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Before any of them could answer, Roman followed with his own question. "Lunaris Academy is not just a school, Violet Purple! It is a political ground. Did you think about the effect it would have long-term? Did you even think about its effect outside these walls?"

"No. I didn’t think," Violet admitted, the guilt creeping into her features now.

"At first, I was acting out of wounded pride after what you all did to me. But with time, it evolved into anger toward the oppressive, elitist system being justified here. Through this opportunity, I wanted to become the voice of many voiceless students, especially the humans here. I thought if I exposed you guys to the world and let you face scrutiny, you’d be held accountable and finally be humbled.

Maybe Principal Jameson would stop sitting on the fence and actually step up! "

"But then..." Violet swallowed. "After today’s incident, it was as if the future just flashed in my face and I realized if I go down this path, I might just destroy things instead of making them better.

Was my desire to expose the Cardinal Alphas morally sound?

Yes. Was it strategically reckless? Yes.

I might have underestimated the political weight of my actions and the emotional cost of betraying those I now care about. "

Her voice softened at the end, looking at each of the alphas, who looked heavy in thought with tight expressions.

So she pressed on, saying, "I’m telling you this not because I want to hurt you.

Not because I don’t care. I do care, more than it looks.

And I don’t want you to think that I intentionally agreed to the relationship for this purpose.

That it was a trick to make you all drop your guard.

I honestly like you guys. I don’t want this to be something that comes between us.

That is why I’m telling you now. To make you understand.

To seek your help. Please." Violet’s confession echoed in the silence that followed.

The Cardinal Alphas exchanged looks between themselves, their faces unreadable.

For once, they weren’t sure what to do or how to process the mess of emotions their supposed girlfriend had thrown at them.

To think Violet had been planning this whole thing and they hadn’t known a thing.

This just showed how dangerous Violet was, whether they wanted to admit it or not.

Finally, Asher spoke for the first time. "Is there anything else bound to happen tonight, or is this all?"

"Yes, that is all—oh." Violet suddenly recalled there was more.

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Roman growled. "What now, Violet? What evil trap do you have set up for us that you’re not talking about?"

"It’s not about you, dumbass. It’s about Elsie Lancaster." Lila retorted.

"Huh? Elsie?" Alaric perked up at once.

Daisy pushed her glasses up the bridge of her nose, saying, "Since you guys desire to be with Violet, and you share a mutual hatred for Elsie, this is one piece of information I believe you would want to know."

The Cardinal Alphas looked intrigued.

Griffin asked, "What is it? Tell us."

Ivy smiled conspiratorially as she took the tablet phone from Daisy, saying, "I believe it would be better if you watched it." Then she added, "Although, you might have to brace yourself, Asher."

Alaric, Roman, and Griffin looked at Asher with curiosity, wondering what that was about. But Asher simply shrugged, right before he received the tablet from Ivy, and the others gathered around him to see what it was about.

At first, the boys thought when they saw Elsie treat Grace like that, that she would likely hit and abuse the girl.

Although physical abuse would ruin Elsie’s reputation, it still didn’t match the anticipation they had been holding.

Hence, when Grace came out from that room wearing Asher’s face, he nearly dropped the tablet from the shock.

"What the fuck...!" All of them cursed at the same time.

If the scene hadn’t been such a serious one, Violet would have burst into laughter from their reactions. It was hilarious. But she just couldn’t help watching the shocking expressions on their faces.

"Dear God, I think I’m going to be sick," Alaric gagged by the time the video came to an end.

Roman patted Asher on the shoulder, saying, "Bro, I don’t think I’ll look at you the same way ever again."

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"So sorry, Asher." Griffin felt sympathy for him.

Asher was simply traumatized. No, he felt violated. How could she use his identity like that? That was the filthiest thing he had ever watched.

Alaric suddenly said, "Do you know what this means?"

"What?" Roman asked.

"If this goes live, we’d be free from Elsie’s clutches forever. There’s no way my parents would agree after this..." Alaric couldn’t finish his words, still creeped out by what he had watched.

"Even if Elsie fucks a dog in front of my father," Asher muttered darkly, "Henry would still insist I choose her. He cares about the power, not the girl."

Then Asher stood to his feet, saying, "However, you’re right. Anything can happen. This video has to go online tonight." Asher’s eyes connected with Violet’s as he gave his approval.

"So we reveal only Elsie’s video?" Roman asked, a bit hopeful.

Asher twirled around to face him. "No. All the videos. Violet’s plan goes ahead as intended."

"What?!" Violet and the others shouted.

"What the fuck, Asher!" Roman was pissed. "What you’re asking her to do is destabilize Lunaris Academy. Elsie’s secret is enough to bring negative attention to the school already."

But Asher, unfazed, replied, "Do we have too much power? Yes. Did you set things into motion that led to this chaotic moment? Yes. Do I have a plan to remedy this madness? Yes. So which option would you choose, Roman? To protest even though you know you won’t win in the end, or sit down and listen to my plan? "

For a moment, it seemed like Roman wouldn’t back down as he and Asher stared each other dead in the eyes. Then with a sigh, his shoulders dropped, but not without sassing, "Fine, let’s see what the puppet master has in mind."

4

And intentionally, he plopped down on the seat where Asher had been sitting moments ago, crossing his legs and saying, "Go on. Let’s hear."

Knowing he was intentionally trying to provoke him, Asher ignored him and turned to the others, saying, "This is how we’d do this..."

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