Reborn at Eighteen The Billionaire's Second Chance novel Chapter 28

Elara

Julian’s eyes swept across the room. Landed on the broken watch on

Dr. Pemberton’s desk. On my bloodied handkerchief. On the cuts

across my fingers.

His expression revealed nothing.

“Apologize to Victoria.” His voice was cold. Flat. A command, not a

request.

I took a step back. Straightened my spine. Looked directly at Mr. Vane

Senior.

“I will not apologize. Victoria took my bag without permission. She

deliberately destroyed my father’s watch. The watch he worked for a

year to buy. The birthday gift he had delivered to me before he died

saving your life, Mr. Vane.”

The office went silent.

Mr. Vane Senior’s expression froze. His hand tightened around his

cane. It thumped twice against the floor.

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But he said nothing.

Tristan looked away. Uncomfortable.

Only Julian remained expressionless. “Then you should have been

more careful with it. Not brought it to school where conflicts could

arise.”

“The security cameras will prove what happened.” I met his gaze. Held it. “I request that the school review the classroom footage.”

“Why do we need to check cameras?” Victoria’s voice rose. Panicked.

“My head is bleeding! Isn’t that proof enough?”

Dr. Pemberton glanced at Mr. Vane Senior. Then at Julian. Weighing

his options.

The Vane family had donated two million dollars to St. Valerius this

year. Enough to build a new science wing.

“Scared?” I turned to Victoria. “Scared of what the cameras will show?

That you cornered me. That you grabbed my bag. That you

deliberately dropped my father’s watch.”

My voice remained calm. But each word was a blade.

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Julian was silent for several seconds.

Then: “Check the cameras.”

Sloane’s head snapped toward him. Surprise flickered across her face.

But he did not explain. His gaze remained fixed on the blood drying

on my fingers.

The security footage played on Dr. Pemberton’s computer.

Crystal clear. No audio, but the images told the story.

Victoria approaching my desk. Reaching for my bag.

Me pressing my hand down. Trying to keep it.

Victoria pulling harder. The bag falling.

Victoria bending down. Picking up the velvet–wrapped bundle.

Me lunging forward to stop her.

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Victoria jerking away. The watch falling. Shattering.

And then–frame by frame–Victoria’s mouth curving upward. Just for

a second. Satisfaction. Triumph.

Before I pushed her.

The office was completely silent when the video ended.

Dr. Pemberton cleared his throat. “It appears… the situation is more

complicated than initially reported.”

“Complicated?” I kept my voice steady. “The video shows exactly what

happened. Victoria destroyed my father’s watch. Deliberately.”

“Now, Elara-” Mr. Vane Senior began.

“That watch was the only thing I had left of my father. The father who

died saving you.” I cut him off.

Mr. Vane Senior’s face went rigid. “These are children. Family. We

should handle this internally. Victoria, apologize to Elara for breaking

her watch. Elara, apologize for pushing Victoria. Then we can all

move past this unfortunate incident.”

“No.”

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Everyone turned to look at me.

“I will not apologize. Not this time. Not ever again.”

I wrapped the watch pieces back in my handkerchief. Placed them

carefully in my bag.

“If St. Valerius chooses to expel me for defending my property, I will

contact a lawyer.”

Julian’s expression darkened. “Don’t come back to Blackwood Estate

tonight. I’ll arrange other accommodations for you.”

“I have somewhere to go.” I turned toward the door. “I don’t need your

arrangements.”

“Elara.” His voice dropped. Dangerous. “You don’t have the right to

choose with me.”

I stopped. Did not turn around.

“The cameras proved I did not assault Victoria without cause. If this school expels me anyway, that will prove something else entirely.”

I walked out.

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Left them all behind.

Mamá was waiting at the bus stop outside the school gates.

She was still wearing her cleaning uniform. The chemical smell of

industrial cleaner clung to her clothes. She must have left work early.

Someone from the family must have called her.

“Elara!” She grabbed my arm. Her voice was frantic. “How could you

hit Miss Victoria? Do you know this could get us kicked out of

Blackwood? I could lose my job!”

I thought of Julian’s threat in Chapter 13. “I’ll make sure your mother

is unemployed.”

I took a deep breath. Turned to face her.

“Mamá, Victoria destroyed Papá’s watch. The watch he worked a year

to buy for me. The last thing he ever gave me.”

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