Chapter 1856

Fiona had known from the start that the advisor and Amy were secretly plotting together. As long as their schemes didn't involve her, she was happy to let them do their thing and stay out of it.

But seeing the file in the advisor's hands now, Fiona was almost certain Amy had put it together herself. It looked all polished and official, but it didn't actually answer a single meaningful question.

"You're right. Girls really should be kinder to themselves," Fiona said with a smile, letting the conversation drop there.

Once the advisor left, Nash shot Fiona a look, then glanced at Tyler, who seemed just as confused by Fiona's reaction.

Fiona didn't bother hiding the truth. She knew the advisor was probably eavesdropping just outside, so she went ahead and laid out the whole deal between the advisor and Amy. The advisor, caught completely off guard, nearly stumbled. Clearly, Fiona knew way more than anyone thought.

Spooked, the advisor made a quick exit.

Still, she couldn't get out of the press conference that afternoon.

Fiona never intended to get rid of the advisor. She just hadn't expected someone willing to make shady deals would turn out to be such a coward. Honestly, it was a little disappointing.

Soon, the reporters were shown in, interviewing Fiona and the other two students in small groups. The three of them clung to their cue cards, reading their answers word for word, which only made the reporters more suspicious.

Mr. Garcia looked bewildered. Why wouldn't anyone let go of their script?

"Excuse me, is your school unhappy with our interview?"

"Why are you using these tactics to insult us?"

"Center College is supposed to be one of the best schools in the country, and this is how you treat us? Or do you just not care because your reputation is so big?"

Question after question flew at Mr. Garcia, microphones in his face, until he was so rattled he couldn't get a full sentence out.

"Mr. Garcia, if these aren't official school responses, you could've just told us to answer honestly! Why did the advisor insist we stick to the script?"

Unable to find the advisor, Mr. Garcia blamed everything on her To smooth things over, he promised the reporters an exclusive with Fiona-and even told Fiona she could make a personal request.

met

Once the reporters finally left, the advisor rushed back in, but the conference room was already empty. Fiona and her friends were being taken to Mr. Garcia's office.

Things had gone so smoothe.

this

time because Fiona's answers had been spot-on and genuine.

"Ms. Fiona, whatever you want, just let me know," Mr. Garcia said.

Fiona took a moment before replying. "I want a new advisor."

Better to cut ties now than keep someone around who could blow up at any second—and save herself from getting caught up in any more of Amy's schemes.

If Fiona hadn't scared the advisor away earlier, everything she and her friends

said in that conference room would have been fed straight to Amy.

She squeezed the tiny listening device she'd found in her palm. Amy really did love her little tricks.

"No! Absolutely not!" The advisor burst in, panicked and desperate rushing to Mr. Garcia. Shaking her head, she pleaded, "I've done so much for this school-I deserve to choose which group I supervise!"