Chapter 183: I Knew You Were Up to Something!
Evelyn's POV
The principal stared at us like we'd just announced the world was ending. "Are you... actually here for security assessment?"
"Of course," I said, keeping my face innocent. "Student safety is our top priority. You wouldn't have a problem with that, would you?"
"No, absolutely not," he said quickly. "If you need anything, just let me know."
We left his office, and Sophia burst out laughing the second we hit the hallway.
"Did you see his face? Like he swallowed a whole lemon!"
"Don't celebrate yet," Freya warned. "He's definitely going to try screwing with us."
"Let him try." The satisfaction felt incredible. For the first time in years, I actually had power to fight back.
"Since we've got an hour," I turned to my friends, "want the grand tour?"
"Hell yes," Sophia grinned. "I want to see where you survived all those years."
We started on the top floor and worked our way down. Here was math class, there was history, library at the end of the hall. Basic stuff. But I noticed Freya wasn't really listening to my tour guide routine.
Her eyes kept darting to weird spots - wall corners, ceiling joints, ventilation grates.
"What're you looking at?" I finally asked.
"Nothing much," she said casually. "Just think this place has interesting architecture."
Something felt off, but I didn't push. If she found something important, she'd tell us.
We hit the second floor - mostly younger kids' classrooms. I showed them the locker area, trying not to look at my old one in the corner. Acacia and her crew had stuffed so much disgusting shit in there over the years.
"What's that door?" Freya pointed to a small entrance at the hallway's end.
"Maintenance closet. Cleaning supplies and stuff."
Freya studied that door, then looked up at the ceiling again. I followed her gaze but saw nothing special.
"Let's check the first floor," Sophia suggested. "We're running out of time."
First floor was all public spaces - cafeteria, auditorium, gym. Quick walk-through, with Freya still eyeing those random spots.
"Time's up," I checked my watch. "Let's see if Acacia's dad finished packing."
We got back to the third floor just as he came out of the office, carrying several boxes.
"Wow, that was fast," Sophia smiled sweetly. "So cooperative."
Acacia's father shot us a death glare. "Don't get cocky."
"An hour to pack this little stuff?" Freya stepped forward. "You weren't hiding anything sketchy in there, were you?"
"What the hell's that supposed to mean?" His expression shifted.
"Nothing," Freya shrugged. "Just weird that one office takes so long to clear out."
"Mind your own damn business!" he snapped. "The office is empty - do whatever you want!"
He stormed off with his boxes.
We walked into the office, and I couldn't help whistling. This place was way fancier than I'd expected.
Massive mahogany desk in the center, clearly worth more than most people's cars. Floor-to-ceiling window behind it overlooked the back courtyard. Sunlight streaming through made everything look golden.
The far wall had a matching bookshelf, packed with volumes. Brown leather sofa that looked expensive as hell. Walls covered in family photos - weird thing was, nobody in them was smiling.
"This is some serious luxury," Sophia said. "Doesn't look like a school office. More like a CEO's private suite."
But Freya ignored our commentary. She went straight to the desk and fired up the computer.
"Freya?" I walked over. "What're you doing?"
"Testing a theory." Her fingers flew across the keyboard. "Remember all those corners I was checking out?"
"Yeah. What about them?"
"I spotted some unusual marks. Small holes in walls, ceiling spots where the color was slightly off. Like someone had been messing around recently."
Sophia's eyes widened. "You're saying..."
"Exactly." Freya's expression went serious. "I think someone installed surveillance equipment throughout this school. Not official monitoring - private stuff."
A chill ran down my spine. If someone was secretly watching the whole school...
"Got it!" Freya suddenly exclaimed. "This computer has traces. He tried to delete everything, but left some breadcrumbs."
She pulled up a folder with what looked like surveillance software installation records.
"Just like I thought." Freya bit her lip. "These timestamps show at least a dozen unofficial cameras were installed around the school."
"Holy shit," Sophia gasped. "That's totally illegal, right?"
"Of course it's illegal." Fury burned in my chest. "Question is, what did he record? Where are those videos?"
"He wouldn't keep them on this computer," Freya worked frantically. "But I can try to trace... damn, he wiped all the related files."
"So what now?"
"Don't panic." Freya took a deep breath. "Let me back up whatever's left on here. Maybe I can find other clues."
While Freya worked, Sophia and I searched the rest of the office. The books were mostly management and leadership stuff - seemed normal. Desk drawers only had boring documents.
I picked up one file when the door suddenly slammed open.
"I knew you were up to something!" Acacia stormed in, face red with rage. "What gives you the right to take over my dad's office?"
"Luna Isabella's orders," I said calmly, sliding the document away. "Got a problem with that?"
"You - " Acacia spotted Freya at the computer. "What the hell are you doing? That's private property!"
"School property," Freya said without looking up. "Just checking system security."
"Bullshit!" Acacia shrieked. "You're trying to frame us!"
"Frame you?" I stood and walked toward her. "Acacia, if you haven't done anything wrong, why would you be scared of getting 'framed'?"
Acacia's expression flickered. "What do you mean?"
"Nothing." I smiled. "Just think you're overreacting."
Through the big window, I spotted a familiar figure pacing the courtyard - Acacia's father. He kept glancing up at us, clearly waiting for Acacia's report.
"Looks like you're here to spy," Sophia noticed too. "Daddy sent you to see what we're up to?"
"I'm not a spy!" Acacia protested, but her confidence was cracking.
"Then what're you here for?" Freya finally looked up. "One last look at daddy's fancy office?"
"I..." Acacia had nothing.
My phone rang - Luna Isabella.
"Luna?"
"Evelyn, are you still at school? It's getting late - time to come home for dinner."
I checked the time, surprised to see it was already six. We'd actually spent the whole afternoon here.
"Sorry, Luna Isabella. We'll head back now."
After hanging up, I turned to Acacia. "We're leaving. You need to go too - I have to lock up."
"This place doesn't need locking!" Acacia protested.
"It does now," Sophia was already messing with the door lock. "Important stuff in here."
Next stop - their house, I thought to Freya and Sophia through our link. Been under construction forever without finishing. Are they building a damn castle or what?
We gathered our materials and prepared to leave. Before walking out, I looked back at Acacia once, then turned away.