The Rejected True Heiress (Liora) novel Chapter 32

Callum

I left Zane’s side without saying much, just a muttered “right” and a nod that probably looked more annoyed than I meant it to. The truth was, his words, him, there seeming relationship; it was pissing me off more then usual.

I needed air. Space. Quiet. Not that this place ever offered me any of that.

I hadn’t meant to look for her, to peer in on her test. Or maybe I did.

But my feet… well. They had their own ideas.

It was stupid. After everything, the last thing I should’ve been thinking about was her–especially not after how Bianca and I kissed infront of her. And definitely not after she hit me with constant death stares since then.

And yet, there I was, loitering outside the faculty lounge like a socially confused freshman waiting to ask a girl to prom.

I’m not sure when I decided it, but I was going to talk to her. Just… talk.

No motives, no assumptions, no sarcastic digs this time. Just figure out what was going on with her. Maybe understand what that look was in her eyes earlier, the one that didn’t match her status.

I didn’t get the chance.

“Callum.”

That one word cut like a collar snapping around my neck. It was from a voice I knew well, sharp, high, and far too polished. It came from my mother.

She was flanked by my father, who looked like he’d just been crowned king, and our principal, Mr. Alder, whose smile reeked of a secret I’m not sure I wanted to know. All three of them looking far too pleased

with themselves.

“There you are,” my mother said sweetly, in that tone that meant I was already in trouble for something I hadn’t done yet.

“Sorry. I was just-”

“We were just talking about the girl,” Alder interrupted, patting my shoulder with all the sincerity of a used chariot salesman. “Quite the mess she’s made for herself.”

I stiffened. “Liora?”

She was mid–test, no? Why where they discussing her now?

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My father scoffed. “Please. That girl isn’t passing. She’ll be gone by next week. You can finally get back to focusing on your real responsibilities.” He turned toward Alder. “You’ve already started the paperwork,

yes?”

“Of course,” Alder said, smoothing his tie. “We had every reason to expel her after this win, her test

inperticular was made more…complicated. Besides, her presence is disruptive, her lineage questionable.

Frankly, it’s a mercy she was allowed to come here at all.”

I blinked. Once. Twice.

“Wait–you tried to expel her?” I asked.

My father gave me a look like I’d just asked if the moon was made of cheese. “Obviously. You didn’t think

we’d let het get between you and Bianca, did you?”

That was when I bristled.

See, I could deal with a lot; snide comments, power games, nobles playing puppet masters behind my back. But this? This was different. They had already made up their minds before I ever had a say.

I opened my mouth, about to say something–probably something I’d regret–but then the door creaked open behind them.

And there she was.

Liora. Leaning against the frame like she’d been listening the whole time. Her braid was a little messy, her skirt a bit crooked, and her arms were crossed like she wasn’t the least bit intimidated by the people

in front of her.

“Such confidence,” my mother muttered under her breath, venomously. “For someone who clearly didn’t

pass.”

Liora smiled. Not a soft smile. Not one of those fake polite ones either. This one was all teeth and trouble.

“Just wanted to drop by and say thanks,” she said, tilting her head at Alder. “Your little plan didn’t work. I

totally passed.”

Alder’s fake grin cracked like a mask in heat. “Excuse me?”

She pulled something from her pocket. A tiny recorder.

I was squinting, confused, but both my parent and the principal stiffened.

She smirked. “I thought we agreed to play fair in our last little meeting together. Or, heaven forbird, a certan conversation gets out and a family loses there reputation. Well, more of there reputation.”

My mother raised a hand. “You little-”

“Ah,” Liora raised the recorder with a little wave, stoping her cold. “You might want to be more careful

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about what you say.”

My mother’s face went pale, her hand lowering. My father’s ears turned a delightful shade of red.

I stood there, stunned, slowly trying to piece it all together. My parents… had planned to get Liora expelled

…because of me?

Liora eyes flicked smuggly off my parents to me and I stiffened. I wasn’t sure why, but I felt my face begin to heat. She blinked, her eyes reminding me of the forest in the sun.

What kind of girl records school officials mid–sabotage, beats them at their own game, and then uses it for blackmail with a smile?

Liora did a little wave–at me, I think?-then turned on her heel and sauntered off down the hall like she didn’t just nuke their entire plan with one hand and a smirk.