Chapter 34

Chapter 34:

Fernanda had every intention of declining. Such competitions simply didn’t pique her interest.

However, Cristian had been a substantial support to her throughout the day, and she felt a sense of indebtedness toward him.

Turning him down directly would have seemed unappreciative, so she found herself agreeing more swiftly than she expected.

“Alright,” she conceded.

Cristian’s reaction was subtle, his lips curling into a slight smile as he acknowledged her acquiescence.

“Then it’s settled p>

Fernanda pulled the motorcycle to a stop outside the elegant Dawn Villas. Hopping off, she returned the helmet, her tone appreciative.

“I won’t keep you any longer. Thanks p>

“Keep the motorcycle,” Cristian suggested unexpectedly. “You’ve still got a few more exams. Cars might be banned on campus, but a motorcycle slips right through. It’ll help you dodge those reporters at the gate p>

The image of the daunting crowd of reporters at the entrance flashed through Fernanda’s mind. Indeed, it was an intimidating barrier.

Cristian’s proposal seemed like a practical solution to her predicament. Seeing no downside, she accepted with a nod.

“Thank you p>

Watching her slender figure vanish into the shadows of the Dawn Villas, Cristian allowed himself a moment of reflection, his eyes narrowing and a soft sigh escaping his lips.

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Things had gone smoothly today. She hadn’t rejected his help, and it felt as though the gap between them had genuinely narrowed.

Inside the opulent interior of the Morgan family’s villa, Ector and Erika were lounging in the living room.

Erika, misreading the blank expression on Fernanda’s face, jumped to the conclusion that she had missed her exam and was downcast. This misconception filled her with a perverse sense of satisfaction.

That same morning, Ector had come home, his mood soured by a traffic mishap. He told Erika that Fernanda had made a desperate attempt to sprint all the way to Esaham University.

Erika had quickly done the calculations. No matter how swiftly Fernanda might have run, it was impossible for her to arrive on time.

She confirmed with Ava that Fernanda hadn’t shown up at the exam location two minutes before it was set to begin. Clearly, Fernanda had missed the exam.

Moreover, Erika had been monitoring the media closely. The reporters stationed outside hadn’t captured any shots of Fernanda.

Given that Fernanda had missed this crucial exam, even acing the upcoming ones wouldn’t suffice for her to pass.

Success was now beyond Fernanda’s reach.

Erika’s sense of triumph intensified. Fernanda’s failure seemed certain. Erika was curious to see how she would now try to explain the whole situation to Robert.

As soon as Ector spotted Fernanda walking in, he rushed to her with a look of concern and asked,

“Fernanda, how did it go p>

Without a word, Fernanda simply shook her head and made her way upstairs.

Observing Fernanda’s silence from her position on the sofa, Erika’s happiness only grew.

Once alone in her room, Erika called Ava, her voice dripping with joy.

“Ava, if only you could have seen the look on her face when Fernanda returned. It was absolutely priceless! You’d be as thrilled as I am now p>

“No effort wasted, then,” Ava responded with a smug tone. “I orchestrated that traffic jam to block her path. Once the results are released, I’ll pay to have it splashed across the headlines. Let’s see how she holds up after this p>

“I’ll talk to my dad and make sure she’s removed as soon as possible,” Erika declared, her voice laced with malice.

Did that naive country bumpkin honestly think she could come back and win their father over? Absolutely not.

The more Erika mulled over it, the greater her sense of satisfaction grew.

From Ector’s point of view, something about Fernanda’s subdued air suggested she might not have made it through her exam. He yearned to offer her comfort, yet the right words eluded him. He found himself regretting not setting out earlier that day, which might have helped them dodge the snarl of traffic.

With another exam scheduled for the afternoon, Ector volunteered to give Fernanda another ride, but she flatly turned him down.

“I’ll manage on my own,” Fernanda declared, nodding toward the motorcycle parked outside.

Ector scrutinized it more closely. It was a top-of-the-line Harley, a limited edition that came with a hefty price tag. His eyes widened in astonishment.

“Fernanda, this is p>

“A friend lent it to me,” Fernanda interjected sharply, cutting him off mid-sentence.

She was familiar with the model and well aware of its value. However, since it was Cristian who had given it to her, the extravagant cost hardly fazed her.

“Just be careful,” Ector advised, his tone laden with concern. The memory of the morning’s mishap lingered, prompting him to hesitantly broach the subject. “About this morning p>

Picking up on the unease in his demeanor, Fernanda offered a radiant, calming smile. “Really, it’s fine p>

The warmth of her smile unraveled the tight knot of tension in Ector’s chest. His eyes lit up with understanding—he realized she had managed to take the exam. A wave of relief flooded him, and he mirrored her smile with a heartfelt one of his own.

“That’s good to hear. Best of luck with your remaining exams,” he murmured.

With a nod, Fernanda swung her leg over the motorcycle and revved the engine before zooming away.

Ector watched her departure, admiration dawning on his face. Fernanda exuded an effortless cool that he hadn’t seen before in anyone else.

She wasn’t just another pretty face relying on her looks or stylish clothes—though she was undeniably striking.

It was her aura, her self-assured presence that truly set her apart. Fernanda carried herself with an innate confidence that was simply captivating.

Esaham University had its fair share of affluent students who flaunted their motorcycles, so Fernanda’s arrival on her Harley merely turned heads without causing a stir.

As she parked under the building where her exam would be held, a whistle caught her attention.

It turned out to be Wendy, the same girl she encountered during the morning exam.

Hands casually tucked in her pockets, Wendy strolled over and gave the motorcycle’s back seat an appreciative pat.

“That’s a great bike, gorgeous. Mind giving me a ride after the exam p>

“Absolutely not,” Fernanda replied with a smile, eyeing Wendy curiously.

“Do you have an extra pen with you now p>

Wendy flicked a pen from the depths of her jeans pocket, spinning it adeptly between her fingers.

“Nah, just this one. If it breaks again, I’ll just borrow yours,” she said with a nonchalant shrug.

Fernanda’s lips curved into an easy smile.

“Okay p>

The exam wrapped up at five in the afternoon, and Wendy slipped Fernanda a slip of paper with an address written on it.

The name hinted at a bar—one evidently a good distance from their current location.

Located in the complete opposite direction from Esaham University, the bar required Fernanda to embark on a journey that stretched well over an hour by motorcycle.

As soon as they arrived, Wendy stumbled off the motorcycle and bent over, her body shaking as she retched violently.

Concerned, Fernanda quickly purchased a bottle of water and handed it to Wendy, who was struggling to regain her composure.

“You seem so cool and collected most of the time, but when you’re riding, you’re downright reckless,” Wendy remarked, her voice a mix of amazement and mild criticism.

Reflecting on the nerve-wracking ride, she felt her heart still thrashing wildly within her chest.

Fernanda hadn’t just sped. She had masterfully darted through traffic, making daring maneuvers. At each sharp turn, as the motorcycle tipped precariously, Wendy had clung on, her fears escalating with every tilt.

“Apologies for that,” Fernanda responded, a slight shrug in her tone.

“To me, that’s just normal speed p>

She paused, realizing her oversight.

“I got carried away and forgot I wasn’t alone today p>

Wendy, still grappling with the adrenaline and disbelief, was at a loss for words.

She hadn’t taken Fernanda for such a daredevil.

Wendy broke the silence with a grin and a quick thumbs-up in Fernanda’s direction.

Fernanda truly was remarkable.

Washing out her mouth, Wendy then suggested,

“How about you come inside for a bit? I’ll treat you to a drink p>

“Do you own this bar?” Fernanda asked, her voice calm but her gaze sharp with interest.

“No, I just work here,” Wendy responded, her face breaking into a warm smile.

“You’re a singer p>

With a hearty chuckle, Wendy said,

“If you’re in the mood for music, I might as well sing you a song p>

Fernanda arched an eyebrow, prompting Wendy to clarify.

“I’m actually the bartender here p>

Fernanda gave a nod of approval.

“Okay then, impress me with a drink p>

With a playful snap of her fingers, Wendy ushered Fernanda inside.

The bar was bustling, pulsating with loud music and throngs of lively patrons.

As soon as Fernanda settled at the bar, a loud shout cut through the noise.

“There you are! I’ve been looking everywhere for you p>

Turning, Fernanda was met with a group advancing toward her, their presence imposing and slightly threatening.

To her astonishment, Bobby was at their forefront.