After spending so much time around Harrison, Anastasia had picked up some of his commanding presence. Now, with just a steely glance, she managed to deflate the other girl’s bravado by half.
The girl tried to sound tough but her voice wavered. “Yeah, the winner is decided by votes, but the rules also say you have to have a good image and strong character! Someone reported you for bad behavior, so your spot’s been revoked!”
“Bad behavior?” Anastasia’s lips curved into a cold smirk. “Why don’t you tell me exactly what I’ve supposedly done wrong?”
A flash of contempt crossed the girl’s eyes; she was itching to blurt out the rumors about Anastasia being a homewrecker. But remembering Alice’s warning, she forced herself to stay quiet and just sneered, “You know perfectly well what you’ve done. With your reputation, that spot should go to someone else!”
She hurried off as soon as she finished, as if afraid Anastasia might actually hit her.
“This is ridiculous!” Maggie fumed. “What’s wrong with your reputation? They’re just making things up!”
The others chimed in, equally indignant.
Surprisingly, Anastasia was the calmest of them all. “Who’s the faculty member in charge of this?” she asked.
“I think it’s Mr. Pierce…”
“Then let’s go,” Anastasia said coolly.
“Go? Where?”
“To see Mr. Pierce, of course. We deserve an explanation!”
If this had been just any ordinary spot, she might have let it go. But Maggie and the others had gone out of their way, rallying votes and support for her—how could she just accept losing it for some vague, unexplained reason?
Mr. Pierce’s eyes narrowed. Instantly, he changed his tune.
“If you still want to be part of the welcoming committee, fine. But the opportunity to greet the special guest? That’s off the table. You’ll be an ordinary member, just like the rest.”
There was no way he’d give back the lead spot. That honor could only go to Alice.
He’d done his homework: the girl always seen with Mr. Harrison Lancaster was none other than Alice, a freshman in the Faculty of Arts.
Just before the semester started, Alice had posted a photo of a bouquet on social media. He’d looked into it—those were roses Mr. Harrison Lancaster had personally ordered from the school. Lately, people kept spotting Alice arriving in expensive cars, and the rumor mill was in overdrive about her having powerful, mysterious connections.
And just recently, his own niece had visited Alice’s house. After some subtle questioning, he’d confirmed it: that was Rosewood Manor, where Mr. Harrison Lancaster himself lived.
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