Chapter 1880

"Go. Put a team on Fiona-don't let her out of your sight, but make sure she

never finds out," Jackson ordered, his voice cool as he headed for the living room doors. A cold glint flashed in his eyes. "And what do you mean, Fiona went to the company and got turned away?"

His men filled him in on every detail. Jackson's expression iced over, his whole presence turning sharp and forbidding.

"Tell everyone outside: I want that basement found, no excuses. Dig up the whole property if you have to. Whoever finds it gets a million-dollar reward."

A million bucks—more than most people could ever hope to see. The news spread fast. Suddenly, the Woods estate was buzzing with workers and heavy machinery, everyone eager to be the first to uncover the elusive basement.

Fiona woke up to a sky just starting to darken, still a little dazed. She fumbled for her phone-only seven o'clock. After texting Tyler and Nash, she lay there for ages before finally dragging herself out of bed.

Once she was ready, she went to find Tyler for dinner. But even over burgers and fries, she couldn't escape the gossip. Apparently, Jane had shown up at school, asked Mr. Garcia where Fiona was, then left. That was all it took for the rumors to start swirling again.

It amazed Fiona how people seemed to live for judging others, always ready to criticize anyone who didn't follow their rules. She'd thought Center College was above that kind of drama—a top school like this, surely people would be too busy for pointless gossip. But nope, somehow, there was always a new scandal.

Not that any of it could slow Fiona down or ruin her appetite.

She'd just finished eating when her phone rang. It was Jane. Instead of complaining, Jane started with an apology.

"Fiona, I'm so sorry." Jane's voice trembled, thick with emotion. She tried to steady herself, then asked, "Are you okay? Did my stepmom do anything to you? She's completely lost it-won't listen to anyone."

Fiona had her doubts, but kept them to herself. "I'm fine. I was at the cafeteria. I never saw your stepmom."

Jane exhaled, sounding a little

lighter. "I can't come back to school for a while. I already got my leave sorted out. With my dad in jail, I have to takeover the family business. And have to deal with my stepmom and her son... Once everything's settled, let's meet up, okay?"

"Yeah, for sure."

Fiona agreed easily, and they hung up.

None of this was Jane's fault. Still, it was her dad, and Fiona was the one who put him behind bars. Whatever the reason, Jane had already done more than enough for her.

"Come on, let's go find Nash."

They'd barely walked out of the school when a mother and son suddenly blocked

their path, causing a scene that drew a crowd at the gate.

"Look, everyone! This heartless

college girl sent my husband to jail! You must have been plotting this all along, right? Now he can't even get out-you're nothing but bad luck!"

"Yeah! What did you get out of putting my dad in jail? Are you just trying to rip us off or something?"