Ethan''s expression darkened, and it was clear he was lost in thought.


    "Grandpa, take care of your health. I''lle visit when I have time." He didn''t agree to anything and simply ended the call.Property of N?)(velDr(a)ma.Org.


    By the time I returned to the dorm, it was already afternoon. After finalizing two versions of the design, I double-checked my schedule to confirm that I didn''t have any sses for the rest of the day. Then, I copsed onto my bed, exhausted. "Evelyn, wake up!"


    I jolted awake from a shove and looked up to see Sharon and Brenda calling me.


    It was still bright outside, and I grabbed my phone to check the time-it had only been half an hour since I fell asleep.


    "What''s going on? I''m so tired; let me sleep a little longer." I tried to lie back down, but they firmly held me in ce. Both of them wore worried expressions.


    Brenda gritted her teeth. "It must be that bitch Leah stirring up trouble again."


    "Exactly! How can she be so disgusting? Poor Evelyn," Sharon chimed in.


    I rubbed my eyes. "Didn''t you guys already rant about thisst night? You didn''t wake me up just to let me hear youin again, did you?"


    "Of course not!" they replied in unison. "Something''s happened; you can''t sleep anymore."


    Sharon and Brenda exchanged nces, and finally, Sharon told me the important news, "Mr. Ward wants to see you in his office. The instructor tried to call you but couldn''t get through, so they called us."


    Mr. Ward? The university president? I remembered what the professor saidst night and started to piece things together. Brenda looked at me. She hesitated before saying, "Evelyn, maybe you shouldn''t go. I don''t have a good feeling about this." I shrugged it off. "Why? I''m the victim here. What can they do to me?"


    "That''s not it," Brenda said, handing me her phone. It disyed our campus forum.


    I scrolled through and saw posts about job listings and other random stuff. To my surprise, all the videos circting from that morning''s incident had vanished.


    "I heard the university administration put a stop to it. Anyone who dared to share it has been called in for a talk," Brenda exined hesitantly.


    Thinking back to Ethan''s strange behavior this morning, I quickly realized what was going on. Who else besides the Grayson family would be involved in Leah''s mess?


    I forced a smile and said, "I have to go; it''s inevitable. Besides, it''s normal for the university to restrict information to protect its reputation."


    I wasn''t sure if I was trying to reassure them or myself. After a quick freshening up, I headed toward the university president''s office. As I walked past the yground, I caught sight of a familiar figure in a white dress ahead.


    "Ugh," I muttered under my breath, nning to wait for her to walk away before moving on, but Leah seemed to sense my presence and turned toward me, our eyes locking instantly.


    She seemed to be in high spirits, no longer looking as pitiful as she had yesterday when she falsely used me.


    With a coy smile, Leah walked toward me. "Evelyn, are you heading to Mr. Ward''s office too?"


    Her apparent feigned innocence made me ufortable, and I shot back, "Ethan and the professor aren''t here; who are you trying to impress with that act?"


    Unbothered by my response, she continued, "It''s really not a big deal. I''ve said it before; it''s okay to endure a little hardship. But Ethan and the Grayson family insist on helping me sort things out."


    She looked up at me, her eyes full of provocation. "It seems like you might have to make some sacrifices."