bChapter /b171

Charlotte was just as stunned. With her long hair and not a trace of boyishness, she looked every bit the fresh–faced college grad she was–how could anyone mistake her for a guy?

“Attorney Grant must be joking, right?” she asked, uncertain.

Edith’s brow furrowed, but she couldn’t fathom the point of the joke. After a moment, she let it go–she was here to work, after all, and her shift was about to start. It was

time to focus.

“So, which wall am I responsible for?” she asked, her tone brisk.

Charlotte blinked, surprised by how quickly Edith switched into work mode. No wonder she had a legendary reputation at Northcrest University.

“Edith, the rest of the team hasn’t arrived yet,” Charlotte said. “Once everyone’s here, we’ll have a quick meeting, sort out who’s doing what, and then we can get started on

the mural.”

Edith nced at her watch. It was already time, yet they were still waiting for more people.

Over the next half hour, more young faces trickled in. Charlotte, full of energy, introduced them enthusiastically: “These are all Northcrest juniors. This is Edith–Edith, meet the team.”

Among the neers, a few recognized Edith’s name and huddled together, whispering behind their hands.

“I heard she married into money before she even graduated–bagged a rich guy and had the time of her life. Who’d have thought she’d end up like this?” one girl whispered.

“What do you mean, ‘like this‘?” another asked in a low voice.

Edith caught the disdainful reply: “Her rich husband died in that recent ne crash–the Northcrest Airways one. His family kicked her out afterward. So now she’s not just a widow, she’s practically homeless. What a fall from grace.”

Charlotte couldn’t take it anymore. She snapped, “We’re here formunity service, not to gossip about people’s personal lives!”

One of the students rolled her eyes. “Our generation just says what’s on our mind.

18:17

Doesn’t mean we won’t get the job done.”

Charlotte shot back, “If you’re so efficient, why are you half an hourte? Look, I know most of you are just here for credit or something to put on your resumes. I won’t make this hard–if you can work without running your mouths, great. If not, there’s

the door.”

Edith nced at Charlotte, a flicker of amusement in her eyes–at least she had some

backbone.

When it came time to assign tasks, no one wanted the east wall. They all balked and

made excuses.

“My skincare routine costs more than a month’s rent. If I stand out in that sun, all my products go to waste. I’m not doing the east wall!”

“Why should we go if you won’t? Don’t think we guys don’t care about our skin. I spend more than you do!”

Edith watched them squabble, nced at the time, and realized that if they didn’t get moving soon, they’d never finish. She raised her hand. “I’ll take the east wall,” she

offered.

Charlotte nearly exploded. Edith had the fairest, most delicate skin of anyone here, yet these others were the onesining.

“Honestly, if I’d known you’d all be so whiny and impossible, I’d have picked a different crew!” she muttered under her breath. But it was toote now–the group had been chosen, and they knew it.

One of the guys smirked, “Well, Edith volunteered, didn’t she? The rest of us are single–she’s the only widow here. She’s already been married once, so what’s it to

her? The rest of us still have to market ourselves.”

Another ivoice /ipiped up mockingly, “Thanks for taking one for the team, Edith!”