After some nerve-wracking neutral days, the entire school was now gathered under the high ceilings of the auditorium. Principal Duncan stood at the podium, addressing the students with calm authority. Teachers sat in the front row, and a few school board members were present, including Callahan.
Derrick was lounging at the back, smirking as he scrolled through his phone. He and his father had planned for weeks, information about leaked documents, false accusations that were all meant to discredit Duncan just enough for the board to consider his resignation.
Everything was set just until...
Jax thought, 'showtime.'
Jax and Grace, sat in the middle of the audience, as they exchanged a glance. Grace tightened her grip on her phone before nodding slightly. Then Jax leaned back, stretching his legs casually but the tension in his posture was obvious.
And then- PING!
One by one, the students started pulling out their phones, then the students started gasping. The murmurs turned into hushed exclamations.
And Derrick's smirk faded.
Maya whispered to Amber, "What the hell is happening?"
Amber squinted at her screen and her eyes widened, "Oh my god."
On every screen, in every hand, a damning expose spread like wildfire.
"What is this? Derrick and Callahan?" One student asked.
"Professor Callahan was behind everything?" Another one asked.
"They set Jax and Grace up?"
A massive video file circulated, showing recordings Grace secretly captured of Callahan and Derrick discussing their plans, while mentioning their goal, to frame students and create scandals in order to force Duncan out so Callahan could take over.
At the front of the auditorium, Principal Duncan furrowed his brows as the faculty's phones began vibrating non-stop.
Callahan stiffened but his years of manipulation kept his expression neutral. And Derrick? He looked like he had seen a ghost. Now his friends would know that he was nothing but a liar who was a fucking hypocrite.
Then Jax and Grace stood, "Since you love framing people, Derrick, I figured it was time to show everyone who the real masterminds are," said Grace.
Then Jax stepped forward, "Say hi to your legacy, Callahan. Or what's left of it."
The students turned staring at Derrick with disgust and shock. His face twisted in pure horror. This wasn't supposed to happen, he was supposed to be master chair of this game. Then he whispered, "This can't be happening."
Callahan slowly rose from his seat as he adjusted his suit. He let out a slow breath then turned to face Jax and Grace with a measured and chilling expression, "I expected better from you two."
Jax clenched his fists as Grace glared, both of them standing tall.
"Yeah? Well, I expected better from my professor." said Grace.
Callahan sized them up like a predator ready to lung for his prey, "You think I would concede that easily?"
And suddenly the power shifted and then he pulled out his phone, pressing a button. And in seconds, another notification pinged across the room.
Jax glanced at his phone and then his face darkened.
BREAKING NEWS
STUDENT AT STRATHMORE UNIVERSITY LINKED TO MULTIPLE FRAUD CHARGES
Allegations surfaced against Jax Reed for academic fraud, illegal activities, and more. Sources Claim...
Jax's stomach dropped, "What the-?"
Then another file spread, of fake documents, fabricated evidence, and a long list of alleged crimes pinned on Jax.
Then the students as if confused, gasped and murmured.
Grace received a message from an unknown number, "Expose me further, and I release every detail about your father's past. The media will eat it up. Let's not humiliate your family, Ms. Monroe."
Grace felt her blood run cold.
She slowly lifted her gaze, locking her eyes with Callahan and he smirked.
Derrick who was still reeling from his own humiliation, saw the shift. He saw how, despite everything, his father still somehow managed to tighten his grip.
Jax? He was furious while he breathed hard. But he felt trapped.
They had played their best move. But Callahan...Callahan had already planned ten moves ahead, and now they were cornered.
Jax's chest heaved, his fists clenched at his sides as Callahan smirked, "You think you're some kind of hero Jax? You're just a street rat who got lucky."
Jax didn't respond and he just stared at him.
"Just like your mother. A wretch. A fool. And look at you, an incel who thinks he can fight fate."
Jax's world narrowed, a ringing noise filling his ears. Then he lunged.
A violent crack echoed as Jax's fists collided with Callahan's face. The Professor stumbled back but Jax didn't stop.
The auditorium exploded into chaos and the students were like, "OH SHIT! JAX-STOP! TEACHERS, SOMEBODY!"
Jax didn't care. He drove his knee into Callahan's stomach, sending him gasping and he swung his fist again, this time, blood splattered from Callahan's nose.
Some teachers came in and rushed forward.
"Enough!" Principal Duncan shouted.
But the fight was unhinged and raw. In the struggle, Callahan shoved back, knocking himself into Duncan, who stumbled, his feet catching on the edge of the platform and then he fell.
Gasps rippled through the crowd as the principal hit his head against the stage edge.
"Oh my god," Maya shouted.
"Is he-?" Amber didn't finish the sentence.
He was alive but unconscious.
Panic spread and the students started screaming as they scattered, rushing out of the auditorium.
Derrick's eyes widened, he knew this was bad and then he turned and ran.
"Grace, look!" Amber pointed to Derrick.
Grace turned, catching sight of Derrick bolting toward the exit and she didn't hesitate, "Go!"
Maya and Amber sprinted with her, as they weaved through the chaos, determined to catch him, meanwhile, the security guards rushed into the auditorium, trying to separate, Jax and Callahan.
Blood dripped from Callahan's mouth, but he was laughing with a dark twisted expression.
Jax snarled and he was about to lunge again, until Callahan pulled out a gun and everything stopped.
The students who hadn't fled froze in sheer terror as Jax's breath stilled, his body tensed.
The gun was pointed straight at Principal Duncan who was still unconscious on the ground.
"This is what happens when people get in my way," said Callahan calmly.
Then he pulled the trigger.