《The Rival's Secret Play》全部章節：第 1 章 - 第 5 章

The air left my lungs. I looked at Maxwell, my jaw dropping. He stood there in his crisp school blazer, looking like a worried angel. But his eyes were like two pieces of flint. He was setting me up."Search her," Maxwell repeated. His voice was steady, but I could hear the hidden threat beneath it.Professor Alden stepped forward. His face was pale. "Loveth? Is this true? Please tell me you didn't do this.""I didn't!" I shouted. My voice cracked. "He’s lying! He was the one in the vault! He’s the one who took it!"Maxwell sighed, a sound of pure pity. "Professor, she’s clearly panicked. She probably thought she could sell the ring and pay for her tuition. It’s a sad situation, really."I wanted to scream. I wanted to lunge at him and scratch that fake look of concern off his face."Check her pockets, Professor," Maxwell urged.Professor Alden reached out. I didn't move. I couldn't move. If they found that note, the one with the picture of my mother, they would know I was connected t

My knees buckled. I stared at Professor Alden’s body. Just twenty minutes ago, he was looking at me with disappointment. Now, his eyes were open and empty, staring at nothing."No," I whispered. "He was alive. He was just in the library.""Victoria is fast," Cassian said, his voice cold. He didn’t lower the gun. "She knew the Professor wouldn’t stay quiet once he realized Maxwell wasn’t the only one in that vault. He saw her, Loveth. And now, he’s the reason you’re going to spend the rest of your life in a cage."I looked at the knife. My scholarship letter was the piece of paper that represented my mother’s dreams and my sweat was wrapped around the handle. It was soaked in dark, thick red."You're working with her," Maxwell growled. He stepped in front of me, shielding me from Cassian’s aim. "You’ve always wanted my spot, Cassian. But murder? That’s low, even for a Vale.""I’m not working with her," Cassian spat. "I’m winning. Victoria kills the witness, you take the fall, and I bec