Rodney smirked shamelessly. "Ms. Aspen, as long as you surrender yourself to me, I wouldn't mind letting these people go. How about that?"

Aspen's calm and composed demeanor finally cracked. She exploded, shouting, "Screw you, Rodney! If this were Bridgefields, someone would've dumped your corpse in the wilderness by now for speaking to me like this!"

Rodney's face darkened as he waved a hand, barking, "Close the doors!"

The sound of the heavy doors slamming shut echoed through the hall. He sneered, "Damn it! Two bitches daring to stir up trouble in my academy? Tonight, you're leaving here soaked, one way or another!"

Knowing Rodney's ruthless reputation, the debt collectors accompanying them began to panic. They feared he might truly lock them in and unleash violence.

Christina's face turned pale. "Aspen, we need to call the police immediately."

Aspen gritted her teeth. "No need. I want to see what this little scumbag thinks he can do to me."

She fixed Rodney with an i