Page 108 of You Owe Me

Rumor has it, she discovered the truth at the worst possible moment.

Ainsley

I’m standing outside Carter’s apartment building at 9:00 a.m., clutching a manila envelope full of academic misconduct evidence, and I feel like I’m about to walk into the lion’s den wearing a meat dress.

But for the first time in weeks, I’m not the one who should be scared.

My phone buzzes with a text from Eliza:

How’s Operation Destroy the Khaki Menace going?

I type back:

About to find out. If I don’t text you in an hour, assume I’ve been murdered by overpriced cologne fumes.

Eliza: Got it. I’ll tell the police to look for someone in boat shoes and daddy issues.

I laugh despite myself, then take a deep breath and push through the glass doors into Carter’s pretentious lobby. Thesame concierge barely glances up as I head for the elevators, which is perfect because I probably look like I’m here to commit several felonies.

Which, let’s be honest, isn’t entirely inaccurate.

The elevator ride to the fifteenth floor feels like ascending to my own execution, except this time, I’m the one holding the weapon. Jin’s intelligence sits heavy in my bag—screenshots, academic records, email chains that paint a picture of systematic cheating going back three years. Everything I need to flip this entire nightmare on its head.

Assuming Carter doesn’t just laugh in my face and trigger whatever nuclear option he’s prepared.

I knock on his door with more confidence than I feel, straightening my shoulders and trying to channel some of Maverick’s intimidating energy. The door opens almost immediately.

“Ainsley.” Carter greets me with that insufferable smile. “Right on time. I was beginning to think you might not show.”

“Wouldn’t miss it for the world,” I reply sweetly. “We have so much to discuss.”

He steps aside to let me in, and I’m relieved to see we’re alone this time. No audience of business school cronies to witness whatever’s about to happen. Just Carter and me and the floor-to-ceiling windows that overlook a city full of people who have no idea their morning is about to get very interesting.

“Can I offer you something to drink?” Carter plays the gracious host. “Mimosa?”

“I’m fine, thanks. I prefer to stay sharp during business negotiations.”

His eyebrows lift slightly. “Business negotiations? How… professional of you.”

I set my bag down on his expensive coffee table and pull out the manila envelope. “I think it’s time we discuss some new terms.”

“New terms?” His voice carries just a hint of amusement, like he’s watching a child play dress-up in adult clothes. “I wasn’t aware this was a negotiation.”

“Everything’s a negotiation if you have the right leverage.” I tap the envelope with one finger. “And it turns out, I do.”

Carter settles into his leather chair, completely relaxed, like this is all very entertaining. “Do tell.”

I open the envelope and spread the contents across his glass coffee table. Academic records, email screenshots, suspension letters that were mysteriously downgraded to probation. The paper trail of Carter Mills’s fraudulent academic career, laid out in black and white. I wasn’t waiting on Jin to find someone to report Carter. I’m pulling a Maverick and handling business. If Carter wants to threaten my family, I’ll return the favor.

The change in his expression is immediate and satisfying. The smug confidence falters, replaced by something sharper, more calculating. His eyes scan the documents, and I can practically see him running damage control scenarios in his head.

“Interesting reading,” I say conversationally. “Particularly the emails about your ‘study group’ activities. Very thorough documentation of academic fraud. Almost like you wanted to get caught.”

“Where did you get these?” His voice is carefully controlled, but I catch the edge underneath.

“Does it matter? What matters is that I have them. And copies. Lots of copies.” I lean back in his overpriced chair, trying to mirror his earlier casual menace. “Funny thing about digital evidence—it’s really hard to make it disappear completely.”

Carter’s jaw ticks. “These are illegally obtained. Inadmissible.”

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