Betrayed, Then Back For Blood

Chapter 39

“That pretty girl everyone’s talking about is actually my sister,” Beatrice finally said, unable to hold it in any longer after the eighth guy who went up to ask Briar for her number came back looking defeated and embarrassed.

Her voice was low but clear enough for those nearby to catch.

Nancy clapped a hand over her mouth, wide–eyed. “Wait–she’s the one you told me about? She’s the one who got your dad to donate five entire buildings just to barely squeeze into Shoneport University?”

“What’s the deal?” Beatrice’s and Nancy’s exchange had piqued the curiosity of the crowd, and a few eager eavesdroppers leaned in, hungry

for the tea.

Nancy glanced at Beatrice, hesitating. “Beatrice, is it okay if I spill?”

Beatrice bit her lip, her face a perfect mix of awkwardness and reluctance. “Nancy, please don’t. My dad went through so much to get Briar into Shoneport. If she hears this, it’ll crush her.”

Her words, though brief, were loaded with implications.

standout student in the university’s Dance Department but also the

Beatrice’s sister. And from the sound of it, that girl didn’t have the grades to get in on merit. According to Beatrice’s words,

a solid reason for her to end up in Traditional Medicine. The field was fading fast, barely anyone’s first choice. It was the kind of major you could slide into

spoke hinted

starry–eyed admiration from earlier was gone, replaced by a cooler, more critical appraisal. After all, what good was a pretty face

tugged Nancy away. But as she

eyes.

Shoneport University?‘

Who helped her?

‘Was it…Dad?‘

the idea almost instantly. If her father had had the clout to charm the Shoneport board, Beatrice’s own admission wouldn’t have been such a grueling ordeal. She’d only gotten in thanks to Javier’s connections and her status as Jolene’s

could’ve pulled

knew anyone at

message to her mother, urging her to probe her father and find out whether

Beatrice’s text. She called Edgar immediately, probing delicately but

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