Page 3 of Bribed by the Billionaire Bad Boy

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Mr. D’plume drones on about the play we’ll be performing at the end of this next semester, but I can hardly concentrate. Something feels off, and in thatwrongness, I am revealed.

Normally, I pass under every radar, someone invisible. Entirely.

But not in this moment.

Am I simply paranoid because of what Mr. D’plume is talking about? Or is it more than that?

I scan everyone in front of me, searching for eyes in the sea of seats. No one is looking this way.

For good measure, I glance out the egress window behind me, as though someone would be bent against the ground and staring down into the concrete tube.

Shockingly, no one is doing any such thing.

“The Magpie Girlis an enchanting musical rendition of a classic trope. Our leads come from entirely different worlds, and as they stumble into each other, we see that prejudice and betrayal can be overcome through empathy—that is, a desire to learn character over all else. Despite their black and white face-value status, hardships of both emotional and literal nature prevail at every stage in life. Connections are made when we dare to entertain them.” Mr. D’plume’s monotone voice and weary eyes sweep over the classroom. “Yes, Ms. Armont?”

I cringe.Agatha. Agatha Armont. That girl has a name like a witch and the prissy tones to match. Once daughter of the high school principal, always daughter of the high school principal. I only wish we’d not had the same high school principal, and I can only hope she isn’t about to ask for the lead, again.

“I’ve never heard of this play before,” she snips in her refinedtone, brushing her brown hair over her shoulder. “Why aren’t we performing a classic?”

Mr. D’plume’s unimpressed expression pins Agatha with a dry sense of annoyance, and that, honestly, helps make the comment less stinging. “If you’ll look at the script I passed out, you’ll see that this is an original closely connected with our prestigious school.”

I drop my gaze to the paper and press my lips together as I readwritten byMac D’plumein small font at the top of the page.

Agatha clears her throat. “My apologies.”

It’s like she’s some sort of princess. I’ll be ultimately peeved if she’s cast as the lead. Not because I want it. No, I don’t exactlydoany manner of role. It’s because Harriet, the magpie girl, comes from the kind of world Agatha has never known or even thought to imagine. She’s a thief. Scrounging each day for her next meal. Though Agatha may be capable of the cunning it would take to be a thief, Harriet doesn’t have a drop ofprincessin her. She’s far more daring.

Just like her opening song suggests.

Leaning against my hand, I try to ignore the feeling of being watched as I lift the pages of the script and let them flutter down. There is nothing quite as beautiful as a freshly-printed script or song. Something in the shine of the ink is the closest to “art” I am ever going to get.

“Auditions will be held at the end of the week so we can each begin familiarizing ourselves with our parts and get into practice. As per usual, those who aren’t playing acting roles will either help the stage department with sets, work on sound and lights, or be part of the supporting cast.” Mr. D’plume reaches for the cup of coffee sitting on his desk. “Are there any questions?”

Agatha laughs. “We’re not freshmen anymore. We know how this works.”

Mr. D’plume stares at her blankly. “Yes, well. Good for you. Does anyone with the normal memory of a college student need a refresher on anything?”

“I want the lead,” someone states, and half the class turns their attention toward the voice.

Lex Hawthorn.

EvenIknow his name, and I don’t make a point of remembering anyone I don’t already know or who doesn’t directly affect me like the professors. Out of everyone here,Lex Hawthornalways gets what he goes after, and it isn’t like anyone can blame him.

He has skill and drive. And it helps that he’s rich.

The only thing he lacks is passion.

He’s, honestly, perfect for the part of Kenneth.

Running his fingers back through his hair, he begins his performance. “I’m ready to audition now. Time is money, after all.”

A direct quote fromThe Magpie Girl. Cocky. Did he see a glimpse of the line when he was reviewing the script?

Mr. D’plume releases a breath, muttering, “Of course you are.”

Lex stands without prompting. Tall and straight as a board, with an edge ofI’m better than youalready wrapped around him, he lifts a hand in a graceful action. “I’ve, quite honestly, never seen a part so fitted to me. Don’t tell me you wrote it with me in mind.”