bChapter /bb18 /b

Shermaine didn’t want to go out. And if she had to, she definitely didn’t want to go with Ruth.

But if she said no, Ruth would probably just hang around and refuse to leave.

So, Shermaine had to head upstairs to change. She wasn’t much of a dress person. The maple leaves outside were already turning yellow, and the autumn wind carried a chill.

She swapped into a ck hoodie that went with anything, a pair of vintage jeans, and slipped on some canvas srieakers before heading back down.

She didn’t wear any makeup, just put on ayer of lip balm. But her features were so naturally striking that even without anything on, people couldn’t help but be stunned by her beauty at first nce.

Her skin was clear and wless, her hair pulled up into a bun. There was a cool elegance to her, with a hint of effortless charm.

The moment Ruth saw her, though, her brows furrowed. It was clear she didn’t like how casually Shermaine was dressed, with none of the elegance expected from a well–bred youngdy.

Ruth started nitpicking. “Shermaine, your father just gave you a ton of pocket money yesterday. iYou /ishould go buy a few decent outfits sometime. If you walk out dressed like this, people are gonna think we’re neglecting you. I mean, seriously–what is this thrift–store look?”

She thought Shermaine’s good looks werepletely wasted on such sloppy fashion.

“Comfort’s all that matters,” Shermaine said.

“You’ve got no taste at all,” Ruth replied, her tone full of disdain.

Shermaine stayed calm. “Mom, are we going or not?b” /b

Ruth was about to say something else, but the second she looked up and met Shermaine’s clear, steady gaze, a strange chill crept bdown /bher spine.

Still, Ruth had to admit, even if Shermaine was wearing nothing but cheap clothesb, /bthe way she carried herself made it look like high fashion.

Ruth shut her mouth, got up, and walked out the door.

A ck Rolls–Royce was parked out front. After getting in, Shermaine pulled down her hat and closed her eyes to rest.

About forty minutester, Ruth nudged her awake.

Shermaine opened her eyes, turned her head, and nced out the window.

They had arrived at Basterel University–the most prestigious institution in the entire city of Basterel.

Since they were riding in a luxury car, they drew a lot of attention once they drove onto campus.

The car stopped in ifront /iof the girls‘ dormitory. Ruth stepped out first, instantly catching the attention of the people around. Shermaine followed closely

behind.

Ruth walked ahead with an air of familiarity, and it was clearly not her first time here. “This is Basterel University. It’s the top university in the city–and in the whole country, really. Wendy goes here. Back then, she scored almost a perfect SAT.

“She missed full marks by just three points. She’s majoring in Comparative Literature. She’s one of the most popr girls on campus, all while keeping top grades. Don’t you think she’s amazing? Such a shame she’s had such bad luck.”

Shermaine wondered, ‘Bad luck? Wendelyn’s only bad luck is not bing Joshua’s fiancée. She’s an orphan, but she got taken in by the Jean family and lives infort. What’s so unlucky about that?‘

She smiled faintly and said nothing

Ruth’s voice brimmed bwith /bpride for Wendelyn. “Sheary, since you didn’t take the SAT, you missed the chance to go to college, bI /bbrought you here today bso /byou could walk around and get a leel for the atmosphere and the academic vibei./ii* /i

Shermaine thought, “I radiate academic vibe. I don’t need to feel it‘

Maybe it was the way her expression stayed so cold, but in Ruth’s eyes, Shermaine just looked especially resistant to being there–probably because het pride bhad /btaken a hit. With that thought, Ruth’s lips curled ever so slightly.

bRuth /bcontinued, “And then there’s Joshua–the heir to the York family. He also went to Basterel University. He’s even more impressive.

“He got straight into Basterel University at sixteen, then Harrod University at eighteen. By twenty, he had dual master’s degrees. Then he enlisted. He didn’t return to take over the York family’s business until he was twenty–five.”

Joshua was indeed impressive. And what Ruth said barely scratched the surface. From the very first moment Shermaine met him, she had sensed it–bthat /bsharp, familiar scent of someone cut from the same cloth.

But Ruth’s whole speech was transparent. She clearly wanted Shermaine to feel inferiorb, /bto realize how incapable she was byparison. The whole point was to put her in her ce. Too bad Ruth’s n waspletely off the mark.

Since Ruth was so set on thinking that way, Shermaine came up with an idea. A quick glint of sly amusement flickered in her eyes before she let out ba /blight, gleeful whistle. “My fiancé’s that amazing? That’s freaking awesome.”

Ruth was instantly speechless, feeling utterly frustrated.

When they reached the building of the girls‘ dormitory, Wendelyn appeared, looking all gentle and graceful. She wore a blue vintage–style dress, her figure slender, her makeup polished, with a book tucked in her arms. Students passing by looked at her with admiration and envy.

Right then, a clean–cut guy stepped forward, holding a massive bouquet of roses. He confessed, “Wendelyn, I love you. Please be my girlfriend. I promise I’ll treat you well.”

Wendelyn turned him down gently. “I’m sorry, but I can’t say yes. I’m already in love with someone else.”

The guy looked utterly disappointed.

After he walked away, Wendelyn came over to Shermaine and Ruthb, /ball sweet and innocent. “Mom, Shermaine.”

Shermaine couldn’t even be bothered to respond.

Ruth, on the other hand, lit up. “Wendy, you’re so popr. Are you heading to ss?”

“Yeah.” Wendelyn nodded.

“What ss do you have this afternoon?” Ruth asked.

“I’ve been into mathtely,” Wendelyn replied. “Thought I’d sit in on a calculus lectureb./bb” /b

“It’s okay to have hobbies, but make sure you get enough rest too, alright? Don’t wear yourself out. You already know so much.”

“Mom, I’m inot /igood enough yet. I want to be better.”

No wonder Ruth was so pleased with Wendelyn, Since childhood, Wendelyn had been the model student–academically brilliant, sharp–witted, gracefully beautiful, the kind of girl who outshone Shermaine in other people’s eyes.

Shermaine was utterly speechless, thinking that the whole thing was just too much to watch.

Right then, Wendelyn switched the topici. /i“Shermaine, don’t you think Basterel University is beautifulb?/bb” /b

“It is beautiful,” Shermaine said.

Wendelyn was always good at keeping up appearances in front of others. Yesterday, things had nearly turned into a full–blown catfight between them. But today, she was standing there in front of Shermaine like nothing happened, all smiles and small talk.

She remarked, “Mom doesn’t know the campus that well. After my ss, I can give you

a tour”

Shermaine’s tone waszy. “Sure.”

Wendelyn beamed and suggested, “Why don’t youe to ss with me?”

A sly smile flickered in Shermaine’s eyes. “I‘

not even a student here. You think I can just tag along?”

“You totally can,” Wendelyn said.

Shermaine hesitated. “I’ll pass.” Calculus was way too basic for her. If she sat through that, she’d probably end up falling asleep.

But Ruth, clearly worried she might back out, coaxed her, “Sheary, just sit in and get a feel for what a real college ss is like. We can walk around the campus afterward.”

“All right then,” Shermaine said.

Ruth and Wendelyn exchanged a smile, perfectly in sync.

They took a campus shuttle to the Department of Mathematics. By the time they got to the lecture hall, imost /iof the seats were already taken.

Mathematics wasn’t exactly the most popr major–usually not a go–to for the average student.

Still, this was the top university in Wallington. Academic overachievers were everywhere, so a crowded lecture wasn’t that surprising. Though honestly, most of the people in the room seemed more like they were just tagging along for fun.

Sure enough, the moment Wendelyn walked in, a student got up right away and offered her a seat, saying, “Wendelyn,e sit herei./i”

“Thank you,” Wendelyn smiled, pulling Ruth along to take the best seats in the middle. Shermaine ended up sitting behind them.

Just then, someone muttered, “Holy carp. I heard the professor has taken the day off, so today’s ss is being covered by Lorenzo Hussain. Yep, we’re screwed. Looks like we’ll all be retaking this course.”

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