Chapter 60 The green eyed
Chapter 60: The Green-Eyed Monster (Liam’s POV)
The air in the library suddenly felt thin. I stared at the phone Chloe was shoving toward me. It was a screenshot of a bank transaction. Elena Marycynthia. Five hundred dollars. The source was labeled as a private transfer.
I looked at Elena. She looked like she had been shot. Her face was paper-white, and her hands were gripping the edge of the bookshelf so hard I thought the wood might snap.
"I didn't get any money," Elena whispered. Her voice was barely audible.
"The bank statement says otherwise, sweetie," Chloe said, her voice dripping with fake concern. "Five hundred . That’s a lot of money for a 'tutor' to just stumble upon. My father thinks it’s payment for the merger documents you leaked."
"I don't even know what documents you're talking about!" Elena shouted, her voice finally cracking. "I don't have that money! I’ve never seen that much money in my life!"
"Check your app, Elena," I said. My voice was flat. I wanted her to tell me it was a mistake. I wanted her to laugh and show me a zero balance.
She pulled out her phone, her fingers shaking. She tapped the screen, logged in, and then froze. She stared at the screen for a long time. Then, she let out a small, terrified sob.
"It’s there," she whispered. "But I don't know where it came from. I swear, Liam, I didn't do anything!"
"Five hundred " I repeated. The number felt like a weight in my stomach. "That’s the exact amount my father said was the 'value' of the leaked trade secrets. How do you explain that coincidence?"
"I can't!" she cried.
"Because there is no explanation," Chloe said, grabbing my arm. "Come on, Liam. Your father is waiting. He’s already calling the school board. She’s done."
"Wait!"
The library doors swung open again. Maya marched in, and right behind her was Julian. He was wearing that same annoying leather jacket, looking completely unbothered by the fact that he was standing in a Northview library where he didn't belong.
"She didn't steal anything, you vultures," Maya snapped, stepping in front of Elena.
"Move, Maya," Jax said, appearing from behind Chloe. "The evidence is right there. She’s a thief and a mole."
"She’s not a mole," Julian said. He stepped forward, his eyes locked onto mine. He had a smug, relaxed look that made me want to swing at him. "I sent the money."
The room went dead silent. I felt my heart drop into my shoes.
"You what?" I asked. My voice was a low growl.
"I sent the money," Julian repeated. He looked at Elena and gave her a small, reassuring smile. "I saw her phone last night when we were at the game. I saw a notification about her mom’s medical arrears. I have more money than I know what to do with, so I sent her a little help. I didn't think she'd check her account so soon."
"Five hundred ?" Chloe shrieked. "You just gave a girl you met yesterday half a million? Who do you think you're fooling?"
"It’s not a lot to me," Julian shrugged. He looked back at me, his grin widening. "Maybe if you spent more time taking care of her and less time treating her like a servant, she wouldn't need 'mystery' transfers from guys like me."
I felt the blood rush to my face. The jealousy was so hot it was making my vision blur. "You gave her money? Why?"
"Because she needed it," Julian said. He walked over to Elena and put a hand on her shoulder. She didn't pull away this time. She just looked at him with wide, confused eyes. "And because I like her. Is that a crime, Vance? Or do you have a patent on being nice to her too?"
"She's my tutor," I spat. "She lives in my house."
"She lives in your basement," Julian corrected him. "There’s a difference. And if you’re so worried about 'merger secrets,' maybe you should look at your own friends. They seem a lot more interested in Elena’s bank account than she is."
"Liam, he’s lying," Chloe hissed, grabbing my hand. "He’s just covering for her. They’re in this together!"
"I have the receipt on my phone, Chloe," Julian said, holding up his screen. "Sent from my private account to hers at 11:45 PM last night. Right after I dropped her off. Want to see the timestamp?"
Chloe looked at the phone and turned a bright shade of red. She didn't say a word.
"Elena, did you ask him for this?" I asked. I stepped closer to her, ignoring Julian. "Did you tell him about the money?"
"I... I mentioned the bills," Elena whispered. "But I never asked him for money! Julian, why would you do that?"
"Because you're worth it," Julian said. He looked at me, his eyes full of challenge. "See? Some people don't need a recording or a bank statement to know who she is. They just need to look at her."
"Get out," I said. The words were quiet, but they were dangerous.
"Make me," Julian said.
"Liam, don't," Jax said, grabbing my shoulder. "He’s not worth the suspension."
"He’s right," Maya said, grabbing Elena’s hand. "We’re leaving. Elena, come on. You don't have to stand here and be interrogated by people who don't trust you."
"She has a session," I snapped.
"The session is over," Maya said. "She’s going home to rest. And Julian is driving her."
"No, he isn't," I said, stepping into their path.
"Yes, I am," Julian said, stepping in front of Elena. "Unless you want to explain to the principal why you're harassing a girl in the library while her 'friend' is just trying to give her a ride."
I stood there, my fists clenched at my sides, watching them walk out. Julian had his arm around Elena’s waist again. He was leaning down, whispering something to her, and she was nodding.
"He’s lying, Liam," Chloe said, but her voice sounded small. "He has to be."
"The timestamp was real, Chloe," Jax muttered. "He sent the money."
I didn't say anything. I just turned around and kicked a chair. It flew across the library, slamming into a table with a loud crash.
"Liam!" Chloe gasped.
"Everyone out!" I shouted. "Get out! Now!"
Jax and Chloe scrambled out of the library. I was alone. I slumped into a chair and put my head in my hands.
He gave her money. He gave her half a million like it was nothing. He was treating her like a princess while I was treating her like a criminal. And the worst part? She was letting him. She was looking at him with the same eyes she used to use on me.
My phone buzzed. It was a text from an unknown number.
You're losing her, King. And you're doing all the work for me. Thanks for making it so easy.
I stared at the text. It was Julian’s number.