Chapter 9 - The Ruin
The fallout was apocalyptic.
The assembly incident triggered a massive investigation. The IT logs proved Serena had hacked the system and triggered the sensory assault.
The Headmaster, who had spent years turning a blind eye to Serena’s cruelty because of her father's donations, suddenly found himself staring at a new reality: Arthur Cole, Harper’s father, had just bought the land the school was built on.
Serena was summoned to the Headmaster’s office.
She walked down the hallway, but it felt like a death march. Students lined the corridors. They didn't whisper anymore. They stared with open hostility. Serena had ruled through fear, and now that her power was gone, the resentment was boiling over.
She pushed open the heavy oak doors to the office.
The Headmaster sat at his desk, looking pale. But he wasn't alone. Harper was sitting in the leather guest chair, her legs crossed, looking entirely at ease.
"Serena," the Headmaster said, his voice devoid of its usual warmth. "In light of your actions at the assembly, and the... recent changes in your family's financial standing, the board has made a decision. Your tuition is in arrears. Your scholarship application has been denied."
Serena’s heart dropped into her stomach. "You can't expel me. I'm a Sterling!"
"The Sterling name currently equates to federal fraud investigations, Serena," Harper said, not looking at her, admiring her own fingernails. "You aren't expelled. But you can't afford to be here."
"This is your fault!" Serena screamed, lunging toward Harper.
Two security guards stepped out of the shadows, grabbing Serena by the arms and holding her back.
"I didn't forge your father's financial ledgers, Serena. I didn't make you hack a school to trigger a medical emergency," Harper said, finally looking at her. "You built a glass house, and you spent your whole life throwing stones. I just happened to throw a boulder back."
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"Please," Serena sobbed, the fight completely draining out of her. The reality of her situation—bankrupt, disgraced, expelled—crushed her. She dropped to her knees on the expensive Persian rug. "Please, Harper. I have nowhere to go. My parents are facing indictment. I have nothing."
Harper looked at the broken Queen weeping on the floor. For the first time, she didn't feel anger. She just felt pity.
