Wicked (Somerset University #2) - Ruby Vincent Page 0,81

Jade?” I asked, turning to her. “Do you need me to take over for dinner?”

“No,” she clipped. “I need you to explain why you’re asking about Alexander Olsen, Melissa Becker, and Ian Campos.”

I froze. “How did you know about that?”

“Peter Bellingham is a friend. We spoke the other day and he mentioned that he hoped your search for Alexander was going well. I had no idea what he was talking about.” Jade moved around the table and I did too. Maintaining the distance between us. I’d never seen that expression on her face. It seemed the sunshine-and-giggles act was over.

“Peter explained that you were inviting all the brothers and sisters. Something about once a brother, always a brother. Imagine my surprise when I called a few of the other alumni and discovered you questioned them in the same way. It’s interesting that you neglected to tell us the full extent of your guest list.”

“Is that a problem? There’s no rule that I can’t invite—”

“Spare me, Valentina.”

I blinked at the snap. Yep. She wasn’t playing nice anymore.

“Do you think I’m unaware of the accusations your boyfriend leveled at Aiden Connelly last year? He believes there’s something sinister behind Teagan Kainer’s and Sawyer Burn’s disappearance. Were you hoping to establish a pattern by tracking down our past dropouts?”

Got it in one, Jade.

“No,” I said clearly. “How would I even do that? People change their names. People share a name with fifty others. They live their life off social media or they pack up and leave the country. I’d have no way of knowing if something happened to them unless someone reported it. I don’t have ulterior motives, Jade. I asked for those names to put them on the guest list. Miriam Brown and Theodore Snyder are excited to see their old friends.”

Jade visibly stiffened.

Likely at the confirmation that I’ve been tracking these names down.

“This is not how we do things, Valentina,” she said. “The people on the alumni list were the only ones you were allowed to invite. You used me, Mrs. Kessler, Zeta Rho, and this event for your own purposes. That will not stand.” Jade came around quick, suddenly in front of me. “Effective immediately, you’re turning over this event to me. You will delete the alumni contact list while I watch and, in the future, any and all events will be run by Mrs. Kessler.”

I nodded along, lips pursed. “This reaction has me thinking there was something to find among those names. Or I should say, nothing to find. What did happen to those people I couldn’t track down, Jade?”

“How should I know? We don’t keep tabs on our brothers or sisters after they walk out that door.”

“Course not,” I drew out. “But now that I’m thinking about it, it is a little strange that so many students left because of family emergencies, but I can’t find those obituaries, sick sisters, or what became of the dads rushed to the hospital. I tried tracking down Teagan and Sawyer to send out their invitations, and still it’s bounced emails and disconnected numbers. Isn’t that strange?”

“No,” she snapped. “It’s not strange that students going through such a difficult time that they had to drop out of school, would then block harassing calls and emails. Whatever you or your boyfriend believe happened to Miss Kainer or Mr. Burn, I can promise you that you’re wrong.” She closed the scant distance between us. “I’m warning you, Valentina. Let this go. You could be a good president—possibly a great one. The doors the Sallys would open for you doesn’t compare to any other organization or job. You’re sabotaging your future over things you do not understand.”

I raised a brow. “And you’re here to what? Look out for me? Keep me on the right track? How sweet.”

Red stained her cheeks. “I’m here to ensure you don’t abuse your power. Which you have.” She put out her hand. “Give me the binder, Valentina, and the laptop while you’re at it. I want those contacts deleted.”

I didn’t move, locking in for a battle of wills I’d win either way. Sofia has a copy of the contacts and Maverick’s been digging for weeks. It’s much too late.

“The party is planned. The details are finalized. The invitations are sent out. The top prizes were secured by me. I’ll delete the contacts but you taking over now doesn’t make sense. It’ll look weird to the sisters, and when they ask why, I’ll tell them I’m being punished for inviting formers