Chapter Four: A Game Of Power

Ava stared at the letter in her hands. The words blurred, but the meaning was clear. Her scholarship—her lifeline—was hanging by a thread.

She took a slow breath, folding the paper neatly before tucking it into her bag. If Adriana expected her to panic, she was about to be disappointed.

Lily, however, had no such restraint. "This is insane. She can't just take your scholarship away!"

"She didn't," Ava murmured. "Not yet."

Theo leaned closer, voice low. "She's showing you her power. This is her way of saying she can ruin you if she wants to."

Ava met his gaze. "Then I'll have to remind her that power isn't absolute."

Lily exhaled sharply. "I don't know whether to be impressed or terrified."

Theo smirked. "Both."

The teacher entered the classroom, signaling the start of the lesson, but Ava barely heard a word.

Her mind was already working.

After class, Ava marched straight to the scholarship office. If Adriana wanted her to beg, she was going to be disappointed.

The office was tucked away in a quieter section of the main building, lined with dark wood bookshelves and expensive-looking paintings.

A middle-aged woman in glasses—Mrs. Caldwell, the scholarship coordinator—looked up as Ava entered.

"Miss Sinclair. I was expecting you."

Ava sat down across from her, back straight. "I received a notice about my scholarship being under review. I'd like to understand why."

Mrs. Caldwell folded her hands. "There have been… concerns about your adjustment to Ravensworth. A few faculty members have mentioned disciplinary issues."

Ava raised an eyebrow. "Which faculty members?"

Mrs. Caldwell hesitated. "I can't disclose that."

Ava forced a smile. "Then let's talk about specifics. What disciplinary issues?"

Mrs. Caldwell picked up a folder and skimmed through it. "An altercation in the cafeteria. Disruptive behavior toward other students."

Ava nearly laughed. "If you mean someone accidentally spilling my lunch and me accidentally returning the favor, then sure, let's call that an altercation."

Mrs. Caldwell sighed. "Miss Sinclair, you need to understand that Ravensworth has a certain… culture. You are a guest in a world with rules that have existed long before you arrived."

Ava's jaw tightened. "With all due respect, I earned my place here. That scholarship wasn't a favor—it was based on my academic performance."

Mrs. Caldwell adjusted her glasses. "I'll be frank, Miss Sinclair. The board is under pressure. You've drawn attention to yourself in ways that are… unhelpful. Keep your head down, stay out of trouble, and this review will likely pass without issue."

Ava stood, heart pounding. "I appreciate the advice."

She walked out without another word.

Lily was waiting for her outside. "Well?"

"They want me to behave."

Lily scoffed. "And let Adriana walk all over you?"

"That's exactly what she wants."

Ava exhaled, scanning the courtyard. Adriana sat on one of the stone benches, surrounded by her usual entourage. The picture of effortless power.

She didn't even have to look at Ava to make a statement.

She had influence. Control.

And Ava had none.

Yet.

That night, Ava spent hours researching.

She scrolled through archived school newsletters, alumni records, anything that might give her an edge.

At some point, Theo messaged her.

Theo: You okay?

Ava: Definitely okay.

Theo: You're planning something, aren't you?

Ava: I'm not going to sit back and let her win.

A pause.

Theo: Be careful, Sinclair. Adriana plays dirty.

Ava stared at the message before typing back.

Ava: So do I.

By the next morning, Ava had a plan.

She found Theo before class and pulled him aside.

"I need access to the student council records."

Theo blinked. "That's… ambitious. And illegal."

Ava smirked. "You say that like it's a problem."

Theo exhaled. "I assume this is about Adriana?"

"She's not just some spoiled girl with a grudge," Ava said. "She's strategic. The Monarchs control this school, and I need to know how."

Theo hesitated. "That's dangerous information."

"I know," Ava said. "Which is why I want it."

Theo ran a hand through his hair. "You're not going to let this go, are you?"

"Nope."

He sighed. "Fine. I'll see what I can do."

Ava grinned. "I knew you were useful."

Theo shook his head. "I'm going to regret this."

That evening, Theo met her in the library, a USB drive in his hand.

"This is everything I could pull from the student council's internal files," he said. "Budgets, donation records, student disciplinary reports."

Ava took it, fingers tightening around the small drive. "Thank you."

Theo studied her. "What are you looking for?"

Ava exhaled. "Leverage."

She spent the next three hours combing through files.

And then she found it.

A donation record from the Kingsley family.

An anonymous donation. One that had directly influenced the last round of scholarship selections.

Ava's pulse quickened.

Adriana's family had paid to remove a scholarship applicant last year.

She stared at the screen, a slow smile spreading across her face.

This was it.

This was the crack in Adriana's perfect world.

The next day, Ava made her move.

She walked into the student council office like she belonged there.

A group of students—mostly seniors—looked up in surprise.

Adriana sat at the center of the room, looking thoroughly unimpressed. "What are you doing here?"

Ava pulled out the printed donation records and placed them on the table.

Adriana's expression didn't change, but Ava caught the brief flicker of tension in her jaw.

"I know what your family did," Ava said quietly. "How many students have been pushed out of their scholarships because of you?"

A few council members exchanged uneasy glances.

Adriana slowly leaned back. "You have no idea what you're talking about."

Ava smiled. "I think I do."

She tilted her head. "You tried to take my scholarship. I wonder how the school board would react if they knew your family had a history of manipulating the system?"

Adriana's nails tapped against the table. "You wouldn't dare."

Ava leaned in, voice low. "Try me."

The silence stretched.

Then Adriana smiled, slow and sharp. "You think you've won?"

Ava held her gaze. "I think you just learned that I'm not someone you can get rid of."

Adriana's eyes gleamed. "Oh, Sinclair. You just made this fun."

Ava exhaled as she turned and walked out.

She had struck back. But she knew this wasn't over.

It was only the beginning.