Emily nodded.
Brandon grabbed Helen's arm and pulled her aside.
With their backs to Emily, the two lowered their voices, whispering in urgent tones.
Helen was clearly anxious. “What are we supposed to do? Who should we listen to?”
Brandon asked her, “When Isabella called you just now, did she say when this needs to be sorted out?”
Helen’s face was pale. She bit her lip. “No, I was so scared I forgot to ask.”
Brandon’s voice lowered. “It’s obvious Emily’s targeting Isabella. We’re just caught in the crossfire.”
Helen nodded. “Yeah, I can tell.”
Brandon continued, “The way the school usually handles these things, something this serious gets dealt with right away—definitely within three days. Emily must have something solid, or she wouldn’t be acting so smug, and she knows way too much about our past. If she really turns in the evidence and Isabella doesn’t do something in time, we’ll be out on our ears in three days. That’ll be the end of everything.”
Helen hesitated. “So, we just do what Emily says?”
Brandon’s voice was hoarse. “We don’t have a choice. It’s not really about us anyway—she’s after Isabella. We’ve only got two weeks until graduation. We can’t let anything happen now.”
“Here’s what we’ll do: we play it by ear. If Emily asks us to do something that puts us at risk, we say no. If it’s about someone else, we cooperate. Once we graduate, we’re in the clear.”
Helen nodded, determined. “Alright.”
Two minutes later, they stood in front of Emily again.
Emily looked at them. “Have you made up your minds?”
Brandon’s voice was steady but tense. “Ask your questions. I’ll answer what I can.”
Emily asked, “All these years, who’s been paying your tuition?”

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