The Don's Heir: A Campus Underworld

ter, tears, and the rustling of maps as freshmen moved into their new home. Avery took a deep breath and straightened her shoulders. This was it-a fresh start, a chance to become someone new,

that the don's daughter?" someone asked. "I heard he left her all alone." "What is she doing here?" Avery tightened her jaw but kept her expression unchang

lt a sharp pang of loneliness but pushed it aside. She wouldn't benefit from feeling sorry for herself. Inside, the hall was a maze of activity. Avery moved through the chaos

their conversation: "That's her. Should we say something?" "Are you kidding? Her father probably has spies everywhere." Avery slammed a drawe

d none, she relaxed a little. "Avery here. Thanks, but I'm almost done." Alex's smile stayed in place. "Great. Later, we're heading to the dining hall if you want to join us. It's the first night dinner." For a second, Avery was tempted. S

whose face had been skillfully removed. She traced the edges of the photo with a mix of longing and anger. Why was she keepin

nd foes. As evening fell, she found herself drawn to the library. The large Gothic building stood out among the modern campus buildings. Inside, the smell of old books and polished wood was comfortin

eath caught as she read about her father's rise to power and his later disappearance. "Interesting book choice," a

ith a smooth lie. "I

ucas Sterling, political science major and unofficial welcome committee for lost freshmen."

g to put the book back on the shelf. Lucas reached out and took it from her hands. "Family Dynami

utral, though her hear

ng a chapter on her father. "He disappeared,

tomorrow," Avery said coolly. "Excuse me." As she tried to l

felt Lucas was hard to fool

y Chen," he said softly, with a hint of something she couldn't quite place. "Hey, Blackthorn. This place is going to ge

er phone buzzed, showing an encrypted message that pulled her back to her old life. Avery read the message with trembling fingers. A new job, another goal. She closed her eyes and sighed. Opening them again, she replaced uncertainty with determination. She had sacrificed too much and worked too hard to let anything stop her. As she dressed in black for the evening, she vow