Chapter 38

"Have you completely gone crazy?!"

Hades slammed his hand down hard on the conference table the moment he entered the SBO office. His eyes locked on Evadne, who was calmly lounging on the student council sofa, reading something on her iPad.

Casadin was sprawled across the cushions with his head resting comfortably on Evadne's lap like he'd just claimed a throne. One of her hands absently played with his hair, the other held her tablet. Around them, the rest of the SBO members went about their tasks, busily handling the paperwork and operations Evadne had delegated.

Behind Hades, a few loyal officers followed in, visibly tense, already bracing for confrontation.

"I don't really know how to answer that," Evadne said coolly, not even looking up. "I mean, I've been seeing a psychiatrist since I was six. It's not really breaking news if I'm crazy."

That earned a few amused snorts from her side of the room, and it only made Hades angrier. The mockery was subtle, but the shift in loyalty was real. Even his own allies could feel it.

From the moment Hades arrived at school earlier, everyone knew the SBO was about to become a war zone.

Despite him being the one who brought Evadne to school, her public kiss with Casadin in the parking lot was louder than any press release.

Whatever arrangement Evadne and Hades had, whatever alliance or engagement rumors once existed, was now exposed for what it really was, business and politics.

Nothing more.

Hades belonged to Cieryl.

Evadne was with Casadin.

It wasn't shocking in their world. Elite society was built on arranged marriages and manufactured alliances.

But this public split? This tension? This very visible shift in loyalty inside the SBO?

It was unprecedented.

"Stop being sarcastic," he snapped through clenched teeth.

"Then get to the point," Evadne replied, still maddeningly composed. "Also, calm down. Are you having another episode? Should I call your doctor, hubby?"

"Hey!" Casadin cut in with a dramatic pout, shifting on her lap. "I'm literally using you as a pillow and you're out here calling someone else hubby?"

Evadne smiled. 

"Pssshhh," she pressed a finger to her lips, then whispered theatrically, "We mustn't let my future husband find out we're together. He might file for divorce before we even get formally engaged."

Casadin leaned in with a grin, playing along. "So… I'm your dirty little secret?"

"Yes," Evadne said sweetly, gently caressing his cheek. "And unfortunately, I'm very bad at hiding secrets."

BANG!

A heavy book slammed down onto the coffee table, startling everyone.

"What the fuck?!" Casadin snapped, looking at Hades.

"Oh, you're still here?" Evadne said, finally lifting her eyes toward Hades with a look colder than a winter storm.

"You think this is funny?" Hades growled. "You think the SBO is a playground? Did you restructure this entire office just so you could flirt here all day?!"

The entire room fell silent.

This was not the Hades they knew.

For years, he'd ruled the SBO with a distant, surgical calm. Always cold. Always collected.

But not now.

Now, he looked like a boy pushed past his limits, unraveling in front of the very council he used to control.

It was the first time any of the officers, especially those who had only ever known Hades as the calm, controlled President, had seen him like this.

Furious. Unhinged. Cracking.

But the new team had seen enough of Evadne this past week to know something else too.

She was a leader worth following.

A storm in silk.

Elegant. Strategic. Ruthless.

Evadne set the iPad down and met Hades's glare with a deadpan look.

"Do you really want to go there, Hades?" she said, voice low but laced with danger. "You want me to challenge that temper of yours? Because if I do… you might start shaking again."

A tense silence fell over the room as her words hung in the air.

Casadin sat up from her lap without needing to be told, his instincts sharp when it came to reading Evadne. She stood slowly, poised, unapologetic. Her heels clicked softly as she walked to the head of the conference table, claiming her seat like she was born to it. 

'Sit.'

The command echoed directly into Hades's mind.

He flinched.

Eyes snapping to her, he scanned the room, trying to confirm, had anyone else heard that? Were the others reacting?

No. Just him.

'Yes, Hades. I'm talking to you. It's called telepathy. Mermaids are telepathic.'

She turned her head slightly to glance at him, expression serene, lips unmoving, but her words echoed clearly in his head like a whisper across water. Her eyes sparkled with a quiet taunt, and she gestured toward the empty chair at the opposite end of the table.

Truthfully, Evadne hadn't been sure it would work. She'd assumed the only reason Uriel, an angel, had spoken to her telepathically was due to his divine nature. But after successfully communicating with the boa snake, she'd begun to wonder. Could it work on humans too?

Apparently, yes.

And who better to test it on than the unstable, obsessively fixated Hades?

'Unless you've magically found a way to record telepathic conversations,' she continued, her inner voice now edged with a smirk, 'no one will believe you even if you scream that I can read minds. I already told everyone the truth, and they thought it was a joke. So unless you want people to think you're the one losing it, you might want to sit down. Because between the two of us, Hades... you're the one who's starting to look unwell.'

'Sit.'

Fury danced across his face, but Hades had no choice. He clenched his fists and sat, jaw so tight it could shatter.

She'd told a lie… by telling the truth.

And unless he could prove it?

He would look like the one slipping into madness.

Once he was seated, Evadne shifted her tone, switching smoothly into her presidential voice, now addressing the entire room, not just Hades and his officers.

"Let us address your concern, Vice President," she began evenly. "As the current SBO President, I'm well aware that there are several policies I've implemented that some of you may not like or agree with."

Her eyes swept the room, measured, inclusive.

"That's why I restructured this office. Every seat at this table now matters. I welcome suggestions, questions, clarifications, and yes, even violent reactions." She tilted her head slightly, gesturing toward Hades and the officers behind him. "So please… tell me what prompted yours."

Hades looked like he'd been slapped.

Coming in hot, slamming books and shouting in front of the whole SBO, he now looked childish compared to her quiet dominance.

Even if he couldn't read minds, he could feel it from the glances around the table.

They no longer saw him as the leader.

He cleared his throat, trying to regain composure.

"You created Clubs War Week. Fine, I get that," Hades began, keeping his voice low but tight. "But community immersion? In rural areas? Do you even realize the potential impact on us students? This isn't a charity mission, this is a top-tier private school. We have reputations. Schedules. Responsibilities."

Evadne's smile curled, sharp and amused.

"I expected that kind of complaint from the spoiled girls, Hades. But you?" she tilted her head, eyes gleaming. "I'm surprised."

She leaned forward, voice dropping just enough to sting.

"What is it? Afraid of getting dirt on your designer shoes?"

Casadin couldn't help it, he burst into laughter at Evadne's last jab.

"Careful, he might ruin his pedicure," he quipped with a grin.

Evadne shot him a warning glare, still smiling.

"Oppppsss," Casadin raised both hands, mock-surrendering. "Behaving now."

Across the table, Hades took a slow breath, trying to collect himself. He sat straighter, jaw tense but steady.

"This so-called community immersion doesn't align with NYE's vision," Hades said. "You're asking students from one of the most elite academies in the country to risk their safety. What if we get kidnapped? Or worse? You're compromising our security just to prove a point."

Evadne's brows furrowed, her gaze sharpening.

"That's interesting," she said slowly, "considering I was told you were personally trained by Caspian on how to manage the Falcon Empire."

"That has nothing to do with this," Hades snapped.

"Actually…" she tapped a finger against the table, "it has everything to do with it."

The room went quiet again.

"And contrary to your belief that immersion doesn't align with NYE's goals, it does. Read past the gold-embossed brochures and self-congratulatory language in the mission and vision statements. This institution is designed to produce future leaders in business and politics."

She folded her arms and looked Hades dead in the eye.

"And since you've been personally trained by Caspian, I assume you do know the single most important asset of any company."

"Of course I know," Hades said quickly.

Evadne leaned forward, her voice low and deliberate. "Then tell us."

Hades didn't hesitate. "It's the people."

A slow smirk curved Evadne's lips. "Perfect. Ten stars for you."

A few of the other students chuckled under their breath.

"So," she continued, "if you know that, why exactly do you believe immersion is not aligned with NYE's mission?"

Evadne could tell, Hades still didn't get it.

Neither did most of his loyalists.

And that only made her voice sharper.

"Sorry to be harsh, Hades," she said matter-of-factly, "but to this day, I still can't figure out where exactly our parents got the idea that you were some kind of genius."

Casadin let out a low whistle beside her. "Ouch."

"You were trained to be the future CEO of Falcon Empire…"

"Not confirmed yet," Casadin suddenly cut in.

Evadne blinked and looked at him. "Not confirmed?"

"Yeah, especially now that gramps basically disowned him," Casadin said with a casual shrug.

A tense silence rippled through the room.

"Hey!" Evadne snapped, shooting Casadin a look.

"Oops," he said, clearly not sorry. "Was that supposed to be a secret too?"

Gasps and whispers erupted softly from the officers on Hades' side. Most of them hadn't heard this rumor. Some exchanged wide-eyed glances, others turned uncertain. And Hades…

He didn't deny it.

The tension became a living thing.

The revelation hit like a bombshell, Jupiter Falcon had disowned Hades?

That wasn't just family gossip. That was power-shifting news.

And the doubt on the faces of Hades' loyal officers was now undeniable.

But Evadne didn't even flinch. She simply refocused, letting that seed of doubt grow on its own.

"Back to the topic," she said smoothly, voice clear. "The point of immersion is for those of us at the top of the food chain to actually understand the people we'll one day lead or employ."

She looked around the room, meeting eyes with the remaining officers.

"Whether you want to admit it or not, the truth is this, those people are the foundation of every company's success, every political campaign's rise. Why do you think politicians spend all their time courting the masses during elections? Why do their speeches revolve around common folk struggles and not elite concerns?"

No one spoke.

"Because they outnumber us. By a lot." Evadne's tone was steady, cool, and lethal. 

"If you're sitting in your posh CEO office, in air-conditioned luxury, who do you think is moving the gears of your empire? Who's packaging your products? Cleaning your halls? Running your delivery chains? Those 'commoners' you're so scared of mingling with."

She locked eyes with Hades again.

"And if you want them to stay in your company… If you want them to believe in your campaign… You don't just understand their wants, you learn their needs." 

"And you don't get that from interviews or reports. You get it by living with them. By seeing what they see. Feeling what they feel. You give them what little they dream of… and they'll give you what matters most."

She paused.

"Loyalty."

And then, her voice sharpened like a dagger, 

"And as a leader, Hades, the loyalty of those who follow you is the most priceless asset you'll ever have."

Evadne leaned back into her chair, exuding effortless power.

"Any other clarifications?" she asked Hades, her tone cool and composed.

Still trying to claw back some of his pride, Hades straightened in his seat. "And how do you plan on handling the expenses? Did you even consider whether the board would approve this? You're already using a portion of the school's funds for Clubs War Week. Now this? You're messing with the academy's finances."

Evadne sighed, long and slow, as if trying to explain something to a toddler mid-tantrum.

"Of course I knew the board wouldn't approve the community immersion if we took money directly from the academy's treasury," she replied, annoyed but still graceful. "And, in case you missed it, not all students are required to join. It's voluntary."

She raised an eyebrow. "Which means every student who wants to participate will have to sign a waiver, one that clearly states the academy holds no responsibility for what happens during immersion."

She tilted her head slightly and gave him a look.

"Did you even read the full proposal attachments?" she asked dryly.

Hades didn't respond.

Evadne gestured toward the room with one hand, where several SBO members were busy typing away on laptops and tablets.

"What do you think they're doing right now?"

She pointed to one of the members. "Lucien Blake Wexford, Captain of the Wrestling Club. Second son of the Wexford Ironwatch. Their company provides Private Security, Elite Bodyguards, and Private Armies. He's currently coordinating our security and protection for the students joining immersion."

Her finger moved to a calm-looking girl with striking poise.

"Vivienne Lorette from Lorette BioSanctum. She's handling medical response coordination."

Then toward Delvin, who was smirking and half-listening.

"Delvin of Crowne Industries is ensuring we'll maintain stable internet connection even in the rural areas. Because, as you know, no Wi-Fi, no survival."

A few members chuckled.

"Amanda, representing Fontaine Noire, is organizing food and logistics. Bea from Ravenhurst Residences made sure we'll have safe and comfortable accommodations. Yes, we'll be living in the rural, but no, I'm not letting us get eaten alive by mosquitoes."

Her eyes softened slightly as she glanced at Casadin.

"Casadin coordinated with Sinclair International Airways to provide discreet transport to and from our location. Fully sponsored."

She paused, letting the full scope of planning sink in.

"I can go on, Hades," she said with a small, knowing smile. "But I think you get the point."

Then her tone shifted, firmer now. Sharper.

"The only thing we're requesting from the board is that every student who volunteers for the two-week immersion receives full activity marks for all subjects, as compensation. And in return? We're giving back. Each household that takes in a student will receive a donation package from NYE, our partnered families, and sponsors. It will be more than enough to make a real difference in their lives."

She leaned back once more, and smiled again, like a queen surveying her court.

"That's called delegation, Hades. This is the Student Body Organization. Not the Hades Body, or the Evadne Body. The President doesn't have to do everything alone."

Her smile turned colder.

"You're not the only future CEO in this academy. 80% of us students have powerful family ties. And the best way to prepare for those roles is to use those connections now, through real-world experiences."

Then her voice dropped, slow and heavy with meaning.

"You were SBO President for five years. And during that time, every single decision, every single move, was made by you alone."

She motioned toward a few of Hades' former council members, Selena, Cieryl, and the others, now silent, wide-eyed.

"And the moment you are away? Look what happened. They didn't know what to do. They couldn't speak. Couldn't think. Because they were never taught how to lead. They were taught how to obey. To smile, look good, and stay quiet." 

"People who don't know what to do without their leader aren't followers, Hades."

She let it hang in the air for a moment.

"They're puppets."

Silence.

"And under my term?" She straightened, eyes blazing.

"SBO doesn't need puppets."

She looked him dead in the eyes. 

"And just to make things crystal clear," Evadne said, "for you and your little puppets, because clearly none of you read past page one of my proposals, we're not using a single cent from the academy treasury for Clubs War Week either."

She cocked her head at Hades, one brow arched in mocking curiosity.

"As SBO members, we're each expected to find sponsors, monetary or in kind, to support the one-week event. It's all in the attachments. Honestly, you and your followers are the only ones left who haven't submitted pledges."

Silence from Hades' end.

Tension thickened like fog.

"I wonder," Evadne continued, "what exactly you did during your hospital stay? Were you just staring at the ceiling, drowning in self-pity?"

She didn't wait for an answer.

"Step up, Hades. I know you can do more than play silent dictator. It's about time you prove not just to these people," she swept her hand to the council room, "but to your parents most of all… that you're actually worthy of the Falcon name."

The blow landed hard. And Hades couldn't speak.

Neither could his closest allies.

Then, CRASH!

The tension was sliced cleanly by the door bursting open.

"Coffee, people!!!" Bea announced brightly, striding into the room with Flynn and several others from the SBO, their arms loaded with coffee cups and pastry boxes.

They all paused at the door.

Everyone could feel the tension still lingering like electricity in the air.

"Oh my Goddddd," Bea exaggerated, looking around at the frozen expressions. "Did we miss something?"

"Yup," Amanda replied dryly as she snatched a cup from Bea's tray. "You missed Vee flaying Hades alive in front of everyone. It was beautiful."

"I told you we should've just had it delivered," Flynn muttered to Bea. "But nooo, you had to swing by the cafeteria and flirt with your crush-of-the-day barista."

Bea pouted. "Worth it. He winked."

"Still," Flynn said with a sigh, "we missed one hell of a show."

"Don't worry, guys," Casadin grinned, rising to grab two iced coffees from the tray. "Knowing Hades…" He glanced at the now-silent boy across the room as he sauntered back toward Evadne. "There'll definitely be a next time."

He placed one iced coffee in front of Evadne with a wink, then turned back toward Hades.

"Right, brother?" he said mockingly, before bursting out into a rich laugh.

Several members shook their heads, but their smiles were telling.

Soon, the atmosphere lightened. Coffee cups were passed around the room, pastries divided. Laughter and chatter resumed organically, discussions sparking up about Clubs War Week and the upcoming immersion program.

Everyone was engaged.

Everyone was excited.

And no one looked at Hades.

Because Hades was no longer the center of this room.

He and his officers sat stiff and silent, watching as the student body organization moved without him. Moved around him. Moved beyond him.

Just behind Evadne's seat, displayed boldly on the newly redecorated wall, were the words painted in elegant gold script.

'There is no I in TEAMWORK.'

And for the first time in five years…

The Student Body Organization was finally living up to its name.