Recap:
Jemil's first days at Moretti Academy have been a whirlwind of intense classes, covert surveillance, and unexpected confrontations. After a tense showdown with a mysterious dark-eyed boy tailing Justina, Jemil knows his mission is more dangerous than he imagined. With enemies lurking in every hallway and trust a rare commodity, Jemil prepares to dig deeper into the secrets that surround the billionaire heiress.
The late afternoon sunlight streamed through the tall arched windows of Moretti Academy's library, dust motes swirling like tiny galaxies in the golden beams. The vast room was silent except for the occasional soft footstep or whisper of a turning page. Jemil sat at a corner table, laptop open but neglected as he scrolled through security footage on his phone, eyes sharp and searching.
His mind was a tangled mess of suspicions and half-formed theories. The dark-eyed boy who'd confronted him in the gymnasium wasn't the only threat—Jemil could feel it. Something deeper, more dangerous was brewing beneath the polished surface of the academy's elite halls.
A sudden drop in the atmosphere pulled Jemil from his thoughts. Justina slid into the seat opposite him, dropping her backpack with a soft thump.
Her short blond hair was messily perfect, strands falling over her sharp green eyes that gleamed with amusement. "Looking like a lost puppy," she teased, cocking her head.
Jemil gave a wry smile. "I'm just trying to figure out who wants to mess with you. And why."
She leaned forward, voice dropping conspiratorially. "You think that dark-eyed kid is the only one after me?"
Before Jemil could answer, a shadow fell over their table, thick with arrogance.
"Justina," came a smooth, oily voice. "You've been dodging me all day. Care to dance at the gala Friday night?"
Jemil glanced up to see Leo Moretti standing there, impeccably dressed, a smile that was too practiced to be sincere.
Justina didn't even look up. "Leo, I'm not interested."
Leo's grin didn't falter. "I'm not asking."
The tension was palpable. Jemil's eyes locked with Leo's — a silent challenge exchanged between two forces circling the same prey.
Leo stepped closer, lowering his voice. "Think about it. The gala could change everything for you."
Justina's green eyes flashed with irritation. "I'm not a prize to be won, cousin."
Leo smirked. "We'll see."
He turned on his heel and disappeared into the stacks of books, leaving a trail of tension behind.
Jemil let out a slow breath, feeling the weight of unspoken family politics crushing down on Justina. "Family drama never ends, huh?"
Justina nodded. "More like a war zone disguised as a family."
Jemil closed his laptop with a snap. "We need allies. And fast."
The next hours passed in a blur as Jemil pored over footage from security cameras installed around the campus. His fingers flew across the screen as he rewound and paused, looking for any sign of the dark-eyed boy or other suspicious figures.
The clock ticked past midnight when he finally caught a shadow moving near the parking lot where Justina's sleek black car was parked. The figure wore a hoodie, face hidden in the darkness, but Jemil's enhanced zoom revealed sharp, calculating eyes.
He froze the frame, his jaw tightening.
Suddenly, his phone buzzed in his pocket. A message flashed on the screen from his handler: "The threat is closer than you think. Watch your back."
Jemil's heart pounded. The mission was no longer just about keeping Justina safe—it was about unraveling a dangerous conspiracy that threatened everything she stood for.
The next morning, Jemil found himself in the cafeteria, surrounded by the hum of students chatting and laughing. But Jemil's mind was elsewhere as Justina sat across from him, absently picking at her salad.
"Leo's more than just a nuisance," she said quietly, eyes locked on her plate. "He's got his own ambitions. And he's not afraid to get his hands dirty."
Jemil's eyes flicked around the room, catching subtle glances and overheard whispers.
"People here play for keeps," Jemil murmured.
Justina nodded. "And that means trust is a luxury we can't afford."
Before Jemil could respond, his earpiece crackled to life.
"Movement near the science wing. Possible tail."
Jemil's eyes sharpened. "Stay close."
Together, they slipped out of the cafeteria and headed toward the science building, nerves tight like a drawn bowstring.
At the entrance, Jemil spotted the same hoodie-clad figure again, lurking near the doorway. The stranger turned, revealing a face partially masked by shadows.
Jemil stepped forward. "Stop."
The figure bolted down the hallway, weaving between startled students.
Jemil sprinted after him, Justina close behind.
Around a corner, the figure slammed into a dead end.
Jemil approached cautiously, hands ready.
"Who sent you?" Jemil demanded, breath heavy.
The figure smiled grimly, revealing a familiar face—one Jemil hadn't expected.
"You don't know who to trust, Carter," the figure said. "And that's your biggest weakness."
Before Jemil could react, the figure vanished through a hidden door in the wall, leaving Jemil and Justina staring at the empty hallway.
Preview:
The lines between friend and foe blur as Jemil's investigation uncovers betrayal within the academy's walls. Who can he trust when the enemy wears a familiar face? Next chapter, secrets come crashing down.
End of Chapter 4
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