Chapter 1680: 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 acclaim. 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.

Class 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 glance, and Skyler replied, [Grilled chicken wings.]

[Anything else you fancy?] Emma prodded.

[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 mocking laugh 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.”