Force of Nature ▸ House of Anubis [3]

chapter twelve. house of competition

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            Our business ed class starts with loud chatter, paper airplanes, and people running around. Fabian's behind Amber and I, working on the rest of the hieroglyphs, while she and I are talking about the possibility of KT being on Victor's payroll.

            I don't want it to be true. It can't be. But she and Eddie are hiding something from me, something KT doesn't want me to know.

            Which only makes me want to know even more.

            Denby finally walks in, telling all of us, "Settle down, everyone." The class quiets down as everyone takes their seats. "I'm sure you'll all be glad to hear that this term I'm introducing a brand-new subject." She underlines the words 'business studies' on the board, saying it as she turns back to us.

            "Business studies?" Jerome repeats from the back, sounding more interested in this than any other class we have. I glance back, raising an eyebrow but smiling. "You mean you're actually going to be teaching us how to make money?"

            And there's the catch.

            "Indirectly, yes," Denby confirms.

            "I love this woman."

            I turn back again, tilting my head. "Hey."

            "But not as much as I love you," Jerome adds quickly, winking at me. I laugh quietly, shaking my head. Amber elbows me lightly, giving me a teasing look I roll my eyes at.

            "And for our first business project," Denby says, "I want you all to think about snack foods."

            "Oh, I am so getting an A," Alfie cheers, raising his arms.

            "You can work alone or in pairs. Your task is to design and market a brand-new snack. You'll find the task outlined in these handouts and on the link which is on the board." She hands each table in the front a stack of papers to pass back. "The ideas will be graded, but you'll also be judged by a global food manufacturer. None other than Amber's dad, Mr. Millington."

            "Oh, you're gonna get an A+ without even trying," I remark, but she just looks confused.

            "Daddy's coming here?" Amber asks. Guess she didn't know.

            "He didn't tell you?" Willow asks from the table beside ours.

            "Willow, does this look like a face that's been told anything? Besides how to moisturize?"

            "Either way," Denby says, "he'll be here at the end of the week, and he's donating a brand-new laptop to whoever wins."

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