In the driveway, engine idling, I check my messages.
Deadbyte
pulled NU ledger. Dean’s transfers -> acct labeled GNU-009
recurring wire to shell Co — $1.2M last quarter
Me
GNU? What’s that?
Deadbyte
looks like secret project. ties to NU and Society enforcers. not only medical funding.
Me
So Twinston’s funneling POT money given to him by the university into something called GNU?
Deadbyte
exactly. misappropriating university funds to pay his personal debts as well as servicing this GNU account. I’ve attached the transaction log.
Me
Good. That’s all I need for now. Format it into a single PDF, timestamp it, and send it to my secure inbox. Keep digging on GNU. I’ll present this at the exact right time.
It’s a dark and silent ride back to theThetaManor. The entire way, my mind is racing, plotting, scheming. I used to feel Dad would be on my side, no matter what. He’d probably say I’m the one who rebelled. And I did.
For her.
But I also think he believes it’s impossible for me to get what I want without endangering our family. Without me losing my mind. That Ashlyn will leave me like she once did, standing there with a crushed heart and a decimated soul. But that won’t happen again. Because I know one thing…
She’snevergetting away from me ever again. Even if it takes handcuffing her to my body, she’s not leaving.
I’ve made up my mind. Ashlyn Iyla Donovan has always been and will forever be…
Mine.And anything that tries to take her pays in blood, money, or both.
After I park the bike in the garage and head inside the manor, one of the pledges catches me in the entry.
“Sir, Hailey Twinston brought this by. She waited for a while for you, but left when it got too late. I told her you weren’t coming back tonight.”
He hands me a white envelope with a card inside. Giving him a nod, I climb the stairs to my room while opening it.
My heart pounds against my rib cage as I behold the words inside…
You’re invited…
Engagement party…
Aiden Isaac Cardell to Hailey Lauren Twinston
Fuck.
thirty
Even if drawn and quartered,I’d never admit that Aiden’s influence on my study habits has made finals week easy. The exam questions are so simple, I fear I’ve answered them wrong, only because I know the material so well. But I end up with mostly As.