<b>Chapter </b><b>7 </b>
Briar’s <b>pretty </b><b>eyes </b>sparkled with mischief as she nced at Beatrice. “No, I’m going to Shoneport University”
<b>“</b><b>Shoneport </b>University?” Edgar nearly choked. “Do you even know what kind of students they take? They’re all from top–tier families. <b>With </b><b>your </b>grade”. <b>from </b><b>that </b>no–name school in Qathana, even if I tripled my donation, it wouldn’t cut it.”
Briar’s rxed smile turned cold. “Then donate more. Isn’t that how Beatrice got in?”
Actually, Briar had finished all her sses by the time she was fourteen. She was now the top–tier professor, Ms. Bree, <b>at </b><b>the </b>famous <b>Atrington </b>University<b>, </b>teaching high–level finance to global elites.
But she’d kept all that quiet, known only to those closest to her. Edgar only knew she skipped school a lot to race cars, so he assumed she was just <b>an </b>underachiever who couldn’t get into a real college.
Since Briar wouldn’t hand over her shares in thepany, Edgar figured he’d just keep her busy by tossing her into some random college.
As for the shareholders‘ meeting she wanted to call tomorrow, Edgar had already moved fast while she was gone. He’d pulled strings<b>, </b>made calls, and locked things down.
Even if Briar tried to remove him as CEO, the big shareholders wouldn’t go for it. He’d hold on to the Jennings Group <b>no </b>matter what.
But now, hearing Briar’seback, Edgar almost lost it. “You ungrateful—”
Briar seemed to expect this reaction. She didn’t even flinch. The sly look in her eyes made Edgar’s‘ skin crawl.
He forced a calm voice and exined stiffly, “Shoneport University is the best in the city. My donations alone aren’t enough. Beatrice only got in because I donated five buildings, and Javier pulled some strings.”
Beatrice added softly, “Yeah, Briar. Even with Dad and Javier helping, I barely made it. With your grades, Shoneport University probably won’t take you.<b>” </b>
They all thought Briar had just fooled around overseas and ended up at some random school. Her talk of getting into Shoneport University felt like <b>a </b>total joke.
Briar looked bored. She leaned back in her chair, crossed her arms, and sneered, “If you won’t help, I’ll handle it myself. If I want to get into Shoneport University, I’ll get in.”
Edgar and Beatrice were stunned by how cocky she was. They didn’t even know how to respond.
From the sofa, Camden nearly spat out his coffee. He coughed, then sneered, “You? Get into <i>Shoneport </i>University? That’s a dream.”
Briar’s smile faded as she nced over at him. There was no real threat in her gaze, but it still made Camden tense up.
Still, he pushed on, not wanting to look weak. “The president at Shoneport University is <i>from </i>the Goodwin family. That’s one of the top four families in the city. Even the Hargreaves family members have to wait in line to talk to him. Who the hell do you think you are?”
Camden was sure of himself. In his mind, Briar was just some clueless girl from Qathana, totally cut off from Shoneport’s inner circles.
Halle, sitting beside him, let out a smugugh. “Come on, Briar. You’ve got to know your limits. Shoneport University isn’t for people like you to y
around in.”
Sure, Briar had the title of Jennings heir–but in Halle’s eyes, without the right background <i>or </i>support, it didn’t mean anything.
Briar took it all in, her grin turning colder. “If you can’t help, then shut up and stay out of it.”
Just then, the servant brought over a steaming te of pasta. Briar took it, didn’t even nce at the others, and dug in like she owned <b>the </b><b> </b>
The Jennings family wasn’t in the same league as the city’s wealthiest, but Edgar still loved to show off. The house was bright and <b>shy</b><b>, </b><b>full </b><b>of </b><b>expensive </b>
<b>Chapter </b>73
<b>decor </b><b>and </b><b>glittering </b><b>chandeliers</b>.
<b>Under </b><b>the </b><b>lights</b>, <b>Briar’s </b><b>face </b>looked even more striking <b>as </b>she ate.
<b>Her </b><b>skin </b><b>was </b>wless, her neck slender, and her fingers long and delicate as she held the fork. Even sitting there <b>alone</b><b>, </b>she <b>gave </b><b>off </b><b>a </b>quiet,mandin vibe–distant<b>, </b><b>but </b>impossible to ignore.
<b>Edgar </b>had never liked Briar, but even he had to admit–she outshone Camden and Beatrice in a lot of ways.
Briar <b>ate </b><b>fast </b>but neatly, finishing the pasta in under ten minutes. Then she wiped her mouth with a napkin and stood <b>up</b>. Her <b>eyes </b>met <b>Edgar’s </b>as he returned <b>to </b><b>the </b>sofa.
Her look was casual, evenzy, but cold enough to make Edgar feel uneasy.
“My room ready?” she asked as she headed for the stairs and grabbed her suitcase.
It wasn’t clear if she was talking to Edgar or the servant.
The servant looked at Edgar first. Seeing <b>no </b>answer, she bowed slightly. “Yes, Miss. It’s thest room on the second floor. I’ll show you.”
Once Briar was out of sight, Beatrice finally snapped, “Dad, are we really just letting her walk all over us? What if she causes problems <b>at </b>Shoneport University?”
What she really wanted to say was that she was scared her ssmates would find out she had a half–sister like Briar–one who didn’t go to <b>a </b>fancy school, didn’t have a polished background, and didn’t care what anyone thought.
Even if they were half–sisters, Briar still carried the Jennings name. That alone was enough to cause Beatrice stress. Briar might not care about her reputation, but Beatrice sure did.
Besides, the way the servant treated Briar with such respect made Beatrice burn inside. Briar had only just gotten back, and already she was taking over<b>. </b>
“Rx. She can talk big all she wants, but she’s not getting into Shoneport University,” Edgar said. “You saw how hard Javier had to pull strings just to get <i>you </i>in<i>.</i><i>” </i>
He didn’t believe Briar could manage anything on her own.
The Grant family might’ve had power, but most of it was overseas. They didn’t have any real pull at Shoneport University.
Beatrice blinked, “Dad, shouldn’t we at least pretend to help her? What if she fails and drags <i>our </i>name through the mud?”
“With her attitude, if she actually got into Shoneport University, that would be the real embarrassment,” Edgar scoffed. He sounded authoritative now that Briar was gone. “Let her try. I want to see what she thinks she can actually pull off.”
Of course, what he didn’t say was that he was still scared of Briar. The way she’d roughed him up earlier had shaken him more than he cared to admit.
If anyone found out his own daughter hadid hands on him, he’d never live it down.
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