Chapter 21
The Sinclair dormitory had never looked more extravagant. Warm golden lights glowed from crystal chandeliers, casting a soft shimmer over the polished floors. Expensive furniture, usually untouched, was now artfully arranged to create space for mingling. Waitstaff moved seamlessly among the crowd, offering trays of sparkling drinks and delicate hors d’oeuvres.
Andrea stood near the grand entrance, smoothing the fabric of her simple black dress. Compared to the gowns and tailored suits of the elites, she felt completely out of place. Still, she knew this wasn’t about blending in. She was here for answers—or so the brothers had assured her.
“Smile, Queenie,” Liam said as he appeared beside her, his trademark grin in place. “People are watching.”
“I don’t think smiling is going to make this less weird,” Andrea muttered, her eyes scanning the room.
“Relax,” Liam said, nudging her lightly. “I’ve got everything under control. Well, mostly.”
She gave him a skeptical look, but he was already moving toward a group of students, his charm in full force as he greeted them with effortless ease.
Andrea exhaled and turned her attention back to the room. The party was elegant on the surface, but beneath it, there was a tension she couldn’t ignore.
Upstairs in the Sinclair study, Nathaniel stood at the large window overlooking the party. His sharp eyes missed nothing as he observed the flow of guests below.
Damien sat at the desk, his laptop open and connected to the security cameras he’d discreetly installed earlier that week.
“Everything’s in place,” Damien said, his voice steady.
Nathaniel nodded, his gaze never leaving the window. “Good. Keep an eye on the side entrances. If they’re going to try something, that’s where it’ll happen.”
Damien frowned, his fingers moving quickly across the keyboard. “You’re certain they’ll show?”
Nathaniel’s expression hardened. “They’ve already made their intentions clear. They’ll come.”
Andrea wandered through the crowd, trying to make sense of the chaos around her. Everywhere she turned, she saw students laughing, sipping drinks, and pretending everything was normal. But Andrea knew better.
“Having fun yet?” Gabriel’s low voice startled her.
She turned to find him leaning casually against a pillar, his sharp gray eyes scanning the room.
“Not exactly my idea of fun,” Andrea admitted.
Gabriel’s lips twitched in a faint smile. “It’s not supposed to be. Stay sharp, Andrea. Tonight isn’t just about you. It’s about all of us.”
Andrea hesitated, then nodded. Before she could respond, he was gone, disappearing into the crowd like a shadow.
Sophie appeared at Andrea’s side a moment later, clutching a glass of water tightly in her hands.
“You okay?” Andrea asked, noticing the way Sophie’s eyes kept darting toward the edges of the room.
“I’m fine,” Sophie said quickly, though her voice wavered. “I just don’t like this. It feels… wrong.”
Andrea frowned. “What do you mean?”
“Just… look at them,” Sophie whispered, nodding toward a group of unfamiliar students entering through a side door. “Do you recognize any of them?”
Andrea followed Sophie’s gaze, her stomach tightening. The students in question were dressed sharply, but there was something off about their body language. They moved in a tight cluster, their hushed tones and furtive glances making them stand out against the relaxed crowd.
“No,” Andrea said slowly. “I don’t.”
“Exactly,” Sophie muttered. “I’ve been watching them. They keep looking around like they’re searching for something—or someone.”
Andrea’s pulse quickened. “Stay close to me,” she said.
Sophie nodded, her grip tightening on her glass.
Outside, Aiden moved along the perimeter, his sharp eyes scanning for anything out of the ordinary. The cool night air bit at his skin, but he barely noticed.
He paused near a side door, leaning against the wall as two students approached.
“Lost?” he asked, his voice low and mocking.
The students froze, their eyes widening.
“No, uh, just… needed some air,” one of them stammered.
Aiden’s lips curved into a cold smile. “Air’s better over there,” he said, nodding toward the main courtyard.
The students nodded quickly, retreating the way they’d come.
Aiden’s smile faded as he turned back to the door, his hand brushing over the handle.
Back inside, Andrea and Sophie continued to circulate, their nerves mounting with each passing minute. Andrea couldn’t shake the feeling that something was about to happen.
As they moved toward the far end of the room, Andrea froze.
“Look,” she whispered, nudging Sophie.
In the corner, near a door partially hidden by a curtain, the group of unfamiliar students had gathered again. This time, they seemed more agitated, their hushed conversation punctuated by sharp gestures.
“They’re up to something,” Sophie said, her voice tight.
Andrea nodded, her heart racing. “We need to tell someone.”
Before they could move, one of the students slipped through the door, followed quickly by the others.
“Stay here,” Andrea said firmly, starting toward the door.
“Are you crazy?” Sophie hissed, grabbing her arm. “You can’t just follow them!”
“I’ll be fine,” Andrea said, pulling away. “Just trust me.”
