bChapter /bb48 /b

She lifted her hand to knock on the window, only to bpause /bat the sight inside: The old man on duty, dressed in his security uniform, was dabbing at ba beyes /bwith a handkerchief.

“They’re too cruel how could anyone bully a girl this sweet?” he muttered tearfully at his tabletten

Sniffing harder, he mumbled, “She doesn’t even have a mom anymore… poor kid.”

Aria stood there, silent,

Then she rapped lightly on the ss.

The old man tamed toward her, tear filled eyes blinking “What’s wrong?”

Aria replied, “Sir, could you open the gate for me? I need to drive in.”

He reached out and tapped the screen a bfew /btimes, wiping first his left eye, then his right, before shooting her a sidelong nce. “And you are?”

Aria replied calmly, “There was a fight involving a student. I was asked toe handle it.”

There had been only one recent incident involving a fight–and the parents from Stonemere High School had made sure the whole school knew about it.

The old man’s expression grew knowing as he looked her up and down.

He asked, “You’re here for bNathan/b, aren’t you?”

Aria nodded. “Yes”

“You his sister!” he asked bagain/b.

Without thinking, she said, “bNo/bb” /b

bShe /bhalf–expected him to refuse her entryb, /bbut to her surprise, he simply waved her in “Go on, then.”

bAria /bwondered if the Larkridge High School security staff had been bribed by ck Rose

Aris pulled through the gates.

From the booth behind her came the old man’s shout, “Parking lot’s six hundred feet ahead, take a left

She offered him a polite smile through the window. “Thanks, sirb./b”

He nodded after her. “Smart girl, pity bshe’s /bnever had proper training.”

起

He was about to dive back into his show when a message popped up on his tablet.

My teacher, the experiment failed again. Pleasee back. Begging you!)

“Useless idiot,” the old man muttered, swiping the message away to resume his bdrama/b.

Following the directions she received, Aria eventually found bValerie’s /boffice after ten minute walk, with no signs of being followed.

What she didn’t expect was to see Micah–gh the bodyguard standing next to him.

She wondered, “if they have already sept someone to bdeal /bwith things, why do they bneed /bme at all?

The moment Micah spotted her, his face lit up, and he hurried over. “Mi Saxon, you’re here.

Aria’s face remained nk; she couldn’t even pretend politeness,

Clearing his threat awkwardly Micah said, “Both sides‘ parents are being difficult. Mr. Saxon gave explicit orders: M. Samn can handle

“However I see it?” Aria arched an eyebrow.

Micah hesitated, a sense of foreboding creeping over him. “Yes.”

He thought, ‘But Ms. Saxon is always calm andposed surely she won’t cause any trouble!

He exhaled quietly in relief and led the way. “They’re waiting in the dean’s office.”

Aria followed him down the office.

Micah turned to the bodyguard before entering “You stay here.”

“Yes, sir,” the bodyguard replied.

Before they even stepped inside, Aria could already hear themotion

Maelis Vellier’s voice rang out first. “Where the hell are his parents? We’ve been bwaiting /bban /bhour!”

Another shrill voice bchimed /bin, “With his hand like this, how’s my son supposed to get top marks? If you don’t give us an answer, I go straight to the

education board

“Pleaseb, /bcalm down, they’re on the way” Valerie said, so parched she didn’t dare even bsip /bbher /bwater.

The dean wiped sweat from his forehead and forced a nervous smile. “You have my word, byou’ll /bget a full exnation–ase, just wait a little longer”

Maelisb, /bblosing /bball /bpatience, jabbed ba /bfinger in the dean’s face and bellowed, “Of course you’re calm–it’s not your kid who’s hurt

Nathan stepped forward, despite the gash on his forehead, and shielded the dean with his body. “Tll take responsibility. If you’ve got something to say,

say it to me.”

bThorne /bVellier rolled up his sleeves, his beer belly nearly knocking Nathan over as he advanced. “You little-

The office door swung openb, /bcutting him off mid–sentence.

All heads turned toward the entrance.

AD

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