"Over ten others connected to the case were also sentenced. Half got the death penalty, and the other half got mostly suspended death sentences or twenty-year terms. The entire political sphere has been shaken."


    To say it was shaken was an understatement. The key official had even been


    released on bail a while back for medical reasons. Who knew what the appeal would


    bring.


    Noreen''s focus was stuck on two words: life in prison.


    Her hand, holding her phone, tightened into a fist.


    After a moment, she ced a call to Wade, keeping her voice as steady as she could.


    "Aren''t you leaving for school today?" Wade asked as soon as he picked up, his first concern being for her.


    "I''m at the airport now," Noreen said, trying to suppress her emotions. "I just wanted to call and let you know before I take off."


    "Go and focus on your studies. Don''t you worry about me, I''m doing just fine."


    A lump formed in Noreen''s throat. It took her a moment to regain herposure. "Okay. You take care of yourself. I''ll be back in Rivercrest City during the holidays. I''lle see you then."


    "Alright."


    Noreen didn''t dare say more. She quickly said her goodbyes and hung up. Any longer, and she knew she would have broken down. She had no idea how tofort Wade.


    "Noreen."


    Just as she wasposing herself, she heard someone call her name. She looked up to see Henry standing right in front of her. Dressed in a ck windbreaker and carrying arge messenger bag, he was smiling at her with his head tilted.


    "What are you...?" Noreen waspletely bewildered.


    Henry pulled a piece of paper from his bag and showed it to her. It was an eptance letter for a master''s program at WT Business School.


    Noreen''s eyes widened in surprise. "So this is what you''ve been so busy with?"


    "Yep," Henry confirmed with a firm nod. The moment he found out Noreen was going to WT Business School for her graduate studies, he had immediately applied for their master''s program. To get that offer, he''d practically studied himself into the ground. But now, he had achieved his goal and would be following Noreen to business school. Sanford Brooke had been incredibly supportive of his decision, even encouraging him to learn as much as he could from Noreen.


    "So, does that make you my junior now?"


    Henry''s smile was radiant. "Yes, it does, senior!"


    Wilbur only found out about it after Henry and Noreen had both arrived at WT Business School. He flew into a rage in their group chat.


    "You snake, Henry! When I asked you what you were doing, you wouldn''t say a word! So secretive, pulling moves like this behind our backs!"


    Henry replied, "You could have applied too."


    Wilbur typed back, "..."


    Yeah, no thanks. He hated studying more than anything. He''d rather suffer


    bitterness of love a


    thousand times than endurea single moment of academic misery.


    In the end all he could do was issue a threat to Henry. "You''d better take good care of Noreen. If even a single


    harron her read is out of ce, I''m holding you responsible!"


    Henry''s reply was firm. "Mission epted!"


    Wilbur then added another warning. "And keep an eye on her! Don''t let any of those foreign guys steal her away!"


    "Got it."


    Noreen, reading the messages, thought, "???"


    What was wrong with foreign guys? She might even have a beautiful mixed-race baby!


    Of course, she would never dare say that out loud. She had a feeling if she did Wilbur would be on a ne and at her doorstep by morning. It was better to just keep that thought to herself.


    At almost the exact same moment, a message from ire Chase popped up.


    "Babe! I heard foreign men are amazing! You have to date a few!"


    Noreen sighed. "..."


    With a friend like that, she was truly blessed.