JESSICA'S POV
My phone buzzed against my thigh, a violent, insistent vibration that felt like an alarm. I pulled it from my pocket, my fingers still humming with the leftover energy from Julian's study. The screen glowed with a number I didn't recognize, but the area code was the university's.
"Jessica speaking," I answered, my voice cooler than I felt.
"Jessica, this is Dean Hale's office. He needs to see you. Immediately." The female voice on the other end was clipped, professional, and completely cold.
My stomach tightened into a hard knot. This is it. They're making their move. "I'm on my way," I said, and ended the call before she could reply.
The walk to the administration building was a blur of cold air and cold certainty. They lost their money. Now they're using their authorit
