s the terrazzo floor, stopping exactly in
sy fo
lking to the principal's office. She positioned herself a half-step behind the rig
hite clerk with a tired smile pushed two thick stacks
we process the paperwork, I need to ask the mandatory question. Are bo
t answer i
st. His long, aristocratic fingers b
Tap
. In the quiet space of the coun
ack of his dark hair, terrified he was going to humiliate her and call off the deal
zing seco
pping. "Yes," he said.
d her gaze to Ch
sitate. She nodde
e completely flat. "Enti
lightly. He glanced at
solute lack of emotion in her voice. There was no hesitation, but there
blanc pen across the counter. "Plea
cked up
ed the nib to the paper and slashed his arroga
over his shoulder
reache
the side of her index finger accide
was freez
ed her hand back, gripping the pen tightly. She leaned over th
ack. She picked up a heavy me
h
ed," the clerk announced.
o his inside jacket pocket and pulled out a sleek
. He pulled out a sing
ank transf
out towar
evoid of any inflection. "Wired into the Vega G
took t
at the long, impossible string of zeros p
ring breath rippe
er spine straight for the past three days
e. She didn't c
ld. The debt was paid. She was no longer a burden to the family
rrowed
igger. He expected her eyes to widen with greed, or for her to put on a s
. She folded it again, making a small square, and tuc
k a ste
nd offered a stiff,
oice completely hollow. "If there is nothing else required
mall talk. She treated him exactly
oward the exit. Her pace was fast, almost fr
to
through the open
ibrating with an absolut
pumps froze on t
Her stomach dropped into her shoes. She stood per
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