Chapter 172
Zack had told Emily that his sister, Quiana, transferred schools during her senior year. He’d rushed back as soon as he heard, but was kidnapped on the way and woke up at St. Gabriel Reform Academy.
Transferring schools during senior year had to mean something huge had happened. But Zack had no idea what it was, and that had always been a sore spot for him.
So, when Emily hit a wall trying to look into Quiana, she figured it probably had something to do with the school transfer. But she never expected the truth to be this devastating. If this Quiana really was the one she was searching for…
Tina noticed the look on Emily’s face and, after a moment’s hesitation, tried to comfort her. “I’ve only been teaching at Shandell High School for the past couple of years, and I just heard about Quiana from other teachers.
“Maybe she’s not the one you’re looking for after all.”
Emily’s hand shook a little. “Do you know anything else about Quiana?”
Tina shook her head. “The school strictly forbids anyone from bringing it up. I only heard about it when other teachers were talking. in private, so I really don’t know much.”
Emily pressed her lips together tightly, and for once, there was a hidden undercurrent in her usually calm eyes.
The more people tried to cover something up, the more she was certain there was something unspeakable behind it, but that only made her more determined to get to the bottom of it. If that Quiana was Zack’s sister…
Emily let go of Tina’s hand and headed to the principal’s office alone. Luckily for her, the principal, Steven, was in his office, and there was no one else around.
Steven looked like a really nice guy. He had this gentle, scholarly vibe with his glasses. He didn’t recognize Emily at first and greeted her with a smile, inviting her to sit down.
But the moment Emily introduced herself, that gentle, friendly look on Steven’s face twisted into open disdain and contempt. “You? What are you doing here?”
The same name that once filled Shandell High School with pride at that moment made them want nothing to do with her. Emily understood all too well, so she barely batted an eye at Steven’s obvious hostility.
She didn’t waste any time. “I’m here to ask you about someone, Mr. Loring. If you can just tell me, I’ll leave right away.”
She locked eyes with Steven, her gaze piercing, as if she could see right through him. “I’m looking for a girl named Quiana.”
Steven’s expression froze, and he instinctively avoided Emily’s gaze. “Quiana? Who’s that? There are so many students here. How could I possibly remember them all?”
He got up from the couch, already starting to show her the door. “If you have nothing else, please leave. Our school doesn’t welcome people like you. Someone as morally corrupt as you has no place here.”
Emily didn’t get mad or argue back. She simply handed over the file she’d been holding onto. “If you let me leave now, this file will be in the inboxes of every major media outlet in Cloudridge within an hour.”
Jackson had taught her: “If you want a favor, offer enough benefits; if you want leverage, make sure you have dirt on them.”
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Thu srau
Chapter 172
Since she’d known from the start that there was something shady about Quiana’s case, there was no way she’d come unprepared Always being prepared for the worst was another thing Jackson had drilled into her.
Steven clearly had no intention of paying her any mind at first. Still, seeing the calm confidence in her eyes, he finally reached out and took the file. Once he saw what was inside, his face changed, and he snapped the file shut.
“How did you get your hands on these…” Steven blurted out, his voice full of shock and panic. If the media ever found out about this, the rest of his life would be completely ruined.
Emily’s expression stayed cold. “I’m not interested in your secrets, Mr. Loring. I just want to know about Quiana.”
Steven understood what she was getting at. He shot her a hateful glare, but he couldn’t say no.
Through gritted teeth, he said, “The Quiana you’re looking for transferred out four years ago. I have no idea where she went. Pushing me won’t get you anywhere.”
AD
