Chapter 114 The first drop
Chapter 114
RAVENNA
I pushed open the door to our room, still smiling to myself. The adrenaline from what I had just done was still pumping through my veins.
Samantha sat on her bed, clearly waiting for me. Selene was already asleep on her side of the room.
"Are you going to tell me why you are smiling like that after returning from Caleb's room?" Samantha whispered, patting the space beside her on the bed.
I laughed quietly and joined her, leaning close so our conversation would not wake Selene. "Caleb asked me to be his girlfriend."
Her eyes widened. "What? And did you give him a response?"
I sighed and pulled my knees up to my chest. "I did not want to look desperate, so I told him I would think about it."
"But you are going to say yes, are you not?"
"Probably." I shrugged. "Besides, having Caleb's attention has given me something. A perfect revenge for what Darius and his father did to me."
Samantha's expression shifted. A frown creased her forehead. "Raven, will this not have repercussions? I know Richard humiliated you by announcing Darius's engagement to Selene, but you should remember there was never anything actually going on between you and Darius in the first place."
I went defensive immediately. "What do you mean there was nothing going on? What about all those dates he took me on? The time we spent working on our speech together? Does that mean nothing?"
"I am not saying it meant nothing—"
"Then what are you saying?" I cut her off, my voice rising slightly. "Why did Darius never sneak out of the academy to come see me when I was in hospital? Why did he just accept the engagement without fighting back? If I meant something to him, he would have done something. Anything."
Samantha sighed heavily. "You are right. That is true."
"Exactly." I stood up from her bed. "Now go to sleep and have a wonderful night's rest."
"Raven—"
"Goodnight, Sam."
I walked over to my own bed and sat down, pulling my laptop from under my pillow where I had hidden it earlier. My hands trembled slightly as I opened it and navigated to the files I had sent myself from Caleb's computer.
The video of Richard Pike filled my screen.
A smile spread across my face as I imagined the look on Richard's face when he saw this video circulating around the academy.
And Darius. How would Darius feel when he discovered his father was not the honourable man everyone thought he was? When he realised everyone now knew the Pike empire was built on corruption and lies?
It would shatter everything.
I opened a new browser window and created a fresh social media account. I named it "Revenge" and left the profile picture blank.
Then I uploaded the video and scheduled it to release at seven in the morning. Right when students would be waking up and checking their phones before class.
Perfect timing.
I saved everything, closed my laptop, and finally allowed myself to lie down. Sleep came easier than I expected.
"Oh my God! Oh my God!"
I jolted awake to Selene's screaming. My eyes struggled to adjust to the bright morning light streaming through our window.
"Would you just shut up and stop disturbing us?" I groaned, pulling my pillow over my head.
"No, you need to see this!" Selene's voice was panicked. "Both of you, come here right now!"
Samantha was already climbing out of bed, rubbing her eyes. I reluctantly sat up and swung my legs over the side of my bed.
Selene stood in the middle of the room holding her phone out towards us. On the screen was the video. Richard's video.
"What is that?" Samantha asked, moving closer.
"It is Richard. Darius's father. Someone posted this video of him talking about illegal dealings." Selene's hands were shaking. "I need to go see Darius. He must have seen this by now. He is probably falling apart."
I bit the inside of my cheek to keep from smiling.
Samantha leaned in to look at the phone screen more closely. "How many views does it have?"
Selene checked. "Ten thousand views and five hundred reactions in under two hours."
"That is insane," Samantha breathed.
Selene was already grabbing her jacket and shoes. "I have to go. I have to make sure Darius is alright."
She rushed out of the room without another word, leaving just Samantha and me in heavy silence.
Samantha turned slowly to look at me. Her expression was unreadable.
"Stop staring at me like that," I muttered, standing up and walking over to my wardrobe.
"Was this your handiwork, Raven?"
I pulled out my uniform and focused on laying it out on my bed. "I do not know what you are talking about."
"Raven."
"What?" I finally looked at her.
Samantha stared at me for a long moment, then walked over to her own bed and sat down. "Serves Richard right, then. I want to see how he is going to handle a video revealing who he truly is."
Relief flooded through me. I had not been sure how Samantha would react if she figured it out.
"You are not going to lecture me about consequences?" I asked carefully.
"Why would I? Richard Pike has had that coming for years. Everyone treats him like he is this perfect, righteous Alpha. Maybe it is time people saw the truth." She pulled her own uniform out. "But be careful, Raven.
This kind of thing has a way of spiralling out of control."
"I know what I am doing."
"I hope so."