Page 39 of Reckless Hate

Samantha didn’t say anything.

The dean’s eyes then fell on Ved Simha. “And what about a mishap involving Mr. Simha. The two of you have been getting a lot of attention because of your skirmishes.”

Samantha's heart jerked. Did her enemy complain about her to the dean too?

“Although Mr. Simha says it wasn’t you, the same girl wrote in her complaint that you sabotaged Mr. Simha’s basketball game.”

Samantha’s heart thudded, wondering why her enemy didn’t tattle about her and get her into trouble. Was he planning to blackmail her with it later? He would easily have an upper hand if he did since she couldn’t risk a suspension if she were to graduate in a year and a half.

The dean looked at them both. “The two of you excel in your respective fields because you are at Simha with scholarships. But as you both know, being at Simha University requires more than just academic excellence. We give utmost importance to character development as well. Which is why I’m assigning you both to a task.”

Samantha’s heart jerked.

Neelima Raj looked at them with a purposeful stare. “I want you both to volunteer for the upcoming masquerade ball.”

Samantha was shocked and she felt her enemy stiffen slightly next to her.

“I know it’s usually the fourth-year students who volunteer,” the dean continued. “And this isn’t really a punishment. But I want you both to work together on this. For now, I’m letting you both off without bigger consequences. But the next time, I won’t be so generous.”

Samantha was shocked. She didn’t even want to attend the masquerade party, let alone spend time with her enemy to plan it.

The dean looked at them both. “I hope you both understand that this task is meant for you to sort your differences and work together as a team.”

Samantha forced herself to nod. “Yes, I understand.” She really didn’t, but if she had to get out of trouble, she had no choice but to nod along.

The dean then looked at Ved. “And you too, Mr. Simha. In the last three years, I haven’t had any major complaints about you, so I’m excusing you this time with just a small task.”

“Thank you,” her enemy’s deep voice replied.

“You both may go now.”

Samantha got up to leave. And so did her enemy. His long strides got him to the door first, but he didn’t leave, he held it open for her.

She was about to step out the door when Neelima Raj spoke again.

“Give your parents my regards when you speak to them.”

Samantha nodded again before stepping out of the dean’s office.

Neelima Raj’s regards to her father would remain uncommunicated as there was no way Samantha was ever going to speak to her father. And the contempt in Samantha’s mother’s voice when she spoke about Neelima Raj indicated that the dean’s regard wouldn’t be reciprocated.

Samantha briefly wondered what kind of relationship Ved’s parents had with Neelima Raj. She knew it would be much more cordial and friendly since Ved’s mother was the kind to strike a friendship with everyone.

As soon as the dean’s office door shut and Samantha walked out of the administrative building, her enemy’s deep voice came out in a mocking tone. “I hope you are excited about the masquerade. I know I am.”

Samantha turned to look at him. The bastard was grinning like it was the most amusing thing to happen to them.

“Va te faire foutre,” she hissed out.

The bastard didn’t understand that she told him to fuck himself in French. He continued to flash his dimples while grinning mockingly.

CHAPTER 20

Even though Neelima Raj said it wasn’t a punishment, it was a punishment of the worst kind.

Samantha hated parties. One of the reasons was because it involved interacting with people. The fourth-year students who were planning the event gave all the boring, grunt work to her, almost as if they didn’t appreciate her interference. But they didn’t show the same contempt towards her enemy. The senior girls more or less coddled him.

“Oh, Ved. You can help us choose the drinks at the receiving table. We were thinking fruit punch with champagne and fresh strawberries with a hint of peach.”

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