Secrets, Seduction and a Silent Threat
**Chapter 4: Secrets, Seduction, and a Silent Threat**
Sienna could still feel **Damien's grip on her wrist.**
Firm. Unyielding. Possessive.
The cafeteria was **a frenzy of whispers, gasps, and scandal.**
Maria had **collapsed in sobs.** Celeste was **watching the chaos like a queen overseeing her kingdom.**
And Damien?
He was still **holding onto Sienna.**
"Let me go," she murmured.
His fingers **tightened.** Just slightly.
Then, slowly, he let her wrist slip from his grasp.
But his eyes—**gray and unreadable—never left her.**
Something about the way he looked at her made her stomach tighten.
Like he saw more than she wanted him to.
Like he knew something **she didn't.**
---
**A Public Humiliation**
The chaos carried into the hallways. **The entire school was buzzing.**
By the time Sienna made it to her locker, **Celeste was waiting.**
Leaning against the wall, arms crossed, **a slow smirk on her lips.**
"I have to admit," she said, **mocking amusement in her tone.** "You're more entertaining than I expected."
Sienna didn't respond. **She knew better than to play into Celeste's games.**
Celeste sighed, tilting her head.
"But you know, Sienna," she continued, **voice turning silky and dangerous,** "you're getting too comfortable. That's a mistake."
Sienna met her gaze. **Unafraid.**
"I don't scare easily."
Celeste's smirk widened.
"Oh, I know," she murmured. **"But that just makes this more fun."**
And with that, she turned and walked away.
Sienna exhaled.
She had **a bad feeling about this.**
And she was **right.**
Because when she turned back to her locker, her stomach **plummeted.**
A piece of **paper was taped to the door.**
Scrawled in **bold, messy letters:**
**YOU DON'T BELONG HERE. LEAVE BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE.**
Her blood **ran cold.**
But she didn't flinch.
Instead, she calmly peeled the note off, crumpled it, and shoved it into her bag.
She wouldn't give them the satisfaction of reacting.
Even if her heart was pounding.
Even if she knew—**someone was watching her.**
---
**Professor Hayes: Caught in the Fire**
By afternoon, the scandal had **reached the teachers.**
Sienna sat in class, watching the door.
Then—**Professor Callum Hayes walked in.**
The room **fell into silence.**
His usual confident stride was **tense.** His sharp jaw was **clenched.**
His **blue eyes scanned the room**—like he knew they were all staring.
Because they were.
No one had confronted him.
But they all knew.
And judging by the tightness in his posture, **he knew they knew.**
Sienna sat up straighter, her instincts screaming.
Something was about to happen.
And then—**the door burst open.**
The principal stood there. **Expression cold.**
"Professor Hayes. My office. Now."
The entire class **erupted into whispers.**
Professor Hayes exhaled **slowly.**
Then he nodded and walked out.
And just like that, the **entire school** was on fire with rumors.
---
**Damien's Game**
Sienna didn't expect **Damien to find her after class.**
But he did.
She barely had time to grab her books when his **tall, commanding figure** leaned against the locker beside hers.
"Enjoying the show?" he asked, voice **low and lazy.**
Sienna didn't look at him.
"Which one?" she shot back. "Maria's breakdown or Professor Hayes's execution?"
Damien chuckled.
"That's what I like about you," he murmured. "You don't pretend to be shocked by how ugly this place is."
Sienna closed her locker.
"I don't have time for your mind games, Damien."
She turned to walk away.
But then—**he moved.**
Stepping into her path.
Forcing her to stop.
Forcing her to look up at him.
**His gaze burned into hers.**
"You should be more careful," he said softly. "Celeste isn't just playing with you."
Sienna **didn't back down.**
"I can handle Celeste."
Damien's jaw **ticked.**
For a second, he just **stared at her.**
Then—**he reached out.**
His fingers grazed her chin. **Light. Barely a touch.**
But enough to make her pulse **skip.**
"Maybe," he murmured. "But can you handle me?"
Sienna's breath hitched.
Then—**she stepped back.**
Away from him. Away from his heat. Away from **whatever this was.**
She turned and walked away.
She didn't look back.
Even though she **felt his eyes on her the entire time.**
---
**End of Chapter 4**
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