Chapter 27
In the Ivywood University, the moment Alice stepped onto campus, Esme threw an arm around her. "I heard that David's back from his trip."
Alice shot her a look, "And?"
Esme arched an eyebrow and smirked, "Aren't you gonna invite me over, bestie?"
Alice rolled her eyes, "You think I don't know what you're up to?"
Esme tossed her hair back. "Oh, come on. I just wanna check out David up close. Plus, the Tudor brothers' looks are all top-notch."
Alice gave her a sarcastic thumbs-up, "And the age too."
Esme went quiet.
In the first class of the morning, Alice was so tired she passed out on her desk.
It was all David's fault. Ever since he got that fever, he turned into a total charmer. His usual cold vibe was gone, and he kept saying all these flirty things, making her toss and turn all night until she saw the sunrise.
Alice snoozed through the morning, with Declan Martinez keeping an eye on her. After class, Declan called her to his office, and wouldn't you know it, Oliver was there chatting with some other teachers.
When Alice walked in, Oliver's eye twitched.
Declan slammed his textbook on the desk. "Alice, what's your deal? Is the classroom your new bedroom? What were you up to last night? Partying till dawn? Or do you think you can just breeze through college and still graduate?"
When Alice got in as the top student, the teachers had high hopes. But before her first semester was even over, rumors flew that she was bullying classmates and causing trouble.
At first, they didn't buy it, but after seeing Alice throw down with another girl, they couldn't deny it.
Alice kept her head down, saying nothing. Declan realized he might've been too harsh and figured she knew she messed up.
Only Oliver knew Alice was stubborn as a mule. If a few harsh words could make her cry, she wouldn't be Alice.
"Alright, I didn't call you here to chew you out. There's a quiz tomorrow, and it's easy for you. Get ready for it. Let me be clear, if you bomb this quiz, I'm calling your parents!" Declan said sternly. "College is easier than high school, and there aren't as many classes, but you picked this major, so take it seriously. Don't wait till senior year to regret it."
Alice nodded.
Declan waved her off, "Alright, alright, get outta here."
After catching up on sleep all morning, Alice finally felt like a human again.
She stretched, heading back to the classroom to grab her backpack.
Halfway there, her phone buzzed.
Alice glanced at it, her relaxed vibe vanishing in an instant.
After half a minute of no answer, Celeste was about to hang up when Juniper stopped her and shook her head.
"Hello," Alice finally said.
Celeste jumped right in, "Alice, we need to talk. Meet me at the restaurant; I've already got us a table."
Leaning against the wall, Alice chuckled, "We’re not exactly besties. Why would I have a meal with you? Afraid it might ruin your appetite?"
"You—" Celeste started, but Juniper took the phone, walked to the window, and said, "Alice, it's me, Mrs. Davis."
Alice's face went stiff, and she stayed silent.
Juniper kept going, unfazed, "Celeste can be a bit much. Don’t mind her. We just want to have a meal with you today. Take a cab, and I’ll cover the fare. By the way, I want to talk to you about Lucas."
Alice asked, "Talk or threaten?"
Juniper laughed, "Depends on how you take it. I’ll send you the address. Hurry up and come over; don’t keep us waiting."
Juniper hung up, her smile dropping as she sat back down with a look of disgust.
"You just can't keep your cool! Who does she think she is? If Lucas didn’t like her, do you think she’d deserve to be Miss Bailey of the Bailey Family?" Juniper patted Celeste’s shoulder and said earnestly, "As long as I’m here, everything in the Bailey Family belongs to you!"
Celeste was the eldest daughter of the Bailey Family, and she naturally deserved everything. So what if Lucas didn’t like her? Once Lucas was out of the picture, the Bailey family would be under Juniper’s control. If Marcus dared to stand up for Alice, the illegitimate daughter, she’d deal with him too!
About twenty minutes later, Alice showed up.
Juniper called the waiter to bring the menu to Alice. Alice opened it without hesitation and started ordering. After a bit, she looked at Juniper with an innocent smile, "Mrs. Davis, you’re not gonna make me pay for this meal, are you?"
With the waiter standing there, Juniper forced a smile, "Of course not. I’ll cover it. How could I ask you to pay?"
"Good," Alice said, then ordered a lobster.
Juniper shot daggers at Alice. Once the waiter left, she dropped the act and got straight to the point.
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