Chapter 57
Chapter 57
“Emily’s going too far!” someone snapped.
Another chimed in, “Yeah, it’s like she’s biting the hand that feeds her.”
“Lydia’s way too nice,” the third said. “If that were me, I’d have smacked her upside the head by now.”
They all ganged up, bashing Emily for being cruel and praising Lydia for being sweet. It was like they had to stack the two up to prove a point.
“What Emily did is totally out of line,” Yvonne fumed. “She needs to be put in her place.”
Heads nodded all around.
Lydia looked hesitant. “Doesn’t that feel a little off?”
“Nothing wrong with it,” a girl shot back. “She’s only acting this arrogant because no one’s called her out. She won’t get it until she gets a reality check.”
Yvonne jumped in, “Exactly! She had just got back, and she already started sucking up to Prof. Perez. Maybe she’s the one who got you dropped as Prof. Perez’s student.”
Lydia’s face went white, full of disbelief. “No, that can’t be. Why would Emily do that to me?”
“It must be because she was caught plagiarizing your work and held a grudge,” Yvonne said, like it was obvious. “People like her need a good hard lesson. Otherwise, who knows what other crap she’ll pull?”
Lydia looked crushed, like she couldn’t believe Emily would do something like that to her.
Seeing how kind-hearted she was, Yvonne sighed, “Chill, Lydia. We’re just gonna teach her a little something. We won’t actually hurt her.”
For Lydia’s sake, they might go easy on Emily, but she still needed to learn her lesson.
Lydia looked like she’d been talked into it. “O-okay, then. Don’t take it too far, guys.”
*****
Back in the servants’ quarters, Emily didn’t head to bed early like usual. Instead, she pulled out that unopened art kit.
She’d thought two years at St. Gabriel Reform Academy had snuffed out her love for painting. But the second she picked up a brush, she knew it had never really died.
She painted, lost in her own world-until sharp, impatient knocks cut through the quiet.
“Ms. Emily Bennett,” a voice called. “Prof. Perez’s at the pool. She said she forgot to tell you something earlier.”
The sudden interruption shattered Emily’s focus. For the first time since she’d been back, real irritation flickered across her face. She wanted to brush it off, but since it was Louisa, she put away her paints and headed out.
The pool was a bit of a walk from the dinner hall, and hardly anyone went there at night. So Emily didn’t think twice about
But when she got there, the lights were on, and no one was around. A chill of unease shot through her. It was the kind of gut feeling she’d learned the hard way at St. Gabriel, after too many nasty surprises and humiliations.
1/2
Without hesitation, she spun around to bolt, moving fast, like a single second’s delay would let those creepy bastards catch her. But she was still a step too slow.
A group blocked her path before she could reach the exit. Yvonne stood front and center. “Well, well, look who’s trying to sneak out,” she sneered. “Leaving without saying hello to old friends?”
Those hateful stares felt way too familiar. Emily’s hands itched to grab something-anything-to defend herself. But there was nothing here except the full pool.
Her face went pale. ‘I’ve tried so hard to stay out of their way. Why can’t they just leave me alone?’