Chapter 69

Around noon the following day, Alexia wrapped up her lecture and stepped out of the building,heading toward her car in the parking lot.

Just as she neared the basketball court, a troubling scene drew her attention-Brandon was pestering a young woman nearby.

At the court's edge, Brandon's jersey clung to him with sweat. With an oily grin, he reached for the girl's arm,oozing smug confidence.

The girl recoiled at once, her words breaking with tears. "Keep your hands off me! I'm not leaving with you!"

Irritation flashed across Brandon's face. "Tillie, do you understand what you're risking by saying no to me?The Gibson family doesn't even have to try to make someone like you disappear!"

His hand shot out again, aiming for Tillie Sanderson's wrist.

A swift hand yanked Tillie out of reach, followed by a sharp slap to the back of Brandon's hand.

Brandon flinched at the sting,spun around, and found Alexia standing behind Tillie, fierce and unyielding.

Crossing her arms, Alexia fixed him with a glare that could slice through steel. "Brandon, what gives you the right to corner a girl on campus?"

Brandon faltered for just a heartbeat under her stare, but indignation quickly took over.

"What is it with you, Alexia? Why do you always butt in? Can't you keep out of things that aren't your business?"

Alexia's stare didn't waver. "Funny, I was wondering why you're always caught making trouble wherever l turn up. You're harassing a girl, and yet you whine about interference? As a faculty member, it's my job to step in."

Gritting his teeth, Brandon jabbed a finger toward Tillie, who had tucked herself behind Alexia. "She's my girlfriend.What happens between us isn't your concern!"

Worry flickered in Tillie's eyes as she pleaded, "Don't believe him. We're not together anymore! Brandon's just tryìng to force me into drinking with other men, but | won't go!"

Tillie's courage took Brandon by surprise. He gave a bitter, mocking laugh. "Oh, please. You've done this plenty of thnes before. I've got pictures, remember? Don't act like some innocent angel now. The hypocrisy from you broke folks is unbelievable!"

"Does it matter if she's done this before?" Alexia stepped forward, her heeIs striking the pavement with a crisp warning that made Brandon retreat instinctively. She grabbed the collar of his jersey, the cold gleam of her platinum watch stung his eyes. "Pressuring a girl to drink with men and hoarding private pictures-do you think the police care more about your excuses or the evidence you keep on your phone?"

Brandon yanked himself away and flashed a wicked grin. "You really think you can stop me? P'll spread those photos everywhere. The whole campus will know what Tillie's really like! Let's see who's ruined first!"

The threat drained the color from Tillie's cheeks. Tears threatened at her eyes, and a faint tremor ran through her as she whispered, "Please, don't..."

Alexia caught the distress in her eyes. With a reassuring touch on Tillie's shoulder, she signaled that there was nothing to fear.

Only then did Alexia face Brandon straight on, her voice cutting through the air. "Brandon, you really think those pictures make you untouchable?"

A sneer curled Brandon's mouth as he retorted, "Who do you think you are, Alexia? You're just a teacher-don't get above yourself. The Gibsons don't answer to you. You should walk away while you still can, or l'll have Roger fire you myself!"

There was a cool, mocking curve to Alexia's smile. "The Gibson family, you say? Given your misdeeds,their name barely holds together."

Drawing her phone from her pocket, Alexia held it up so Brandon couldn't miss it."I've got your threats on record. Should I send it to the police or let the school board hear for themselves? How do you think they'll respond?"

Shock flashed across Brandon's face. Clearly, he hadn't counted on Alexia playing her own hand.

He clenched his jaw, spitting out the words. "You really think you can threaten me? Roger won't let this slide.Whether you go to the school or the police, it won't change anything."

"Big talk for someone backed into a comer." Amusement flickered across Alexia's face. "But you haven't seen anything I won't dare."