Harlowe’s eyes find me and the Similars in the crowd. “You did this,” she hisses at us. We just stare like she’s gone off the deep end, like we have no idea what she’s talking about. It’s the truth; we don’t. “Don’t you all see?” Harlowe addresses the crowd now, wildly grasping at straws. “The Similars set us up! They’ve been out to get us from day one! They hated us being in the Ten, and they’ve been planning something like this for months!”

The gym remains eerily quiet. Not a single person is stepping up to defend Harlowe.

“Harlowe, Ivy, Graham,” Jane says. “I would urge you to consider yourself lucky you aren’t being expelled from this school. Immediate removal from the Ten is nothing compared to what could have happened to you. Sophie and Willa, you were not involved in this incident and will retain your Ten status. But let this be a warning to you, to all of you. Being in the Ten is a privilege, not an inherent right.”

That’s it; the rally is officially over. Kids get up from their chairs, some looking stunned, others shaking their heads. I catch Maude’s eyes as we filter out the door. Something glinting there makes me realize—she did this. She must have hacked the system and somehow pinned it on Harlowe and the others.

“Well done,” I tell her.

“I couldn’t let them antagonize us anymore,” she admits. “It was necessary, but I didn’t enjoy it.”

“You did a little,” I whisper back. Maude doesn’t answer, but I know I’m right.

I file out of the gym with my friends, feeling victorious—but it’s a hollow victory. Maybe Harlowe really will leave us alone from here on out. But what does that matter, when Gravelle is wreaking havoc on our lives? Who cares what Harlowe or anyone at this school thinks when Ollie and my dad and Jane are still gone?

“Guys?” Pru says, snagging me as we exit the gym. We all crowd around her, worried she has bad news.

“What’s wrong?” I press, feeling my heart sink. What now?

“It’s a buzz from my dad. He says Bianca’s going to be appearing at a large-scale, public political rally in April. In New York City,” Pru explains, checking her plum to get the details right. “It’s her first big appearance, where she’ll be officially declaring her candidacy for president.”

I’m sure everyone else realizes it too, but I’m the only one to say it out loud.

“It’s where she’s going to be replaced,” I whisper. “Isn’t it?”

• • •