From Ashes of Scandals to His Embrace novel Chapter 405

Laurinda checked in with everyone, making sure they knew what mattered most. She just wanted them all to stay focused for this final stretch and not let any drama get in the way.

They barely had time for small talk before the afternoon classes were about to start, so Laurinda grabbed her things and headed out of the dorm with the others.

As they made their way downstairs, they ran right into that same girl who’d been picking a fight earlier. She glanced at the suitcase Arrow was holding and smirked, her voice full of sarcasm. “Wow, are you so broke you have to drop out and go back to your tiny hometown? Laura told me her place is dirt poor. I wonder if Laurinda can handle being that broke.”

She leaned in a little, still sneering. “Maybe you should beg Laura for help. If you’re lucky, she might let a few crumbs fall your way. That should be enough for someone like you.”

Gordon—because of course it was Gordon—laughed loud and obnoxious as she strutted toward the stairs. But just as she put her foot down, her leg seemed to go numb. Without warning, she pitched forward and tumbled down, her scream echoing through the whole stairwell.

Everyone froze, staring in shock as Gordon landed hard at the bottom. Only Laurinda looked over at Arrow, a small, knowing smile tugging at her lips. Now she was starting to get why Adolphus wanted Arrow by her side.

“Gordon, are you okay?” One of the girls from their dorm rushed down to help. When she lifted Gordon up and saw blood all over her mouth, she panicked, her hands unsure where to go.

“Where are you hurt? Why is there so much blood?”

Gordon just sat there, dazed. She touched her lips, saw her bloodied fingers, then shrieked even louder. Her teeth felt loose, and for a second, she looked like she might faint.

“What even happened, Gordon? How did you fall?”

Her words hung in the air, icy and sharp. Gordon met Laurinda’s eyes for a split second, then looked away, a shiver running through her. She knew she couldn’t win if Laurinda really went after her.

She mumbled, almost sulking, “Who else could it be? You’re the only one here who’s got a problem with me. I was just making fun of you, and now I’m supposed to believe you didn’t push me?”

The more she spoke, the more convinced she sounded, like she was building her own case just by saying it out loud. In her mind, it had to be Laurinda.

“Fine,” Laurinda said, her voice steady. “Let’s get the administration involved. They can figure out what really happened. But if they can’t prove I touched you, then you’re the one who needs to leave this school.”