Kiara stopped trying to separate them.
Not directly.
That approach had almost worked.
Almost.
But Anaya and he weren't predictable rivals.
They recalibrated too quickly.
So Kiara changed tactics.
If you couldn't break an alliance—
You overwhelmed it.
—
The next council meeting began like any other.
Documents. Reports. Committee updates.
But halfway through the agenda, Kiara spoke.
"I'd like to introduce a new initiative," she said calmly.
The advisor nodded. "Go ahead."
She placed a file on the table.
"Westbridge Leadership Summit."
The room grew attentive.
"An inter-college leadership event," she continued smoothly.
"Panels, debates, and policy workshops with representatives from other universities."
One of the council members looked impressed.
"That would raise Westbridge's visibility."
"Exactly."
Kiara's gaze shifted briefly toward Anaya.
Then toward him.
"It would also showcase our council's leadership capability."
Anaya opened the proposal file.
It was detailed.
Well structured.
Strategic.
Of course it was.
"Ambitious," he said.
Kiara smiled politely.
"I believe Westbridge should lead conversations, not just react to them."
The advisor nodded thoughtfully.
"This could be significant."
But Anaya was already scanning the details carefully.
"Three-day event," she said.
"Yes."
"External speakers."
"Yes."
"Debate panels."
"Yes."
Her eyes stopped on one line.
Council-led debate session.
Interesting.
"You want the council to host the opening debate," she said.
"Yes."
Kiara folded her hands calmly.
"Westbridge leadership should demonstrate intellectual authority."
The advisor seemed pleased.
"That's a strong idea."
Across the table, he glanced toward Anaya.
He understood the subtext instantly.
Public stage.
Public confrontation.
Public narrative.
Kiara continued.
"I suggest the debate be moderated by the council itself."
"Who participates?" the advisor asked.
Kiara's smile deepened slightly.
"The two members most responsible for our policy discussions."
She looked directly at them.
"Anaya."
"And you."
Silence.
The other council members exchanged looks.
Because everyone knew what this meant.
Not just a debate.
A spectacle.
Anaya closed the proposal file.
"You're turning council policy into performance."
"No," Kiara replied smoothly.
"I'm turning leadership into visibility."
He leaned back slightly.
"You want the campus watching."
"I want Westbridge watching."
The advisor cleared his throat.
"It's not unreasonable. A public debate would highlight intellectual leadership."
Which meant—
It would happen.
Anaya didn't show hesitation.
But she understood exactly what Kiara was doing.
This wasn't sabotage.
It was exposure.
If their alliance was real, it would show.
If their rivalry was real, it would explode.
Either way—
The campus would watch.
After the meeting ended, the hallway buzzed again.
Students had already heard about the summit.
"How did that leak so fast?" Aarav muttered.
"Kiara," Anaya said.
He approached a moment later.
"You saw the debate plan."
"Yes."
"You think it's a trap?"
"Yes."
"And you'll still do it."
"Yes."
He almost smiled again.
"You like difficult situations."
"I like winning."
Across the corridor, Kiara watched them speak.
Calm.
Focused.
Still not breaking.
But that was fine.
Because now—
The entire campus would be watching.
And pressure did things rivalry alone could not.