"You are lying." Nate chuckled, as he looked back at the office door and then back at Nyx, who had a pointed look.
"Why would I lie about that?" She shook her head. "Do you want to visit my home this weekend and meet her again?"
"Of course not." He said, his brows furrowing. "She is just my professor, there is no need to meet up with her."
"Alright." She nodded and the next second, she broke out in a smile, as she linked her arm with him. "Quick, let's go. The meeting is going to begin soon."
Nate walked hand-in-hand with her, his head kept snapping to the office door until they rounded the corner.
Meeting and charming Nyx's aunt was too much of a coincidence and though he had told Nyx she couldn't have him to herself alone, it didn't mean he wanted to hurt her by going after her aunt.
As they walked down the long pathway to the location, as expected, most students had their eyes on them and some had stepped up brazenly, coming for Nate instead.
On Nyx's face, he could see the slight displeasure she had after seeing hot girls brushing their fingers on his arms.
"You have got all the attention on you now," She sneered. "What are you going to do about it?"
"What do you mean?" Nate chuckled, however, it was strained. "It's nothing. Just a few girls who chose to admire me."
"Do you want them?" She said, with her sharp eyes on him. She halted, standing in his way with her hands folded beneath her chest, pushing her boobs up.
Nate fought every fiber in his being not to look down at those soft mounds.
"Last night, you created a scene, giving me a necklace worth millions. What were you trying to achieve?"
Nate pursed his lips, her question even though direct, felt like he would fall into a pit if he answered wrongly.
"Nothing." He shrugged.
"Am I..." She stuttered, twirling her fingers in her long hair as she asked shyly, "Am I not your girl now? Everyone knows you belong to me."
"Our previous term still stands." His words were firm, as his hands clasped behind him, "I can do whatever you want, but I don't belong to you. At least, not exclusively."
She parted her lips with a short gasp carrying her disappointment.
"But…why would you pull such an elaborate stunt last night?"
Nate held her shoulders, applying a little pressure as his gaze held hers, "You are the best girl, one who saved me. That was the least I could do to appreciate you."
He then patted her shoulders with a smile, "Let's go, we will be late."
He walked past her, leaving her shooting daggers behind him. Deep down, she regretted accepting his terms that day, and now, she couldn't take back her words.
They got to the meeting room with a long and large table in the center with five executives already seated. Nyx stood by Nate's side, her eyes swarming around, and assessing every single person there.
But then, she felt something was off. The most important person, the student council leader wasn't even in the meeting room.
She immediately whispered in Nate's ear, "Something feels off."
He turned to her, brows raised and they exchanged glances. They didn't know what to expect but then, they realized they needed to be careful.
"Welcome, Nate!" One of the executives stood up, stretching his hand for a handshake. "I am Daven."
Nate shook hands, looking straight into Daven's eyes before he glanced at the rest still seated. They never bothered to greet him and he quickly sat down, putting his gaze on Daven only.
The hostility was glaring, and it didn't seem like they were impressed by him. Being the rave of the moment didn't faze them at all.
"Can we go straight to the point of this meeting?" He asked.
"Sure." Daven's smile disappeared, as he laid a few documents on the table. "Last night's auction happened to receive a lot of attention, not only from the school but also from the authorities."
Immediately, Nate sat up, his brows raised.
"You have to provide everyone with your financial records, and explain how the five million dollars you paid for the necklace came about."
Nate glanced at Nyx, and he could see the distress on her face. The defeat, that they had fallen into a pit they never foresaw.
"Am I being investigated?" Nate asked, taking a deep breath.
"Yes." Daven nodded, without mincing words. "Currently, the students' council leader is holding off the authorities from showing up in your face."
"All you have to do is give us proof and you will be fine. Added to that, your pictures will be pulled down from the hall of fame and your notice of investigation will be put out."
"You…" Nyx gasped, her eyes darting around. "You can't do that. He will be branded in a negative light immediately."
Daven went quiet, with a shrug of his shoulders, "That is what we have decided."
"If he is able to clear his name, then he will be fine like I said." He stood up, his hands toward the door. "That will be all for now, please leave."
The plunge back to reality for Nyx and Nate felt like a slap to the face but then, he took it with a grain of salt. Fighting and trying to prove his stance would only put him at a disadvantage.
But as they stood up to leave, Nyx glared at the executives, her eyes shooting daggers at them. Some of them avoided her eyes while Daven stared at her head on.
"There is something off…" She clicked her tongue. "And I promise you, we will get to the bottom of this."
Daven folded his arms, "I will advise you to stay away from this Nyx, as you might be embroiled in this too."
"Do you think I am scared?" She snapped.
"No…" Daven chuckled. "We know you are the infamous daughter of the Knight family, but be careful, you might be dragging your family into a mess if you butt in."
"Let Nate resolve this on his own if he is capable."
That was a personal attack as Daven glanced at Nate who quickly curled his fingers around Nyx's arm, pulling her away. However, he wasn't going to let Daven get the last word and disrespect his woman that way.
He pulled Nyx behind him, staring at Daven, "There is no need to exchange words with Nyx, trying to pass a message you were clearly instructed to say."
"What do you mean?" Daven snapped. "Are you saying I am a puppet?"
"That's right…" Nate smirked, his lips curling into a dangerous smile. "You know what you are, I just needed to remind you."
The chill that ran through the room at that moment caused goosebumps on everyone's skin as they shifted in their seats. They didn't expect that direct rebuttal and insult.
As Nate pulled Nyx out, Daven rushed after him, "You bastard—"
"Let him go!" A loud voice echoed in the room, and all eyes turned to the inner door that was just pushed open.
Rick stood at the door, his hands in his pockets as a wicked smile shone on his face.
Daven went calm, his eyes staring at the floor as he felt deeply insulted. He really didn't want to answer to anyone or be anyone's puppet, but then, Rick was too much of an opponent and an oppressor.
He had been so happy to be the one in charge after the students' council leader went on a trip, but Rick seemed to have taken that mantle out of his hands.
"This isn't the way to go, Rick. What if Mason gets back and hears of the mess we have created?"
"What can he do?" Rick chuckled. "I will simply shut him up, just like I did with you."
Daven went quiet, so with the other executives who looked away, embarrassed.
Slowly, Rick walked up to Daven, and the next second, he flicked his forehead, "You should behave like a puppet does. Do you want to oppose me now?"
"Of course not…" Daven held his head, bowing slightly and biting down on his lips.
"Good." Rick nodded. "Have the post up in ten minutes."
"And Nyx…" His lips curled as his tongue darted out to lick them. He looked like a gross middle-aged man. "Exclude her from this. I like her sharp tongue and I am going to have it on my dick."