With that, she huusi tin tears.
she was clever, shifting the blame onto Marcus
nacktheit, he was young and had just talentover Lowell Group. He couldn’t.
Madison made herself out to be miserable. William abused her, and her family pressured her. Every day felt like torture for her
Mancingers tightened on the
ne, his veder hoarse. “P’in sorry.
meblamed himselt for not having the power to protect her. Because of that, she risteilng mayinc
“Ein not afraid now. I’m back, and you waited for me. That makes me happy,” she said through tears. Marcus felt sorry for her aish could no longer buling up Avery’s spot.
“Mateus, it’s late. What did you want?” she asked, quietly sobbingg
“Nothing important. I just wonted
Thank you.” Het tears tinned.
bed into a san
Have nightmates and called to check on you,” he soothed.
sanile. “Will you take me to the beach tomorrow?–
mand suffering:
H
maur’t what I wanted=
After the call, Marcus pressed his forehead. He couldn’t refuse Madison, sa verry would have to swallow the boss. He would compensate her several times over
capartment, Avery didn’t sleep all night. She sat on the couch, waiting for Marcus‘ call.
However, he didn’t call all night.
At ja on am the next morning, be finally did,
She pockrid up in a panic, her voler so Ima It was barely andille, “Mansin…“.
“Avery, I’m sorry Give the spot to Chieenie. Name any condition you want,” he said in a low voter
He sounded generous, but his tone made it sound lilor he was handing out alons.
Her body went rigid, then began to tremble.
In the end, Marcus sacrificed her to win Madison’s smalle….
So, her lite wasn’t even worth a smile from Madison
en this coming
Avery set numbly on the couch. Deep down, she had seen:
Hier fingers went slack, and she ended the call without another wood to Marm.
e that once he made up his mind, nothing she said could change it.
For Madson, he had sacrificed het eer, and he could samifice her a thousand times mare
Henry deem a long breath, her head prinding. Then, she stood up to kam
Since Mace wouldn’t help her, she could rely only on herself.
She refused to pre in back. No need behind her, but that didn’t matter. She had nothing too
Marcus stood by the window in his office, frowning at the dated Aprickly anger–mised with a worry he wouldn’t admit–spread through him
He rang Avery back, but her phone was turned eft now. His imitation flared the holy tell she didn’t know her place.
He rubbed his temples and sank onto the couch, head throbbing
Years ago, he couldn’t protect Madison, and her family forced her to marry Willam Grayson. Now that she was back, he had to marry her.
Madom bad teed. Manns haft make it up to her, no matter what she asked for.
Ander Avery, he had treated her well over the fast
year. He gave her an apartment, as well as paid for her tuition and living expenses. In his eyes, that was more than generos
He was still willing to compensale her. Whatever she wanted, he would ge
Truth was, he feared loung Avery too. Yet deep inside, he felt, the mattered far less than stadion et di Avery was icons, inden der to have
very walked in the faculty office at trille University alene.
Mathew spoke fire, worried she might strobe “wery, the administration already give that spot to Queenie. Don’t dwell on it. As compensation, you can take a guaranteed place in
our graduate program
Avery laid the rulebook on his desk ‘There were four study abroad spots,
Lawarded by rank The rules say | the top scoret pets the first pick. I have the top so, yet genom
He glanced around and lowered his voice “Avery, you can’t fight the higher–ups The findsay is with the deans. That’s out of our hunch.”
“Then, I’ll post everything on the forum and online. Let the public and the meda judge for themselves. She looked toward the hallway where reporters were already arriving Tw called them I hope you’ll give me a fait answer.
Matthew stared at her shocked that these being this hold a scandal about favoriti academic fraud would rain the university.
“Avery, don’t make snel Send the reporters away,” he said anodst. Ak them tolest. Give me some time to talk to the adminhtration.“
“Whether I get the spar doesn’t matter anymann. I just want lain. Othermbe,
but will face the same thing” she slid, her eyed.
15 reporters marted a live stream and pressed Matthew. “Ter the rules, wey gets the first pick why was her study–abroad opportunity handed to some lan?
We took a deep breath and looked at Manthew. “I’m sorry to drag you in this, but Leucorded our convenation pesterday,”
He trapped, “Avery! Berseding me without comment illegal
She pointed around. “This is a shared office, a public space. The recording is legal.”
Matthew’s face went pale. “The spot was yours, but you’re an orphan. Do you crally think you can fight the university? How na!”
He pointed at the cupitters “Leavy! How did security even let you in? Where are they? Do you realize this is a university? Get out before you all love your jobia!”
Then, he turned on Avery. “If you blow this up, forget about your degree altogether!”
She had expected that threat. “You’ve pulled this trick before. Remember Wendy Lares? She fell into depression and dropped out her sophomore year after you gave her competition spotte Queen and held her degree overher head How many lives have you suined?”
Avery het beget silent soil now because she knew she was powerless. But this time, the had nowheat. She had to fight for herself.
News spread online within hours.
dager exploded as Away released recordings and proot. Students everywhere atbord her story. Wendy oren went live ta denautey Matthew and Qjuveni
The miseraty’s public relation teamed as statement claiming the top rate might not to my, ging to the waters. The leadership had underestimated the
Avery posted for project and is op’s
and that she had paid sque todobri i fou ben
News Queenie plagiarizing and hiring somune to work on her project desigo quickly climbed to the top of the trending!
Everyone could see that Avery’s design outstane Queender’s by far.
The university parcial Administrators phoned querie, ondering her to give up the spot ta herry beloce the tiesi giew wis
twilling tape up, Queenie went to Madsen indiviller everyiling
Madison hadn’t expected any tole this capable when appiening the trend, she went to see
Madison ancierdat Lowell Coup anal made her way straight into Marcus‘ alike. “Your assurant can to the media. The whole internet is attacking Queende. My aunt ways she crudal right
Team shimmered in her eyes. “Marrus, ask your assistant to give turn the spot Whatever she wan, i’ll pay I’ll beg het myself. “
I was stunned by Avery’s toughness.
“I’ll handle it.” He hugged Madison, then barked at his aide. ” that trending topic plight now! Tell very to see mel
The de nodded and buried out.
Charter 16
Madison looked at Marcus and said, “The spot means a lot to Queenie.”
Marcus nodded. “Don’t worry, I’ll make Avery give it up.”
Madison was satisfied. “Marcus, I trust you.”
