When fate plays its hand (Miranda)

Chapter 0800

Evelyn replied, “You need to go. Don’t think that just because you got into grad school, you can stop maintaining relationships. Your grades are still in their hands. Sending a little something never hurts. Look at the gourmet honey and bracelets from last time…”

“Gifts, gifts, gifts! All you ever think about is sending gifts! That’s called bribery, do you even understand?” Tina shouted back at her in frustration.

Evelyn froze for a moment, then jabbed her finger at Tina’s forehead. “You ungrateful daughter! Who do you think I’m sending gifts for? Am I stupid enough to send boxes of expensive things to someone else for no reason? Without those gifts, do you think you’d be thriving under your mentor’s care?”

Tina’s face twisted into a bitter smile. She began to laugh with tears streaming down her face, her voice laced with sarcasm. “For me? Really, was it all for me?”

Evelyn stared at her, stunned. “What’s wrong with you? Don’t scare me like this…”

“Admit it,” Tina snapped, swatting away Evelyn’s hand. “You’re doing all of this for your pride, to make up for your own regrets!

Her voice grew louder. “It’s all because you didn’t graduate from a top university! Because you went into showbiz at a young age, and even though you married my dad, Grandma always looked down on you for your low education and poor background!

“That’s why you demanded so much from me and my brother–perfect grades, top universities, studying abroad, grad school, even a PhD!

grad school on my own merit. Just like you, I’m not cut out for this

under investigation, and the bribes we gave her have been exposed. The college is

Tina stormed upstairs, leaving Evelyn frozen

fell to the floor, and the beauty device slipped from her limp hand. Her straight posture slumped, and her once–youthful demeanor seemed to age a

the academic scandal shook the university and rippled through the broader public. The college worked frantically to manage the fallout, restoring its reputation, while online commentators celebrated what they called a historic victory

the center of it all, disappeared

+25 BONUS

Chapter 0800

actions had sparked widespread change,

been dealt with. She was fired from Bedford College and stripped of her academic titles. The scandal had reached its conclusion in the public eye, but for Joli, the personal consequences lingered.

college’s official efforts to help him find a new mentor, every attempt ended in rejection.

spaces, students avoided him, and mentors subtly evaded his presence, afraid

silently. The only person who

to go to

go ahead. I’ll wait until it’s