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REPLY:
Alice,
I shouldn’t be telling you this, but I can’t help but feel moved by your story.
I know someone who works at a business who sponsors students. I can give him your name if you would like to go and have a meeting with him? He works at LeeRoss Industries.
Spaces are limited and time is of the essence, so you’d need to meet with him as soon as possible.
From,
Ebony
I drive down Alice’s street but don’t stop.
Police are all over her yard, yellow tape around the car, and a tow truck stationed ready to take it away once they’ve done what they need to.
It’s fitting really.
Both Richard and Alice’s stepfather like to beat women, and I took them both down with one stone.
I want to go to her so badly, but it’s too risky with the spotlight on her house right now, so I give my sister the time she deserves from me.
I need to rescue her from Maggie.
Sixteen
Chapter
ALICE
Murder charges, reckless endangerment, and drunk driving.
Turns out Fred is loose lipped and a complete idiot. It’s going to take a miracle to get him off from this, and miracles are a fantasy.
The only way to get what you want out of life is to beg, steal, or borrow it.
Speaking of, I have to leave so I can get to LeeRoss Industries.
Packing up my bag, I slip out of class and straight out the exit before the lunch bell has time to shrill.
Everyone is once again whispering about me in the halls, but it’s that I’m the daughter of a murderer now.
It doesn’t matter that Fred isn’t my real father.
No one cares about facts when there’s gossip to spread.
Gemma Rodes hasn’t returned to school, and Reese has been absent now, too.
His friends are saying he took a bad fall, and won’t be returning to school for graduation.
Gossip around the school says his father pulled strings to get him into college, and has already shipped him off.
Must be nice having parents to step in for you so you don’t have to put the work in.
My feet ache by the time I reach the tall glass building with their logo on the front in huge, metal lettering.
I pull a brush from my bag and put it through my hair a few times before stashing my backpack in a bush on the side of the building.
I step inside and feel a little overwhelmed.
The foyer is huge, tiled floors alerting everyone that someone has entered, causing eyes to lift from the reception desk.
A well-dressed, good-looking Asian man standing with a couple of other men looks over at me as I enter, making me squirm.
They seem to be talking business and lose interest in me quickly.
The receptionist is a pretty red-head who offers me a warm smile.
“Hi, I’m here to talk about a college scholarship?” I pose it as a question, knowing I look meek and like an idiot.
The woman frowns and looks at her computer like it has the answers to the questions clearly racing though her mind at my inquiry.
“I’ll deal with this, Karen,” the Asian man tells her, coming to stand beside me.
He offers me his hand, which I take with an awkward smile.
“I’m Mr. Lee. Let’s take this to my office, shall we?”
My mouth wants to tell him it’s Mr. Ross I’m supposed to meet, but my lips won’t move.
I follow him to an elevator where silence cloaks us like a thick fog, suffocating me.
My confidence is at zero, yet I need to sell myself to this man as a confident, bright student, worthy of this lifeline if he’s willing to invest in me.
When the doors open it’s into a huge office, my mouth dropping open at the view.
This must be the top floor.
It’s stunning.
The office is bigger than our entire house.
“Please take a seat. Would you like something to drink, Miss…?”
“Young,” I offer. “And a water, please?”
He grins at me and slips his jacket off, hanging it on a hook on the far wall.
He goes over to a cabinet and opens it to reveal a fridge.
Pulling out a bottle of water he hands it to me over his desk, and I offer him a tight smile, taking it from him. “Thank you.”
Uncapping the bottle I take a swig and squirm a little at his scrutiny of me.
His eyes track over my form, lingering at my tits before resting on my face.
“So, this isn’t the way we usually pick our recipients.”
I take the seat he gestures to with his hand. “How did you hear about our program?”
Crap, this is why I needed to see Mr. Ross. “Actually, a friend told me about it. She applied before and knew my circumstances are well… To be honest, Mr. Lee…” I say, knowing a blush is crawling up my neck. “Desperate.”
He rests an elbow on the arm of his office chair and places his chin on a propped fist.
