By the next morning, Westbridge had already decided the story.
It didn't ask.
It assumed.
"They're teaming up."
"They're campaigning together."
"No way. They hate each other."
"Exactly. That's why it's interesting."
Rumors traveled faster than announcements on campus.
Anaya ignored most of them.
She had classes. Strategy meetings. Applications to finalize.
Noise didn't interest her.
Results did.
Across campus, the F4 had also noticed the shift.
The mischievous one leaned back in his chair during lunch.
"Well," he said casually, "campus thinks you two are plotting world domination."
"That's dramatic," he replied.
"Is it wrong though?" the tall one asked.
He didn't answer.
Because it wasn't entirely wrong.
—
Meanwhile, Kiara was adjusting.
She didn't confront.
She redirected.
"Rumors are powerful," she told two committee heads quietly in the student lounge.
"And when two ambitious people align, people start asking questions."
"Questions like what?" one asked.
"Motives," she said smoothly.
"And when motives look unclear, trust weakens."
She smiled lightly.
Subtle.
Controlled.
"Let them look powerful," she continued.
"Power makes people nervous."
And nervous voters made mistakes.
—
Later that afternoon, Anaya was reviewing leadership proposals in the student hall when he walked in.
"You're trending," he said.
"I don't use that word."
"You should."
She glanced up.
"You're enjoying this."
"No," he replied calmly.
"I'm observing it."
"Same thing."
"Not quite."
He sat across from her again.
"Kiara's pushing narrative," he said.
"Of course she is."
"That we're consolidating influence."
Anaya leaned back.
"And?"
"That makes people cautious."
"That makes people curious," she corrected.
He watched her carefully.
"You like pressure."
"I like clarity."
A few students nearby pretended not to listen.
But they were.
Westbridge loved tension.
"Voting is in three days," he said.
"And?"
"Expect escalation."
"I'm counting on it."
That response almost made him laugh.
"You're not worried at all."
"No," she replied simply.
"Why?"
"Because if Kiara needed strength, she wouldn't need rumors."
A pause.
Sharp.
Accurate.
Across the room, Kiara entered with two senior members.
Her gaze landed on them instantly.
Together.
Discussing strategy.
Not arguing.
Not competing.
Aligned.
That alignment irritated her more than anything.
Because rivalry she could manipulate.
Partnership?
Harder.
She approached slowly.
"Busy?" she asked politely.
"Always," Anaya replied.
Kiara's eyes shifted to him.
"You're surprisingly cooperative lately."
"I value efficiency," he said calmly.
"And you think she's efficient?"
He didn't hesitate.
"Yes."
That single word landed heavier than expected.
Anaya didn't react.
But she noticed.
Kiara smiled again.
Too composed.
"Well," she said lightly, "Westbridge loves surprises."
Then she walked away.
As soon as she was out of earshot, Anaya muttered quietly—
"She's planning something."
"Yes."
"You know what?"
"Not yet."
She closed her folder.
"Good."
He raised an eyebrow.
"You enjoy unknown threats?"
"I enjoy dismantling them."
That calm confidence again.
He studied her for a moment.
"You're dangerous."
"You keep saying that."
"Because you keep proving it."
Outside the hall, the evening air felt heavier.
Campus lights flickered on.
Students gathered in groups, already debating the upcoming vote.
And somewhere within that noise—
A line had been drawn.
Not between rivals.
But between sides.
And Westbridge was about to find out which side held real power.