Betrayed, Then Back For Blood

Chapter 51

The small office was left with just Briar, Mia, and Joseph, the silence heavy with awkward tension. Mia’s eyes flickered nervously, dodging Briar’s gaze like it might set her on fire. Whenever their looks crossed, Mia’d jerk her head away.

Her pulse hammered. She was afraid that Briar might snap and turn on her next.

In all her years at school, Mia had seen her share of student spats, but nothing like Briar’s terrifying showdown in the dorm.

Besides Lydia, who’d taken the full force of Briar’s ire, Mia was probably the only one who’d caught that chilling glint in her eyes.

It wasn’t anger–it was colder, more unsettling. Briar’s stare was calm, almost serene, as if she saw right through them, brushing off their taunts with icy contempt.

It felt like staring into the eyes of a movie assassin, detached and untouchable.

If they dared push her again, Lydia’s bruised back would be the least of their problems.

Joseph, stuck in the uncomfortable middle, looked helpless.

He said, “Uh, Mia, why don’t we head to the library? Didn’t Professor Swift assign that brutal practice test? We still need to track down the

sources and answers.”

the stifling vibe, Joseph

it like a lifeline. “Yeah,

books and bolted, her exit screaming of someone fleeing

frantic retreat, then shifted to Joseph. “You should go too,

nodded quickly. “Got it, Briar. Just make sure you lock the door when

his head, he was groaning. If word of this mess got to Joshua,

getting targeted right at the semester’s start? That was a stain on

the office. As a freshman on her first

school, new chapter, and yet here she was, tangled in petty drama from

dismantled it, reassembling it into a sleek mini–computer. She summoned a virtual

went online, a

How’s life in

tapped out: [It’s fine. A bit

check the job

replied: [I’m on a

Come on, Hacker Alliance jobs are easy money–a few clicks and you’re done. Weren’t you just