Chapter 27

Hailey’s eyes widened. “Wait–so without your families backing them, the Medrano family could go under?

It wasn’t quite that dramatic. The Medrano family wouldn’t collapse overnight, but things would get tough. They were an old academic family, deeply rooted in education rather than business.

Unlike the power–hungry elites of Hallon City, they’d never prioritized expanding their influence,

Generations of scholars and teachers had shaped their legacy, and in this generation, they’d poured their wealth into schools and education centers…

But everything required money. The more they wanted to contribute, the more investment they needed.

While other families built their fortunes, the Medranos funneled their earnings into education, making them far less financially aggressive.

Running a school meant relying on other families–but not entirely.

After everything the Medrano family had done, even if they went broke, the government and good–hearted people were willing to step in and help.

Everton High School had several investors, but the biggest shareholder wasn’t the Daltons or the Hawthornes–it was Owen.

No one knew because he’d invested privately, separate from his family’s wealth.

Beatrix, ever the spoiled heiress, didn’t grasp the bigger picture.

She assumed that if the Hawthorne family pulled their funding and convinced others to do the same, the Medrano family would be finished.

In her mind, the Medrano family was nothing.

Lifting her chin like a self–important swan, she smirked at Hailey. “That’s right.”

Hailey couldn’t help it–she laughed.

Beatrix’s expression darkened. “What the hell’s so funny?”

Hailey met her glare with a smirk. “You. You’re ignorant, arrogant, and completely clueless.”

“You little-” Beatrix’s face twisted in rage as she swung her hand toward Hailey’s cheek.

Hailey caught her wrist midair, fingers tightening like a vice. Her eyes held no fear, only an eerie, quiet confidence.

For a brief second, Beatrix hesitated. But with her girls surrounding them, she quickly shoved her doubt aside. “You really think you can take all of us?”

One sneered, “Be smart about this. Get on your knees to Beatrix and Mateo, apologize, and leave

things are gonna get real ugly–for you and your

drop you in a heartbeat if it meant saving

just squeezed Beatrix’s

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Chapter 27

shot up her

than she looked, and the unsettling, calm

stand there? Do

and lunged,

hair–pulling and slapping. But hair–polling was the real

dodging with ease. The

of her wrist, Hailey

off balance, Beatrix staggered backward–straight into her own crew. With a yelp, the

of her friends,

chorus of groans filled the air

Calmly, she reached up and pulled the black hair tie from her wrist, gathering her hair into a messy bun. It

she took a step

through the window, casting a golden glow around her. She looked almost angelic–except for the cold

not really, but the fear Hailey sparked in her had reached a whole new

her voice shaking. “D–Don’t come any closer!”

Hailey didn’t stop.

door, yanking at the handle–only to find it locked. Someone had sealed it from

down, barely holding

voice was soft, almost lazy. “Maybe after today, you’ll learn how to

she turned, crying–and her eyes widened in terror.

*******

minutes later, Hailey stepped out of the restroom, wiping her hands

the door, then at Eliza, who stood a

a distance. Her gaze landed on Hailey’s face, and for some reason,

carried herself with an effortless

She’d been so

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Chapter 27

she realized just how ridiculous that assumption had

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