Chapter 13
“Dad Why did you arrange foi Niña to enroll in Lyceum University?”
Nina hadn’t even weighed in yet when Jessica couldn’t held bar Cher protest. “Thad to work so hard to get in on my own! Why should Nina get in just by paving for it? Is that fair to those of us who actually studied?”
For once, Nina wholeheartedly agreed with Jessica
“Right. It’s totally unfair! She nodded emphatically.
Darell shot bet a glance, cutting her off. “You’re not helping, Nina
Nina rolled her eyes and scoffed. “Whatever“
Darell’s eyes narrowed. “And what’s that supposed to meant
A mocking smile tugged at the comer of Nina’s lips.
Darell’s expression was as stormy as a gathering tempest.
Nina’s gaze lingered on him, her eyes holding a silent challenge
Darell glanced at her, exasperated at her insolence, and finally went for the big guns: “One more word, and I’ll enroll you in etiquette classes and cut out all snacks except at mealtime.”
What the. Talk about ruthless, Nina clenched her fists so tight she could feel the heat, glaring at Darell, vibrating with
frustration.
That old guy thinks he can walk all over me because I won’t fight back, she thought.
rell noticed her cheeks puffing up, her face turning red, and her dark eyes welling up with tears of sheer frustration. She
ed ready to burst.
And somehow, he couldn’t help but chuckle.
Everyone at the table noticed. Humphrey raised an eyebrow, intrigued. ‘Dad’s laugh… doesn’t sound mocking for once, Could it be that he actually finds Nina… cute? he wondered.
Jessica, on the other hand, was furious. Why is Dad laughing at Nina? This girl’s obviously trying to win his attention! How dare she she thought.
Nina thought to herself, ‘Oh, come on! That old coot has the nerve to mock me? This is outrageous. I must have done something terrible in a past life to deserve this old fool! Clifford, you’ve got to get me out of here”
Meanwhile, far away overseas, Clifford sneezed in the middle of meeting. Tyrone looked over, concerned. “Mr. Sneeze, are you coming down with something? Should I grab some meds?”
“Don’t be dramatic, Clifford muttered, rubbing his nose. “Feels like someone’s thinking about me… maybe Nina’s being bullied by the Woods family?”
Tyrone’s mouth twitched. Nina? Bullied? He thought back to the way she dominated everyone back at Special Operations Division… Nina getting bullied was as likely as the apocalypse.
19.53 Sat Nov 30 G
Chapter 13
Back at the Woods cilti Durlludertion was fem. Nina
Jessica locked herself in her room, throwing a fit and smashing ings in anger.
be going to Lyceum no matter
the
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Rachel entered the room to find it looking like a junkyard, Jesse walking in the middle of it all with red eyes.
hit
Jessica really Rachel sighed as the stepped around the mess to next to her. “Why lock yourself up and throw a tantrum? What would your father think?
Jessica’s face coupled in frustration. “Mom, Dad doesn’t care about my feelings are
“Oh How’s that?”
Tworked myself to the bone studying to get into Lyceum. I was practically living on caffeine, doing practice exams until I could barely think straight. And even then. I just scraped by! But Nina? She gets in without lifting a finger! So what was my hard work for?”
Jessica scoffed inwardly. “Nina’s just a barely literate dimwit! I bet she can’t even read properly. Sending her to Lyceum? It’s like putting a pig in a pearl necklace.
Lyceum is the school in all of Moonhuntland, and having her there is such a drag on its reputation. And if anyone finds our we’re sisters Oh the horror! Dad has no idea what he’s doing. Nina is completely beneath me!
Rachel chuckled, an amused edge in her voice, “Oh, honey. Think about it a little differently
Jessica blinked in confusion. “What do you mean?”
Rachel’s face showed a trace of scorn. “Nina’s an illiterate country girl. Do you really think she’ll be able to keep up at Lyceum, where it’s all geniuses and scholars?
“What if word gets out that she didn’t earn her place? The other students, the ones who worked hard to get in, won’t look kindly on her. Nina will feel like a fish out of water and might even want to leave. After all your father has done for her. Wouldn’t it be a shame if she threw it all away?”
ssica’s eyes went wide with realization. “Right! Dad only let her in because he was fooled by that painting of hers, thinking she was some kind of prodigy. But once everyone realizes she doesn’t belong, they’ll push her out. Dad will see her for what she really is.”
Rarbel smirked. “Oh, now you get it? Don’t think going to Lyceum is some kind of prize. Nina’s crude, vulgar, and utterly ignorant. She’ll just end up at the very bottom of that school’s elitist food chain, looked down on by everyone.
“Hmm.” Jessica nodded repeatedly, her mood finally lifting
Rachel stroked her daughter’s hair and spoke sofily, “Jessica, didn’t I tell you? Don’t always pick on Nina. At Lyceum, you need to be friendly and generous towards her.”
“Why, Mom!” Jessica asked, puzzled..
Rachel spoke slowly, her words laced with malice, “Nina’s been rough around the edges growing up in the country. The more rude and uncouth she is, the more it will highlight your grace and refinement.
Then, you can casually spread the word about how she got in through the back door. Soon enough, no one will want to associate with her. Nina will be so ostracized, she’ll be sure to cause a scene and infuriate your father. Her good days will be
“I see. Jessica replied, understanding her mother’s plan “Mom, I know what to do!”
Rachel smiled. “No more anger?”
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Chapter 13
“No more anger, Jessica shook her head, her eyes glinting with determination.
“That fool dares to go to 1 yceum? Well. Ell make sure she becomes the laughingstock of the entire school
Humphrey had been sent off to work, meaning Nina had no one to indulge her with snacks and outings. Worse, she’d been told she’ll have to go to Lyceum with Jessica.
So much for family warnth! She was just starting to feel the perks of having a family (when Humphrey took her out for treats), and they’d already yanked it away.
“Love? In this house? Ha! Fat chance. I’m so fed up with this place I can’t take it anymore.” Nina tossed and turned on the oversized, velvety bed, her anger bubbling over.
Just then, her phone rang. Still face–down in the pillow, she lazily felt around for the phone and answered without looking
“Yeah?”
One word was all Clifford needed to hear. His tone softened with a knowing warmth, like coaxing a sulking child. “What’s wrong, Ace? Who dared upset our star?”
Her voice was muttled in the blanket. “The old geezer’s making me go to Lyceum.”
“As a student?” Clifford paused, then burst out laughing.
He oked, “Can you believe this? The legendary Professor Fletcher, the guy Lyceum practically worships, is going to be a student again? I mean, if they only knew your real identity, they’d probably kiss your feet.”
“Huh?” Nina peeked out of the covers, her face flushed from the heat. “Professor Fletcher? What are you talking abour? Explain!”
rd chuckled. “I thought you knew. The research papers you published with Professor Lawson? They were all released er your alias, Alex Fletcher. They’re SCI–certified top–tier work. In fact, those papers are one reason Lyceum’s considered the top school.”
Nina’s jaw dropped. She never paid attention to any of that before. I’m really this… impressive?‘ she wondered.
