Chapter 36
The classmates freaked out and made a new group chat without Kaia.
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Someone typed: [What are we gonna do? If Kaia really goes through with it, we won’t be able to show our faces in public.]
[Kaia’s so mean!] another chimed in.
[She’s the coldest person I’ve ever met. No mercy at all.]
Seeing no new message, Kaia figured they were talking about her in another chat.
She didn’t care what they said and had no plans to go easy on them. They brought this on themselves.
In the new group chat, everyone turned to Casey for help.
[Casey, your boyfriend is Mr. Snyder. Ask him to help us.]
The others agreed. Casey thought it was a good idea and called Philip. “Honey, I need a favor-”
The next day, Kaia went to meet Casey at the agreed coffee shop–but Philip was there instead.
“Why are you here?” Kaia frowned.
Philip handed her a menu with a polite smile. “What do you want? See for yourself. My treat.”
Kaia didn’t even glance at it. “Did Casey send you?”
“Smart girl,” Philip said with a grin. “No wonder you’re number one in the SAT. I thought you were just a pretty face, but you’re sharp. You got into Morganburg University with a perfect score. Casey kept hinting that you cheated, but honestly, she’s not too bright. I knew that was impossible.”
Kaiz’s eyes narrowed. “Aren’t you here to plead for Casey and the others? Why are you saying this?”
“You’re smart. You know what I mean, Philip said, giving her a look that made her skin crawl.
Kaia’s gaze turned sharp. ‘So you still want to date me, huh?”
Philip clapped. “Smart women are easy to talk to, not like Casey. She does whatever I want, but that gets boring. You’re different–you’re smart, you topped the SAT, and you come from a good family.
“My parents would like you way more than her. But let’s be clear–once you meet my parents in a few days, we’ll start planning the wedding. I’m not getting any younger.
“You can stay in school, but if you get pregnant, you’ll take a break. My parents can be difficult, and
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their health isn’t great. If you have issues with them, I expect you to back down–they’re your elders, after all.”
Kaia let out a cold laugh.
“What’s so funny?” Philip looked puzzled.
“I’m laughing at how full of yourself you are. Ever look in the mirror, huh? You’re so gross that I feel sick just sitting here. And you still dare to make all these demands? Disgusting!” Kaia said and stood to leave.
Philip jumped up and blocked her path. “Don’t get mad. What I said wasn’t that bad. My family’s richer than your family. Marrying me is not a bad deal for you.”
He pulled out a card. “Here’s 300 thousand dollars. Say yes and it’s yours.”
Kaia snatched the card–and slapped him across the face with it.
The edge of the card scratched his cheek, and he winced.
Kaia sneered. “You? I wouldn’t even hire you as a servant. Get lost.”
Heads turned from all over the café. Philip’s face twisted in anger. “You bitch. You’re lucky I even like you. I’m warning you–don’t be ungrateful. I’ll give you one last chance. Come kiss me, or-
Before he could finish, Kaia turned to leave.
“How dare you disrespect me!” Philip lunged for her shoulder.
Kaia spun, grabbed his arm, and flipped him clean over her shoulder.
Philip went flying into a table, crashed onto it, then hit the floor along with the table. He let out a howl of pain.
Kaia brushed off her shoulder like she’d just flicked away trash and walked out without a backward glance
Not long after she left, Casey stepped out from a corner.
Her eyes were ice–cold as she stared after Kaia. If she hadn’t been spying today, she wouldn’t have known Philip was into Kaia–and wanted to marry her.
Philip was her ticket into a rich family. She’d put all her chips on him, and she wasn’t about to let Kaia steal him away.
Casey pulled out her phone. I need you to round up some people-
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After leaving the coffee shop, Kaia headed to the research institute. The old professors swarmed around her as soon as they saw her.
“Dr. Bennett, you’re finally here. I’ve got a problem that’s been driving me crazy. Can you take a
look?”
“Back off! Get in line! Ever heard of first come, first served?”
“Dr. Bennett, remember that partnership with the Moreno Group you announced at the conference? They called a few days ago. Their CEO wants to meet you about the new nanomaterials -how to make the best use of them.”
Hearing Tobias wanted to meet her, Kaia thought for a moment. “Forget the meeting. We can talk online.”
“Okay, should I let them add you on WhatsApp?” asked the professor.
Kaia shook her head. “Use Telegram.”
She had Tobias’s WhatsApp, but not his Telegram.
“Alright, I’ll set it up,” the professor said.
Soon, Kaia added Tobias on Telegram.
Tobias dropped everything to send her a message: [Hello, Dr. Bennett.]
Kaia replied: [Hello.]
[I’d like to know more about the new nanomaterials.]
[Okay.]
Russell watched Tobias chatting with the famous scientist, his face green with envy. “Tobias, can! get Dr. Bennett’s contact info?”
“What for? Tobias asked, frowning.
Russell puffed up. “To show off, of course. My friends would lose it if they knew I had her number”
Tobias gave him a side–eye. “You’d bother her for something that dumb, huh? And do you really think someone like Dr. Bennett would accept your friend request? Don’t embarrass yourself.”
Russell pouted. ‘Hey, that’s not fair-
Before he could finish, Devin walked in with urgent papers for Tobias to sign
As Tobias set his phone down to sign, Russell snatched it and memorized Dr. Bennett’s number from her profile.
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“Russell, don’t be stupid,” Tobias warned, but it was too late.
Russell quickly keyed in the number and sent a friend request.
Tobias rolled his eyes. “I told you—she’s not gonna add you.”
“You never know. Maybe I’ll get lucky,” Russell said with a grin.
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Chapter 37
Chapter 37
