Page 128 of Corrupt Me

Snapping out of my funk, I follow Samuel, who leads me into the sitting room. It’s a small but intimate room with a beautiful view over the rose garden. It was also Grandmother’s favorite room. At least, that was what I heard; I had never been invited.

She stands in front of the window, appearing deep in thought, but when she turns to us, her expression is blank. Cassandra is very hard to read. She has a poker face that could rival all the best players in the world.

She dips her chin in acknowledgment. “That’s all. Thank you, Samuel.”

“Ma’am. Miss Fairchild,” he says, bowing his head and leaving us alone.

I see two cups of coffee and some pastries on the coffee table, but that’s not what catches my attention. It’s the papers next to them that make me uneasy, and my stomach knots.

“What I will tell you saddens me deeply, but I am by your side and here for you. As the matriarch, I don’t have favorites, nor am I biased. As a mother, it breaks my heart at the injustice you’ve faced.”

I sit down, guided more by instinct. I already know whatever she’s going to tell me will shatter my world.

While my father steals glances at me and tries to engage me in conversation, I grow more restless by the minute. It’s been two hours already. I sent Bailey three texts, but they all remained unanswered. Fuck it all. Standing up from the armchair in the living room, I pace by the window before coming to an abrupt stop. “I have to go.”

“Hunter.” My father pronounces my name with authority, and I cock my head at him. I can’t pinpoint the look on his face, and that makes me even more nervous.

I squint at him. “Do you know something?”

He avoids my gaze. “I… it’s a very delicate situation.”

Unease runs rampant through me. I cup my neck and snap. “Well, bloody tell me already.”

He purses his lips. “Cassandra asked for my discretion.”

Fucking perfect. You do not disregard the matriarch’s wishes.

“I’ll find out on my own,” I say, not bothering to say goodbye as I get in my car and speed up the hill. It’s not Samuel who answers the door but someone else from the staff.

“Mister Prescott.”

I try to regulate my tone but fail as I ask through gritted teeth, “Where is Bailey?”

“Miss Fairchild is not here. And neither is Miss Langley.”

What the fuck is happening here?

Raking a hand through my hair in frustration, I go back to my car, anxiety messing with my head like nothing else.

Split, I watch the tracker, seeing she’s in town, and from the address, she’s at her parents’ place. If they even think of hurting her, they’re going to get acquainted with a side of me that only waits to unleash on those assholes.

Trying to calm down, I tell myself she’s fine. That she will call me and recount everything. Heading back to campus, I park my car and check my phone again, but there’s still no reply.

Shoving it into my jacket, I shut the door behind me and march straight to the bar with six pairs of eyes following me.

“What’s wrong?” my sister inquires, her voice laced with concern, while Celine tilts her head, studying my face.

Pouring myself a tumbler, I down it in one go, but that doesn’t help ease my frayed nerves. “Bailey isn’t answering my texts. All I know is that she’s visiting her parents with Cassandra.”

As I watch Celine, her brows knit together, and she sighs. “I’m sorry. Mom didn’t tell me anything.”

“What the fuck is it now?” Blake asks in a harsh tone.

“These fucking secrets,” grumbles Dane.

Abi taps her chin, deep in thought. “Hmm. It must be big.”

I have no fucking idea, but it drives me insane.

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