CHAPTER II

The Billionaire's Hidden Granddaughter

Episode 2 – The Group Project

The next morning, Nomie arrived at National University Manila earlier than everyone else. She quietly walked across the campus, carrying a cup of coffee and a pile of books. She preferred peaceful mornings, when the hallways were still empty and she could prepare for her classes without distractions.

She found a bench beneath a large acacia tree and opened her Bible.

"Lord," she prayed softly, "thank You for giving me the chance to live a simple life. Help me stay humble and protect my heart from anything that will distract me from my purpose."

After a few minutes, she closed her Bible and smiled.

No matter what happened, she knew she wasn't alone.

---

Inside their Business Management classroom, Professor Reyes entered with a stack of folders.

"Good morning, class."

"Good morning, Professor," the students answered.

"This semester, sixty percent of your final grade will come from your major project. You'll work in groups of three."

The room immediately filled with excitement.

Everyone hoped to be grouped with their closest friends.

Professor Reyes began reading the names.

"Group One..."

After several groups had been called, he looked at the final list.

"Group Twelve..."

"Nomie Dawson."

She stood.

"Cedrick Ramos."

Cedrick smiled politely.

"Present."

"Fatima Gonzales."

Fatima confidently raised her hand.

Nomie's heart skipped a beat.

Out of all the students...

They had been placed in the same group.

---

"Looks like we'll be working together," Cedrick said with a friendly smile after class.

Nomie nodded.

"I'll do my best."

Fatima crossed her arms.

"We're aiming for the highest grade. I hope everyone can keep up."

"I understand," Nomie answered calmly.

Cedrick noticed the uncomfortable atmosphere.

"How about we meet at the library this afternoon?"

Both girls agreed.

---

The university library was quiet except for the sound of turning pages.

Nomie had already prepared an outline before Cedrick and Fatima arrived.

Cedrick looked surprised.

"You finished this already?"

Nomie smiled shyly.

"I just wanted to save us some time."

He carefully read every page.

"This is... impressive."

"The research is organized."

"The references are complete."

"The ideas are excellent."

Fatima forced a smile, but inside she felt something she had never expected.

Jealousy.

Professor Reyes had always praised her work.

Now Cedrick couldn't stop complimenting someone else.

"So," Cedrick said, "why don't we use Nomie's outline as our foundation?"

Fatima quickly interrupted.

"I think we should make another one."

Cedrick looked confused.

"Why?"

"I just think we can do better."

Nomie quietly lowered her eyes.

"If you'd rather start over, it's okay."

Cedrick noticed that she didn't argue or defend herself.

Instead, she simply accepted the criticism.

For some reason...

That made him admire her even more.

---

Later that afternoon, the three walked through the campus after finishing their meeting.

A group of girls passed by.

One whispered loudly enough for everyone to hear.

"Isn't that the new nerd?"

Another laughed.

"Those glasses are bigger than her face."

The girls burst into laughter.

Nomie kept walking.

She pretended she hadn't heard anything.

Cedrick frowned.

"That wasn't nice."

Nomie smiled gently.

"It's alright."

"People judge what they see."

"They don't know my story."

Cedrick looked at her in silence.

There was no anger in her voice.

Only peace.

---

From a distance, Fatima watched the conversation.

She noticed the way Cedrick looked at Nomie.

It wasn't love.

Not yet.

But it was respect.

And somehow...

That frightened her.

---

That evening, Fatima met her closest friends at a nearby café.

"I don't trust that girl," she said.

One of her friends laughed.

"Seriously? Her?"

"Look at her."

"Messy hair."

"Cheap clothes."

"Oversized glasses."

"She's harmless."

Fatima slowly stirred her drink.

"That's exactly why she's dangerous."

"They're the type no one notices..."

"...until it's too late."

Her friends exchanged confused looks.

"What are you going to do?"

Fatima's lips curved into a faint smile.

"I'm going to make sure Cedrick never sees her the way he sees me."

---

Meanwhile, inside the Dawson Estate...

Don Emilio sat in his office while reviewing reports from his security team.

"Miss Dawson is adjusting well."

"No threats?"

The head of security hesitated.

"Our men noticed the same unidentified person watching her again."

Don Emilio's expression darkened.

"Have you identified him?"

"No, Sir."

"He disappears every time our agents get close."

The old billionaire slowly stood and looked out the window.

"Protect my granddaughter."

"No matter what happens."

"I have a feeling someone knows more about her than we do."

---

The following morning...

Nomie arrived at her locker.

She smiled as she reached for the handle.

But the moment she opened it...

Sheets of paper fell onto the floor.

Every page carried the same cruel message written in bold black ink.

"Stay away from Cedrick."

Students nearby stopped walking.

Some whispered.

Others laughed.

Nomie slowly picked up the papers with trembling hands.

She looked around.

Who could have done this?

Not far away, someone secretly watched her from the second-floor hallway.

A faint smile appeared on the stranger's face.

"This is only the beginning..."

End of Episode 2

Cliffhanger: Who left the threatening messages inside Nomie's locker—and is it really Fatima, or is someone else manipulating the situation from the shadows?