ore Kaia could say a word, the senior professors could no longer stand it and immediately spoke
- up.
“I heard you got into Morganburg University, so you must be pretty talented. But why do you talk so crudely? She’s at least your sister by family, and here you are, shouting that she’s trying to seduce someone in front of everyone. How do you think people will look at her if they hear this?”
“This is downright vicious! It’s outrageous! How did the Bennett family end up with someone as spiteful as you?”
“If you weren’t the adopted daughter of her parents, I’d have you thrown out of Morganburg University right now. A student like you is nothing but a blight in a prestigious institution!”
As the professors‘ voices filled the air, Andrea’s face went ghostly pale, her mouth hanging open in shock. Inside, panic surged through her, and her resentment and envy toward Kaia only burned
hotter.
None of those heavyweights were people Andrea could mess with, and they were all speaking up for Kaia. If she kept pushing her luck, no doubt she’d be the one to take the fall.
Thinking about that, tears streamed down her face as she broke down, sobbing uncontrollably.
Andrea said with sobs, “I didn’t mean to. I was just really worried about her, afraid she’d do something she’d regret forever. I’m her sister. I can’t just stand by and watch her keep messing up over and over.”
Kaia scoffed. “Worried about me? Worried about what, exactly?”
Andrea was sobbing her eyes out. “Kaia, don’t try to deny it. I heard all about it. You paid some guy to pretend to be your boyfriend at school. I heard he’s super handsome, probably just a gigolo. Kaia, how could you go for a gigolo? People like that… Aren’t you worried about ruining your reputation? Sure, everyone says you’re just a country girl who hasn’t seen much of the world, but that doesn’t mean you should just give up on yourself and act out!”
Andrea’s words were so calculated that anyone who didn’t know the truth would think Kaia was totally careless with her body and reputation, just out there messing around with gigolos.
Sure enough, the crowd around them started whispering and gossiping.
“No way! That girl looks pretty decent! She doesn’t seem like the kind who’d mess around with gigolos.”
“Well, you can’t judge a book by its cover. Who knows what she’s really up to behind the scenes? Didn’t you hear what her sister just said? If she didn’t have some proof, would she say that about her sister? And besides, this is Dr. Bennett’s research institute. What’s a girl like her doing dining with
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all those senior professors? She must have used some shady tactics.”
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“Shh! Keep your voice down! Are you trying to get yourself in trouble? If you say she used shady tactics, aren’t you saying she seduced someone at Dr. Bennett’s institute? If those old professors hear you, your fate… tsk…”
“Tch! Like I care. Besides, didn’t you hear her sister say Kaia’s hooking up with gigolos? What’s wrong with me calling her out for it?”
Listening to all the gossip, Andrea couldn’t help but feel smug. ‘Hmph! So what if she’s having dinner with those big shots at Dr. Bennett’s institute? In the end, she’s still getting crushed under my heel!‘
Honestly, Andrea was convinced that everything Kaia had–being the top scorer, her connections at the institute–was all thanks to her dirty little secrets.
Just then, Tobias stepped forward, standing shoulder to shoulder with Kaia. His face was all busines: as he stared Andrea down. “You say I’m a gigolo? Got any proof?”
Andrea was so shocked that she forgot to squeeze out her fake tears, just gaping at Tobias, who was ridiculously handsome, way beyond what she’d expected.
She thought, ‘Wait, it’s him? The guy who picked up Kaia at the school gate that day. It’s actually him!‘
His looks could make the sun and moon pale in comparison, and that commanding presence? No way was he some gigolo. He was on a whole different level.
The people who had been badmouthing Kaia just a moment ago suddenly went quiet.
They thought to themselves, ‘This is the gigolo Andrea was talking about? When did gigolos start wearing designer suits? Since when do they have this kind of aura and presence?‘
‘And let’s not forget this is the Splendor Hotel. The people who dine here are either loaded, powerful, or well–connected. There is no way a gigolo would ever show up at a place like this.”
‘So… we’ve all been played by Andrea? She was just trying to smear her sister’s name?‘
‘Damn! If that’s true, that’s just evil! A woman’s reputation is everything, and she just slandered her sister in public. Cood thing someone spoke up, or Kaia would’ve been gossiped about everywhere
she went
With that, everyone looked at Andrea with disgust and contempt. Some people couldn’t stand it anymore and started calling her out right there.
Andrea was so anxious that she was practically jumping around like an ant in a hot pan. Louis, standing beside her, turned and said, “What you said earlier was way out of line. You should apologize to her.”
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He said this partly because Andrea had gone too far, and partly because the tide had turned against
her.
Andrea bit her lip hard, her eyes swollen and red as she looked at Kaia. “I’m sorry, Kaia. I acted rashly just now. Please don’t get me wrong. I really didn’t mean to slander you. I was just too worried and panicked, and in the heat of the moment, I forgot where we were. I’m sorry! Kaia, can you forgive me, please?”
Kaia was absolutely repulsed by Andrea’s performance.
“You never change, always putting on a show, Andrea. Let me tell you–don’t think everyone’s a fool. Just because you’re good at acting doesn’t mean everyone’s buying it.”
When the people around heard that, their gaze toward Andrea grew even more strange and uncomfortable.
“Kaia, I’m really sorry. If that’s not enough, I’ll even get down on my knees for you. I…”
Before Andrea could even kneel, Kaia turned to Stephen. “I remember she said she wanted to work hard to get into the institute, but honestly, I don’t think we should let someone like her in. What do you think, sir?”
Hearing Kaia use that formal “sir” again, Stephen felt even more out of place, and he started
sweating even more.
But after all, he was someone who’d weathered plenty of storms in his life, so he managed to keep
his cool.
“You’re right. Even if she were some kind of genius, our institute wouldn’t touch someone like her. Besides, her so–called talent? It’s nothing to write home about.”
Stephen’s words struck Andrea like a thunderclap from above, leaving her completely shattered and pale as a ghost.
Kaia couldn’t be bothered with her anymore. “Professor Weaver, I have something else to take care of, so I’ll head out now. Thanks for all your guidance and advice today. I did learn a lot.”
Stephen and the other professors awkwardly kept up
the
pretense.
They freaked out. “No, no need to thank us.”
Kaia didn’t bother with the formalities anymore and simply walked away.
She had barely stepped out the door when she realized Tobias was right behind her.
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Chapter 53
