The car went quiet. Shanley and the three brothers all shut their mouths. They knew she was right. Being known as "the renowned actor''s sister" was already enough of a headache. Adding "fiancée of the Schwartz Group''s heir" to the mix would mean she''d never have a moment''s peace for the next four years.


    As for Harold and Melvin, their rtionship with her hadn''t been made public yet, and their presence would only stir up unnecessary trouble.


    They had the right to escort her, but not the courage. Helplessly, they could only watch as the youngdy walked away.


    As soon as Juniper stepped through the campus gates, she became the center of attention.


    "Is that her? The perfect-score schr, Juniper?" a group of girls nearby started whispering. "Oh my god, how can she look like that in person? She is even more beautiful than she appears online. More importantly, she isn''t wearing any makeup. A natural beauty! The campus queen title is definitely going to change hands this year."


    "A perfect score, gorgeous, and her brother is the nation''s heartthrob, Jimmie Tate..." a new student sighed. "What window did God possibly close for her?"


    "I wish I could get an autographed picture of Mr. Tate from her," another girl said before hesitating. "Never mind, she looks so intimidating. I''m too scared." "Hey, freshman!"


    Suddenly, several male students came running toward her from all directions.


    "You''re Juniper Payne, right?" The boy in the lead enthusiastically started listing facts about Era University. "We''ve been waiting for you! The dorms are this way."


    "How about an iced milkshake?" another boy sidled up to her right, his face stered with a grin as he stared at her. "Don''t worry, it''s half-sugar. You won''t gain any weight."


    "Just rx and let me handle your registration."


    "I''ll do it!"


    "No, me!"


    "Let me!"


    The boys practically started shoving each other in their eagerness to help.


    "Tch." A couple of senior girls


    passing by let out contemptuous


    sneers. "This is Era University, not


    some second-rate private school lik?


    Aurora High. Causing a scene


    boys the second she arrives So trashy."


    "So what if she got a perfect score? Why the act?"


    th


    "She''s been all over the trending topics for days now," herpanion added, her face twisted with


    jealousy Who knows if she staged it at herself Being pretty certainly has its advantages."


    The boys fawning over her were all well-known campus heartthrobs. They had apparently been waiting at the gate for her and pounced the moment she appeared, like dogs who''d never seen a beautiful woman before.


    How pathetic!


    Juniper had nned to wait for J and Queenie at the entrance, but now she was surrounded. She frowned slightly. "No, thank you."


    "Don''t be shy, we''re all fellow students," the upperssmen insisted, their eyes glued to her face.


    Juniper pulled a piece of candy from her pocket. As she looked up, her eyes met Shanley''s in the car. He was staring right back at her, and he did not look happy.


    Tch. Was he jealous?


    "Alright, then," Juniper said, cing her suitcase on the ground with a thud. She raised an eyebrow. "You want to help? Be my guest."


    The suitcase contained equipment for Harold''sb. It wasn''trge, but it was incredibly, incredibly heavy. At least 330 pounds.


    The guy with the buzz cut stepped forward, ready to show off for the pretty girl.


    "Just one suitcase, Juniper?" he asked casually, bending down to lift it. "This kind of thing is a man''s job, after all."


    As he spoke, his body went rigid. Huh? Did he just fail to lift it?


    "My hand slipped," the guy mumbled, trying to recover his dignity as he tried again.