Chapter Nine: The Game Changes

Ava Sinclair had spent her entire life fighting to prove she belonged.

She had clawed her way into the halls of Kingsley Academy, refusing to let money or privilege define her worth.

But now, Adriana Kingsley had crossed the line.

The email accusing Ava of cheating on her scholarship exam was an open declaration of war.

And Ava had never lost a war before.

The Aftermath of the Email

Ava spent most of the night staring at the printed email Nolan had given her.

It was anonymous, but the message was clear. Adriana had set the trap, and if Ava wasn't careful, she'd walk right into it.

The next morning, she was called into the academic board's office.

She wasn't surprised.

As she sat in the stiff leather chair across from the administrator, she forced herself to remain calm.

"We received a concerning message regarding your scholarship qualifications," Mrs. Holloway said, peering at Ava over her glasses.

Ava met her gaze evenly. "An anonymous message."

Mrs. Holloway sighed. "Yes, but we take academic dishonesty very seriously."

Ava knew what was happening.

Adriana didn't just want to humiliate her—she wanted her gone. Expelled.

But Ava was ready.

She reached into her bag and pulled out a folder.

"Before I came here, I had my exam results certified by an external board," she said, sliding the documents across the desk. "I also have a letter from my former principal and my tutor confirming my scores were legitimate."

Mrs. Holloway flipped through the papers.

The tension in the room stretched.

Finally, she exhaled. "This seems in order."

Ava nodded. "Because it is. Someone is trying to get rid of me."

Mrs. Holloway's expression turned unreadable. "Do you have any idea who?"

Ava hesitated. She could accuse Adriana outright—but without proof, it would only make her look paranoid.

So she shook her head. "No, but I do know I won't let them win."

There was a long pause.

Then, Mrs. Holloway leaned back.

"For now, we'll consider the case closed," she said. "But if more accusations surface, we'll have to investigate further."

Ava exhaled. "Understood."

She had won this round.

But the war was far from over.

Adriana Strikes Again

By lunch, the entire school knew about the accusations.

And to Ava's disgust, people were eating it up.

Whispers followed her everywhere.

"She probably cheated."

"No way she got in on her own."

"Rich kids have connections. She had to have something."

The doubt in their voices made her sick.

And then, the cherry on top—

A printed copy of the anonymous email was taped to her locker.

Ava ripped it down, jaw clenched.

She didn't have to look far to find Adriana, lounging by the water fountain with her perfect, smug expression.

"Nice decoration?" Adriana called sweetly.

Ava crumpled the paper in her fist. "Running out of ideas, Kingsley?"

Adriana's smirk didn't waver. "Oh, I have ideas. You just won't like them."

Ava stepped closer. "You're desperate."

The air between them crackled.

For the first time, a flicker of something crossed Adriana's face.

A pause.

A hesitation.

Ava had hit a nerve.

And then—

"Ladies," a familiar voice drawled.

Nolan.

Of course.

He leaned against the lockers, arms crossed, watching them like they were entertainment.

Adriana's annoyance deepened. "Enjoying the show?"

Nolan smirked. "Immensely."

Before Ava could respond, a familiar voice cut through the hallway.

"Ava, ignore her. We have real things to do."

She turned to see Thoe and Lily standing a few feet away, arms crossed in identical frustration.

Thoe was the kind of guy who always looked like he had a plan—calm, collected, and just dangerous enough to make people nervous. Lily, on the other hand, was fierce, quick-witted, and never afraid to throw herself into a fight, whether verbal or physical.

Ava had never been more grateful for them.

Adriana let out a dramatic sigh. "Aw, look, the charity cases are sticking together."

Lily stepped forward, eyes flashing. "Say that again, Kingsley. I dare you."

Adriana hesitated.

Everyone knew Lily didn't just throw threats—she followed through.

Ava smirked. "That's what I thought."

Then she turned and walked away, Thoe and Lily flanking her like bodyguards.

A New Player Joins the Game

That afternoon, Ava received an anonymous text.

Unknown Number: Meet me behind the gym at 4:30. I know who posted the email.

Her stomach twisted.

Was this another setup?

She sent a quick message to Thoe and Lily before making her way to the back of the gym.

When she arrived, someone was already waiting.

Kara Sterling.

Ava's breath hitched. Kara was a social ghost—she floated between cliques but never truly belonged anywhere.

Kara crossed her arms. "I saw who did it."

Ava tensed. "And?"

Kara sighed. "I was in the library when it happened. The person who posted the email? It wasn't Adriana."

Ava's blood ran cold. "Then who was it?"

Kara hesitated before finally saying, "Mason Hale."

Ava's mind reeled.

Mason was Adriana's ex.

And he had helped frame her?

But why?

Ava swallowed hard. "Why are you telling me this?"

Kara shifted. "Because I don't like Adriana. And I don't like how she plays with people like they're disposable. I'm sure Adriana forced him to do it"

Ava took a slow breath. This changed everything.

"More like threaten"

She wasn't just fighting Adriana anymore.

She was fighting Mason, too.

And if Mason was involved, that meant this was bigger than she thought.

Ava met Kara's gaze.

"Are you willing to help me bring them down?"

Kara hesitated for only a second before nodding.

"What do you think we should do first"kara asked looking troubled

"Come over "Ava replied.

Then she bent low whispering something into Kara's ear 

Kara face brightened up with a smile.

"Sounds like a good plan to me" kara said smirking 

And just like that, the game changed again.