Page 23 of The Ruthless Rivalry

I’m so lost in thought that I don’t notice Sylvester falling into step beside me until he speaks. “We need to talk,” his voice is clipped as he catches up to me.

I don’t even acknowledge him. Instead, I quicken my steps, determined to ignore his presence. But of course, he cuts me off, forcing me to stop.

“I know I’m probably not one of the people you want to talk to right now, but listen to me. We need to get our story straight before Thursday.”

I don’t even look at him, my eyes fixed straight ahead. “There is no ‘we,’ Sylvester. You’re the student teacher, you figure it out.”

His gaze hardens, frustration creeping into his usually confident demeanor. “This affects both of us. If O’Donnelly finds out you’ve been skipping your sessions,I’llhave to deal with the consequences.”

I shake my head, as if brushing him off. “And why wouldIcare about that?”

This wasn’t my problem. It was his.

“Poor Sylvester. Afraid the great and perfect Legacy might get a slap on the wrist. However will you cope?”

Before I can move past him, he grabs my elbow and spins me back to face him. “This isn’t a joke. Do you have any idea what’s at stake here? If O’Donnelly reports this to the Chancellor, it could jeopardize both our positions at Altair.”

I raise an eyebrow, fully uninterested. “You mean how mine already is?” I point out, my tone thick with sarcasm. “Thanks to you,” I finish, bitterness rising in my throat.

I pull the summons from Maxwell out of my pocket and shove it in his face, watching the surprise flicker in his eyes.

Sylvester stares at it for a moment, his face stiffening as he scans the paper.

“Alex, I…” he starts, but falters. I can see him struggling to find the right words. “I didn’t know about this.”

I cross my arms, my expression unyielding. “Well, now you do. And it doesn’t change anything.” I turn away, ready to leave him to clean up his own mess.

Pissed off and fed up, I decide to show up at Chancellor Maxwell’s office after all. I storm inside, ready for whatever argument, advice, or punishment she’s prepared to throw my way.

“Ah, Miss Prescott, right on schedule,” Chancellor Maxwell greets me, her voice too chipper for my mood. I glance at the large clock in the corner. I’m actually on time? Why does that make me so much more annoyed? I couldn’t even be a minute late? “Please, come inside,” Maxwell says, oblivious to my internal rant.

I step into the room and sink into the seat I’ve come to know too well, across from her desk. “Looks like we’re making a habit of this,” I mutter. She cracks a twitch of a smile, which of course only fuels my frustration.

She folds her hands neatly in front of her. “I assure you, this is no joking matter.” Her gaze sharpens, and she pauses, standing so straight it’s as if she might snap if moved. “Your actions last night were completely unacceptable.”

I hold her stare, trying to keep my cool. “Chancellor, I—” I take a breath, my frustration bubbling to the surface. “I didn’t do anything wrong. I was tricked. You don’t understand the situation—what happened at the natatorium wasn’t my fault. They set me up.”

Her lips thin to a line. “I don’t want excuses. You’ve been given enough chances, and you’ve squandered them. This kindof behavior will not continue to be tolerated, no matter how my decision at the ceremony could be perceived.”

I grit my teeth. “I’m not making excuses! I’m trying to explain that I—”

“You’re not listening,” she cuts me off, her tone ice-cold. “Your actions were reckless, and this behavior will not be ignored.”

She pauses for a moment, her gaze softening ever so slightly, but only for a fraction of a second. “I’ve tried to be lenient with you. I’ve understood that it hasn’t been easy for you here, but I cannot keep allowing your actions to go unchecked if it means others are now suffering because of them.”

I try to steady my breath, but the weight of her words hits harder than I expect. She continues, her voice hardening again, “The students were looking forward to the pool being refilled. The orchestra had made plans to use the space for their rehearsals and extra storage. They were under the impression the work would be completed by the end of the week. However, because of what happened, the contractors will now have to halt everything until the investigation is concluded. They’ll need to verify what caused the damage and assess whether the structural integrity has been compromised—this process could take at least another two weeks, if not more. What was supposed to be a minor delay has now turned into a setback that will affect multiple student groups.

I feel a stab of guilt, but I don’t show it. She’s digging deeper, and I can’t stand it. She’s not done, though.

“Not to mention,” Chancellor Maxwell adds, her gaze hardening, “I’ve noticed you’ve become quite friendly with Miss Gregory. This affects her and her club as well, as the Actor’s Guild will have to continue sharing an overcrowded space with the orchestra students.”

The mention of Aubrey hits me like a brick.

For a split second, I feel my stomach twist. Aubrey.My friend. This isn’t just about me anymore. It’s about her, and I can’t ignore that.

I swallow hard, fighting the urge to argue, to defend myself. It wasn’t my fault the way things went down at the Natatorium. But it doesn’t matter. All that matters is the damage done, and now Aubrey is tangled up in it.

I stare down at the floor, clenching my fists so tight my nails dig into my palms. There’s nothing I can do to take this back. No quick fix for this kind of mess other than accepting the consequences of what’s been done.

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