Chapter 92

Sophia Green stood by the window, her fingers unconsciously twisting the hem of her shirt. The muddy path outside reminded her of Michael Stone's sinister face.

"I heard Michael beat someone again yesterday," she murmured, a cold sweat breaking out on her back.

The dormitory was eerily quiet. What was once a lively house now held only five people. Two college admission lists had taken away four of their companions.

"Sophia, are you really leaving?" Olivia Brown tugged at her sleeve, her voice trembling. "If you go, I'll be the only girl left here."

Sophia answered distractedly, "You have good grades. You'll get in next year." Her eyes remained fixed on the door, dreading the moment that terrifying figure might appear.

She had to leave. Now.

The incident with Mrs. Wang wasn't over yet. And Michael was a ticking time bomb.

"I need to go to the brigade office," she said, grabbing her coat and rushing out, mud splashing onto her pants without a second thought.

The accounting room was hazy with smoke. John Stone Sr. puffed on his pipe, eyeing her through narrowed lids.

"Captain, I'd like to settle my work points today," Sophia said, her voice shaking. "My mother is seriously ill. I need to go home immediately."

The old accountant clicked his abacus, the sound like a death knell.

"Settling now might lead to errors," he drawled. "For accuracy, we'd need another two weeks."

Two weeks? Sophia nearly cried out. In two weeks, she might already be in the infirmary!

"No, no, I'll take it as is," she insisted, snatching the pen to sign.

John Stone exhaled smoke rings, a mocking glint in his eyes. These educated youths always ran when trouble came.

"Michael invited us for fish," Mary Stone's voice suddenly rang out in the courtyard.

Richard Stone bounced excitedly, only to freeze under Mary's sharp glare. "Go find your parents."

Sophia clutched the thin stack of bills, her fingers jerking violently at the name "Michael." The money slipped from her grasp, fluttering to the muddy ground.