Chapter 13 Oriston Academy
Sharon froze for a second and instinctively looked at Martin. “Dad, what do you say?”
Martin, still fuming, snapped, “Let’s go. If we’re not welcome here, we might as well stay at the hotel. Let’s wait for your brothers to get back.”
Normally mild and soft–spoken, Martin was clearly at his limit this time. He planned that bringing Sharon back would help her reconnect with Roxanne and the rest of the family, but Roxanne’s attitude was too cruel.
Martin felt like if Nicholas hadn’t shown up when he did, Sharon would’ve been in real trouble.
“Alright.” Hearing Martin’s reply, Sharon made up her mind. “I’ll go get my stuff.”
“I’ll come with you,” Martin replied without hesitation.
Roxanne was shaking with rage. “Unbelievable. Sharon, how dare you defy me like this? You’re just like your uncultured brothers.
“I actually thought you might be different, but you’re all cut from the same worthless cloth. I should’ve known that. A woman like your mother couldn’t possibly give birth to a decent child.”
A flicker of annoyance crossed Sharon’s face, and her decision to leave became even firmer. Since her family didn’t want her, she had no intention of staying any longer. Sharon headed to her room to pack her things, but soon, someone uninvited came. Karen asked, “Shari, are you really leaving? Grandma scolded you for your own good. Don’t you think leaving like this is a bit rude?”
Sharon didn’t respond. She just kept packing her things.
Karen couldn’t stand the thought of Sharon leaving with Nicholas. Just picturing them side by side made her want to claw her eyes out.
“Did you and Nicholas know each other before?” Karen asked again.
She thought bitterly, ‘Nicholas actually stood up for this country bumpkin? Since when did he like to get involved in this kind of thing? That’s not the Nicholas I know. Ever since Sharon showed up, I’ve had a bad feeling.‘
“Move,” Sharon snapped, dragging her suitcase past Karen without so much as a glance.
At that very moment, she looked aloof and proud, completely untouchable. Karen couldn’t take the humiliation. Her expression turned grim, and she shot back,”
Hey, don’t be so full of yourself. Once you leave the Vance family, you’re just a nobody just like your eight good–for–nothing brothers.
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Chapter 13 Oriston Academy
“You will have to say goodbye to one of the four families forever.”
“Get lost.” Sharon shoved Karen aside and walked off, cool and composed.
When Sharon stepped back into the main hall, Nicholas was still there.
As Sharon approached him, Roxanne’s voice rang out from behind, bitter and sharp. “If you walk out today, don’t even think about coming back.”
“So what?” Sharon turned halfway, her tone light. “What, are you reluctant to let me go?
Roxanne was so angry that her blood boiled all over. She snapped inwardly, ‘Wake up. I never said that.‘
Madeline stepped forward and asked, “Sharon, have you ever heard of Oriston Academy?”
Sharon paused for a second. The name did sound vaguely familiar.
Madeline added, “Oriston Academy is the best school in the region. The House of Ivory trains the most elegant young ladies–every one of them ends up successful or married into money. And the House of Obsidian? That’s where elite martial artists are born.
“Everyone dreams of getting in, but hardly anyone makes the cut. If you do, your whole life changes. It’s a place where dreams actually mean something.”
Madeline’s tone was grand, her eyes wide like she was reciting a sacred oath.
“Well.” Sharon’s face was blank, and she felt it was boring.
‘So that’s Oriston Academy? Not a no–name school, and clearly not desperate for students either. But still, I’m not interested, thought Sharon.
Madeline said, sounding smug, “Sharon, maybe no one’s told you this, but kids from the four families get priority in the Oriston selection process.
“Even if you can’t get into House of Obsidian, you can still study at House of Ivory. But the catch is–you need a letter of recommendation, and only the family head can sign
it.”
She paused for a second and added, “But if you step out that door today, you’re no longer part of the Vance family, which means no letter, no school, and you’ll end up just like your eight brothers.”
Martin cut in, “That’s not fair. Sharon is also a Vance. Why can’t she attend that school?
Roxanne shot back, “Because this ungrateful brat has the nerve to challenge me.”
Martin knew exactly what was going on. He clenched his fists and thought, ‘So this is how she manipulates people. No wonder the boys left so disheartened.‘
Sharon gave Martin a small smile. “It’s fine, Dad.”
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Chapter 13 Oriston Academy
She wasn’t interested anyway. Besides, she had already received a recommendation letter from Oriston Academy.
Just then, Nicholas spoke up, “We can handle the recommendation letter for you.” Roxanne’s face went beet red. “This is our family’s business. Don’t stick your nose in and make yourself ridiculous.”
Nicholas showed no expression at all. He didn’t even bother answering her.
Sharon turned away and said, “Let’s go.”
Just like that, the two of them walked right past Roxanne like she wasn’t even there.
Watching them leave, Roxanne lost it and smashed whatever was within reach. “That brat. She’s just useless.”
“Don’t get yourself worked up, Grandma. Sharon is not worth it.” Karen stepped up, trying to earn some points–though deep down, she was a little thrilled.
She wondered, ‘If Sharon can’t get into Oriston Academy, she’ll miss out on debutante training. Every wife of the big four families goes through that.
‘Without it, the Baxter family will never let her marry Nicholas. I’ve still got a shot. Marrying into high society isn’t as simple as it looks.‘
Walking out of Graceville Manor, Sharon saw there was only one car, and it couldn’t fit six people.
Nicholas hadn’t planned on leaving with Sharon and her family. He’d just come to drop the gift off and check on her. He said, “You guys leave first. I’ll wait for another car.”
Sharon turned to Martin. “Dad, you guys can go back to the hotel first. I’ll catch the
next ride.”
Sharon thought one car wasn’t enough anyway, and she didn’t mind taking a later one.
Martin glanced at Nicholas and nodded. “Alright.”
Martin mused, ‘With Nicholas here, Sharon will be safe. And since they’re engaged, a little time together might not be a bad thing. Once Sharon marries into the Baxter family, no one dares bully her again.‘
He added with a meaningful tone, “No rush. You can come whenever you want.”
Sharon didn’t expect that remark from Martin, but she didn’t say anything.
The black luxury car soon pulled away, leaving Sharon and Nicholas standing there.
