“I had to go into the dunk tank.”
“Yeah, I heard.” Without calling attention to it, I lengthen my stride.
“I figured you wanted me to. Someone got it on video for you. You know…if you want to watch it.”
My eyebrows shoot up as I freeze mid-step. When I face her, desperation furrows her forehead. Her tight swallow of approval makes me disgusted.
“No. I really don’t. As I said…in a hurry. I’ll catch you later.”Or not.
Fortunately, she seems to take the hint and retreats while I aim for the president’s place. Whipping out my burner phone, I message my hacker for some intel.
Me
Where are those finance updates?
Deadbyte
You’re not going to like this… I saw them.
Me
And?
Deadbyte
And someone deleted them. I’m working on recovering the files.
My jaw tightens. Someonedeletedthe strings. Who would do that?
Me
What was in them?
Deadbyte
Weird shit. I’m not here to analyze. That’s your job.
I’ll try again.
Shoulders up to my ears, I pull the collar of my pea coat higher and grit my teeth.Fuck. I need something so I can get rid of this appointment. That was my way out.
When the staff opens the door to the president’s office, I halt my steps.
Dean Twinston looms in front of his desk, and next to him is my father, Xavier Cardell. CEO of Cardell Enterprises and a board member of Northview University.
This isn’t good.
“Aiden! Come in!” The president rises from his wingback chair to greet me with a broad grin.
“I thought this was about Wicked Wednesday’s loss, sir…” I say, annoyed thatDeltatook the cup for another year. Despite our cheating strategy, they cheated better.
Dean Twinston’s reddened face looks glum. Even angrier as he turns his lips into a frown. “No, it isn’t.” His light eyes glance over at President Harvey, who waves at the seats in front of him.
All of us sit as he carefully begins. “The dean has concerns that you haven’t yet announced your appointment to his daughter.”
“Not even proposed!” He whips his head toward me with accusation.
“Sorry, I was a little busy with Wicked Wednesday preparations and?—”