The End of Vanessa Landrienne

Coupled with her previous record and the poisoning attempts caught on surveillance, Vanessa Landrienne was finally expelled from Nafriton University. She might have retained her spot by pleading with a few high-ranking faculty in her faction, but she was useless without Daren and a shiny reputation. The attempted murder charges sealed her fate.

The police escorted her to her room, where she was granted ten minutes to pack whatever belongings she could in the presence of her lawyer and a staff member. The lawyer tried to block the staff member from entering, but the police wouldn't allow it. They didn't want any evidence to be destroyed.

Vanessa quickly packed what she could. Most of her dresses were shredded, and the jewelry was all second hand. She had plenty of money, so she would just send Enid to by her the latest fashions when they arrived back in Forest Waypoint.

As for her textbooks and notes, Vanessa didn't even bother thinking about them. She hardly ever looked at them anyways. With only ten minutes, she barely had time to pack her decent clothes, makeup, small instruments and favorite novels. All of the custom furniture that she brought would have to be left behind, along with her fashion magazines, piano, most of her shoes and all of her hats.

Her half of the room was sealed off by the headmaster when she finished. It would stay sealed until the Forest Waypoint Police Department either got a search warrant or the charges were dropped. Anything she left behind Vanessa would likely never get back.

As she exited the residence hall, Vanessa could feel the stares and whispers of the other students. The mockery, glee and disdain brought tears of frustration to her eyes. She really didn't poison The Butterflies! Sure, she was angry with them but she only hated and was plotting against that witch Corrine.

Is this what Angela Morvell felt like when she too was expelled? Just as Vanessa didn't speak up for Angela back then, no one was speaking up for Vanessa now. Vanessa didn't poison The Butterflies, but no one believed her. Even her own lawyer didn't believe her. Only Enid did. Vanessa didn't notice her eyes soften while thinking of her only trusted subordinate.

Just as Vanessa was escorted onto the police wagon, a young lady came rushing up with her suitcase. She dragged two suitcases along with her. The police officers placing Vanessa in the wagon silently reached for the weapons at their waists.

"Wait! Stop! Don't leave yet."

"How can we help you today, Miss?"

"I need to go to!"

"Excuse me?"

"I'm Enid Heriot, the attendant and roommate of Vanessa Landrienne. I need to go with my lady!"

The police officers just looked at each other. Is this girl crazy? Just because they're roommates doesn't mean that Enid would be considered a criminal as well. Wouldn't any normal person want to separate themselves as far as possible from this mess? The police captain leading the escort stepped forward to handle the situation.

"The Forest Waypoint Police Department does admittedly have an interest in any of Ms. Landrienne's close associates. However, just because you are roommates does not mean you were complicit in her crimes. We do not have a cause to detain you."

"Nevertheless, it is my responsibility to look after her ladyship. I want to go out of my own free will. Besides, you'll be back to question me later, and the school probably doesn't want me around either, right?"

The captain glanced at Headmaster Marin. After a few seconds, he sighed and shook his head in consent.

"As the young lady wishes. She will finish this semester with her current letter grade recorded in her transcript. After the semester ends, the university will place her on suspension until she decides to come back. Depending on the findings of FWPD, of course."

Enid glared at the officers before she hoped into the police wagon with Vanessa and the lawyer. The captain shut the door and locked it with a clang. They could hear Enid's shrieks from inside the wagon.

"Oh, my poor lady! These seats are horrendous. Here, have a cushion to protect your delicate skin. Would you like some snacks? I have some light pastries if you're hungry."

The police officers climbed onto their horses then began the trip back to Forest Waypoint. The university once again became peaceful. Daren watched from a distance as the police escort left the campus. An arm wrapped around his shoulder as a hand tousled his hair. He pushed the hand away with a frown.

"Should we go out and celebrate your permanent liberation from that crazy woman?"

"That doesn't sound like a bad idea," Daren said with a smile. "Your treat, right? But don't you have a reflection essay to write?"

"Ack! Mercy, my dear young master! I can start working on that paper tomorrow. Surely your vast generosity would grant a few measly tiurs to pay for a nice meal."

"I'll help you out just this once since the past couple of days have been great."

"With that woman leaving or spending plenty of alone time with –"

Daren elbowed his friend in the ribs. A pink blush colored his cheeks. There were some things that shouldn't be said in public. Daren's mood dropped at the thought about the upcoming summer.

How was he going to spend more time with her if they were apart for months? She wouldn't forget him, would she? More importantly, this idiot would for sure blab to his aunt and uncle that he was spending time with a girl. How was he going to handle the interrogation from his Aunt Becca?

**********

How was she going to handle the interrogation? That was the real question. Professor Foryl watched the sun begin to set from his office with a drink in his hand. Vanessa didn't know it, but she knew several bits of information about Professor Foryl that would be disastrous if spread to the right people.

That Marc was the one who formulated all of her important plans, for example. Another would be that Professor Foryl had been much more active behind the political scenes that he let on. That idiot would blab without knowing during the interrogation.

When others got a hold of those transcripts, his true face would be revealed. That could not be allowed to happen. Darn it. That bird-brained brat was always annoying him somehow. She couldn't make friends, build her reputation or get a fiancé.

The wine in his glass seemed so flavorless now. He could hear a knock from his door.

"Enter."

Two students entered and shut the door behind them. A watery glow enveloped the room as soon as it was locked.

"Is she gone?"

"Yes sir. Enid Heriot went with her."

An evil smile crept up his lips.

"Perfect. Are you sure that she was sniffing around where she shouldn't have been?"

"Yes sir. She definitely knows that Marc and I meet in secret. Ms. Heriot has subtly inquired about my 'boyfriend' several times in front of the other Butterflies."

Professor Foryl swirled the glass of wine in his hands. Enid was Vanessa's only faithful attendant. Yes, the attendant of that Vanessa Landrienne. She did a lot of dirty work for Vanessa, and was also aware of Marc's scheming. Enid even got in Marc's way several times, and was constantly wary.

"Ms. Heriot is a sharp woman. A bit too sharp and too loyal to that idiot for her own good."

The professor placed his wine glass down on his desk. He placed two artifacts on the desk.

"As of today, Vanessa Landrienne and Enid Heriot have turned from tools into hazards. They know too much that they shouldn't. There's no more reason to keep them alive now that Vanessa's chances of driving Daren to our cause have dropped to zero. The order has been given to eliminate them."

Finally! Marc had been wanting to get rid of that woman for years. Marc formed The Butterflies, kept her reputation crystal clear and provided information to always keep her on top of all the latest trends. Yet she treated him like a loyal dog.

Corrine could barely contain her glee. Just as she planned. Vanessa wasn't the one to replace the sugar with poison. Corrine did that herself. She carefully calculated the dosage and timing to bring herself and the other Butterflies to near death.

With 'Vanessa' nearly killing her and other girls from allied families, both her father and the Landrienne City Lord had the last excuse they needed to turn against Vanessa's branch. Marriage to the City Lord's heir was practically in her hands.

"I'm assigning this honor to the both of you. Take these artifacts to sneak out of then back into campus. Remember, either an accident or suicide. I'll leave the details up to you."

Their faces warped into vicious grins. They would enjoy rubbing Vanessa's stupidity in her face before they killed her.