Ice & Prejudice

Chapter 56

Ria's POV:

Christmas break was nearly over, and I was counting down the days until I could finally close the chapter on Stacy's reign at Ivy. My sisters had informed me about Nikolai's involvement in our plan, and while I wasn't sure how I felt about that, I couldn't deny the results. Stacy's world was already beginning to crumble. She was no longer a student at Ivy, thanks to Nik's connections. Her student card didn't work anywhere on campus anymore, and Eduard had made sure a locksmith changed the lock on my apartment. Stacy wouldn't be getting back in.

Phase two was in full swing: the confrontation.

Nikolai had been busy spreading the word through his teammates about Stacy's true nature. They kept the details vague but damning enough that her sorority sisters were now avoiding her like the plague. I could imagine Stacy's confusion, her panic, as everything she had built started to fall apart. Her so-called friends weren't answering her calls, her key didn't work at the house, and the few people she did manage to reach were cold, distant. Karma is a bitch, isn't it?Everything was going according to plan.

I played my part perfectly, feigning innocence when Stacy called me in a panic. "Oh, that's so weird," I had said, my voice light and concerned. "Why don't you meet me at The Ruby? I'm getting off work soon, and we can figure something out together."

She had eagerly agreed, not realizing that she was walking right into a trap. My coworkers were all in on it, of course. They might have been scared of me, but I helped them out countless times over the years. So now, they were more than happy to help me take Stacy down. Layla, in particular, was thrilled to be part of this. She knew what Stacy had done and was eager to see her get what she deserved.

As I waited for Stacy to arrive, I could feel the adrenaline pumping through my veins. This was it-the moment I had been waiting for. The Ruby was n't as busy as usual, only the people that had to be here were here, but I kept an eye on the door, knowing that Stacy would be walking in any second.

When she finally did, I almost didn't recognize her. She looked frazzled, her hair disheveled, her eyes wide with anxiety. She spotted me and hurried over, her expression a mix of desperation and confusion.

"Ria, thank God you're here," she gasped, dropping into the seat across from me. "I don't know what's happening. My key doesn't work, my card's been deactivated, and no one is answering my calls! What the hell is going on?"

I tilted my head, feigning confusion. "That's so strange, Stacy. Have you tried talking to someone at the administration? Maybe there's been a mix-up?"

"I did," she snapped, clearly on the edge of losing it. "They said I'm no longer enrolled! Can you believe that? Someone must have made a mistake!"

"A mistake?" I repeated, my voice calm. "Or maybe someone finally figured out what a backstabbing snake you really are."

Her eyes narrowed, suspicion finally creeping into her gaze. "What do you mean by that?"

I leaned back in my chair, crossing my arms as I regarded her coolly. "You know exactly what I mean. You've been using me, manipulating me, and lying to everyone around you for years. Did you really think you could get away with it forever?"

Her face paled slightly, but she quickly composed herself, her expression shifting into one of feigned innocence. "Ria, I don't know what you're talking about. I've never done anything to you."

I couldn't help but smile at how transparent she was. "You're really going to play dumb, huh? Even now?"

"Ria, come on," she said, her voice taking on a pleading tone. "We're friends. Why would I ever do anything to hurt you?"