Chapter TwelveDean Halloway sat behind his massive dark oak desk, flanked by the Board of Directors. Opposite them sat Erica, her eyes red, and Robert Leonardo, looking disheveled but desperate.When Adrian walked in, still wearing his worn sweater, the Dean didn’t bother to look up."Sit down, Vale," Halloway barked. "We’ve reviewed the report. Stolen cards, fraud, and what happened at the Vista Hotel. Mr. Leonardo here has provided all the evidence we need. You’re nothing but a parasite, Adrian."Adrian sat down and leaned back calmly. His calmness clearly annoyed the Dean.“Where is the evidence?” Adrian said. “I’d like to see it.”Robert Leonardo slammed his fist on the desk. "You destroyed my family’s credit! You’re lucky we don’t call the police right now.""My father says people like you are a disease," Erica added with pure hatred. "Effective immediately, you are expelled."The Dean sighed, sliding the expulsion papers forward. "Sign these and vacate the campus by 1:00 PM."

Chapter FourteenThe Grand Ballroom was a room full of people who spent more on watches than most people did on houses, and tonight, they were all here to watch the Vance Clan swallow another victim.Caspian Vance stood at the center of a circle of admirers, looking like a prince in his white tuxedo. He didn't just look rich; he looked untouchable. His hand was clamped tightly on Lina’s waist—a little too tight that the grip left a bruise.“He’s not coming, Lina,” Caspian muttered into her ear. He smelled like expensive cognac and arrogance. “Your little tech genius took my hundred dollars and probably used it to buy a year’s worth of instant noodles. A stray dog knows when it’s outmatched.”Lina didn’t even look at him. Her eyes were fixed on her father, who was standing at a nearby table. He looked ten years older, his hand trembling as Silas Vance’s lawyers pushed a stack of papers toward him. Her family’s shipping business was being bled dry right in front of her.Then, the heavy g

Chapter Sixteen “Let's board a cab,” Adrian said, stepping toward the roadside. Lina forced a smile, though her heart was still hammering against her ribs. When the cab pulled up in front of the girls' dormitory, Adrian climbed out to walk her to the gate. “Why are you coming down here?” Lina asked, her brow furrowing. “How will you get back to your own dorm this late?” “I’ll just walk. Besides, there are lights everywhere. You’re starting to sound like a worried old lady, Lina,” Adrian teased, idly kicking a piece of gravel with his beat-up sneaker. Lina smirked, shaking her head. “Fine. Get home safe, Adrian.” She turned and headed inside, the warmth of his joke lingering for only a second before the heavy dorm doors shut behind her. Lina heaved a heavy sigh as she stepped inside, the whoosh of air hitting her was cold. Lina shared a suite with four other girls, all of whom were members of her cheerleader squad. The moment she stepped into the common area, their gazes cut deepe

Chapter 18“What can you actually fix?” Lina asked daringly, her voice steady as she watched Sarah hand tremble against the paper.Sarah's face flushed red, she stared at the notice, her mind racing in panic. She couldn't do the triple twist. She couldn't even stick a landing without Lina's hand on her wrist to steady her. Without a team to hide her flaws she was nothing more than a girl in an expensive outfit.They exchanged confused glances between themselves. “You are not the school proprietor.” Lina said her voice turning ice cold. “So I believe there is nothing you could do about the new notice. You wanted to be independent? Well, now you have your wish.”Mira stormed into the room at that moment, slamming her own copy of the notice onto Lina’s desk. “If you don't want to ruin the school's reputation, Lina, then it's better you stay clear. Don't even think about participating in the contest. You're a jinx.”Before Mira could finish her venomous rant, a crowd of students gathered

Chapter Twenty The imperial club charity gala was held at the Grand Azure pavillon, a venue so exclusive that even the air inside seemed to cost a thousand dollars a breath. Outside the Pavillion line luxury cars stretched for blocks—Rolls-Royces, Maybachs, and custom Bentleys idling like resting beasts. Maina stepped outside her grand Lemousine in her expensive gown worth more than a suburban house. Beside her Jason walked with smug grin adjusting his cufflinks as if he already owned the evening. "Tonight, Lina and that rat will learn the true meaning of background,” Miana whispered, her eyes gleaming with anticipation. "I want them to see us standing on the podium while they’re relegated to the server’s entrance." Sarah and Mira followed close behind, giggling. They had been checking their phones every five minutes, waiting for a "desperate" text from Lina. But Lina had been silent. Mira breath hitched as she saw Jason dressed in the expensive suit walking side by side with