<b>Chapter </b>107


    A freshman girl tried to protest. “We were just-


    “Just what?‘ Chase interrupted, his voice dangerously low. “Spreading lies about someone you don’t know? Finding joy in tearing down someone smarter than you’ll ever be? Get lost before I remember your face.”


    “Been hearing that crap about you all over campus, Chase said, dropping into the empty seat beside me in theputerb twenty minutester. He looked annoyed, tie loosened and hair slightly disheveled. “Took me forty–five minutes to get here because I had to shut down about a dozen different versions of the same stupid rumor. People are pathetic.”


    I nced up from my code, then returned my attention to the screen. “Thanks for the white knight routine, but I can handle myself.”


    Chaseughed. “Oh, I know you can. You’re the one who solved that impossible physics problem on the campus forum. That fake physics genius was such a moron–trying to fake something that actually requires brains. Edward and his crew believed her for months. They’re even bigger morons, honestly.”


    The corner of my mouth twitched upward. “What do you want, Chase?”


    “Didn’t see you around for a few days,” he said, leaning back in his chair. “Where’d you disappear to?”


    “Cloud City. Had to pick up my brother Max.”


    Chase’s eyes lit up with genuine interest. “Your brother? Which school is he at? I could help look out for him. We should grab dinner sometime.” The questions came rapid–fire. “How old is he? Is he good at racing? How many guys


    can he take in a fight?”


    I raised an eyebrow. “My brother is a good student.”


    “You look like a good student too,” Chase grinned.


    ‘I am a good student,” I replied evenly, deliberately ignoring his dinner invitation and returning my attention to the


    monitor<b>. </b>


    When I returned to my dorm roomter that afternoon, I found my luggage ransacked, clothes strewn across the floor. Thebination lock on my suitcase had been forcibly broken, metal pieces scattered on the carpet. A bottle of imported red wine I’d been savingy shattered on the carpet, the dark liquid soaking into the fibers. My medical kit<b>, </b>which I kept carefully hidden in a false bottom of my suitcase<b>, </b>was conspicuously missing.


    <b>The </b>student affairs director and Megan Hayes stood inside with two other roommates, waiting for me. The director,


    12:25 Mon, Sep <b>22 </b>


    :.


    :


    a balding man in his fifties, held a clipboard and wore an expression of bureaucratic satisfaction.


    A


    <b>62 </b>


    “Miss Morgan,” the director said grimly, “we received a report about unauthorized medications being stored in your dormitory.”


    My gaze swept across every face in the room before settling on Megan, who wore a smug smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes.


    “Where’s my medical kit?” I asked, my voice perfectly controlled despite the anger simmering beneath.


    “Confiscated,” the director replied, adjusting his sses. “Given the potential safety concerns, we need to examine its


    contents.”


    “Those are standard medications.”


    Megan scoffed, crossing her arms over her chest. “Standard? Then why does your kit contain so many syringes and powders? Who knows what you’re using them for.” Her implication hung in the air–drugs, perhaps<b>, </b>or something


    worse<b>. </b>


    My eyes turned cold, and I could see Megan unconsciously take a small step back. “I suggest you clean this mess andpensate me for the damages within the next two minutes.”


    The director shook his head. “Miss Morgan, your medical supplies will remain in our custody temporarily. Once our investigation isplete-”


    “Then you’d better take good care of my medications,” I interrupted, my tone carrying an unmistakable threat. The temperature in the room seemed to drop several degrees. “They’re expensive. And irreceable.”


    The director adjusted his tie ufortably, clearly sensing the power behind my words. “We’ll handle everything properly, Miss Morgan.”


    I nodded, watching expressionlessly as they filed out of my room. Megan was thest to leave, deliberately bumping


    my shoulder as she passed,


    “This is just the beginning,” she whispered. “Don’t think you’re untouchable here.”


    I watched her leave, mentally calcting various ways to respond.


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