Chapter 228
“Alice, that mystery girl isn’t you, is it?”
A circle of girls surrounded Alice, their voices bubbling with excitement and
speculation.
Before Alice could say a word, her right-hand girl, Grace, jumped in.
“Who else could it be but Alice? My uncle is the vice-principal here he told me some inside scoop. The person who bought that dress isn’t from any of Ná´‡w É´ovel chaptá´‡rs are published on
Fairhaven’s usual big families. Whoever it is, their status is way above anyone in
this city.”
“My uncle said this VIP’s sweetheart is right here at Kingsbridge University!”
“So who could it be but Alice?”
“Honestly, is there any girl at our school with a more mysterious or privileged background than Alice?”
Grace’s uncle was Mr. Pierce, so when she laid out her analysis, the others believed her at once. Instantly, everyone was staring at Alice, stunned and envious.
“Oh my god, Alice, you’re way too modest!”
“I knew it had to be Alice! Remember those rumors about the dress going to Anastasia from sophomore year? Please, I never bought that.”
“Anastasia? She needs to take a good look in the mirror before believing that!”
“Exactly! The Sterlings are nothing compared to the people backing Alice. Just another mid-tier family-what is she always acting so smug for, anyway?”
Everyone knew that Alice and Anastasia, a sophomore, had never really interacted, but for some reason, they clearly disliked each other. Now that Anastasia’s name was brought up, everyone was quick to pile on.
Alice basked in their praise, loving every moment as they tore Anastasia down.
She smiled magnanimously. “Alright, that’s enough about this. Let’s not talk behind people’s backs.”
A single sentence-enough to tacitly admit she was the girl in question. “Wow, Alice, it really is you?!”
The shock in the group was palpable. Their tone grew even more obsequious. “Alice, you’re just too kind! I bet it was Anastasia herself who started that rumor.” “No doubt about it. Alice is so low-key; people just assume she’d never show off.”
“I wish you’d get a chance to really put her in her place, Alice-let her see who she’s actually dealing with.”
Once they’d finished trash-talking Anastasia, someone suddenly piped up, “Hey, Alice, can we come over to your place today?”
“Yeah, can we? I’ve wanted to see it for so long!”
“I just want to see how the truly wealthy live!”
Alice often posted photos of Rosewood Manor in their group chat, and everyone had been dying to see it in person. Now that someone finally spoke up, the others all chimed in.
Flushed with pride, Alice agreed instantly. “Sure, why not!”
After all, Mr. Harrison Lancaster and Anastasia were both away these days; her mom was in charge at Rosewood Manor. For now, it might as well be her own home—who would dare say otherwise if she brought people over?
Outside the school gates, in a coffee shop.
Anastasia glanced toward the window, narrowing her eyes.
Was that Alice she just saw?
“Anastasia, what’s up?”
“Nothing.” She drew her gaze back inside. Across from her sat Maggie and a couple of other girls.
They didn’t have any core classes this morning, and their electives were all at different times. Maggie had asked to meet up, so here they were at the café.
“So, what did you want to talk about?” Anastasia asked, curious.
Maggie perked up immediately, her eyes bright. “Did you hear? There’s a rumor that someone really important is coming to our Founders’ Day celebration!”