Angela sat cross-legged on her bed, the soft glow of her desk lamp casting elongated shadows across her dorm room. Her laptop was open in front of her, a blank document blinking accusingly, but her thoughts refused to settle on her coursework as her mind replayed the events of the day. Edmund's confession, Elena's lingering gaze, and the whispers that had followed her through the hallways, it all collided in her thoughts like pieces of a puzzle she couldn't quite fit together.

　　Her fingers brushed the edge of her notebook, but instead of writing, she found herself tracing absent-minded patterns on the paper. What does Elena want? The question echoed in her mind, growing louder with every heartbeat. She thought back to their conversations, each one laced with a subtle curiosity that now felt invasive.

　　"You must be close to Edmund," Elena had remarked once, her tone casual, but her eyes too sharp.

　　Angela's chest tightened. "Had Elena already figured something out? Or was she fishing for information?" The uncertainty gnawed at her, making it impossible to focus.

　　She forced her eyes back to the page, willing herself to concentrate. Calculus formulas stared back at her, unyielding and dull. Her pen hovered above the notebook, but no numbers came. Instead, her mind spiraled into the past week, Edmund's presence, his audacious declaration that he couldn't stay away from her, and now Elena's probing questions. It felt as if the walls around her were closing in, their secrets too heavy to keep contained.

　　Angela slammed the notebook shut, her frustration bubbling over. She couldn't focus, not when her mind was clouded by suspicion. Whatever Elena was after, Angela needed to find out before it spiraled further. She leaned back, her pillow a poor comfort against the relentless pressure in her chest.

　　The campus café buzzed with the usual morning chatter the next day. Angela spotted Elena immediately, sitting by the window with a steaming cup of coffee in hand. Her dark hair framed her face, her expression unreadable as she stared out at the quad.

　　Angela squared her shoulders and approached, her heart pounding with every step. "Elena," she said, her voice steady despite the storm brewing inside her.

　　Elena glanced up, her lips curving into a faint smile. "Angela. This is a surprise." She gestured to the seat across from her. "Join me?"

　　Angela sat, her hands gripping the edge of the table. "I think we need to talk."

　　Elena arched an eyebrow, her expression mildly amused. "About what?"

　　"About you," Angela said, her words clipped. "And why have you suddenly taken such an interest in me?"

　　Elena's smile widened, but it didn't reach her eyes. "Interesting way to start a conversation. It's not just you. I have an interest in anything that catches my attention. And, let's face it, you're intriguing."

　　Angela bristled. "Cut the games, Elena. You're always asking questions about me, about my family, and now about Edmund. Why?"

　　Elena chuckled softly, cradling her coffee cup. "Prying? That's a harsh word. I'd call it observing." She took a sip, her gaze never leaving Angela's. "You're connected to Edmund, aren't you?"

　　Angela's breath caught, but she quickly masked her reaction. "He's the owner of the college. Of course, there's a connection. Everyone here is connected to him now."

　　Elena chuckled, a low, knowing sound. "Come on, Angela. Don't insult my intelligence. There's more to it than that, isn't there?"

　　Angela's hands clenched into fists beneath the table. "You don't know what you're talking about."

　　Elena's eyes sharpened, her playful demeanor slipping. ""Don't I? You're smarter than you let on," she said, leaning forward, her voice dropping to a near whisper. "Secrets have a way of surfacing, Angela. Especially the dangerous ones."

　　Angela's stomach churned, but she refused to let Elena see her falter. "If you're trying to intimidate me, it's not working."

　　Elena's smile softened, almost apologetically. "I'm not trying to intimidate you. I'm just curious. You're at the center of something big, Angela. I can feel it."

　　Angela stood abruptly, her chair scraping against the floor. "Stay out of my business, Elena."

　　Elena didn't flinch. Instead, she watched Angela with a mix of amusement and something darker. "I'll see you around," she said, her tone light but her words weighted. Without waiting for a response, Elena walked away, leaving Angela reeling

　　Angela stormed out of the café, her heart racing. Elena's parting words echoed in her mind, and she couldn't shake the feeling that she was being pulled into a game she didn't understand.

　　Edmund adjusted the cuffs of his tailored shirt as he stood outside the conference room. The meeting about the college's future was critical, but his mind wasn't entirely on business. He was interrupted by Mark, his ever-loyal right-hand man, whose expression betrayed thinly veiled concern.

　　"Do you have a minute before this starts?" Mark asked.

　　Edmund nodded, stepping aside. "What's on your mind?"

　　"Is this meeting really necessary?" Mark asked, his tone clipped. "Or is it just another excuse to stay close to her?"

　　Edmund's jaw tightened, but he kept his composure. "This meeting is about the college's future, Mark. Don't make it personal."

　　Mark crossed his arms, his gaze unwavering. "It is personal, and you know it. She's already drawn attention, Edmund. People are talking, Elena, for one. If she connects Angela to you, it could unravel everything. You've compromised your judgment. Buying this college? It's reckless."

　　"I'm handling Elena. She won't find anything." Edmund leaned against the table, his voice low and firm. "I know what I'm doing."

　　"Do you?" Mark countered. "Because from where I'm standing, you're letting emotions cloud your decisions. And that's dangerous."

　　Edmund's expression hardened, a flicker of irritation breaking through his calm exterior. "This conversation is over. If you have concerns about the college, voice them in the meeting. Otherwise, stay out of my personal affairs."

　　Mark hesitated, his frustration evident, but he said nothing more. He turned and left, leaving Edmund alone in the room. Edmund exhaled slowly, his thoughts drifting back to Angela. No matter the risks, he couldn't let her go.

　　In a dimly lit gallery on the outskirts of town, the air thick with the smell of oil paint and varnish, Julie stood before a towering canvas, her hands resting lightly on her hips. Michael paced behind her, his movements restless.

　　"This piece will fetch a fortune," Julie said, her voice calm and measured.

　　Michael stopped, his gaze sharp. "If we don't get caught."

　　Julie turned to face him, her smile tight. "We won't."

　　Michael stepped closer, his voice dropping. "You're getting too comfortable, Julie. Too confident. And confidence gets people killed. I'm not here to rush you. I'm here because I'm hearing things, whispers that you're not as invested as you used to be."

　　Julie's expression didn't waver. "You worry too much. I'm invested enough to know this deal will change everything for both of us."

　　"And you don't worry enough," Michael shot back. "This deal isn't just about money. There are other interests involved. Dangerous interests."

　　Julie's eyes narrowed. "I know what's at stake, Michael. And I know how to handle it."

　　Michael studied her for a moment, his suspicion clear. "I hope you're right. Because if you're not…" He didn't finish the sentence, but the threat hung heavy in the air.

　　Later that evening, Angela sat in Edmund's office, the weight of the day pressing down on her. She hadn't expected Edmund to call her to his office again so soon.

　　"You're worried," she said, skipping pleasantries.

　　Edmund's lips curved into a faint smile. "Perceptive as always. Yes, I am. It's Elena."

　　Angela's stomach tightened. "What about her?"

　　"She's not just a student, Angela. She's a journalist looking for a story. And not just any journalist, she's made a career out of exposing powerful men, and she's relentless." Edmund leaned forward, his voice low. "I don't want her anywhere near you."

　　Angela's stomach dropped. "You think she's after you?"

　　Edmund nodded slowly. "It's possible. But I don't think you're just collateral damage. I think she's interested in you, too."

　　Angela frowned, her mind racing. "Why would she care about me?"

　　"That's what I'm trying to figure out," Edmund admitted. "But until we know more, you need to be careful. Don't trust her."

　　Angela hesitated, her thoughts drifting back to their conversation in the café. "She said something today. About secrets surfacing. She's definitely digging for something."

　　Edmund's expression darkened. "Then we need to stay one step ahead of her."

　　Suddenly something crossed her mind. "So that's why you wanted to buy the college? To keep an eye on me?"

　　"It's one reason," he admitted, not bothering to deny it. "Angela, you're in over your head with people like Elena. She won't hesitate to use you to get to me."

　　Angela crossed her arms. "And what if it's not just about you? What if she's after something else?"

　　Edmund's expression darkened. "Then we need to find out before she does any damage."

　　Angela bit her lip, torn between frustration and unease. "You can't control everything, Edmund."

　　"No," he said softly. "But I can protect you."

　　As Angela returned to her dorm that night, she found a gilded envelope slipped under her door. She picked it up cautiously, breaking the seal to reveal an invitation.

　　"You are cordially invited to the inaugural gala hosted by Edmund Brown, celebrating the future of our college."

　　Angela stared at the elegant script, her unease growing. The gala promised to unveil Edmund's plans for the college, but she sensed it was more than a mere publicity stunt. Her breath caught as she read the details. The event was set for the following weekend, and it promised to be a night of grandeur. But Angela couldn't shake the feeling that the gala was more than just a celebration.

　　The unease only deepened when she received a text from Elena.

　　"See you at the gala. Should be an interesting night. Secrets don't stay buried forever."

　　Angela stared at the message, her heart pounding. Whatever was coming, she wasn't sure she was ready for it. As much as she wanted to avoid the event, she knew she couldn't. The gala wasn't just a party, it was a battlefield, and Angela wasn't sure which side she was on.