CHAPTER TWENTY NINE – A RUINED MURAL

He swept his disdainful glare around the rest of the stunned students. "Well? Any other takers wisely seeking an escape from this pathetic sham before it contaminates you further?" Silence answered his taunting call, with everyone exchanging uneasy looks. Penelope regarded Marco with icy dislike, one perfected eyebrow arched. Jacob simply returned the man's sneer with sullen indifference. Even sweet Agnes seemed to puff up slightly, lips pursing in disapproval. "I believe you've quite overstayed your unwelcome presence here," Jasmine stated, voice hardening. "Make your insulting sales pitch elsewhere, Marco. These are my students, and they're remaining right where they belong." The arrogant man opened his mouth, undoubtedly to unleash another volley of scathing put-downs. But Diego abruptly cut him off, straightening to his full height as he stared Marco down defiantly. "You heard the lady," he proclaimed, a familiar imperiousness reasserting itself in his tone. "This community c