Chapter 1680


    Chapter 1680


    Skyler was a maestro of melodies, her fingers dancing over strings and keys with an ease that spoke of


    certificates stamped with international acim. Her skills made her a tutor in high demand,


    commanding an hourly rate that would make many a nine-to-fiver green with envy.


    Her teaching days were neatly packed: two lessons, two hours, and a paycheck that felt more like a


    jackpot than a wage.


    Two hours may not sound like much, but wrangling kids was more about taming wild spirits than ticking


    clocks. By the time the final note rang out and her students scampered home, Skyler could feel the day


    weighing on her like a heavy coat.


    She needed a third gig, but this time, something that would work her muscles instead of milking her


    mind. She couldn’t afford to crash and burn – not with her own studies. Grades mattered just as much


    as greenbacks, and failing was a luxury she couldn’t afford.


    ss let out at nine, a time when the city – The Capital – was just hitting its stride, pulsing with the


    promise of the night.


    Her phone buzzed: Emma’s WhatsApp message. [Skyler, you free?]


    [Just got out,] she typed back.e2


    A location pin popped up, followed by, [Me and Amanda are here. Hurry up. Craving anything? We’ll


    order. The grill’s hot.]


    Worried that Skyler might be indecisive, Emma quickly sent a photo of the menu.


    One nce, and Skyler replied, [Grilled chicken wings.]


    [Anything else you fancy?] Emma prodded.


    This is from N?velDrama.Org.


    [Whatever you girls want,] Skyler texted back.


    [Okay. Come quick.]


    [Will do.]


    –


    Skyler mapped the route – just a mile to the barbecue joint, a brisk ten-minute walk if she cut through


    the park. She pocketed her phone and picked up the pace.


    It was on a deserted stretch of road that trouble found her, in the form of goons who looked like they


    were bom from the very shadows of the city. Skyler’s grip on her bag tightened, her eyes darting for an


    escape.


    “You Skyler?” one of the thugs grunted.


    She feigned confusion. “Skyler? You’ve got the wrong girl.”


    A photo was tossed in her direction, and a mockingugh followed. “Nice try, kid.”


    The picture showed her at the game earlier that day, snapped by someone sitting right across. It gotta


    be Desiree. The same Desiree who nursed a grudge like it was her lifeline.


    It didn’t take a genius to connect the dots.


    Skyler was scared, sure, but she forced herself to remain calm. “Desiree sent you?”


    The goons seemed taken aback by her quick deduction. “Quit stalling,” one snarled. “You got two


    choices.”


    “What choices?” Skyler asked, her heart pounding.


    “First, you drop out. Go back to wherever the hell you crawled from.”


    Not an option. Not up for debate.


    “And the second?” Skyler’s voice barely shook.


    The thug leered, “The second is we drag you into the park and have a little ‘party.’ Then we send the


    pictures, maybe a video, to your


    school.”