Chapter 48
48
She lifted her hand to knock on the window , only to pause at the sight inside : The old man on duty , dressed in his security uniform , was dabbing at ba eyes with 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 glass .
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 few times , wiping first his left eye , then his right , before shooting her a sidelong glance . “ And you are ? ”
Aria replied calmly , “ There was a fight involving a student . I was asked to come 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 Nathan , aren’t you ? ”
Aria nodded . “ Yes ”
“ You his sister ! ” he asked again .
Without thinking , she said , “ No ”
She half – expected him to refuse her entry , but to her surprise , he simply waved her in “ Go on , then . ”
Aria wondered if the Larkridge High School security staff had been bribed by Black 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 , sir . ”
He nodded after her . “ Smart girl , pity she’s never 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 . Please come back . Begging you ! )
“ Useless idiot , ” the old man muttered , swiping the message away to resume his drama .
Following the directions she received , Aria eventually found Valerie’s office 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 deal with things , why do they need me at all ?
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The moment Micah spotted her , his face lit up , and he hurried over . “Mi Saxon , you’re here .
Aria’s face remained blank ; 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 and composed 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 the commotion
Maelis Vellier’s voice rang out first . “ Where the hell are his parents ? We’ve been waiting an hour ! ”
Another shrill voice chimed in , “ 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
“ Please , calm down , they’re on the way ” Valerie said , so parched she didn’t dare even sip her water .
The dean wiped sweat from his forehead and forced a nervous smile . “ You have my word , you’ll get a full explanation – plaase , just wait a little longer ”
Maelis , losing all patience , jabbed a finger 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 .”
Thorne Vellier rolled up his sleeves , his beer belly nearly knocking Nathan over as he advanced . “ You little-
The office door swung open , cutting him off mid – sentence .
All heads turned toward the entrance .
AD
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