The Queen They Buried

Chapter 253

Daxton personally escorted Carmen into the exam hall. “Aubree hasn’t been studying for long. Carmen, your scores were solid–you’ll surely do better than someone like her who’s just looking for a shortcut,” he said.

“Mhm!” Carmen looked up at Daxton, her eyes sparkling with admiration and dependence–something Daxton clearly enjoyed.

Carmen was undoubtedly sharp. She had a clear grasp of her situation. At first, she enjoyed the privileges of being the family favorite and acted without restraint. But now that the dynamics had shifted, she no longer knew whose side she needed to be on.

So now, she was putting all her energy into winning over Daxton.

Daxton relished Carmen’s admiration. He knew that Ronald had plans to use Carmen in a marriage alliance, but what really got under Daxton’s skin was the fact that Carmen had feelings for Alvin.

After a moment’s thought, Daxton said, “Carmen, don’t stress. Even if your results aren’t great, I’d never let them marry you off.”

Carmen did not catch the storm of emotion in Daxton’s eyes.

She turned and walked into the exam hall.

sat in silence, the heavy air of the

Quinn,” the mysterious man funding her education. In her mind, “Mr. Quinn” was a stern, successful middle–aged man, the type who rarely smiled. Beyond

Mr. Quinn in person. He might not expect anything in return, but a sincere

family, “Mr. Quinn” had vanished without a trace—as if he had disappeared from the face of

skimmed

subject was Odionlandian. It was not Aubree’s strongest–math and science were her real strengths–but her language

over the paper and started writing with focused determination. The essay topic was

For a second, Aubree froze, a flicker of emotion passing through her eyes. But without even needing to

twice, and only left the exam hall when the final bell rang, joining the stream

waiting at

the people Aubree did not want to see made their presence

away with Bryan, waving at her. Behind them, a

magnet.

but frown. ‘Ugh,