Not A Small-Town Girl

Chapter 12-1

"Got your breakfast ready, sweetheart," Howard called from the stairs. "Your mom had the kitchen whip up all your favorites."

"Thanks, Dad. But I’m not hungry." Danielle’s hangover pulsed behind her eyes.

Last night’s memories crashed over her-throwing money at a corporate titan, demanding he carry her home... She buried her burning face in her hands. ’Why did I turn into such a hot mess? I never act like that drunk.

But of course, "not hungry" didn’t exist in a parent’s vocabulary, so before she knew it, her dad had already pulled her to the breakfast table.

Audrey seethed in the background, her pristine mask slipping just enough to reveal raw fury at being ignored.

you wanna take the entrance exam?" Howard said, watching his daughter eat so

mumbled between bites, suddenly starving despite

Audrey said, her voice bright and innocent, like she was the most thoughtful sister in the world. The way she acted, one’d almost believe she really cared about cheering her sister on-if one didn’t know

stood before the Darlings like something out of a dream. Its old, grand buildings seemed to whisper stories of generations of scholars who

feel like more than just a place to learn, but

froze at seeing Audrey. "Another entrance test? Isn’t Miss Darling already a student here?" His mind raced to uncomfortable conclusions about the possibility of a

other daughter," Howard explained, presenting

recognition at the sight of Danielle before he masked his reaction. ’Since when does she

Mr. Tucker. I’m Danielle Darling. Looking forward to studying at Moreno

is rich, Ryan thought. ’She wouldn’t show up before, and now she wants another entrance test? Since when is she a Darling?’ He had so many

diplomatically. "You’ll be taking three core