<b>Chapter 140 </b>


    “Ruben, Briar sent more good news!” Without caring about anything else, Larry rushed into Ruben’s office, carrying hisptop. After closing <b>the </b>door behind him, he eagerly pulled up the chat interface and showed it to Ruben.


    Usually calm andposed, Ruben’s pupils contracted slightly upon reading the message. It was indeed good news, but he still reminded the overly excited Larry, “Larry, this is apany. Mind your emotions. Don’t let anyone with ill intent notice anything unusual.”


    In order to draw out the big fish hiding deep beneath the surface, they deliberately let those small fry stay in thepany. Sometimes, they even let those “fish” catch glimpses of their movements inside thepany.


    Larry took a deep breath, forcing himself to suppress the excitement on his face,


    and


    I nodded. “Got it.”


    Only then did Ruben lower his voice and begin discussing with Larry who they should send into Shoneport to carry out the task Briar had just sent.


    Too many negative rumors had been circting around Shoneport Universitytely. For the sake of the school’s image and reputation, the student council went all out this year for the annual campus king and queen contest.


    Not only did they double the usual rewards, but they even hosted a small dance party to apany the event, inviting all faculty and students to join the festivities.


    The university generously provided a massive auditorium that could hold nearly ten thousand people, adding to the lively atmosphere.


    As for this year’s campus king, there was no doubt. Just likest year, it went to Frank. To all the female students at Shoneport University, this alcof prince had an unmatched charm.


    But thepetition for campus queen was fierce. Fromst year’s winner, Le, to the up–anding Beatrice, all were strong contenders. Yet in the end, they were all defeated by the controversial Briar. So, the campus queen title went to her again this year.


    Briar stood expressionless, epting the congrattions from the crowd. Some were envious<b>, </b>some jealous, some resentful. “Thanks…”


    Frank stood beside her, grinning more brightly than the roses around them, like he had just won campus queen himself. “Thanks to everyone’s support! Let’s all have fun tonight at the dance!”


    The legendary aloofness of Frank was nowhere to be found. His smile was so wide it was practically free.


    Even the usually dense Mason couldn’t take it anymore and nudged him. “Prince Frankie, tone it down a little. You’re scaring people away.”


    Frank showed eight sparkling teeth, still smiling hard. “I’m just too happy! Winning the campus king two years in a row. What an honor!”


    Mason didn’tment.


    Frank’s good <i>mood </i>carried right into the evening’s dance party. Even when Briar declined the opening dance, he didn’t mind. When other girls came to invite him, he epted every single <i>one</i><i>. </i>


    He was like a walking heart–thief, lighting fires in hearts across the floor, full of irresistible charm.


    Le sat in a corner of the rest area, watching the scene with Lydia, Mia, and Abbie. Watching Frank spinning on the dance floor<b>, </b>she felt like <b>she </b><b>was </b>seeing <b>a </b>god tear himself down from his pedestal


    Mia held it in as long as she could, but finally asked, “Is that really our Prince Frankie?”


    Lydia took a deep breath. “I think so…?”


    Abbie took a big sip of juice. “So Prince Frankie’s <i>this </i>friendly because the campus queen is Briar this year? That’s <b>why </b><b>he’s </b><b>so </b><b>happy</b><i>?</i><i>” </i>


    As soon as she said it, Le’s face dropped, “What’s there to be happy about, over a girl who won her title through gossip <b>and </b>randal?


    <b>As </b>much as she hated to admit it, the reality was right there.


    in past years, after winning the campus king title, Frank always kept a low profile. The moment he saw girls, he would practically vanish on <b>the </b>spot


    The difference was night and day.


    Of course, all the noise and excitement had nothing to do with Briar. She sat alone in a corner near the buffet, holding two tes of food. She <b>ate </b>leisurely, bored, watching theughter and merrymaking on the dance floor.


    The dance party was open to all faculty and students. Briar saw Sawyer. He was dressed sharply in a tailored suit and looking every bit the refined gentleman. He walked toward her, but her face didn’t show the slightest reaction.


    “Our campus queen. Why are you hiding here instead of joining the party?” Sawyer asked naturally, holding a ss of pale blue–purple cocktail.


    Briar nced at him ndly. “Inconvenient. I’m injured.”


    Sawyer raised an eyebrow and pretended to show concern. “Injured? Briar, how did it happen? Is it serious? Do you need me to take a look?<b>” </b>


    Briar smiled, “Dr. Hemsley, did you forget I’m a doctor too? It’s just a scratch. No need to bother the school doctor over something so minor.”


    Sawyer tapped his temple with two fingers, faking a sheepish look. “Must be the alcohol. My brain’s not working. Totally forgot about your brilliant medical skills…”


    Briar acted like she didn’t catch the probe hidden in hispliment and nodded calmly. “Decent enough. Haven’t lost a patient yet. My hands are clean of blood.”


    Sawyer’s gaze flickered. He masked the twitch at the corner of his lips with a sip of wine. So, Briar really was suspicious of him.


    He wondered if it was the mysterious and powerful Ashton who discovered something, or maybe Briar herself caught on.


    “Hey, Briar, what are you doing here? We’ve been looking everywhere for you.” Frank came over with most of theirb group, except Mia. They were loud and energetic, almost pushing Sawyer aside. Then he plopped down right into the seat Sawyer had just left and shed his usual dazzling grin.


    Briar fought back a twitch in her lip and yed along. “I was hungry. Just came here for food.”


    “You’re injured. You should eat more good stuff to recover. Themp chops are amazing. I’ll go get you some…” Frank talked the talk, but his butt stayed glued to the chair.


    Instead, it was straightforward Mason who dashed off and returned quickly with two sizzlingmb chops. Briar took them and nodded politely. “Thanks,


    Mason.”


    Mason grinned. “No problem at all!”


    Everyone was quite familiar with Briar by now, and they quickly got chatting. Perhaps intentionally or not, the conversation remained firmly <b>on </b><b>the </b>topic of traditional medicine,pletely ignoring the only modern medicine representative present, Sawyer.


    Eventually, he left quietly, wearing a polite but awkward smile.


    Frank thought, ‘That guy’s trouble. With Ashton not around, I’ve gotta keep an eye on Briar.‘


    Briar smiled and shook her head. “Too obvious, Prince Frankie.”


    Frank didn’t care. “Let it be obvious! You think I’m scared of him? If he dares touch me, Ashton’ll have a perfect excuse to take him <b>out</b><b>.</b><b>” </b>


    Ted looked puzzled. “Since when did you have this much hostility toward a school doctor?”