Page 82 of Artifice
A bad feeling had been brewing in her gut, and she’d heard whispers around the school.
She didn’t fully understand everything that was happening.
But she had a feeling her dad might be involved.
The office door flew open. Mrs. Daniels emerged, her face blotchy and tear-streaked. Behind her, her husband gripped her elbow, his jaw clenched tight.
“Three million dollars,” Mrs. Daniels murmured, her voice breaking. “Our life savings—not to mention part of it was set aside for Rhodie’s education.”
“We’ll figure it out,” Mr. Daniels murmured, though his pallor suggested otherwise.
Olive shrank against the wall. Rhodie Daniels was in her literature class.
The boy was quiet, wore thick glasses, and had a stutter that emerged when he had to read aloud. His parents had donated heavily to the school—Olive had seen their name engraved on the new science wing.
“I trusted him,” Mrs. Daniels continued as they passed. “Warner promised us Rhodie would have a place at Princeton. Said our contribution would—” She broke off, noticing Olive. “What are you looking at?”
Olive dropped her gaze to her textbook. “Nothing, ma’am. Sorry.”
After they passed, she glanced into the office. Headmaster Sheffield sat with his head in his hands. On his desk lay a series of papers.
Were they the ones she’d photographed for her father three weeks ago?
Nausea roiled inside her.
This couldn’t be happening.
But it was.
As soon as she got home that evening, she found her father in his office. Mom had picked her up today. She’d looked dazed and tired, however.
Olive hadn’t brought up any of her worries.
Dad was methodically packing their sparse belongings. The television was tuned to a local news channel where a reporter stood in front of Oakridge Academy’s gates.
“. . . allegations of fraud and misappropriation of funds totaling over five million dollars,” the reporter said. “Headmaster Sheffield has since resigned from his position.”
Olive’s stomach dropped.
Zoe’s grandma had been robbed. Rhodie’s family had lost millions. And now Brianna’s dad had lost his job.
All because of Olive.
How could she have let this happen?
Her father, seeming unfazed, muted the TV. “Start packing your things, Olive. We’re leaving tonight. Your mother is already gathering her belongings. You know the drill.”
“Dad?” Her voice trembled. “What happened to the Daniels’ money?”
He didn’t look up from his packing. “That’s not something that should concern you.”
“But Rhodie?—”
“Don’t tell me you’re going soft, kid.” His tone was light, but his eyes were hard when they met hers. “They were rich. They’ll bounce back.”
The image of Mrs. Daniels’ tears burned in her mind. “But they trusted?—”
“Trust is for suckers.” Her father zipped his duffel bag closed. “You know that. We talked about this.”
