Chapter 2

Before I could stop him, he had already ticked the option for Medford College on the screen.

"Aaron, I don't want to go to this school."

Even I did not notice the tremor and coldness in my own voice.

I pulled his hand away and warned him flatly, "You know how much time and effort the Brooks family spent raising me. There's no way I can choose a school like this and keep disappointing my parents."

"How would your parents be disappointed? You're not even their biological daughter…"

The moment the words left his mouth, Aaron quickly corrected himself.

"Besides, don't they already have another daughter now? And college entrance exam scores don't define a person anyway. You're talented no matter where you go. You'll shine anywhere."

Remembering what the floating comments had said, I stared directly into his eyes.

"What about Yvonne Brooks?"

"Her?" Aaron sneered with obvious disdain. "That real daughter they just brought back? She has no manners and no class. Even if she gets into university, she won't amount to much."

His words were harsh, but there was an unmistakable softness hidden in his eyes.

A kind of indulgence.

"You're right," I said calmly. "Gold shines no matter where it ends up."

I snatched the mouse from his hand.

"In that case, I'll fill out my application myself."

"Just remember to pick Medford College." He watched me patiently. "Go on, hurry up and submit it. Why are you dragging this out?"

Right then, his phone suddenly rang.

He glanced at the screen, and almost instantly, the corners of his lips curved into a gentle smile. His fingers moved rapidly as he replied to the messages, so focused that it was as if I no longer existed.

Looking at how eager he was to leave, I forced out a smile.

"If you've got something to do, then go ahead."

Even as he was leaving, he still turned back to remind me, "Remember, you have to choose Medford!"

Meanwhile, the floating comments above my head scrolled wildly across my vision.

[The real daughter prepared a maid outfit as a reward for the male lead. She's already waiting for him at the hotel!]

[Damn, sneaking a taste of forbidden fruit right after graduation? That's wild.]

[Supporting female character, don't throw away your future for a man. Your life belongs to you. Don't become part of their little game.]

I quietly exited the application page.

Then I changed my university choices.

Because to me, my future mattered far more than any man.

After resubmitting my applications, I even edited a fake screenshot and sent it to Aaron.

Sure enough, my phone vibrated almost immediately.

[Chloe, I knew you'd apply to Medford. I knew you'd stay with me!]

[There's a class reunion tonight, and I've got a surprise for you too. Did you see the dress on the table? You have to wear it tonight. Make sure you dress up beautifully before you come.]

The moment he saw the screenshot I sent, he could not wait to message me.

I looked toward the cheap paper bag sitting beside the table.

Inside was the 'surprise' dress Aaron had prepared for me.

I pulled it out and immediately saw the awful quality. The fabric was cheap synthetic material, with loose threads sticking out everywhere.

Even the floating comments could not help mocking it.

[So the male and female leads want to humiliate the supporting female character in public, but did they really have to pick such a cheap knockoff?

[If she's actually willing to wear that dress to the reunion, that's true love right there. The thing is ugly and practically see-through. Then the female lead can show up in the authentic version and mock her fake heiress identity all over again.]