Chapter 171
Emily knew that Tina was just being polite with her question. It wasn’t because they were actually close or anything.
Because of what happened with Louisa, Tina had always had issues with her, though it wasn’t as bad as it used to be.
Emily nodded. “I need to ask Mr. Loring about something.”
She’d only meant to bring it up in passing, but then, for some reason, she found herself asking, “I was wondering if you know someone named Quiana, She’s…”
Emily gave a quick rundown of Quiana’s background, but honestly, she wasn’t holding out much hope.
Even though Tina was a teacher at Shandell High School, there was no way she
wasn’t exactly well–known around campus,
I know!
everyone, especially since Quiana
Emily only asked because she’d run into some odd things while having Quiana look into it, and figured it couldn’t hurt to see if she could dig up anything.
To her surprise, when Tina heard the name Quiana, her expression turned a bit surprised and wary.
‘Does she actually know her?‘ Emily thought, a little taken aback. “Do you know her?”
Tina opened her mouth, like she wanted to say something, but seemed conflicted.
Finally, she chose her words carefully. “If the Quiana you’re looking for is the one I’m thinking of, then going to Mr. Loring probably won’t do any good.”
Emily noticed something was off and lowered her voice. “Why?”
Tina frowned slightly, her expression hesitant, as if she didn’t know where to start.
Emily was perceptive enough to notice Tina’s discomfort, so she press
didn‘
But Tina, curious, asked, “Is there something you need from Quiana?”
urther.
Emily’s expression wavered, and after a moment of silence, she said, “She’s the sister of a friend of mine. My friend asked pass along a message to her.”
Tina looked puzzled. “If she’s your friend’s sister, why do you have to be the one tracking her down?”
Tina thought, ‘With the internet these days, one can reach anyone no matter how far apart they are. Why would that friend need someone else to pass on a message to his own/sister?‘
Emily’s lips thinned, and her voice suddenly turned heavy. “He’s dead.”
He was beaten to death right in front of her, just because he tried to sto
medicine to save her life.
St. Gabriel Reform Academy would never easily give up on anyone’s life, because those kids were valuable, and because they still had so–called “families” behind them.
Except for the ten who were selected to be Stray Dogs. They were the ones truly abandoned, kids that no one cared if they lived or died…
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Chapter 171
An oppressive darkness seemed to gather around Emily, as if it could swallow everything whole, but it vanished in an instant.
Concealing her emotions and aura was a skill Emily had mastered at St. Gabriel Reform Academy, so even Tina, who was standing right beside her, didn’t notice a thing.
Tina hadn’t expected that answer, and for a moment, she didn’t know what to say or how to comfort her.
Making a trip just to carry out a friend’s last wish was real loyalty. But if the girl named Quiana Emily was looking for was the same one she had in mind…
Tina had always been soft–hearted. She really took after her mom in that way.
When she saw Emily about to leave, she instinctively reached out and stopped her. “Hey, if the Quiana you’re looking for is the same one I’m thinking of, you might be making this trip for nothing.”
Emily had no idea what Tina was getting at. Since she’d already started talking, Tina knew she couldn’t just stop now.
She glanced around, then lowered her voice. “The day before the SAT four years ago, a girl named Quiana jumped from a building and took her own life.”
A chill ran through Emily. She grabbed Tina’s hand, her face going pale as she opened her mouth several times, but couldn’t get a word out.
Tina could already guess what Emily wanted to ask, so she spoke up, “From what I know, that Quiana’s situation really does match what you just described.” That’s why she’d been so unsure about saying anything.
Emily’s face went even paler. ‘No way…‘ she thought.
