Olivia woke to the sound of persistent knocking on the door. Her heart racing, she jumped out of bed and hastily put on a housecoat. "Am I late?" the anxious thought echoed in her mind.

  As she opened the door, a familiar face greeted her.

  “Carl! Come in, you idiot!” she said, a smile breaking across her face as she stepped aside.

  “You’re late! Remember? We have an expedition!” Carl teased, flopping onto her bed like he owned the place. Olivia dashed to the bathroom, tossing over her shoulder, “Give me a minute!”

  A few moments later, she emerged, dressed in snug black denim jeans and a blue t-shirt. Her blonde hair cascaded freely around her shoulders. Carl's gaze swept over her with a mix of admiration and awe.

  “You look beautiful,” he said, stepping closer. From his pocket, he pulled out a delicate necklace, its heart-shaped golden locket glimmering in the light, and fastened it around her neck.

  “What do you think?” he asked, positioning himself behind her to catch her reflection in the mirror.

  “I love it,” Olivia whispered, her voice barely above a breath as she admired the gift.

  “It’s your birthday gift. I didn’t get a chance to give it to you yesterday. Sorry for the delay,” he murmured in her ear.

  “Don’t worry about it. I really love it,” Olivia replied, feeling the warmth spread through her as she leaned into him, offering her neck as an invitation.

  “Where’s my birthday kiss?” she teased, running her fingers through his hair. Their reflections were a perfect picture of intimacy.

  “Want it? Okay,” Carl whispered playfully, pulling her into an embrace and kissing her softly on her pink lips.

  “It’s getting late,” Olivia murmured, lost in his gaze.

  “Okay, let’s go,” he replied, entwining his fingers with hers as they started toward the door.

  “Good morning, by the way,” he said, flashing a smile that lit up his amber eyes.

  “Of course, it’s a good morning,” Olivia teased back, turning to lock the door, her heart fluttering as she caught one last glimpse of him.

  After breakfast, the students were directed to one of the swimming pools in the hydrology sector. Madam Penny Browns and Chancellor Bostic arrived, accompanied by a male and female teacher.

  “So, are you ready? We must ensure you all can swim and dive effectively, as our mission will take place in water. Let’s get to work—no more talking,” Chancellor Bostic said, a smile lighting his face.

  “Alright, girls on one side, boys on the other. We need your full focus,” Madam Browns announced, her voice playful as she glanced at Carl and Olivia, both known for their talent.

  “She’s talking to you,” Olivia whispered to Carl, teasing him as he walked away with a grin.

  “First, let’s see who the fastest swimmer is,” Madam Browns said, scanning the group.

  “That’s Olivia, I bet,” Carl called out, playfully nudging her as Tara and Curie exchanged amused glances.

  “Let’s see about that,” Calvin said, his tone challenging as he shot Olivia a glare. A flicker of jealousy crossed his face—there was history there, fueled by resentment toward the daughter of Elsa Blake.

  “Everyone on the line. Ready? 1, 2, 3, GO!” the teacher shouted, and the students plunged into the water, striving for speed. Olivia surged ahead, her strokes powerful and graceful, leaving Calvin trailing in second place. As the race concluded, Bell noticed Calvin’s frustrated expression and helped him out of the pool. Calvin caught sight of Olivia’s victorious smile, and his frown deepened, dismissing her friendly gesture.

  “Finally found someone to challenge you,” Bell teased, helping Calvin out as he shot a disapproving look.

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  “That’s Elsa’s daughter,” Calvin snapped, anger bubbling beneath the surface. Bell’s brow furrowed in confusion.

  “I don’t understand why you hate Elsa so much,” Bell whispered, concern etching his features. Calvin let out a sigh and turned around. Just as Calvin was about to leap back into the pool, Sir Bostic caught his shoulder.

  “Cal,” he said softly, his voice filled with concern. Calvin’s heart sank; he knew what was coming.

  “I’ve taught you for seven years. I’ve cared for you like my own. I know Melvin means a lot to you, and I don’t blame you. You won’t see me again until you leave for the expedition. Please reconsider. You and Maxwell are all I have now. What would he think of this? He may not be your blood, but he’s been a brother to you,” Bell pleaded, his usual strength replaced by vulnerability. Calvin was taken aback, seeing the strongest man he knew turn fragile in front of him.

  “Bell, I’m sorry. I have to do this. Please don’t look at me like that. I didn’t mean to hurt you,” Calvin whispered, guilt washing over him. Bell sighed, nodding slowly, and the silent hurt between them was palpable.

  “I wish you luck,” he said, turning away, leaving Calvin with a knot of regret in his stomach. He opened his mouth, desperate to apologize, but the words wouldn’t come. Instead, he bit his lip and dove back into the pool, frustration boiling within him. Torn between loyalty to his sister and his respect for Bell and Maxwell, he felt trapped.

  For Olivia, the training was effortless. An accomplished swimmer and diver, she thrived in the water. As they trained, she found time to connect with her peers. She learned that the quiet, nerdy boy with blond hair and blue eyes was from the Mechanical sector. Meanwhile, she observed Tara chatting with a dark blond-haired boy named Marcus, feeling a twinge of exclusion as he seemed to ignore her presence entirely. To make matters worse, she sensed Calvin’s disapproval of her participation, which stung. Yet, Carl remained by her side through it all, making her feel included and supported.

  After the lunch break, the voyagers were summoned to a room now referred to as the "Expedition Room" by the chancellors. They waited for a member of the Octagon Council to arrive. Olivia glanced around, noticing Carl deep in conversation with Marcus. A few steps ahead, she spotted Calvin, intently watching his sister, who was engrossed in discussion with Brayan. His strong presence was evident, even in the way he stood, a trait of his high-ranking military background. Olivia approached him, hoping to break the ice, but Calvin didn’t seem impressed by her participation in the team.

  “Hey, Calvin, right?” she greeted with a smile. He glanced at her, nodding dismissively before turning his attention back to his sister. Undeterred, Olivia looked at Melvin chatting with Brayan. “Looks like Melvin has found a new friend. Brayan Grant doesn’t talk much, just like your sister,” she remarked politely.

  Calvin shot her an unwelcoming glance. “Yeah, she is. Do you know why she’s angry with you?” His tone was sharp, and Olivia felt a stir of confusion.

  “Because your lovely mother killed our father, and she became an orphan at ten years old. I had to do unforgivable things to protect her, and she hated what I did. Your mother is a murderer!” Calvin’s voice was rough, making Olivia’s discomfort palpable.

  “I’m sorry for your loss, but my mom isn’t a murderer. She had to make difficult decisions as a chancellor, but she never personally killed anyone,” Olivia replied, her voice calm yet firm, meeting Calvin’s fiery gaze.

  “Hah! It seems there are secrets between you and your mom, but that’s not my problem. She shot him and wanted to kill my sister too. I have nothing to say to you. I’d be glad to see you leave this team—or see you dead. What would your mom feel if you were dead?” His words came out like a growl, a chilling threat that hung in the air. The room fell silent, all eyes on them, as Olivia stood frozen by the harsh truth.

  “Liv,” Carl whispered softly, rushing to her side and grabbing her hand, but she didn’t respond. 'Is he telling the truth? Is my mother a murderer?' Olivia's mind started to race. This wasn't the first time that Olivia was surprised by her chancellor's mother's actions. She recalled the secret drive she found a few years ago. Asia's case! Is he referring to that? But how could Calvin be aware of it? It always has been a secret information among chancellors.

  The door swung open at the worst possible moment, and Elsa Blake entered with Kane Johnson, intensifying the atmosphere. Olivia went forward like lightning. She has to find the truth. She knew it wasn't time for another impulsive decision but it was too late.

  “You murdered a person!” Olivia shouted, her voice breaking as she faced her mother. Elsa’s surprise was evident, overshadowing her attempts to maintain composure.

  “Oh, sweetheart, you’re mistaken,” Elsa stammered, her voice cracking as she searched for something to defend herself. Olivia knew the meaning of the cracking in her mother's voice.

  “You killed a man! You shot him! You tried to kill children too! You’re a murderer!” Olivia’s voice rose again, tears streaming down her flushed cheeks. Elsa’s heart sank as she witnessed her daughter’s pain, her own emotions threatening to spill over.

  “I can explain, but who told you?” Elsa whispered, trying to keep her tone steady, yet it brought no comfort to Olivia.

  “Does it even matter? You are a murderer! You’ve hidden the truth from me, just like always. You don’t love me. You never cared for my father!” Olivia screamed, anguish spilling from her heart.

  Elsa’s composure shattered. She reached for Olivia’s hand, desperate to explain, but Olivia jerked away, her anger palpable.

  “Go! Go! Go away! Just like you always do. I don’t want to hear a confession from a murderer! Go away!” Olivia cried, her voice raw with emotion. Chancellor Kane Johnson placed a gentle hand on Elsa’s shoulder as she opened her mouth to speak.

  “It’s better to leave, Elsa,” he advised softly. With tears in her eyes, Elsa nodded and walked out with Chancellor Johnson, leaving Olivia alone with her bitter revelations and cold tears.