Chapter 189 The Truth Exposed

Scarlett’s eyes darkened.

She had just returned, and admittedly hadn’t had the energy to ask about the situation at home.

+ Pearl

But Aurora had been living with the Lane family for a while. If she were that easy to drive out, she bwouldn’t /bhave shown up at the birthday banquet.

And she certainly wouldn’t have dared to scheme against her.

So Scarlett had a feeling that someone was supporting Aurora from behind the scenes.

Who could it be?

Grayson?

Nathan?

Or perhaps the old matriarch, who always kept a low profile?–

All of these were possibilities.

But one thing she was sure of—

Aurora’s hostility wasn’t personal. She was targeting Scarlett as a means to get her hands on the main family’s resources.

There were three sons in the Lane family.

And Owen had all the power to himself.

The battle for the heir’s title had always been brutal.

Aurora wasn’t being used as a pawn… no, she was more than willing to be one.

After all, if a weapon was used in the right way, even the weapon could bask in glory.

“Scarlett, why aren’t you saying anything?”

Scarlett came back to her senses and gently took Sharon’s arm.

“I was just thinking about how to thank you.”

That made Sharon a little embarrassed.

“Come on, what are you thanking me for? We’re not strangers.”

Scarlett smiled sincerely.

“Exactly. Let’s never act like strangers again.”

Real friendship was built on mutual support.

Not on taking advantage of each other.

13:47 bTue/bb, /bb12 /bbAug /b

Chapter 189 The Truth Exposed

Her smile was bright, and her eyes sparkled like diamonds in the sun.

Aurora was taken to a quiet ssroom.

She had calmed down by now.

She wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes and looked pitifully at Christian.

“Christian, do you think I’m useless? My grades are bad, I embarrassed myself today, and I even bdragged /bdown the team’s reputation.”

She covered her face.

“I never wanted to live with the Lane family.”

“But what could I do? Grandma didn’t want to let me go. They all insisted I stay and wouldn’t let me rent bmy /bown ce.”

“So today, I ended up like a parasite.”

Once she finished, she broke down in sobs.

Christian’s parents didn’t get along with Yvonne.

And Yvonne’s resources were tied to the Lane family.

If he was against the Lane family, that made him an enemy of their enemy.

14

That’s why Aurora believed she had said all the right,things–Christian would see her in a new light and be willing to strategize with her.

Ever since she got to Jalindale University and learned about all the power dynamics, this was how she always framed her situation.

And Christian hadn’t disappointed–he’d helped her get into thepetition team and even made her vice captain.

They both needed ess to the Lane family’s resources, and together, they could support one another and move forward.

So now, Christian should step up and defend her.

This crying act? It was just giving him a reason to fight for her.

As long as he took her side-

This embarrassment wouldn’t stick

But the next moment-

Christian didn’t get angry on her behalf. Instead, he remained calm and gentle as he tried bto /bconsole bher. /b

“Don’t cry. It clouds your judgment. This afternoon’s practical exam will be draining. bTak /bba /bbmoment /bbto /bcollect yourself and try to stay calm. If you still don’t feel up to it, I’ll have someone belse /bbtake /bbyour /bbce /b

b13:47 /bbTue/b, b12 /bbAug /b

Chapter 189 The Truth Exposed

b“/bChristian?b” /b

Christian lowered his gaze to meet her teary, aggrieved eyes–but his expression didn’t change bat /bball/b.

This was an order from the team captain..

Not a discussion.

Aurora was stunned.

Why was everything different now?

Hadn’t Christian always cared about her most?

Weren’t they just one step away from making it official?

“I’ll go get you a milk tea. Get some rest.

Christian’s expression was calm, as if he hadn’t seen the usation in her eyes. He turned and walked out.

“Ah!”

Aurora kicked the chair beside her in frustration, sending it crashing to the floor.

Christian paused mid–step.

But then he quickly walked away.

After lunch, the entirepetition team was taken to the exam site.

The skills assessment was held in a simted hospital, with the smell of iodine and alcohol thick in the air.

A circle of attending physicians stood around the room as judges, with several professors supervising to ensure fairness.

It all looked very professional.

Inside the testing area, everyone was required to remain silent.

Sharon, normally a chatterbox, was clearly struggling. She nced around restlessly.

Then she saw someone–or something–that made her freeze.

Her eyes trembled. She immediately looked down..

Quiet as a mouse.

Scarlett noticed something was off/

She scanned the room as well.

Other than spotting Jack and Jasper standing near a few professors, nothing seemed amiss.

Maybe she was just overthinking it.

Chapter 189 The Truth Exposed

She lightly tapped the back of Sharon’s hand.

Sharon turned her head and gave her a small smile.

Nothing seemed wrong.

Scarlett finally rxed and turned her attention back to thepetition floor.

The first challenge was “Multiple Trauma Patient Rescue.” Each contestant had twenty minutes bto /bbplete /b

assessment, bleeding control, immobilization, and establishing intravenous ess.

Dreame went up first, her manicured hands flying over the simted wounds with practiced ease.

But just as she was about to attempt a subvian vein puncture, Jose suddenly spoke up.

“Angle it fifteen degrees more.”