Chapter 3: The Boardroom Trap

The silence in the committee room became absolute, a suffocating vacuum where my heartbeat sounded like thunder. The photo sat on the polished mahogany table like a live explosive.

Jaxen didn't even blink. His jaw tightened almost imperceptibly, but he merely leaned back in his leather chair, steepling his long fingers. "That's an... interesting photo. Someone clearly has it out for Volkov Heights. I'd be happy to have my legal team look into whoever's trying to blackmail us."

Then, his golden eyes slowly drifted across the table, pinning me to my seat. His voice was dangerously smooth. "Omega, care to explain why you were alone with me in an empty wing?"

The subtle, predatory curve of his lips told me exactly what he wanted. If I told the truth, the endowment vanished, Casper lost his school funding, and I would be ruined. My mind went completely blank under the weight of the committee's stares.

"He... he was lost," I stammered, my voice barely audible as my knuckles turned white against my pen. "I was... showing him where the restrooms were."

"Lost?" Jaxen’s lips curved into a predatory, mocking smile. "Right."

The committee head cleared his throat, adjusting his glasses with a sharp, skeptical look. "Showing him where the restrooms are? Mr. Volkov, as the CEO of Volkov Heights, you surely know the layout of this academy."

"Of course I knew where the restrooms were," Jaxen replied smoothly, his gaze sweeping over the faculty before landing back on me with utter condescension. "But when an omega offers to... guide you, well. Sometimes it's easier to indulge them than listen to their incessant buzzing. As if a defect's opinion matters."

Humiliation burned through my veins, hot and bitter. I stared at my hands in my lap, whispering, "I didn't want to seem... unwelcoming."

"Next question," Jaxen dismissed casually, thoroughly enjoying my public degradation.

The committee head let out a weary sigh, pushing the scandalous photograph aside. "Very well. Let's move on to the proposed allocation. Mr. Volkov, your endowment specifies half the funds go to 'disciplinary cases.' Given recent events... are you sure you want that condition?"

"Especially given recent events," Jaxen emphasized, his voice dripping with dark meaning. "Some omegas need... extra supervision."

My throat tightened. A chill ran down my spine as the trap snapped shut around me. "Extra supervision," I echoed, my voice hollow. "How... generous."

"Generous? No," Jaxen’s glinting eyes locked onto mine. "Just practical."

"The other half of the endowment," the committee head continued, unfazed by the toxic tension vibrating between us, "is earmarked for 'facility upgrades.' Any specifics, Mr. Volkov?"

"Security cameras. Everywhere," Jaxen demanded coldly.

The committee head raised an eyebrow. "Security cameras? In a school known for its privacy?"

"Privacy is for those who deserve it," Jaxen said, his eyes drilling into me. "Some students need... constant monitoring. Wait until you see the system I've designed."

I forced my expression into a mask of cold neutrality, refusing to let him see me break again. "Mr. Volkov's concern for student welfare is... touching. Shall we table this discussion until we've reviewed the full proposal?"

"Mr. Petrov has a point," the committee head agreed, glancing at the clock. "Gentlemen, let's adjourn for lunch. We can reconvene this afternoon."

The moment the meeting was dismissed, I scrambled to my feet, desperate to escape the suffocating room. But before I could take a step, Jaxen's hand shot out, clamping possessively around my wrist.

"Not so fast, omega," he hissed.

"Let go," I whispered furiously, glancing nervously at the lingering faculty members. "People are watching."

"Good. Let them watch," he growled, pulling me a fraction closer. "You think a room full of alphas is going to save you from me?"

A sudden spark of cornered, desperate fury flared inside me. I leaned in, my voice a venomous whisper. "Then do it. Make a scene. Right here, in front of everyone. I dare you."

His eyes flashed with dark amusement, his grip loosening just enough for me to snatch my hand back. "Brave omega. For now. Don't forget our appointment later."

"I'm sorry, Mr. Volkov, but I don't believe we have an appointment," I raised my voice slightly, forcing a polite, confused laugh for the sake of the nearby teachers. "Perhaps you're confusing me with someone else?"

"Oh, we have an appointment," he said, his voice dropping to a lethal, smooth register. "You'll remember... when you smell roses and vanilla later. Run along, omega."

My blood ran cold. I turned on my heel and practically fled the room, my legs feeling like lead as I navigated the hallways to my next class.

I collapsed into my seat in Room 304, staring blankly at my biology textbook. But the nightmare wasn't over. As the bell rang, my phone vibrated violently in my pocket. I pulled it out under the desk, my eyes widening in horror.

It was a text from an unknown number: Look out the window, Ruslan.

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