Chapter 23
She hurried over to the window, snapped a photo of the sunlit garden outside, and posted it in the group chat.
[Alice: The sun is blazing out there-I don’t even want to go outside.]
The picture was filled with rare, meticulously tended flowers and shrubs. One glance at the garden’s size, design, and amenities, and it was obvious to anyone with eyes that Alice’s “home” was anything but ordinary. Updates are released by ÍŸ.net
The group chat immediately lit up with exclamations.
[Grace: Wow, Alice, your garden is gorgeous! Where is this? Can we come over sometime?]
Reading the envious, flattering messages, Alice felt a surge of satisfaction.
It took a while for the wave of admiration to subside before someone finally changed the topic.
[Wendy: The school’s annual flower-giving event has started again. Some upperclasswoman I know already got a bouquet-I’m so jealous! Honestly, with my grades, I’ll be lucky if I ever get one in my life!]
[Sophie: It’s not just about grades, you know. If your family’s got connections, you can always pull some strings. I heard a freshman already got one this year.]
[Grace: Wait, really? @AAAlice did you get one? If you did, can I have a stem? Pretty please~]
Alice didn’t reply. She tossed her phone aside, but picked it up again, ready to type something snarky about how a bouquet was no big deal-she had everything she wanted anyway. Right then, the housekeeper, May, hurried over and knocked on her door.
“Alice, there’s a delivery from Kingsbridge University! It’s flowers-are they for you?”
Alice’s heart skipped a beat and her eyes lit up. She jumped to her feet. “Where is it?”
She ran downstairs. Sure enough, someone was waiting with an enormous bouquet. But instead of her name, the card read: “For Mr. Lancaster.”
“These are for Mr. Lancaster?” Alice asked, a little breathless.
The delivery person nodded. “Yes, that’s right.”
May could hardly contain her excitement. She nudged Alice with her elbow and whispered, “Mr. Lancaster definitely ordered these for you! You’re the only one in the family with ties to Kingsbridge University!”
Alice’s pulse raced.
May went on, “Remember when you got into Kingsbridge? Mr. Lancaster said he’d reward you, but then that woman snatched your room. This must be his way of making it up to you!”
A sweet, giddy feeling bloomed in Alice’s chest. She reached out her hands. “Mr. Lancaster’s out right now-just give them to me!”
The delivery person left, and the maids nearby all chimed in with knowing smiles.
“See, Alice? Mr. Lancaster still cares about you. He’s just finding ways to cheer you up!”
“Exactly he didn’t send them to the lady of the house, only to you. Isn’t it obvious what he means?”
One of them was even more straightforward. “Honestly, I wouldn’t be surprised if you became the lady of the house yourself someday, Alice!”
Alice blushed, equal parts pleased and embarrassed. Chin held high, she
declared, “Alright, that’s enough. Back to work, everyone!”
She hugged the bouquet to her chest and skipped upstairs, barely able to contain her excitement.
Back in her room, she snapped photos of the bouquet from every angle and sent them all to the group chat.
[Alice: Flowers have arrived~]
[Wendy: Holy crap, that’s huge! It’s like three times the size of the upperclasswoman’s bouquet! And if I’m not mistaken, those are all the rarest kind,
right?!]
[Grace: Ahhh Alice I want one! Can you please give me a stem? Please, please!]
Alice didn’t know much about flowers, but seeing everyone so excited and envious made her beam with pride.
[Alice: Wait, mine’s different from everyone else’s? I had no idea.]
Basking in the attention, she didn’t hesitate to promise Grace a flower.
Meanwhile, Anastasia’s phone rang. It was Harrison.
“Did you get my gift?”