NovelStartLauren and Angelina arrived at the venue together, but Angelina was stopped by members of the student union and security guards at the entrance.
"I'm sorry, but you can't enter without a student ID." The school had tightened security due to the previous incident, especially for large events like this one.
After being rejected, Angelina looked embarrassed. Normally, she would have fought with anyone who stopped her, but she couldn't do that at school. She didn't want to embarrass Lauren and make her life difficult in school.
"Angie, I'll be fine," Lauren said, holding Angelina's slightly calloused hand and gently squeezing it. "If you're worried, just wait here for me. If anything happens, you can rush in to protect me, right?" Reluctantly, Angelina agreed. "Alright, Madam Lauren. I'll wait here. If you feel sick, just senda text." Lauren nodded and followed the crowd into the auditorium.
As the event began, the doors were closed.
The timid Lauren didn't dare to sit in the front row, so she found a seat in a corner at the back.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtWhen she saw the black piano on the stage, her heart skipped a beat. Her pale hands trembled as she tightly gripped them together.
Sof the traumas buried in her mind throughout her student years resurfaced, seemingly haunting her once again.
As the ceremony was about to begin, the lights on the stage con while those in the audience dimmed.
The noise around her gradually quieted down.
Lauren lowered her eyes and hesitated to look up at the stage.
In her eyes, the black piano seemed more like a giant monster, ready to devour her at any moment.
Suddenly, footsteps in high heels approached from behind. It got closer and closer until they stopped at Lauren's row.
Although Lauren had kept her head down, she felt someone sitting beside her.
"It's been a long time, Lauren." The familiar, sultry voice carried a hint of mockery and jest. It was like a sharp blade scraping against Lauren's throat, cutting off her breath instantly.
A chill ran down Lauren's spine. In panic, her shoulders couldn't stop trembling.
"It's quite obvious that you're spoiled. You're really different now that you have my brother backing you up." Zoe, wearing sunglasses, provocatively raised her brightly painted red lips with a cold sneer. "We're classmates, after all. If you really marry Landon in the future, I'll be your sister-in-law. It's not appropriate for you to ignore me, is it?" Lauren's breath caught in her throat, and she firmly gripped her phone.
She remembered Angelina's instructions, but after much hesitation, she still didn't send her a text.
After all, Zoe was Landon's sister, while Angelina was just a subordinate. Even if she did send a text, what good would it do? It would only cause trouble for Angelina. Lauren didn't want to put her in a difficult position.
"Is there anything you want to talk toabout?" Lauren's voice was barely audible.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmWith her legs crossed, Zoe tapped her slender fingers on her knees, playing a silent melody.
However, it resounded in Lauren's ears like thunder.
A huge shadow loomed over her.
"I want to talk to you about Landon." The sunglasses hid the sinister glint in Zoe's eyes. "You should know what he's been busy with lately, right? He's been working day and night, managing the Harper Group's affairs. He's just one step away from becoming the president." Lauren remained silent. Of course, she knew. She knew better than anyone that Landon had put in all his efforts to get where he was today.
"Although Grandpa values him highly, he's not exactly sitting pretty at Harper Group. My Uncle Preston is Grandpa's only remaining son and more qualified to be the heir than Landon due to his experience.
"This means that even if Landon becomes the president, there are still many challenges ahead. Sigh. I'm not sure if an idiot like you can understand what I'm saying." "I'm not an idiot," Lauren retorted.
Facing such blatant insult, she summoned unprecedented courage and looked at Zoe with red eyes.
"I'm not an idiot. Please stop callingthat."
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