The room practically buzzed with tension after Ms. Hale finished reading the names.
I didn't even have to guess what they were saying.
The words slithered through the air.
"What's so special about her?"
"Did she bribe someone to get picked?"
"A scholarship girl with a Heir? Seriously?"
"Nonsense. That's just wrong."
I gritted my teeth, doing my best to ignore them, but their voices seemed to grow louder, feeding off each other like vultures circling.
Across the room, I caught sight of Elias leaning against a column.
His arms were crossed, his jaw tight, and his stormy gaze was locked on me like I'd personally offended him just by breathing.
Rowan, on the other hand, was lounging on a table like he didn't have a care in the world, casually spinning a pen between his fingers as if the chaos around him was just another Tuesday.
He even flashed me a lazy grin when our eyes met, like good luck, scholarship girl.
