?Chapter 365:


    “Ellie, I noticed Kaiden wasn’t with you today. Does he not like our family?” Cecelia hadn’t seen anyone apanying her.


    “No need to worry, Grandma. He was busy today. I’ll introduce him to you next time.”


    Cecelia discreetly let out a sigh of relief. Recalling the previous call to Ellie, when Kaiden had answered, Cecelia wanted to avoid the pressure of dealing with that young man again.


    “Ellie, there’s something I’d like your help with,” Cecelia said.


    Ellie smiled, holding Cecelia’s elderly hand. “Grandma, today is all about you. Just tell me what you need; there’s no need for formality.”


    “Your sister has run into some trouble at school. Knowing you’re an honorary alumna of Critport University with good connections, could you lend her a hand?”


    “What happened to her?”


    It took Ellie a moment to realize that the “sister” Cecelia referred to was Demi.


    “I’m not entirely sure. The school wants her to leave.” Cecelia sighed with concern. “She’s still so young; dropping out seems too harsh.”


    “Hold on, Grandma. I’ll investigate and get the details.”


    Ellie checked the university forum but found no information about Demi. She then reached out to Howard for details.


    Howard promptly responded on WhatsApp, “Demi copied her major assignment, failed the final exam, bribed the activity coordinator, and had issues with her admission. There was initially a post about it on the forum, but it was deleted by her studio’s contact at the university.” Howard then asked, “Ellie, why do you inquire about this? Is the Gordon family pressuring you to conceal Demi’s actions?”


    Ellie was surprised. How did Howard know about her connection with Demi? But now wasn’t the time for inquiries. She replied with gratitude and set her phone aside.


    Ellie rified, “Grandma, the problems Demi caused are significant. I’m just a graduate; I can’t impact the university’s policies.”


    “Ellie, you haven’t given it a try. How can you be certain it won’t work? You just don’t want to help me!” Demi burst into the room, pointing at Ellie with an usation. “Did you create that forum thread? It must be you. No one else wants to see my failure!”


    “So, you’re here.” Ellie rose from beside Cecelia’s bed, casting a cold gaze at Demi. “Since you’re here, why didn’t you join me when I was singing the birthday song for grandma?”


    Upon entering, Ellie spotted Demi’s bag and coat on the coat rack.


    Demi remained silent, merely locking eyes with Cecelia.


    “Ellie, please help Demi just this once, for my sake!” Cecelia implored, gripping Ellie’s hand. “If Demi gets expelled, she’ll be aughingstock. Today is my birthday, and fulfilling this wish is my birthday request. You won’t disappoint me, will you?”


    Ellie gazed at Cecelia with disbelief. A sudden realization dawned on her that Cecelia now seemed like a stranger. She questioned why Cecelia had an early birthday celebration. It appeared the birthday was merely a pretext, with the true motive being to enlist her assistance for Demi. Now it made sense of Litzy’s unusually friendly demeanor.


    It was understandable for Cecelia to plead for Demi, given their familial connection. However, using a birthday wish as a maniption tactic felt like a betrayal. Ellie’s heartfelt birthday wishes now felt like a cruel joke. She had arrived with joy, only to find herself ensnared in a trap of maniption.


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