Chapter 5
By noon, Aurora’s exam residis were already in. Maura barely even
en had lunch before rushing toward the admin office, Damon trailing closely
Maura asked, fishing her well–practiced smile. Being a top student year after year, she had built
“Mr. Gill, I’m looking for Aurora Where is she?” M quite the rapport with the school’s stat
Frank Gill, the stern academic director nearing his forties, uually wore a no–nonsense expression. But today, a wide grin spread across his face. “Maura, Aurora’s already left”
“Left! She didn’t finish the exam? Maura’s first instinct was suspicion. With all the exams parked into just one morning, time was already tight and she felt that it would be impossible for Aurora to be done this early unless she’d given up halfway through
Maura’s beam leaped with excitement, though she kept her expression calm, masking her delight with fake concern. “Oh no. Mr. Gill. I hope she didn’t cause too much trouble. Aurora just moved from the countryside. Her background is………. well, you know how it is. We didn’t even want her to sit for the exam but she insisted. What could we do?
She had taken the opportunity to drag Aurora’s name through the mud in every way possible. She inwardly relished her own words, thinking sammugly. This will surely rain Aurora’s chances in Merrida and make her a laughingstock. Let’s see how she dares to compete with me now.
But Frank quickly waved off her fake concerns, beaming, “No, you’ve misunderstood. Aurora didn’t leave because she gave up–she handed in her papers early. And get this, she scored a perfect As in every subject. A real genius. This is bound to elevate Mereida High School’s reputation even further.”
The admiration in his voice was undeniable, and his excitement practically bounced off the office walls.
Maura’s face drained of color. Her lips trembled, disbelief flooding her system. “How’s that even possible!”
“I know, right!” Frank laughed, unaware of Maura’s internal collapse. “When your father first sent me her grade report, I was hesitant. I thought that there was no way we would accept someone like that. But it turns out she’s been holding back. Thank goodness I didn’t let this hidden gem slip through any fingers”
Each of his words felt like a slap across Maura’s face. Aurora? A genius? That backwoods bumpkin? she famed in her mind. Her nails palm as she envisioned Aurora’s snug face when they returned home. It made her sick to her stomachs.
s dug into her
“Maura!” Frank’s voice e pulled her out of her swirling thoughts. He in
He Had been calling her name for a while now.
“Since Aurora had to leave quickly, can you apologize on my behalf? Rejecting your dad earlier was a misstep. Tell her to come in and finalize her enrollment as soon as possible. Frank patted Maura’s shoulder with an enthusiastic smile, as if he could barely contain has excitement to have
Aurora on board
Maura’s face darkened even further. She felt like she could choke on her own fury, Without a word, she bolted from the office
Damon hurried after her. “Maura, don’t let it get to you. Didn’t you give her some study materials before the test? If she scored well, it’s because you predicted the questions. You know those teachers like the back of your hand; it’s no wonder you guessed right.”
His words soothed Maura’s wounded pride, and she exhaled slowly.
my father doesn’t know that, Maura muttered, her voice low and bister. “Aurora is his biological daughter, after all I’m just the stepdaughter. Now that she’s shining so brightly, I won’t have a place in the family anymore. Her pained expression tugged at Damon’s heartstrings.
“Don’t be ridiculous, Maura. You’ve been a role model for all the young ladies in Merecida for years, the perfect picture of a high–ociety lady. This is just one exam. It doesn’t mean anything in the long run. In a few days, my dad’s company is hosting its anniversary gala. Why don’t you bring her alone? Well show her the real gap between you two”
Damon’s tone was firm, determined to protect Maura’s standing. He knew that in their world, an exam score was just an ornament; connections and influence were the real currency
Maura’s spirits finally lafted. She shot Damon a grateful smile. “Thanks, Damon. I really appreciate you”
Aurora didn’t head straight home after leaving school. Instead, she hailed a cab to Woodside Capital Management, her heart racing as she mentally prepared for what was ahead. Wearing a cap pulled low over her face and a mask, she entered the building, blending into the usual midday bunde. The receptionist barely blinked at her appearance, clearly accustomed to all kinds of clients.
“May I see your ID the receptionist asked polarly,
ely, her tone professional yet distant.
Aurora didn’t bother with pleasantries. “I need to speak with your manager
1/2
Chapter
The receptionist gave her a once–over, clearly taking in her youthful appearance and casual attire. She was sure Aurora was still a minor. With a practiced samle, she responded, “Our manager’s quite busy. If your business is under 30 million dollars, I can handle it for you” The emphasis on the amount was clear, a subtle way of saying she doubted Aurora had serious business here.
Aurora’s heart thumped. She had no idea how much her mother’s estate was worth, but from what she remembered of Jaxon’s behavior in her previous life, it had to be far more than 30 million dollars. She shook her head firmly. “You won’t do. I need to see the manager”
The receptionist’s smile faltered, irritation flickering across her face. “Miss, are you sure you’re not here to cause trouble?” she asked.
She thought. “This kid’s clearly under 18, and at best, she might have i million dollars tops. If we weren’t short–staffed, I wouldn’t even bother with
this kind of business.
Seeing that Aurora wasn’t fazed by her words, the receptionist sighed, clearly losing patience, “Our manager won’t see you. If you have no business here, I suggest you Irave”
Tuming to walk away, she was startled when Aurora grabbed her arm. “How can I meet your manager”
Does she not know how any of this works the receptionist thought as her exasperation deepened. This girl must be messing around. Pointing dismissively to an office down the hall, she replied with an air of disdain, “Go get your capital verification. If you’ve got more than 100 million dollars, you’ll skip the line, and our manager will come to see you.
Aurora didn’t have anywhere near 100 million dollars, but she had to find a way to access her mother’s inheritance.
She stood there, dehant, her eyes never leaving the receptionist’s face. The receptionist, growing annoyed, was about to call security when her expression changed abruptly. Her eyes widened as she noticed a man walking in with the manager, someone clearly important. The manager was all smiles, nodding deferentially as he led the man inside
Seeing the drastic change in the receptionist’s expression, Aurora quickly deduced that this man was someone in charge and immediately sensed an opportunity. Without hesitating, she stepped forward. “Excuse me, are you the manager of Woodside Capital Management?
The manager, in the middle of attending to an important VII, was caught off guard by her bold approach. Though annoyed, he maintained at courteous smile. “Yes, Miss. If you need assistance, our staff can help you. He gestured toward the very receptionist who had just dismissed her. “She’s the one you should speak to.”
The receptionist’s face lit up as she laid eyes on the tall, handsome man beside the manager. She quickly hurried over, her voice suddenly sweet and pleasant as she explained. “I told her I could handle the matter, but she insisted on meeting you without even going through the verification process.”
As she spoke with a troubled expression, her eyes kept darting to the man standing next to the manager, hoping to catch his attention. But he didn’t seem to notice her at all.
Aurora’s heart pounded as she recognized the man in front of her. It was Harry Gray–Daxon’s assistant. Memories of that fateful moment in her previous life flashed through her mind, when Daxon had ordered this very man to drive her to the hospital as she lay on the ground, lifeless.
A flash of inspiration hit her, and she suddenly spoke confidently, “Mr. Gray can vouch for me.
Her words hung in the air, freezing the room. The manager, the receptionist, and even Harry were stunned.
Harry frowned, clearly puzzled. He had no memory of this girl and thought this was just some kind of scam, but before he could dismiss her, Aurora stepped closer and whispered something in his car.
Harry’s expression shifted as he suspiciously processed her words in shock, his eyes narrowing as he studied her closely. He wasn’t sure if she was telling the truth, but something about her struck him as sincere, and the information she gave him wasn’t something just anyone would know
The manager, sensing the tension, cautiously asked, “Mr. Gray, do you know her?”
Aurora held her breath, her pulse racing. She had no idea if Harry would go along with it, but her plan depended on his answer.
After what felt like an eternity. Harry nodded slowly. “Yes. I do.”
