Adrian pushed himself to his feet and headed straight for the door. "Zachary, change the flight to tomorrow."
"Got it," Zachary replied.
Behind them, Lucas hurried over, dragging a wheelchair from beside the wardrobe. "The wheelchair—don't forget the wheelchair! You're still technically crippled right now!"
***
At Imperial University, in Finance Class One, every student stared at Riley the moment she walked into the lecture hall—as if they'd just seen a ghost.
She looked perfectly fine with a stuffed bunny tucked in her arms.
Rylie rushed forward the moment she saw her, grabbing Riley's arm and pulling her into a seat.
"Riley, where did you disappear to these past two days?" she demanded, breathless. "I was worried sick. People were saying you got kidnapped—like you were sold off to some remote island to have kids for some random guy. Is that true?"
Riley's lips twitched. "No. I was sick."
"You sure?" Rylie clearly didn't buy it.
Her complexion was glowing.
Her skin so soft it practically shimmered.
Who looks this good after being sick?
Riley blinked innocently. "I really was sick. I fainted on the road, and a kind person took me to the hospital."
"Fine, fine. I'll believe you—for now." Rylie waved it off, then frowned. "But you missed the rest of the exams. Have you even thought about what you're going to do now?"
If Riley couldn't stay at IU, I'd be left with no friends.
Sigh…
Rylie felt a wave of gloom settle over her.
Riley tilted her head. "No rush. I can just take a make-up exam."
"As if!" Rylie rolled her eyes. "Imperial University doesn't do make-up exams. If you fail, you fail. And the entrance exam only happens once. There's no way they'd let you retake it!"
The thought hit Rylie all at once, and she suddenly burst into tears, clinging to Riley.
"I don't want you to leave, Riley! Why did you have to get sick now of all times? If you go, I'll be all alone. That'd be so boring!"
Riley was speechless.
Ugh, can she stop talking like that? It's driving me insane. What am I supposed to do with her?
Just then, an unpleasant voice cut in from behind them.
"Sick? She clearly skipped the exam on purpose because she knew she wouldn't pass. Trying to save face, huh?" The girl let out a mocking laugh. "Too bad your little plan failed. Imperial University isn't going to keep a fool like you around."
It was Miranda—Felicia's best friend.
Rylie spun around and glared at her. "Mind your own business, you old hag!"
Miranda's chest heaved with anger, but as a so-called refined young lady from a prestigious family, she couldn't bring herself to snap back. She just stood there, fuming silently.
Soon, Professor Lane walked in, holding an A4 sheet—it looked like the results.
Miranda and Rylie both fell silent instantly, sitting up straight, nerves tightening.
Professor Lane scanned the room, then let his gaze rest on Riley before speaking in a low voice. "The entrance exam results are out. Class representative, put the list up and send a photo to the class group chat. After you've all checked your results, I'll go over a few things."
The class representative, a boy, stepped forward to take the sheet. A flicker of surprise crossed his face, but he quickly masked it. He snapped a photo and sent it to the group chat.
A chorus of notification sounds filled the lecture hall—pings and buzzes overlapping in quick succession.
Everyone instinctively pulled out their phones, scanning the long list of names for their own.
Moments later, laughter and relieved sighs spread through the room.
"I made it!"
Every name on the list had passed IU's entrance exam. Smiles lit up across the class.
But then, someone sharp-eyed suddenly spoke up.
"Sir… why are there only thirty-nine names on the list? Aren't we missing one person?"