<b>Chapter </b><b>40 </b>


    Frank, the undisputed heartthrob of Shoneport University’s Traditional Medicine Department, was a campus celebrity. His fanbase was massive, spanning both guys and girls who couldn’t get enough of his charm.


    So when news broke that some girl was cozying up to him on the first day of the semester, the campus rumor mill went into overdrive. Whether Briar had actually made a move or not, the looks she got from passersby wereced with judgment.


    The campus forum was aze, thement section a chaotic battlefield split into two camps. One side tore into Briar, branding her shameless for “throwing herself” at their beloved Prince Frankie.


    Students who’d been in the cafeteria when the photo was taken spilled more tea on the forum. They revealed Briar was from the Jennings family but had mediocre grades, only getting into Shoneport because her family allegedly shelled out for five new buildings.


    Thements came fast and furious, dripping with scorn.


    [What a joke! Does she think her fancy background makes her worthy of Prince Frankie?] one user sneered.


    Another chimed in: [She’s been at Shoneport for, what, half a day? And she’s already bold enough to take on Frankie’s rabid fan club?]


    Someone posted a mock–seriousment: [I will ask my assistant to dig up every detail on this Briar girl in the next sixty seconds. No way I’m letting some pretty face waltz in and mess with our Prince Frankie.]


    Others piled on: [Let’s not go too far, though. Her dad donated five buildings to get her in. Maybe we just teach her a lesson… you know, rich kid and all.]


    [Screw that! Why should we be scared of someone who bought their way into Shoneport?] another scoffed.


    One user called out: [Where’s Le, our Finance Department queen? Has anyone tagged her? If she doesn’t hurry, Prince Frankie’s gonna get snatched by some random freshman!]


    A reply shot back: [Not on our watch! The Fra fan club’s still here, and we’re not letting any other girl snatch him.]


    The post spiraled further into absurdity, skyrocketing to the top of the forum’s trending list.


    Like most college forums, Shoneport’s was a free–for–all. No real–name registration meant everyone could let loose, spewing whatever came


    to mind without fear of consequences.


    It was a cesspool of wild takes and unfiltered chaos.


    But not everyone was out to crucify Briar. Some were firmly in her corner–mostly because of her looks.


    At Shoneport, where beautiful faces were a dime a dozen, Briar’s stood out. Her sweet features paired with those cool, detached eyes had a


    maic pull,


    Guys weren’t the only ones smitten. Even some girls, catching a glimpse of her, were floored.


    [Okay, okay, forget the drama–can we talk about how this Briar girl isn’t even wearing makeup in that photo?] onementer gushed.


    Another, iming to be just ten feet away, confirmed, [Not kidding. I’m literally ten feet away from her right now. Not a trace of foundation. That’s her real skin.]


    [Seriously? A natural beauty like that in this day and age? Mind blown,] someone else marveled.


    One user mused: [If you think about it, can you me Frankie for being into her? If a girl that gorgeous came onto me, I’d be weak in the


    knees too.]


    Someone dered: (She’s stunning! Doe’s Briar have a forum ount? I’m ready to be her biggest fan!]


    Another jumped on the bandwagon: [Count me in! She’s stunning. I’m hopping on her fan train before this whole inte pile–on ruins her.]


    Briar scrolled through thements under the photo of her and Frank, her finger flicking across the screen with practiced ease. When she was done, she set her phone down, her face nk, unbothered.


    To her, this petty drama wasn’t worth her time.


    Frank, misreading her calm as hurt, shifted ufortably. “Briar, don’t let the forum nonsense get to you. It’s just people talking trash. Ignore it.”


    In his head, he was already nning to pull some strings and get the post deleted before it snowballed further. Most importantly, he had to keep this from reaching Ashton. If his brother found out, Frank might not survive the fallout.


    Briar had barely been at Shoneport for half a day, and already she was getting attacked online–all because of him.


    Well, if the words got out, that wouldn’t look good.


    Briar just nodded. “I get it. I’m not sweating it. Besides, I never had that kind of interest in you, so none of this fazes me.”


    She wasn’t some starry–eyed romantic who lived for drama. This kind of gossip was like water off a duck’s back.


    Frank’s shoulders slumped, a pang of disappointment hitting him. He forcéd a small smile, thinking to himself, ‘Ouch. I know you’re right, but did you have to say it like that?‘