umiliation, the sheer audacity of their demands-it all coal

N

t it hung in the air w

. She stood tall, meeting Olivia's gaze directly. "And I'm not staying here.

et, her heart hammering but her

speed, planting her solid frame directly in front

id, her voice dangerously cal

loe said, her voice rising w

u walk out that door and straight to the dean? To the police? You'd ruin us. And more importantly, our

. They were serious. This wasn't just b

her voice trembling. "Just tell me wh

She looked at Brenda, then at Sarah, who nodded eagerly. "Give us fifty thousand doll

mpossible. It was a figu

d, her voice cracking. "You saw my bank acco

ering furiously. Chloe could cat

ing," Bre

dad anyway?" Sarah fret

arely speak. He's some big-shot trustee, but he doesn't care about

hloe, her mind made up.

escalating into panic. "

n-palmed strike to the side of her head. The force sent Chloe stumbling sideway

her whining,"

n the floor with cold, calculating eyes

too loud. Someone might hear her if she stays in here." Her eyes darte

ivia declared. "Somewhere she c

r fight, Brenda and Olivia grabbed her by the arms. Her feet scraped agains