Chapter 132
Since it was still early, they returned to Shoneport University. However, the moment Briar appeared, the expressions of the few students who passed he changed noticeably.
Briar frowned. ‘What’s up with that?‘
Ashton and the others immediately sensed something was off too. Just as they were about to have Brandon find out what was happening, Marvin hurried over and approached Briar.
He spoke to her gently, “Don’t panic. It’s probably because the incident involving the murdered students has spread. You all head to the library first I’ll gather the mentors and counselors for an emergency meeting.”
They absolutely couldn’t let Ashton handle this personally. He
Was
Two students were murdered and their corpses dumped. That
afraid Ashton might scare all the students off in a fit of anger.
of horrifying news could be suppressed for a while, but not hidden forever.
Now that the news had gotten out, Marvin wasn’t surprised. He had already notified all the university mentors, and once the meeting ended, they’d issue a school–wide announcement to prevent unnecessary panic.
Ashton looked at Briar. She nodded lightly, not caring much. “Alright.”
Only then did Ashton and Hamish head with her toward the library.
But along the way, they couldn’t avoid hearing snippets of whispered conversation.
“Hey, did you hear? Two students from our school were murdered last night, just after leaving campus. The way they died was brutal.”
“Yeah, Theard. Their bodies were covered in wounds, and all their internal organs were missing. And it’s suspected the killer might be from our own
school.”
“Wha… really? That’s terrifying. I also heard that if organs are removed like that, the victims have to be alive during the process… Oh my god, who could
be that cruel?”
“Right? Just the thought gives me goosebumps.”
“This killer is a total maniac. Who could it be?”
“I mean, I’m just repeating what I heard. Don’t take it too seriously. You can treat it as gossip, but don’t go spreading it around, okay?”
“Relax! I’m super tight–lipped. I won’t say a word. Now tell me! Who is it? I’m dying to know!”
“Yeah, me too!”
“I heard… that the murderer of the two students… is that genius girl from the traditional medicine department. Briar Jennings…”
“What? No way! She doesn’t look like a killer. She’s so petite and delicate! And it’s not like she had anything to do with those two victims!”
It happened to be between classes, and with the news being so disturbing, groups of students gathered, whispering amongst themselves.
As Briar and Ashton walked past, it was impossible not to overhear.
“I don’t know all the details, but I heard it from Beatrice from the dance department. Her dad supposedly got a call from the police saying Briar had to go in for questioning!”
“No wonder no one’s seen her since this afternoon, not at the traditional medicine building or the library. She must’ve been taken away!”
“So she was really taken by the police? Are you sure this is true? We shouldn’t be spreading rumors. She has Mr. Wade backing her.”
Chapter 132
“I’m just repeating what Beatrice said. I don’t know if it’s true, but come on. They’re half sisters. Why would she lie about something be
“She said it herself?”
“Yeah! Look! There she is, surrounded by people asking her questions.”
“Oh my god… It’s scary to think we go to the same school as Briar…”
The whispers grew louder and more numerous. Everyone was clearly rattled by the murder news and the rumors about Briar. They didn’t notice a nea group of people approaching behind them.
Just as Beatrice was dramatically and ambiguously describing the scene of Briar being taken away by the police, there was a loud “smack!”
And the one who slapped her? None other than the “killer” they’d all been whispering about, Briar herself.
Everyone who’d been gossiping just stared, wide–eyed and freaked out. “Briar…?”
They thought Briar was taken away by the police. They didn’t expect her to be back.
Just a minute ago, Beatrice was swearing up and down that it was true, giving all the details. But now, Briar was standing right there, looking perfectly
fine…
And Beatrice had just gotten slapped in front of everyone. Suddenly, it hit some people. Maybe Briar was never in trouble at all, and Beatrice was just making stuff up this whole time.
‘Why would she do that? Is it just for the Campus Belle Contest? Damn, that’s one seriously messed–up way to get ahead!‘
All of a sudden, everyone started giving Beatrice these weird, suspicious looks.
Nobody would go around telling everyone their own sister’s a murderer. Beatrice was obviously up to something.
“Do you really hate seeing me do well that much?” Briar’s voice was icy, her anger palpable. If Ashton hadn’t been beside her, and she didn’t want to ruin her image of being gentle and frail, Beatrice wouldn’t be leaving this campus in one piece today.
Beatrice looked at her in disbelief, her cheek burning red and her heart sinking. “You… how did you get out?”
Her father had said Briar was finished. She would face criminal charges, a permanent record, maybe even jail. Yet, she came back to school so soon.
“I never went in. Are you disappointed?” Briar glanced at the crowd, who had just been gossiping about her. Her gaze was so sharp and chilling, most people faltered and awkwardly dispersed.
It was beyond awkward. Badmouthing someone, only to get caught by the very person they were badmouthing. Briar might even slap them out of anger.
Beatrice just stood there, stunned and at a complete loss for words.
“You’d better call your precious daddy and ask if he can get out of custody,” Briar said as she lightly patted Beatrice’s face with the back of her hand, turning the other cheek just as red.
Beatrice’s lips moved, but no sound came out.
‘What does she mean? What is Briar trying to say? Wait, so Briar’s actually fine, and it’s Dad who’s in trouble?‘ Beatrice thought, her mind spinning in disbelief.
Briar had no interest in seeing more of Beatrice’s two–faced victim act. She shoved her aside and strolled away, hands in her pocke, looking lazy and carefree.
Ashton and the other two followed after her. Once they’d gone a bit further, Hamish gave Ashton a thumbs–up and whispered, “Ashton, your girl’s temper is something else. Looks delicate, but she’s got the fire of a little chili pepper.”
Chapter 132
Ashton looked proud. “Having a temper is good. Otherwise, a girl that weak would get eaten alive out there?
Hamish just stared at him, speechless.
‘Dude, were we watching the same scene? Who exactly was getting bullied?‘ Hamish thought, shaking his head.
Beatrice’s face was humiliated, and she didn’t even dare talk back. Yet in Ashton’s version, it somehow sounded like Briar had been the one suffering This man’s love filter was seriously thick.
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