The Queenbee’s Downfall

6: Braise and Pace Part 2

Just a day ago after the Exclusive Interview, up until now the negative comments about me did not disappear.

How could it fade when Eagle Press-con immediately covered the part where someone confessed to me— live— that what Mary did was scripted?

After the live interview went viral, the image of the broadcasting club was tarnished. Their corporation is even having problems, all the more reason to immediately come up with a solution to cover the issue. Because if they didn’t, their opportunity of venturing to America would be gone.

They succeeded in making their viewers believe what they had published. Stating that I paid those two so that I could ruin Eagle Press-Con, and not let them bring news to the whole world.

Right. Who would want to let this kind of entertainment disappear? Me.

I didn’t attend my classes because Mr. Hennigan ordered me not to. I don’t know if he’s concerned about what could my bashers do to me, or he’s letting me prepare and ready my plans to spy on Heath Evans?

Either way, I still need to plan everything so that I won’t be noticed, nor caught, by Evans’ companions. It would give me a hard time convincing the bad boy to not leave the campus once they see me—

“Oh my God!”

“Horseshit,” Fawn said.

“What?!”

“Fawn, can you not? I am thinking of different strategies on how I could prevent that guy to escape school, and now you’re making me panic?”, I stood up and snatched my things from her hands.

I asked her a favor if she could get me several clothes, and other necessities, in our house. My Mom would be away for 3 months, so I’ll be staying here in our dorm. It’s a wise decision to not house a pet dog or cat, I don’t want anyone blaming us for being irresponsible fur parents.

“The inclemency of you... don’t you want me to share with you something that would eventually help you in your punishment?”, her eyebrows bobbled up and down.

I sighed before putting down the luggage beside my queen-sized bed.

“And what gossip must you have inhaled?”

“It wasn’t written in the contract if whatever gate the boys are using to escape the campus, right?”

Now that made me think. “You’re right! Only their fixed schedule of escaping was attached to the file, but they never mentioned the main, back, or side gates of the school,” out of excitement, I hurried towards her. “Come, I’ll cook you favorite Cheese Rolls after this meeting.”

She smiled widely. “Promise?”

“Yup! Wait, where’s Talulah?”

“You know her, a grade-conscious woman. She’s busy accomplishing those assignments, projects, and reports for the twos of you. Since our Principal is not allowing you to attend classes and you’re on standby, and you’ll be missing lots and lots of lectures, Talulah chose to take your paperwork and finish it for you.”

I pouted at that. My best friend is so sweet! Wow, being her friend is amazing. She’ll do everything just so you wouldn’t be left behind. Talulah’s not like the others who are satisfied watching their friends fall deeper as they rise higher.

I am thankful for being her friend.

“What, feeling those butterflies fluttering in your stomach?”, Fawn jested.

“Of course! She’s only my best friend, and yet, she’s like that? Isn’t that sweet?”, I grinned at her. “Why couldn’t you be more like her?”, I jokingly said.

She rolled her eyes at me. “Duh! I have my own hands, brain, and willpower to do those things. I don’t need someone babying me even though I am old enough to take care of it myself. Do you want to be lazy in the future?”

I grimaced at what she said. Right. If Talulah would do all of those, she fits the requirements of being the Valedictorian. I am not against her being one. It’s just my dream to have that title, I should be the one working hard for it, not anyone else.

“Touché,” the only word that I could utter “Just start spilling the tea, you keep on burning me these past few minutes!”

Fawn giggled before dragging me towards the couch of our dorm and sit.

“Don’t interrupt me while I explain everything, okay?”

“Yes, ma’am!”

“Okay, let’s start with their disguise.”

“Wait, what?”, my eyebrows furrowed.

“Yes, they put a lot of effort into escaping the school. I am beginning to wonder why they dislike being here, LU is not even that ugly...” if only you feel what I feel, Fawn, for sure you’ll understand. “Anyway, mostly they wear outfits similar to the guards. They’ll use talkies and introduce themselves as the person who’d exchange shifts with a real LU guard. If that plan succeeds, the next escaper will use the same tactic until all of them are outside,

“Some witnesses stated that they sometimes wear teacher clothes. If one staff started doubting, they’ll use their charm and will, eventually, escape them. Even students who witnessed them leaving the campus would fall into their charming trap. That’s why you, being their Preventer, who couldn’t even be hypnotized by their alluring appearance, is vital in making this punishment a success,

“Their second tactic, they escape the side gates. Now, you’ll be wondering, how could they sip through the biometrics if they don’t have any keycard to unlock the gate? Now, dear Caitlyn, you have to be calm with what you’re about to hear so please, don’t be hysterical about it because the Principal already resolved it.”

I became serious about what I heard. I’m not that dumb, I know what she’s trying to tell me, but I need to be sure about my claim.

“Just spill it, Fawn,” I demanded her.

She took a deep breath before speaking. “They have your keycard.”

I knew it! People could only use two cards, either the Employee card or my Privilege card. Of course, they can’t use an Employee card, the name of the holder would be registered in the Staff Records. They’d be caught before they could even leave the campus. So they have no choice left but to use a Privilege card, that only one person could be the holder.

Only I can freely go out of the campus, but I still have limits. Confusing the Admins would be easy if they used mine. And surely, I would be blamed for cutting classes since I am, allegedly, using the card carelessly.

“Are you mad?”, Fawn asked after a moment of silence.

“Quite. Just continue, I’ll be okay.”

I can see how she hesitated at first, but she had no choice left but to explain further when I gestured her to continue. I want this punishment to be over soon. I don’t want to see any of those delinquents.

“Just like I said before, our Principal took care of it already. They never believed the biometrics because there are witnesses who confessed that they’ve seen you in class, while your card was being swiped.”

My fingerprint is registered on that Privilege card. It’s not like any ordinary card. Instead of numbers, your fingerprint is plastered on the card for the biometrics to be able to recognize you. And it makes me wonder how could they have a duplicate when the fingerprint would immediately fade once the plastic cover of the card is removed.

“Caitlyn?”

“Yes?”

“Do you still remember your missing Privilege Card?”

I wasn’t able to move for a moment, couldn’t completely let the logic sink in my mind. Then after a while, with eyebrows creasing into a thin line, I quickly stand up in irritation.

“What the hell?!”

“They are the ones who stole your missing Privilege Card. I don’t know how the Admins managed to pile up pieces of evidence against Heath and his friends when the school doesn’t have any CCTV cameras installed, but their claims weren’t entirely false.”

Right. Not a single student knows about the cameras, except me. If ever Fawn knew about them, I’m sure she’ll break-in in the control room just so she could get videos of Heath and her Brad... or was it, Dante? That’s how obsessed she is about them, to the point where it creeps the hell out of every student in LU.

“Wait, why do they keep on using my card? Why don’t they just terminated it and create a new one?” I absentmindedly suggested.

Stupid, why would you help the delinquents in creating proper tools in escaping the school?

“Have you forgotten that Privilege Card needs a fingerprint? If their fingerprint is suddenly installed in the school’s security system, they’d be suspended. They can’t escape unless they use someone else’s fingerprint, freely.”

“Then just use a standard card?”

Fawn sighed while scratching her face. “This third source I got is related to your suggestion. There’s a hacker in their group, if they use the standard card like most of the lower staff use, they’d be victorious in leaving the campus. So, no. Bad idea in suggesting to our Principal of bringing back the standard cards.”

I felt lethargic because of the information Fawn got. Why does it seem like it’s too hard to stop them from being a troublemaker? They look like ignorants of the world. But with the revelation she gave me? This is seemingly beyond my capabilities.

I groaned in frustration. The perks of believing stereotypes!

It seems like Heath Evans’ standards for recruitment are not just about the looks, but with skills and intelligence. This is so irritating! Heath is annoying!

“What should I do?”, I feel like crying.

I have been thinking too much about how I could apologize to that cameraman, and now this?

Tomorrow is Thursday. It will be the day I start being a hindrance to them. I already have a plan in mind, but I am not sure if it will be successful. Stupid life! Wretched Heath Evans!