"Can you even get bail for administrative detention? I didn't think there was a legal loophole for that," Mira asked, leaning comfortably against Owen's shoulder.
He wrapped an arm around her. "Legally, no, you can't post bail. But money talks, and there's an exception to every rule.
What if she's sick? Or what if she had a psychiatric breakdown? The police aren't going to force a severely ill person to stay in a cell.
Luna was supposedly diagnosed with a Psychiatric Disability, so they approved her for medical parole for the remainder of her sentence."
"Did the old man bribe someone to forge a medical certificate?" Mira scoffed, turning her head in disgust.
"It wasn't the old man this time. Richard Lance handled it."
"Your scum father?"
Owen's lips twitched upward in a helpless, amused nod.
She could insult the man all she wanted; he deserved it.
"Are you going to press the issue?"
"Forget it. She's already been locked up for half a month, which achieves my original goal anyway.
Dragging it out now would just be a waste of time, energy, and money.
However, I am going to get my hands on her Medical Parole Affidavit and post it straight to the Aethelgard Social Forum."
Owen instantly caught on to her plan. "Richard really is an idiot for using that specific excuse.
Pulling her out on a psychiatric hold is going to do way more damage than just letting her finish her sentence.
The old man would never have made such a sloppy move.
I'll get the paperwork for you."
"No need. I can get it perfectly legally," Mira said, a cunning glint in her eye.
"You're forgetting that I'm the victim in this case. If I go to the police station to follow up, they're obligated to show me the reason for her release.
I'll just snap a picture of it then."
Her smug expression made him chuckle softly.
"My brilliant girl."
"Shouldn't you get back to reviewing your documents?"
Owen glanced down at her. "With you nestled in my arms like this, I'm a little distracted. I can't multitask when I'm feeling this kind of tension."
Mira flushed and immediately sat up straight, though she refused to back down entirely.
On Monday, Mira arrived at campus early.
While she was in her dorm grabbing a textbook, she heard Jillian loudly gossiping with Vanessa. "Did you hear the Campus Belle is back? Luna is back!
So what if she got detained? She barely served half her time before they let her out."
Piper and Madison, who lived in Elara's dorm, were also hanging around the room.
"But won't she have a criminal record now?" Piper pointed out.
"Are you crazy? A criminal record only ruins things for ordinary people trying to find jobs.
The Campus Belle is an heiress to a billionaire family. Do you really think she needs to go job hunting?" Madison scoffed.
"You're right. My poverty really limits my imagination."
Vanessa shot them a condescending glance. "Well, now you won't have to worry about finding high-class friends. Your precious Luna's networking skills are unmatched."
Mira didn't have the time or energy to deal with their nonsense. She packed her bag and walked out with Leah.
"Ugh, they act like they've won the lottery. Just listening to them makes me sick."
Leah fumed the second they were in the hallway.

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