Chapter 259


    Chapter 0259


    That evening, I met with Nichs and Julian in one of the sitting rooms. Julian had unfurled the


    blueprints to the pce out on one of the small tables. Now, he was holding a cup of coffee in each


    hand.


    He likely hadn’t been to sleep yet.


    Neither had Nichs, though he was running on adrenaline instead of caffeine.


    “With Jane escting in violence, we have to move quicker as well,” Nichs said. “We need to put a


    N?vel(D)rama.Org''s content.


    n into action as soon as possible.”


    “We need a n first,” Julian said. “You are skipping steps.”


    Nichs pushed a hand through his hair.


    “There has to be something we can do,” I said. “I’m tired of waiting around for Jane to make her move.


    We’re constantly on the back foot.”


    “Piper’s right,” Nichs said. “We need to go on the assertive. Stop ying defense and go on offense


    instead.”


    “Take the fight to them?” Julian asked with a smirk. “Surely you all haven’t forgotten my initial n from


    weeks ago. Sneaking into Terry’s mansion and snooping around.”


    “We barricaded the tunnel,” I said.


    “I’m not talking about a tunnel. I’m talking about holding an event in Terry’s mansion. Then snooping


    around when their backs are turned.”


    Nichs and I nced at each other.


    1 remembered Nichs had been vehemently against this n at the start. Now however, he seemed


    less so.


    Julian waited. I waited too. When Nichs didn’t object to anyway, Julian prompted, “You’re going to let


    me suggest it this time?”


    What can I do? Nichs crossed his arms.


    He clearly wasn’t happy, but he was willing to go along with anything


    too close. She very nearly sneaked past our defenses if Mark hadn’t been the


    Five will always be in danger so long as Jarse and Terry have


    ed to bring fan and Terry down as feet co


    My heart was warm, listening to Nichs so valiantly willing to protect Elva and me.


    Julian smiled. “It’s about time you came around to this idea, brother. Evenst night you said no.”


    “That had been before Jane. Before the attack.”


    Julian nodded, understanding.


    “Great. I’ve been leaning on the producers for a while now, putting this idea in their ear,” Julian said. “So


    it shouldn’t be too difficult to get them to line everything up and move quickly.”


    “You’ve been pitching this idea to them, even though I opposed it?” Nichs asked.


    “Of course.” Julian shrugged. “Like I’m going to let your misguided orders get in the way of my bestid


    ns. I knew you’de around eventually. I wanted to be ready. Now, we’re ready.”


    Julian was true to his word. The next afternoon, all of the candidates were called down into the parlor


    room for some announcements. Gossip was rampant among the girls. Many were whispering about how


    the next event would take them away from the pce grounds.


    “I’m ready for a change of scenery,” Tiffany said.


    “Careful,” Olivia replied. “If you make it to Luna, you will hardly ever leave.”


    “The pce is beautiful, don’t get me wrong,” Tiffany amended. “But… surely the Luna gets to go to a


    party somewhere else once in a while?”


    “She does,” Susie said, softly.


    “I would befortable staying,” Olivia said. “Though, of course, I would go wherever the Luna is


    needed.”


    “I will go wherever Nichs decides,” Lilliana added.


    Nearly everyone rolled their eyes.


    Ever since Nichs had overheard Lilliana be cruel to me and then called her out, Lilliana has fully


    reverted to her agreeable flower routine, even when Nichs wasn’t around.


    She was likely nervous now, like Nichs might be hiding around the corner ready to hear her true self


    and not the act she put on.


    stepped onto the stage tform and tapped on his microphone, gaining our attention.


    anticipating what our next event will be. Nathan said I’m st


    esgerly awaiting the next on


    +15 BONUS


    At the sound of that name, all the blood drained from my face.


    “Ladies, please wee Terry among us.”


    The girls politely pped. I did too, even though I wanted to run up and kick him in the shins.


    “Thank you. Thank you. You are very kind,” Terry said. He walked toward us and took turns cing his


    hand on each of our shoulders. Only Susie and Tiffany visibly slunk away from his touch. I steeled


    myself,


    counting the seconds until it was over. Even Olivia seemed tenser than normal.


    I’m d the other girls at least had the good sense to know something was wrong with this man, even if


    he wasn’t actively trying to take control of their lives.


    “Allow me to be the one to announce the event, Nathan,” Terry called out.


    Nathan obliged with a nod.


    “Ladies!” Terry stretched out his arms. He spoke louder than he needed to. There were only 8 of us.


    You are each hereby cordially invited for as dinner guests to my mansion.” 1


    The girls gasped. Some seemed delighted, others less so. Tiffany seemed happy enough just to get out


    of the pce. Susie worried her bottom lip with her teeth. 1


    While I wasn’t terribly surprised by the announcement – Julian had made it clear it would happen – the


    involvement of Terry himself was a surprise. Julian couldn’t have arranged that? Unless part of his ploy


    was making Terry believe this had been his idea all along.


    I resolved to ask Julian about itter.


    For now, Nathan reimed everyone’s attention. “At this dinner event, you will be judged based on your


    etiquette, as well as your attire, and your ability to hold Terry’s interest. Terry, the Luna’s brother, will be


    the primary judge for this event.”


    My stomach began to churn ufortably. Terry was the judge? That did not bode well for me. He was


    likely to tank my score just to see me fail again. I didn’t know the nature of the third elimination, but I


    couldn’t imagine bombing two events in a row would do me any favors.


    Terry moved around the girls again, giving them each as a smile as they thanked him for his uing


    Hospitality. When he reached me, his smirk was as sharp as a dagger’s edge,


    idn’t want to thank him I didn’t want to talk to him at all. But I couldn’t be the only one who had


    is would talk, and I was already on thin ice due to Jane’s behavior at the g


    rising lump in my stomach, and spoke


    Terry’s smile added teeth. “You are very wee, of course, Miss Piper. I am looking forward to having


    you in my home.”


    I thought of kicking him in the shins again, but held myself back – barely.


    “I can guarantee you will have the time of your life,” Terry continued. “Why, by the end of the evening, !


    doubt if you’d be able to pull yourself away.”


    He said the words pleasantly enough, but to me, it sounded like a threat.


    Involuntarily, I shivered.