HER DARK PATH

Unexpected partner

Chapter 3

An Unexpected Partnership

Monday morning began with a cool breeze sweeping across the university campus.

Students hurried toward their lecture halls, some carrying cups of coffee while others rushed through unfinished assignments. The Faculty of Business was already alive with conversation.

Nadia arrived just as the first bell echoed across the building.

She slipped into the lecture hall and quietly took her usual seat near the window.

It wasn't long before Ethan entered.

He greeted a few classmates as he made his way to the row behind her.

"Morning, everyone."

"Morning, Ethan."

A few students immediately surrounded him.

"Did you finish the Financial Management assignment?"

"I got stuck on question four."

Ethan smiled.

"Bring it after class. I'll explain it."

"You're a lifesaver."

Nadia couldn't help smiling to herself.

He never seemed tired of helping people.

A few minutes later, their lecturer walked in carrying a pile of files.

The room quickly fell silent.

"Good morning, class."

"Good morning, sir."

"I hope you've all started preparing for your convocation. Final semester has a way of disappearing before you realize it."

A ripple of laughter spread through the room.

The lecturer placed the files on the desk.

"For your Strategic Management course, you'll be completing a semester project."

A collective groan filled the lecture hall.

"Yes, I expected that reaction."

He smiled.

"You'll be working in pairs. Your research, presentation, and final defense will all be graded together."

Several students immediately began whispering to one another.

The lecturer unfolded a sheet of paper.

"I've already selected the pairs."

One by one, he called out the names.

As each pair was announced, students moved closer to their assigned partners.

Finally...

"Nadia."

She looked up.

"Ethan."

A few students exchanged knowing smiles.

Ethan turned toward Nadia.

"Looks like we're partners."

She returned a polite smile.

"I guess we are."

"Good," he said. "I've heard you're the best researcher in our class."

She raised an eyebrow.

"And I've heard you're the one who fixes everyone's assignments."

He laughed.

"I don't fix them."

"I guide them."

"That's what everyone who fixes assignments says."

Even Nadia laughed at that.

It was the longest conversation they had ever shared.

After the lecture ended, students spilled into the hallway.

Ethan caught up with Nadia before she reached the staircase.

"So..."

She looked at him.

"So?"

"When should we start?"

"Our project?"

He nodded.

"The earlier, the better."

Nadia thought for a moment.

"The library tomorrow after our afternoon lecture?"

"Works for me."

"I'll reserve a study table."

"I'll bring my laptop."

For a second, an awkward silence settled between them.

Ethan cleared his throat.

"I know we've never really talked much."

"We've both been busy."

"True."

"But maybe this project will change that."

Nadia offered a small smile.

"Maybe."

Then she continued down the stairs.

Ethan watched her disappear into the crowd before shaking his head with a quiet laugh.

"Interesting."

From the balcony overlooking the courtyard, Vanessa watched everything.

She had been on her way to another class when she noticed Ethan walking beside Nadia.

She frowned.

"They've never talked this much before."

Her friend Clara followed her gaze.

"They're project partners."

"That's all."

Vanessa remained silent.

She wasn't worried.

Not yet.

Still...

Something about the way Ethan smiled during their conversation unsettled her.

She folded her arms.

"Let's see where this goes."

Below them, Nadia continued toward the university gate, unaware that someone had just begun paying close attention to her.

Far across the city...

A silver raven card was carefully placed inside an unmarked envelope.

No name.

No address.

Just the card.

Somewhere, another powerful person was about to receive an invitation that everyone in the underworld feared.