Autumn Rhodes knew Damian Yale would recognize the beads as hers. She absolutely couldn't ruin her image in front of him.
So she said gently, "I'm fine. This was probably just a coincidence."
"I think it's quite a coincidence, too." Vera Xavier nodded in agreement. "Maybe your beads recognize their owner. Otherwise, of all the places it could have gone, why did it have to fly right at your nose?"
Autumn Rhodes was furious when she heard that, but she could only swallow her anger. She had to force a faint smile and say, "Yes, what a coincidence indeed."
One of the boys had already picked up the bead and returned it to Autumn Rhodes. Her nose had stopped bleeding by now, but the stinging sensation hadn't faded. Her gaze toward Vera Xavier was anything but friendly.
Vera Xavier, however, didn't seem to care. With a faint smile, she was about to turn away when she heard someone call her name. "Vera Xavier!"
