Monday.
As soon as Charlotte stepped into the classroom, Emma, Eileen, and Alvina sprang out of their seats and rushed over to her, their eyes wide and sparkling with excitement.
Charlotte set her backpack on her desk and sat down, lifting her chin just a little. “Want my autograph?”
All three nodded eagerly. “Yes, please!”
“How about a photo?”
They nodded again, their faces lighting up. “And if it’s not too much… could we maybe catch a glimpse of Kenneth? Just from far away. Just one look, we promise.”
Charlotte grinned. “No problem. I’ll bring you the autographs tomorrow. As for the photo, you’ll have to wait until I’m back from my competition.”
Kenneth was super busy these days.
Emma hesitated, then pulled a photo of Charlotte from her pocket and handed over a pen. “Could you sign it as ‘Echo’?”
“Of course.” Charlotte took the pen and quickly signed a few photos.
Emma clutched the signed pictures to her chest and did a little happy dance in place. “I can’t believe Kenneth’s sister is my classmate!”
The other students saw what was happening and hurried over, crowding around Charlotte, all hoping for a signature. More than a few were feeling lucky about choosing Kingswood University.
Of all the people Carmelita could have crossed, she picked the Gates family’s lost-and-found princess. Now, even the university might get dragged into the mess.
Expulsion. The word alone made all the color drain from Carmelita’s face. Hadn’t Letty said it wouldn’t be that bad if she apologized? So why…
“If Charlotte is willing to forgive you, maybe we can reconsider…” the dean suggested.
Carmelita turned to Charlotte, desperate. “Charlotte, I swear I didn’t mean it. You weren’t really hurt, right? And since I’m your sister’s classmate, that counts for something. You’ll forgive me, won’t you?”
Because she was Olivia’s classmate?
Charlotte caught her gaze, a mocking smile curling at her lips. She didn’t rush her reply. “Not a chance.”

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