"Estella Rosemary Crawford, you are going to school and that's final. "

"Papa, please. I'm looking for tuition online. I don't need to waste my time in that shitty school." I whined, raising from the sofa and walked to the kitchen.

" Mom, I can manage myself without attending school. I can graduate just fine from online courses." I pleaded to my mom with my most sincere puppy eyes look.

It had been two days since I arrived in New York. Due to these crises, I had abruptly come here with just a few clothes.

I would never leave my parents alone at such a crucial time, they have fought alone all these years. And now it's time for me to be the daughter they will be proud of. To be their little Warrior.

I would like to assume that I know a little bit of everything when it comes to the company since I always accompanied dad to office during holidays and weekends. whenever I would ask silly questions, he would make me sit on his desk and simplify and explain me everything briefly.

Yesterday, I emailed my old school requesting a transfer certificate and other documents. Sergey and my neighbour Irina who had been a real sweetheart and an amazing friend of mine for the past two years would surely help me with those procedures and formalities.

She was a bit crazy. Yeah, crazy enough to trick a patrolling police officer. I don't know how she did it but she did save my ass after I almost got arrested for spray painting on an abandoned warehouse with Sergey.

This morning, Papa had caught me browsing for online courses and now he's hell-bent on sending me back to Eastwood High.

"Estella, you know that online courses will be expensive for us at this moment and your father is still a board member at Eastwood High." Mom sighed.

I knew it was quite expensive but I just couldn't go back there as if nothing happened. As if I didn't disappear after that night.

"I can pay for it from my savings, Mom". I understand that we are not yet financially stable to afford online tuition. But I did have some money in my account.

"Stella, if you want to switch schools I can arrange for it. But I won't let my daughter sit all day in front of a laptop and miss seeing you walk down the aisle on your graduation" he patted my head lovingly as he came to stand beside Mom.

"But... don't they ask for extra fees?" I questioned in a small voice.

His eyes softened at my words, "As long as I am alive, you don't have to worry about all such matters, my girl. I'm your father and you have every right to demand anything you want. " my eyes filled with tears at his words.

I've always been daddy's girl and I don't think that has changed much even now. I don't want to give them any more problems. For new admissions, I'm sure every school demands extra fees and shitty additional money.

"It's okay." I pursed my lip,"I will join back into Eastwood High."

A huge smile broke out on my mom's face, she kissed my cheek and whispered " I know how hard it must be for you baby. But thank you for understanding. "

I nodded and gave her a small smile. She knows why I don't want to go back there. She knows everything. But my dad doesn't. And I would like for it to stay the same.

Sometimes ignorance is bliss.

" Argh! " I slumped on my bed groaning as I looked down at my notepad and back to my laptop screen.

I've been in my room since morning trying to collect information on Carter William.

Laying on my bed, I glanced at the evidence board I had hung on the backside of my bedroom door.

I had no evidence at the point, so I had written carter and Miguel's name on a paper and pinned it. For now.

According to my father, there was no bad blood between Williams and Crawford's business.

Not even any sort of competition, because they are in the field of aircraft and we own information technology companies and a few hotels across the country, which are totally two different industries.

Maybe, this was just for money and power? Then again, I doubt it.

Miguel is not some roadside businessman who has all the time in the world to pry into others life for entertainment. He's got an empire to run and a family to look after.

According to my sources, Carter William was not a typical mysterious, ruthless, and shady emotionless enigma. Quite the opposite, he works from eight to eight and goes clubbing every Friday. Nothing more nothing less.

Though I know I shouldn't judge him based on baseless theories, I can tell that there's more to it. I have a feeling that this guy is CEO only on papers and media.

Every person has a story. I just don't think that this is his story. He wouldn't have survived a day in this cruel corporate world with such a careless attitude.

As Papa said, Miguel is the mastermind. But I cannot get into the battlefield with that man just like that. Clueless and unprepared.

And Carter William was my only source of information. The only person who can help me arrange these puzzles.

It's Tuesday today. And from tomorrow I'll have school.

Shit! School, I had completely forgotten about it since morning.

Papa had already arranged for my admission. I still have my old uniform, which undoubtedly fits me.

I bury my face into the pillow dramatically as I visualize myself stepping back into that place.

God! I don't want to go back.

"Estella, dinner's ready." I heard my mom yell.

"I'm coming," I shouted back.

I'm still not used to it. After living alone for two years, my food habits have changed. Sometimes I would eat and most of the time I would just drink juice being lazy too to cook myself or even order. Quickly closing my laptop and notepad I crawled out of the bed.

"Hey Dad, why are you all dressed? " I asked as I skipped down the stairs. He was wearing a white shirt tucked into black pants.

" I... I had an interview this morning and later I tried meeting a few of my old friends for a job". He mumbled.

Oh.

He was looking for a job? I mean, I knew our financial status wasn't stable at all, but I had no idea that Papa was searching for a job.

Throughout the dinner, I didn't speak much. My thoughts were all over the place and I didn't trust myself enough to hold a proper conversation for more than a few seconds.

"Estella, you have school tomorrow. Make sure you won't be late on the first day." my mom reminded me. I groaned and continued eating.

"Don't be a drama queen, I'm sure it won't be that bad." papa said as he bent forward and ruffled my hair.

I swatted his hand away and scowled at him, yet I couldn't stop the smile that spread over my face.

And for a moment, my mind went back to the satan's spawn when I heard Papa say 'Drama queen.'

"So, what did Chad say?" my mom asked as she served some more pasta to Papa. I immediately stopped chewing my food. I'm guessing this Chad guy must be Papa's friend.

"He was busy it seems. I waited for a few hours, and later his assistant told me that he cannot meet me and I could come back tomorrow."

Bullshit.

Most of my dad's friends owned small businesses and few others were in the real estate business.

There was no way they were so busy that they could not even spare a few minutes. It's just that they don't want to employ the great businessman Mateo Crawford who is the current headline of every newspaper and news channel.

My jaw clenched, as anger bubbled inside. My throat tightened as I imagined how humiliated Papa must have felt.

I had to plan fast and meticulously if I wanted to win this game.

This Friday, I will be executing the first phase of my plan.

2 more days left. Just 48 hours.

Any theories, people?

Dm me if you have any suggestions.

Stay safe.