I shake off the feelings of unwantedness and move so I am toe to toe with her. I am much shorter, even without her heels on she would be a few inches taller, but that doesn’t deter me.
“That’s funny,” I say loud enough for all to hear. “Because your boyfriend just gave me fifteen minutes of his,” Then I press my tongue into the side of my cheek mimicking a rude gesture as her cheeks go red. I smirk then turn and walk away, taking the last few turns towardsLecture Hall C. Asher has probably spread the news of me in the back of the car anyway, I might as well play into the image he has created. With the power he clearly holds over the rest of them trying to discredit his claims would be a waste of my breath. I have already tried that once with my father, but no amount of effort changed his opinion of me.
The sound of shouting fades but still lingers behind me, a harsh reminder of how badly I lost control. I scold myself, why didn’t I just stay quiet? How can I dig into Marlowe’s secrets when I’m already the enemy?
Damn it. I have to fix this. Before father hears.
Heavy footsteps fall hard behind me as I reach the door. Just before I turn the handle, I catch movement from the corner of my eye, Asher, not far behind, his presence like a shadow I can’t shake.
“Can you stop stalking me now!” I bite.
He puts himself between my body and the door.
“Move,”
He doesn’t.
“Move. I have class to get to,”
He smiles with a knowing glint. “Me too,”
I take an exhausted breath before glancing at the name plate on the door. “Mr. Chapman I’m guessing?”
“Correct little vixen,” He pushes the door open. “After you,”
I roll my eyes at his fake gentlemanly act, then enjoy the grunt of pain as I‘accidentally’stomp on his foot.
Day one isn’t going to plan, but I have the time to turn this around.
I hope.
FIVE
ASHER
“Throughout history, global stability has often hinged on the balance between dominance and cooperation. Some argue that a single superpower, whether the British Empire of the 19th century or the United States in the post-Cold War era, ensures order, enforces international norms, and acts as a deterrent against chaos,”
Mr. Chapmans voice drones on and on, while my eyes are glued to a row down from me.
“A hegemon’s economic and military strength fosters innovation, safeguards trade, and swiftly addresses global crises. However, others contend that concentrated power breeds tyranny and stifles the sovereignty of smaller nations,” The man up front may be boring the hell out of me, but he has the eye of every person in this room. Except mine. No, all of my attention is given to the white-haired mystery in front of me.
In all honesty, even before Ruella joined the Academy, Mr. Chapman couldn’t keep me engaged like all the others falling at his feet. He may be younger than most professors here and look like he just walked off of a Hugo Boss catwalk, but he still screams creep to me. The girls here can’t see it. The lingering stares, the slight touches as he passes them, the fire I see behind his gaze when he catches something he likes. Like I said, I have caught him screwing not one, not two, but three different students. It was all consensual, I know because I made it my business to check inwith the girls afterwards, but it still has me wanting to knock his teeth out.
His voice continues and I finally give him the time of day, reluctantly dragging my focus away from Ruella who chews on the end of her biro pen lid, completely engaged.
“In an era of shifting global influence, the question remains: is stability best achieved through the firm grip of a dominant power, or through the delicate equilibrium of many?” He is leaned against the edge of the table like a man who enjoys power, legs crossed out straight and hands gripping the wood either side of him. I watch as his eyes lock with the stunner in front of me and my spine stiffens. He licks his bottom lip slowly while assessing Ruella like prey. I shift slightly to the side and catch his attention from behind her head. After narrowing my focus and sending him my best ‘fucking try it’ face, he clears his throat and pushes off his desk. I stand my ground until he looks away in defeat. Ruella is still, no longer biting her pen but I can see the tension in her shoulders, so I have no doubt that she was aware of the stand-off she was caught between.
“You are going to debate a topic in groups for the rest of this session and next. I want people on both sides of the discussion and everyone to input. You will then have one week to write a paper on your own personal views on the matter and why,” My head turns from side to side making note of the people in my row. Three girls from Deveraux house and a male transfer from St. Andrews. Hopefully they have some brain cells, unfortunately with the money our parents throw at this place to get in, not everyone has the actual smarts to be here. Nothing makes me angrier than people getting this just because of their parents or money.
I have more money than sense, and my grandkids’ kids will never have to work a day in their lives. I come from one of the most powerfuland wealthiest families in the UK, the Vander name is a vast conglomerate, with countless businesses and even more umbrella companies filling our pockets. But don’t mistake me for another spoiled nepo-baby airhead. I work hard, and I make sure I succeed in every aspect of my life.
I never used to be like this. Like so many others around me, I took the easy route, letting my money and family name open doors and get me what I wanted. But that all changed the day I saw how disappointing my father truly was, in both his role within the family and the business. His powerful position was inherited from his own father, just as I will inherit it from him in a few short years. Yet when Magnus Vander took control, my father realized that coasting by, letting money do the talking, wouldn’t cut it in a company he didn’t truly understand.
My father is a poor leader, playing a quiet role while passing decisions to people who have no business making them. It makes my blood boil.
That was the moment I knew I had to change. I had to become the man my father never was. Because one day, that position will be mine. I don’t want to just coast through, I want to be great. I want to make a real difference. I want to be the best damn Vander the company has ever known.
“Rows one and two join, three and four then so on. You get it,” Mr. Chapman says while rounding his desk to pop a slide onto the board.
