat. "Do I get to wear a pretty dress?"

Rick's expression darkens further. "You're not going. Melissa would use any ammunition she could find against me, and bringing my..."

"Girlfriend?" you offer helpfully.

"His much younger live-in girlfriend who looks barely legal," Maria finishes tactfully, "would certainly qualify as ammunition in certain circles."

You pout dramatically, lower lip jutting out. "But my app says I have to go! It'll give me lots of Babe Bucks!"

Becky perks up, her earlier sullenness forgotten. "Ooh, we could dress her up super classy, Daddy! Like, elegant and stuff. Mom wouldn't even recognize her as part of our... arrangement."

Marcus catches your eye in the rearview mirror, his expression unreadable but somehow more alert than before. The MARCUS MANAGEMENT upgrade seems to be taking effect subtly, his protective instincts activating.

"The gala is Friday evening," Maria offers. "At the Dorchester. I handle the RSVP list as part of my duties. Richard always receives an invitation, though he hasn't attended since..."

"Since the divorce," Rick finishes gruffly. "And I'm not about to start now."

You catch Becky's eye and she gives you a tiny wink. Something passes between you—an unspoken understanding that you'll figure out a way to complete this task whether Rick approves or not.

As the Range Rover pulls into the private underground garage of Rick's building, you feel your phone warm slightly in your hand. A new message from the app appears: "Don't worry, babe! We'll get you to that party one way or another! Queen Bees need to meet face-to-face, after all!"

02:45 | Tuesday 5 Aug 2025 | Underground Garage, Rick's Building, London

[QUEEN BEE] | [Medium] | [Friday 20:00] | [3 days, 17 hours, 15 minutes remaining]