chapter 7

Edward was just as freaked out. He turned to Finlay and asked, "Weren't you with her that night? Didn't you notice anything?"

Finlay's face twisted as if he were recalling something disgusting, and he gagged slightly. "I didn't know. That night she said her eyes were inflamed and could only wear sunglasses. Then she insisted on turning off the lights. I didn't see anything."

He shot Lydia a look of pure disgust. "Did your face get messed up from surgery or something? Which clinic did you go to? That's practically malpractice."

Lydia saw everyone looking at her like she was some kind of freak. Her defenses crumbled completely.

She said, "Yeah. I had surgery! I just wanted to look good. Is that a crime? Those pretty girls, they get everything they want without trying. What makes me any less? Isn't it just a face? I went to make mine better. What's wrong with that?"

This was Lydia. She had always believed that beauty was the ultimate key to success. She thought her life was miserable because she wasn't stunning.

But she never considered that real success came from skill and unshakable confidence.

Beauty might bring temporary perks, but no one would stay young and flawless forever.

Chris, who'd been silent this whole time, suddenly spoke up. He asked, "So, what exactly were you hoping to gain from surgery? You didn't study, and didn't network. You only thought about dating Finlay. Is that your goal?"

Aimee's eyes suddenly widened in realization. "No wonder you said everything would be solved once you got a boyfriend. You were thinking of getting money from Finlay to pay off your debts."

Finlay's face darkened. It was hard not to get angry when someone tried to use you as a walking ATM.

He waved his hand. "That's enough for today. I'll cover the bill, but let's get one thing straight. This woman has nothing to do with me. And everyone, watch your words from now on."

After Finlay left, the others started to leave as well. Taking advantage of the crowd and the confusion, Lydia tried to slip away, only to be blocked by the bald guy.

He said, "You're not going anywhere. When are you paying us back?"

Lydia's face went pale. She collapsed to the floor with a loud thud.

She pleaded, "Please. I beg you! I really don't have any money right now. Just give me one more week. I swear I'll pay you back."

Finlay, seeing her shameless display, turned and walked off in frustration.

The bald guy sighed. Seeing that she couldn't come up with the money, he left her with a warning. She had a week to pay up, or life at school would become impossible for her.

The dinner ended on a tense note, but at least I finally got Chris's contact info.

He even promised that I could ask him for help anytime with anything I didn't understand in my studies.

I felt a little embarrassed. "Thank you so much. If there's ever anything I can do for you, just let me know."

To my surprise, he looked serious. "Actually, there is something I'll need your help with. But it's not the right time yet."

Seeing the mysterious look on his face, I didn't press him any further.

He walked me back to my dorm, and we agreed to hit the library together the next morning.

I was still riding that happy high when I opened the dorm door—only for Lydia to storm over, furious.

She asked, "Don't you know that clinic is shady? Why didn't you stop me?"

Her logic was mind-boggling.

Last time, when I tried to stop her from getting surgery, she yelled at me for interfering. This time, I minded my own business, and now she was blaming me for not stopping her.

Apparently, I was the eternal scapegoat. Any mistake she made somehow ended up being my fault.

I was fed up. "Are you serious? You found that shady clinic online yourself. Nobody forced you to get surgery. Didn't you use your brain? You didn't think about us when you were having fun, but now you want me to take the fall?"

Lydia always thought I was a pushover, but this time I shut her down so hard she was speechless.

She pointed at me, shaking with anger. Then she shouted, "Just you wait, Grace!"

From that day on, Lydia stayed holed up in the dorm, pounding away at her keyboard. I had no idea what she was up to.

I didn't bother with her. I went to the library with Chris every day.

He was not just smart, but also an amazing tutor.

With his study guides, my bottlenecks finally cleared, and my grades improved dramatically.

I joked that I'd be glued to him from now on. Without him, I'd probably still be lost.

His cheeks flushed, and he muttered softly, "I'd love that."

I heard him, but I pretended not to.

Meanwhile, Finlay had a new girlfriend. He was handsome, well-off, and generous, so girls were always around him.

Watching him for a while, I realized he could be a bit flirtatious but wasn't a bad person.

A week passed. No one came after Lydia for the money. I guessed she had taken care of it.

Everyone seemed to be moving on with their own lives.

Until one day, while I was studying in the library with Chris as usual, he took a call and suddenly paled.

Chris was always calm and collected. I had never seen him like this. Tentatively, I asked, "Is something wrong?"

He didn't answer. He packed his things and walked out.

I followed quickly.

Seeing me behind him, he stopped and waited. His tone was calm, but I could sense a simmering anger beneath the surface.

He said, "Grace, go back to the dorm. Don't listen to anyone, and don't believe anything. They're not your concern. I'll handle the rest."