Zara Zeller and Skylar Sommers both nodded. “With your looks, Claire, you absolutely have the right to be picky.”

“Does the guy really need to be stronger than you?”

To Skye and Zara, Claire was already incredibly capable.

If she chose a man who was weaker than her, wouldn’t that be boring?

“I honestly don’t mind, but if I find someone too weak, my family probably wouldn’t approve,” Claire replied.

Skye thought of Claire’s gorgeous cousin and the high-end meals her family had delivered; her family background had to be wealthy.

If some freeloader actually managed to date Claire, her family would probably skin him alive.

Even if she were Claire’s mother, she wouldn’t agree to Claire marrying a guy like that.

To put it simply, they wouldn’t be a match.

“It’s better if you don’t get married at all, Claire. Just thrive on your own, or find someone you genuinely like.”

“But he definitely has to be obedient, sensible, and be your strongest supporter.”

Zara thought that sounded like a perfect arrangement.

Claire clearly looked like someone who had never lacked money growing up; what she needed was someone who truly cared for her.

Just like how her father had chosen her mother.

Her mother wasn’t necessarily the most powerful woman, but she gave her father the utmost support in their daily lives.

She didn’t manage the household chores herself, but she knew how to hire the right staff.

“Don’t think that far ahead.” Claire felt she didn’t need to worry about that right now.

She already had a fiancé on probation, after all.

“What about you, Lex? Have you thought about it?” Claire felt Lex might not even be looking for a man.

But who knew when things might change?

“I want to find someone who can help me with my career so we can build a life together. I also want someone whose family doesn’t have backward, sexist views.”

“If I can’t find that, I’ll just stay single.”

“No marriage, no kids.”

That sounded pretty good too.

Lex’s past experiences had driven her to make choices different from the rest of them.

Claire thought Lex was incredibly clear-headed; a girl like her was destined to be a powerful woman in her own right.

She knew that as long as she broke free from her toxic family, she would live a great life.

“You’ve got this, Lex! I believe in you!”

Claire raised her iced coffee and clinked cups with Lex.

The others tapped their cups against Lex’s as well.

Right now it was just casual chatter among a group of college girls. Who knew if their predictions would actually come true down the line?

For the upcoming fall break, Claire decided to return to Apex.

Pandora was in Apex, and it wouldn’t feel right if Claire didn’t go back to visit her. There was also Mary.

She needed to check in on both of them.

Sophia and Shirley had also made plans with Claire to meet up in Apex.

Apex was a beautiful city. When Zara heard she was heading back, she eagerly

asked to tag along for a vacation.

“I want to visit Apex too!”

Skye, however, hesitated.

“Should I go too? My mom told me to come home for the break, but unfortunately, I couldn’t snag a ticket.”

Claire urged her to come.

“Just come. You can stay at my

place. a great opportunity to travel without even having a hotel” .

Claire’s offer was incredibly tempting to Skye.

The only remaining question was Lex.

“If we all leave, will Lex be okay staying at the dorm by herself?”

Lex didn’t mind at all.

“You guys go ahead. I’ll hold down the fort.”

“I joined the Hometown Student Union Group and already decided to pick up some

extra shifts over the break.”

There was no way Lex could afford to relax like her three roommates.

She had to study and work part-time to earn her living expenses. Otherwise, how would she survive the semester?

Besides…

Yesterday, her mother had actually called to demand money.

She claimed her younger brother needed to buy study guides and pay for tutoring, complaining that his poor grades required them to spend more money.

When Lex refused, her mother had cursed her out viciously over the phone.

Lex kept all of these heavy burdens to herself, unwilling to share them with her roommates.