The corridors of Greenwood had gone eerily quiet.
Word had spread — The Aces were called to the principal's office.
But no one really believed that.
Because The Aces didn't get called in.
They walked in.
The heavy double doors swung open.
Jay entered first — calm, unreadable, authority in every step.
Sam leaned against the doorframe like he owned the place,
Michael was spinning his phone lazily,
and Adam trailed behind with that half-smirk that said this won't be a meeting — it's a statement.
The principal stood up immediately, already nervous.
"Miss Jay Mariano… I heard about the incident—"
Jay raised a hand."Let's not waste time calling it an incident, sir. It was a warning."
Sam chuckled under his breath.
Michael slid his phone across the desk.On the screen — video recordings, photos, voice clips. Every angle of the fight. Every witness whisper. Every cover-up the school tried to prepare.
Michael (smirking): "We like keeping receipts. Habit."
Adam: "And before you ask how we got them — let's just say, Greenwood's security system could use better firewalls."
The principal swallowed hard.
Jay leaned forward, voice smooth but heavy.
Jay: "We didn't come to apologize. We came to make something clear."
She slid an envelope across the table — the official report.
Inside was a list of names: bullies, sponsors, and the investor's son.
Jay: "We know exactly who started it. We also know who paid for silence."
Sam (grinning faintly): "And we're not the forgiving kind."
The principal opened his mouth to speak, but Jay continued.
Jay: "We have no interest in drama. But if my people — Section E, my gang, or anyone under our name — gets targeted again…"She paused, eyes cold as steel.
Jay: "…then Greenwood will learn what real chaos looks like."
A long silence followed. Only the ticking clock dared to make a sound.
Michael leaned closer with a lazy grin.
Michael: "Oh, and sir? We'll be keeping in touch. Expect updates. You'll hear from us before you hear from your board."
Adam tucked his hands in his pockets.
Adam: "You should also remind the investor's son that money buys power — not protection."
Jay stood, the rest following her lead
.Her eyes met the principal's one last time.
Jay (quietly): "This is your one warning. Don't cross The Aces."
And just like that — they left.
No yelling. No threats. Just quiet, terrifying control.
Outside the office, Section E jumped up the second the door opened.
Cin whispered, "So what are we punished or rewarded?"
Jay brushed past, deadpan. "Neither. But if you hear rumors about me threatening the principal — they're true."
Percy laughed nervously. "I love how you say that like it's an achievement."
Keifer chuckled, slinging an arm around her shoulders.
Keifer: "jay trust me by seeing your this side calm, dangerous, perfect. I almost fell in love again."
Jay (rolling her eyes): "Almost?"
He leaned close enough that only she could hear.
Keifer (low): "Okay… completely."
She froze for half a second — then shoved him lightly, trying to hide the smile tugging at her lips.
Jay: "You flirt like it's a full-time job."
Keifer: "Nah. It's a hobby. You're the full-time job."
Michael groaned. "I swear, you two need supervision."
Sam added, "Or a room. Preferably soundproof."
Jay glared over her shoulder. "You're all insufferable."
Cin: "And proud!"
They walked through the marble hallway — sunlight spilling through glass windows, their reflections sharp and regal.
Students stopped talking as they passed, whispering, parting ways like tides.
"The Aces just warned the principal.""I heard they have connections with Greenwood's board.""Forget board — they own the place."
Jay didn't deny any of it.She simply walked ahead, Keifer's hand brushing hers again — a silent promise, a quiet claim.
When they reached the courtyard, she finally sighed.
Jay: "You know, one day, your flirting will get us both in trouble."
Keifer: "You say that like trouble isn't your middle name."
She smiled — small, real, rare.
Jay: "Touché, King of Snakes."
Keifer (grinning): "And you, my queen of chaos."
Behind them, Sam muttered, "Someone make them stop before I drown in the secondhand tension."
Michael: "Too late. I'm choking on it."
Adam: "At least they look good together. That's the only thing saving us."