Chapter 23
In the Shepherd family’s fancy villa, Imani scrolled through a forum hyping up Briar.
Her face, still puffy, scrunched into a scowl
‘Briar. That freaking Briar. What’s her problem? Yeah, she’s got the looks, but all she does is throw punches and act like a total jerk. Imani thought
Imani brushed her cheek, flinching at the sung. ‘Briar, you’re done for, she swore to herself,
Louise sauntered in with a plate of cut fruit. “Yo, Imani. I told your teacher you’re skipping boot camp Just hit class after it’s over.. Hey, you good?
She froze, spotting Imani’s red eyes, like she’d been crying
“L“Imani muttered, voice shaky
“Talk to me, kid, Louise said, setting the fruit down. “Mom’s got you”
Imani looked down, wiping a tear. “Mom, maybe I should just split Briar hates me, and I don’t even know why”
Louise’s face hardened at Briar’s name. “Imani, you’re my daughter. Forget her
“But-“Imani tilted her head, letting Louise see the faint handprint and her hurt look
She’d always been the family’s golden girl, spoiled rotten and never stuck dealing with this kind of garbage.
Louise’s jaw tightened. “Imani, relax. Your dad and I have a plan. Once the will’s handled, we’ll kick her back overseas
Imani wanted that, but Briar’s name was plastered on the will. If they pushed too hard, she’d spill the truth.
And then everyone would know Imani was just adopted.
Louise s eyes gleamed slyly. “I dug around. Jack pawned some shares before he passed. Didn’t say which. Well hit her with a hill. If she can’t pay, she Joses her cut
That’ll work?” Imani’s eyes sparkled with hope
Louise squeezed her hand “Company’s broke. She rather gives up her share or coughs up cash
Imani bowed her head, playing sweet, but a smirk crept onto her lips.
Then doubt hit. “What if Briar Islabs?”
Louise snorted. “Let her talk. Won’t change a thing. We’ve got you, kid,”
Imand’s eyes teared up
“Thanks, Moon”
Briar quit the game, then remembered the base drama and logged onto the intrunci
Black Wolf: [Hey, Snake, you’re firully on!]
Briar frowned, pausing as she peeled open her candy
Black Mamba: [What’s good?]
Black Wolf [HQ sent orders to yank you from Limond City a few days ago. You blew ‘em off]
Black Wolf [Now the boss is at HQ, getting everyone hyped. Head instructors from District 1 to 10 are called back. By tomorrow, they’ll all be crashing Ilmond City
Briar’s eyes popped wide, shock written all over her face.
Black Mamba: [Is he insane! We’re talking Supervision Department here!]
Black Wolf: [Nah, he’s not. But you know this ain’t just some file. It’s a big ‘screw you‘ to the Strucze region]
Briar cursed under her breath, her mood tanking. She knew the boss’s temper like nobody’s business.
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Chapter 23
But she also knew he didn’t move without a payout. For him to roll the dice like this that file had to be huge.
Black Mamba [Forget it, I’m talking to the boss.]
Black Wolf (Yeah, right. You lost that thing on your watch. You’re lucky he’s not already on your case]
Black Mamba: [This could be our break.]
Black Wolf Break for what?]
Black Mamba: The 581
explosion. Supervision Department’s got the edge to dig into it.]
Black Wolf: [You’re gonna crash and burn, girl.)
Black Wolf [Do you, but don’t say I didn’t warn ya. If you screw this up, only the boss can spring you from Wikato Prison.
Black Mamba. [I’m just a college kid following the rules. What’re they gonna bust me for!]
The other end got lost for words about it.
Logging off, Briar felt a headache kicking in
All head instructors from Zones 1 to 10 summoned to HQ. If that crew hit Limond, Cyrus would be roast in two hours flat
This wasn’t just about the Supervision Department anymore–it was tied to those old–money families in Okwell.
If Cyrus was still breathing, no sweat. Back at the base, she’d have popped him herself, and it’d be no biggie.
He was in the wrong, plain and simple. But if he went downs in Limond That was a problem.
The Supervision Department had global clout. They could slap a warrant on one in a heartbeat
If Cyrus bit it, all twenty–one head instructors in the Stueze region–guilty or not–would be on the run,
But if she could land an official gig, she’d have way more wiggle room stateside.
With that in mind, Briar grabbed the number Cyrus left and added him on WhatsApp
His profile pic was wild a blacked–out image with a copper six–petal flower i
in the corner. Pro–level
shot, real slick.
Briar froze. She zoomed in That wasn’t a flower–it was a Dum Dum bullet. Probably the one they dug out of him.
This guy is petty as hell; she thought
Her friend request went through quick.
CM [What?]
Briar was left speechless. Yeah, still cold as ever
21: [Don’t sleep on that ID!||
CM: [Med]
སྒྲ ིི་བ།
21 Tomorrow.
CM: [Cool.]
21: [By tomorrow afternoon, I want that Supervision Department badge]
Cyrus didn’t reply right away. A minute later, he sent a file.
- CM. Supervision Department Staff xlsx]
CM: Full it out. Send a recent headshot, digital]
21: That’s it! No way.]
The Okwell Supervision Department, and it’s this easy? Briar’s gut twisted, doubting her own plan.
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