Ch. 271..280
Chapter 271
Bonnie was delighted to see Avril and her parents so happy. She said, “I’ll give you a prescription and
ensure you get the necessary medicines. Take them three times daily,
okay?”
Avril nodded, saying, “Okay, we’ll do as you say. Also, you’re spending the night here.”
“Actually” Bonnie had no time to turn her down when Avril grabbed her hand.
“I won’t take no for an answer, Bonnie. We’re best friends, and you gave me a jade bangle. Let’s not forget you gave Mom a billion–dollar ginseng for her birthday. The only way I can repay you is to serve you well tonight,” Avril said jokingly.
Bonnie helplessly replied, “Okay, but I’ll call Ivor and tell him about it.”
Avril could not resist joking at Bonnie’s expense, “Ladies are typically the ones who fuss over their husbands, but things seem to work the other way around in your relationship. Must you
tell your boyfriend you’re staying at your best friend’s house? Imagine how he’ll control your life when you guys get married.”
“It’s too soon to say if we’ll get married.” With that, Bonnie took out her phone and
called Ivor.
Soon after, he answered and said, “Is the party over? I’ll come and pick you up now.
“The party’s over, but I’ll spend the night here.”
Ivor frowned. “You’re not coming home tonight?”
“Well ”
“I can’t sleep if you don’t come home. I doubt you can sleep either.”
Meanwhile, Avril eavesdropped on the couple’s conversation. She could not help but joke, “You don’t have to worry about that. Bonnie will sleep in the same bed with me tonight. I’ll hold her so tight that she’d sleep like a baby.”
Ivor’s expression darkened as he asked, “Are you trying to take Bonnie away from me?”
“Uh…” Avril’s lips twitched as she turned to Bonnie and asked, “I’m a girl. Is he seriously jealous of me?”
After some thought, Bonnie replied, “He’s capable of being jealous of animals and plants. Oh, add air to that list, too.”
“Huh?” Avril was bewildered. “I can see how he’d be jealous of animals, but how does one get jealous of a plant? Also, were you serious when you said air?”
“There’s a rare plant in his house that I love very much. I look after it every day, which makes Ivor jealous. As for air, I’d sometimes ignore him when he talked to me. That’s when he grumbled, saying I’d rather face the air than look at him,” Bonnie looked helpless as she spoke.
Avril was stunned before holding Bonnie’s shoulder and saying, “I used to envy you for having someone as magnificent as Ivor trying to win your heart. Now, I feel pity toward you more than
envy. Hang in there, Bonnie.”
In the blink of an eye, August thirtieth arrived. Bonnie reported to Pyralis University, and the rest of the students reported themselves to the enrollment counter. However, Bonnie was honored to report directly to the president’s office.
The university president, Russell, had prepared a cup of fine tea before Bonnie arrived. He set it down before her and greeted her smilingly, “Bonnie, you should take over the president position now that you’re one of the students in this fine university.”
Bonnie almost choked on her tea at that moment. She said, “I came here to study, Russell. I didn’t come for your position.”
“Same thing.” Russell took some snacks from a drawer and handed them to her.
Chapter 272
Bonnie glanced sidelong at Russell, hoping the older man would get the hint. Although he had lived a long life and experienced many things, he ignored her hints and continued to ramble on, “Didn’t you notice anything different about my office?”
Bonnie had noticed it when she entered. After all, he had renovated it to her favorite style.
“I renovated it for you. So, do you love it? How does that offer sound now?”
Suddenly, an older lady in her seventies opened the office door. The woman was Russell’s wife, Elliana. She supported herself with a cane as she entered, saying, “Why do you always bug Bonnie about taking over your position, you old fart? Anyone else can take over. Why do you have to bug her incessantly?”
Bonnie nodded. “Elliana’s right. Plenty of other people can take over as the university president. I think the vice president will do a fine job.”
“Listen to her, dear. She doesn’t want to be the university president. Maybe you should stop pushing her,” Elliana turned to grin at Bonnie, saying warmly, “You should take over my position as the president of the Pyralian Pianists Association. You’re the only one who’s qualified for it.”
Bonnie was speechless. She depended on Elliana to pull her out of the pinch. However, the older woman came with an agenda.
Russell said, “You have a handful of suitable apprentices for that. They’re top–notch pianists in the music industry, too. What about Coleman? Everyone regards him as a piano virtuoso. He plays exceptionally well. You should let him take over your position.”
Elliana sighed. “I must admit he’s doing pretty well for himself. However, he doesn’t compare to you, Bonnie. He also doesn’t command the respect of the rest of my apprentices. They’ll bow to you without question if you take over as president.
“You can even intimidate them with your identity as the nation’s leading researcher if they trouble you.”
Bonnie had a headache at that moment. She said, “I have somewhere to be. I’ll leave you
guys to it. Goodbye.”
She beelined to the door, not allowing the older couple to stop her.
“Now you’ve done it! You scared her off!” Elliana glared at her husband in annoyance.
Russell was so upset that he trembled. “You’re the one who asked her to intimidate your apprentices with her status as the nation’s leading researcher. Must I remind you that she didn’t leave until you brought that up? How’s it my fault?”
Elliana said confidently, “That’s a load of horseshit. I can tell Bonnie intended to take over my position as the association’s president.”
The older man grew exasperated, rolling his eyes at his wife. He said, “Age has finally caught up to you and messed up your brain. How are you so confident in that statement?”
“We’re both ladies. It takes one to know one. You wouldn’t understand.”
Russell was speechless while his wife continued, “I’ll ask Coleman to seduce her just in case. Bonnie will become president of the Pyralian Pianists Association. I’ll make sure of
it,”
Later, Russell texted Bonnie his wife’s plot, “I have a secret for you. Elliana plans to make Coleman seduce you and coerce you into taking over her position. Watch your back and be wary if she passes you food or drinks.
“I was a victim of one of her plots when I was young. I drank the red wine she gave me and ended up sleeping with her. Then, she got pregnant with my child, and I married and ended up sleeping with her. Then,
her.
Bonnie was astonished when she read the text. She never expected an authoritative figure in the education industry and the big wig in the music industry to share such a whimsical history.
Later that day, she returned to her room in the Knights‘ villa. Suddenly, Jim leaped in through the window as he had done many times before.
Chapter 273
“Why are you coming through the window again?”
“Old habits die hard,” Jim said as he closed the window.
Bonnie’s lips twitched in exasperation, thinking, ‘Who would develop such a habit?”
Jim asked, “Are you moving out tomorrow?”
“What’s wrong? Are you reluctant to see me leave?”
“That’s not it. I just think you should live here. The family’s security systems are top-
notch.”
Bonnie could not help but laugh and joke, “Are you trying to make your life easier by convincing me to stay so that these bodyguards can do your job?”
Jim cleared his throat in embarrassment, which meant he admitted it.
“Tomorrow will be my last night here. I’ll start moving out the next day once my classes end,” Bonnie reminded him, “Make sure not to leave on the same day I do. Ivor’s exceptionally perceptive and already doubts my relationship with you. Leaving on the same day will resemble confessing everything to him.”
“Don’t worry. I’ve considered that, too. Let me put your mind at ease by saying I don’t intend to do that.”
unerfect then.”
Suddenly, someone knocked on the door.
Knock, knock, knock.
Ivor stood outside and asked, “Are you in there?”
“Shit! You need to leave!” Bonnie hastily shoved Jim away.
Jim reacted swiftly and bolted to the window. He opened it in a flash but closed it again immediately after.
“What’s wrong?” Bonnie asked worriedly.
“Alfred’s down there.”
“Um…” Bonnie’s brows furrowed.
Ivor’s voice sounded at the door again, “I’ll come in if you don’t answer me.”
Immediately after, he opened the door. To Bonnie’s surprise, Jim had already slid under the bed. She sighed in relief and thought, “Thank goodness he moves fast.‘
“What’s wrong? Why are you sweating? You don’t look so good, either.” Ivor approached and wiped the sweat off Bonnie’s forehead. His eyes shifted a little before they settled
calmly.
“It’s nothing. I was just working out a second ago.”
“Oh, that’s what it is. Why didn’t you ask if I wanted to work out with you? That would’ve made things far more interesting.” Ivor smirked at her.
“Oh. So, that’s what it is. Why didn’t you ask me to work out with you? That would’ve made things far more interesting.” He stared at her and gave her a whimsical look.
Bonnie looked back at him peculiarly, prompting Ivor to ask, “What’s with that look?”
Bonnie asked, “Are you sure you meant actual workout?”
Ivor smiled and said, “Hey, get your mind out of the gutter.”
Bonnie’s lips twitched as she thought, ‘I think we both know who’s the pervert here.
“With that said,” Ivor added, “I like what you’re thinking, Bonnie.”
He rendered her utterly speechless as he grabbed her shoulders. He lowered his head and stared into her eyes, saying, “How about we do the workout you were thinking about earlier? Are you up for a two–person exercise?”
Jim cursed inwardly, ‘What did I do to deserve this? I wouldn’t have leaped in through the window if I’d known this would happen. What’ll I do if they start that so–called two- person workout?‘
Bonnie pushed Ivor aside and said, exasperated, “Grow up, will you?”
Ivor responded matter–of–factly, “I’m a mature grown–up when you’re not around.”
“Are you trying to gaslight me?”
“No, not at all. It’s my fault for being unable to control myself around you.”
C
Chapter 274
Bonnie felt slightly overwhelmed by Ivor’s sweet talk, but she was not disgusted. In other words, she did nothing because Ivor was the one who said it. If it were anyone else, she would have beat them up.
She was still in her thoughts when Ivor noticed the closed window. “It’s still bright outside. Why would you shut the window? Wait a minute. You closed the curtains, too.”
At that moment, he also noticed a faint footprint on the floor. Moreover, it evidently belonged to a man. Coldness flashed in Ivor’s eyes as he traced the footprint and realized they disappeared under the bed.
Simultaneously, Bonnie sensed his unusual behavior and noticed the footprints on the
floor.
“This is bad!‘
Jim’s shoes left stains on the floor because it had just rained earlier. Before Bonnie knew it, Ivor approached the bedside. She darted over and blocked him, saying, “I’m tired and need to sleep now. You should probably leave.”
Ivor glared at her and asked, “Are you hiding someone?”
Bonnie’s lips twitched again. “Don’t put it that way.”
“Is it a guy?” Ivor questioned, his voice growing colder.
“It’s not what you think.” Bonnie’s brows furrowed.
He motioned to walk past her and check under the bed, but she spread her arms and stopped him.
“Let me through, Bonnie.” Although Ivor was furious, he could not aim his anger at her. He feared hurting her if he lost his cool.
“You can leave now, Ivor.‘
“I’ve had it, Bonnie! Am I not enough for you?!” Ivor quivered with rage.
“I told you it’s not what you think.”
“I don’t want to hear it! I’ll see who’s hiding under your bed.” With that, he pulled her
aside and lifted the bedsheet, causing it to fall over the edge of the bed.
While Bonnie grabbed Ivor’s arms to try and stop him, Jim realized they were about to start fighting and crawled out from under the bed.
“I knew it was you!”
Bonnie stood beside Jim and asked, “Why did you come out?!”
Jim shrugged helplessly. “You two might start trading punches if I didn’t. I don’t want you two to have a fallout because of me. Otherwise, I’d become a homewrecker.”
Ivor sized him up and asked, “Who are you, really?”
Jim glanced at Bonnie, saying, “Considering the mess we’re in now, it’d be disrespectful of us to keep hiding the truth from Ivor. What do you think, Bonnie?”
After some thought, Bonnie nodded.
“Perfect.” Jim entered the bathroom and said, “Just give me a minute. I’ll be out before you know it.”
Meanwhile, Floyd heard the commotion and rushed over to check on them. When he arrived, he saw the mess in the room and asked, “Wh–what’s going on here?”
Bonnie glanced at him and said, “We’ve been discovered.”
“What are you talking about-” Before Floyd could finish, he realized something, and hist eyes widened in shock.
‘Do I even need to ask? What else can it be?‘
Suddenly, Floyd began to sweat and tremble when he sensed someone glaring daggers at him. He turned slowly and met Ivor’s burning gaze.
Ivor questioned imposingly, “You knew?”
Floyd gulped, and the bathroom door opened.
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Ivor froze when he saw Jim’s true face. “I–It’s you.”
Jim lowered his head and said, “I’m sorry for keeping this a secret from you for so long.”
“Why would you–” Before Ivor could finish, Jim interjected, “I told you Bonnie saved my life. I came here to keep her safe with Ms. Bonita’s say–so.”
Jim purposefully phrased it that way as he knew about Ivor’s suspicions. Ultimately, the former decided to nip it in the bud.
Bonnie looked at Jim, hinting that he did an excellent job. The latter nodded with humor in his eyes. Of course, he had a perfect response up his sleeve. After all, he had some time to kill in the bathroom.
Although Bonnie and Jim exchanged looks in front of the other two, they were subtle. It was a synergy the two had cultivated throughout the years.
Ivor looked at Bonnie and apologized, “I’m sorry for misunderstanding the situation.”
“I can’t blame you. I would’ve told you about Jim earlier, but I couldn’t afford to expose his real identity. There would have been consequences if I did.” Bonnie would be lying if she said she did not feel guilty when speaking.
She added, “Hmmm, how should I put it? It’s my fault for not coming clean sooner. I’m genuinely sorry about that. How about I take you to karaoke tomorrow? I’ll reserve a private room.”
Ivor gleamed with excitement. ‘A private room for just two of us?”
He nodded, saying, “Sure. Grandpa said he’d host a farewell party for you tomorrow afternoon. We can go for karaoke at night.”
“All right.” Bonnie nodded.
Almost everyone from the Knight family attended the farewell party the following day. Sigmund looked around and frowned, asking, “Willard, where’s your fourth brother?”
Willard put down his fork and knife before replying, “I just texted him this morning. He said he’d be back after wrapping up his filming.”
Bonnie heard the exchange and felt mildly surprised. She leaned over to Ivor and
whispered, “Is your fourth uncle an actor?”
Although she had been engaged to Ivor for some time, she had never met his fourth
unde
Ivor anwered, “That uncle of mine made his debut long ago. It just so happened that he flew overseas to shoot a film before we got engaged. That’s why you’ve never met him
“Oh, that makes sense ”
Ivor soddenly added, “Perhaps it’s a good thing you’ve never met him.”
“What do you mean?” Bonnie was bewildered.
hvor frowned. “My fourth uncle is too handsome for his own good.
Bonnie was speechless. She never imagined that would be the reason. It turned out Ivor was even capable of getting jealous of his uncle. She said, “I have no idea who he is or how he looks. There’s
nothing to be jealous abor
A moment later, she received a text from one of her friends, Orphicus. “Hey, Borwick, I’l return to Pyralis in a few days. How about we meet up for a drink?
Bonnie repland, “Are you finished filming?”
*Yeah, we just wrapped up a minute ago.”
“You should meet up with your family first.
“I’m not as close to them as I am with you. It’s settled, then. I’ll see you in a bar in a few days, Bornwick
After some thought, the replied, “That’s Saturday, right? It’ll work for me
Suddenly, Ivor asked, displeased, “Who are you texting?”
“Oh, just a friend “She tucked away her phone. Then, she saw Ivor’s expression and gursued what he was about to ask her.
Chapter 276
Knowing what Ivor was about to say, Bonnie explained, “He’s just a friend, you know? We’ve known each other for years, nothing more than that.”
Ivor chuckled in amusement, saying, “I love it when you explain yourself so earnestly.”
“I bet you do,” Bonnie muttered.
At the karaoke place, Ivor was displeased as he watched Floyd and Jim singing in the private room. Even Heath, Hamish, Benedict, Kay, and Avril were present.
Ivor resentfully said, “I thought we agreed that only two of us would be here.”
Bonnie’s eyes sparkled as she smirked. “I never said it would just be us.”
Ivor sighed in resignation while Bonnie observed his reaction. She found it increasingly amusing.
Avril leaned in, her cheeks flushed red as she asked, “Bonnie, how do you know Jim?”
Bonnie’s ears perked up, excited to gossip. “You don’t like Jim, do you?”
“No, that’s not it! You’re so mean, Bonnie. Don’t tease me like that.” Avril covered her face and discreetly glanced at Jim.
Bonnie stood up and said, “I see. I’ll be a matchmaker for you two.
“Wait, no, no, no!” Avril pulled Bonnie back onto the couch. “Stop teasing me. If you don’t know, I feel pretty troubled.‘
“What’s wrong? Why are you so upset?” Bonnie urged.
Avril sighed, saying, “My dad’s company just developed a new product, and we planned to get a big celebrity endorsement. But our rivals, the Moss family, are trying to snatch that celebrity from us.
“You mean the Moss family’s Moss Group?” Bonnie recalled vaguely.
“That’s them.”
Bonnie remembered Tang Fusion Studios trying to collaborate with Moss group, only to get rejected. Although Tang Fusion Studios grew rapidly in just a month, Moss Group claimed the former had missed out. Afterward, Tang Fusion Studios refused to
collaborate with them.
Bonnie said, “I remember the Moss‘ overall influence surpassing your family’s. So, they poached the celebrity before your family could?”
“Yeah, that’s right.” Avril’s brows furrowed as she sighed.
“Which celebrity was your company going for?” Bonnie asked. “I have a friend who’s a big star, too. His status in the industry is pretty high, too. Has your chosen celebrity signed the contract with the Moss family yet?”
“Probably not,” Avril sounded uncertain, “I heard he was filming abroad but will be back in a couple of days.”
Bonnie frowned. After some thought, she asked, “Is the celebrity you mentioned an award–winning actor and singer? Is his name Orpheus?”
“Yeah, that’s him! How’d you guess?”
Bonnie was speechless for a moment. Then, she said, “That’s quite a coincidence. He happens to be the friend I mentioned earlier.”
Avril’s jaw dropped. Previously, she would have thought Bonnie was joking again. However, after learning about Bonnie’s medical skills, Avril no longer dared to doubt her best friend’s words.
“Y–You know Orpheus?”
“Of course I do. Why would I lie?” Bonnie shrugged.
Avril felt even more convinced as she looked at Bonnie’s sincere demeanor. The former asked, “How’d you two meet?”
“Well…” After some hesitation, Bonnie whispered, “I can tell you, but you mustn’t tell anyone else.”
The prospect of hearing a secret piqued Avril’s gossip -loving heart. “Tell me, tell me! Don’t worry. I promise not to tell anyone.”
Chapter 277
"When Orpheus attended a wrap party, a female actress from his cast drugged him. If I hadn't realized it and saved him in time, he would have been in serious trouble," Bonnie recounted.
"Wow, that's shocking!" Avril exclaimed and then whispered, "How'd you find out?"
"It was pure luck. I was at the right place at the right time."
"But you're not an actress. Why were you at a wrap party?"
"Although I'm not an actress, I'm-"
Ivor tapped Bonnie's shoulder and interrupted, "They've picked more songs to sing. It's our turn now. How about we sing a duet?"
Heath added, "Yeah, you never sing whenever you come to a karaoke session, Bonnie. You don't have to feel embarrassed. We're all friends here. Even if you sing horribly, we won't laugh at you, at least not too hard."
Kay also wanted to hear Bonnie sing. The former said, "You should just sing, Bonnie. My voice isn't any good either, but no one cares. Just sing your heart out and let the others suffer. Come on, let's sing a duet." Immediately after, Kay saw Ivor's unfriendly gaze. After all, he had not sung with his fiancee yet, but Kay wanted to cut in. Kay met Ivor's eyes and stuck out her tongue before stepping away.
"Fine, I'll sing." Bonnie reluctantly stood up, took the microphone, and walked to the front with Ivor. Heath sat at the song selection table and asked, "What song would you like, Bonnie?"
Bonnie glanced at Ivor mischievously. "Let's sing 'Brothers.""
"Hahaha!" Heath burst into laughter, looking at the scowling Ivor.
Ivor said, "Put on Lovers instead."
"Okay, Lovers, it is." Heath gestured OK.
'If these two get together, they should never forget me, their matchmaker.'
Bonnie did not refuse and sang Lovers with Ivor. Her voice was melodious and sweet, while his voice was deep and resonant. Everyone had goosebumps as their voices harmonized. It was as if they were made for each other.
"I didn't expect Bonnie to sing so well," Heath said, slightly disappointed. He wanted to mock her but could not.
Meanwhile, Kay said admiringly, "Bonnie's a master of everything she does."
When the couple finished singing, they exchanged glances and saw a mutual admiration in each other's eyes. Then, they returned to the sofa and sat beside each other.
Kay said, “Bonnie, you sang beautifully. Now I'm too embarrassed to sing."
Although she said that, it did not stop her from quickly grabbing the microphone and singing loudly.
Lights flickered, and voices mingled in the private room.
Ivor glanced at Bonnie and gulped involuntarily. A moment later, he kissed the side of her lips.
Bonnie turned sharply and asked, "What are you doing?"
"Shh." Ivor put a finger to his lips, saying, "Keep it down. I don't want them to know I kissed you. I may
be able to handle the embarrassment, but you can't."
Bonnie rolled her eyes. "So, you're aware of how shameless you are?"
Ivor chuckled. "How would I pursue you if I wasn't?"
Bonnie did not want to indulge him, so she moved aside and kept her distance from him.
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Whenever Bonnie moved away an inch, Ivor would get closer by two. Ultimately, Bonnie reached the edge of the sofa's armrest, unable to move further. She even considered resorting to violence if Ivor dared to push it further.
Thankfully, he only drank one glass after another.
Bonnie asked, "Why are you drinking so much?"
Ivor looked at her with intoxicated eyes. He chuckled and said, "You'll have to care for me when I'm drunk."
Bonnie began to admire his shamelessness.
Everyone continued to enjoy singing while Ivor got drunk. Soon after, Jim approached Bonnie and joked about the unconscious Ivor, "I think he did that on purpose."
"I think so, too," Heath said, stroking his chin, "Bonnie, are you going to take care of him?"
"He's a fool if he thinks I'll do that," Bonnie said before telling Floyd, "You take him home."
Floyd covered his mouth and acted as if he was about to vomit. "I-I drank too much. I think I'm about to puke."
Bonnie could only sigh. Half an hour later, she brought her fiance back home. Although she could help him into the house, she could not carry him upstairs.
"It looks like I'll have to bridal carry you," Bonnie muttered and then wrapped one arm around Ivor's neck and slid her other arm under his knees.
Suddenly, Ivor opened his eyes and said, "No need. I can go up myself."
As a sturdy six-footer, he could not allow a woman to bridal carry him up the stairs as it would taint his reputation.
Bonnie squinted at him and asked, "Were you faking it?"
"No, I just sobered up," Ivor said without a hint of lying.
The following day, Bonnie started packing early in the morning to leave. After packing, she hurried to school. Once she arrived, Avril held her hand and chatted away, "Bonnie, what major did you sign up for?" "Computer science."
"That's a coincidence. So did I."
During their conversation, many people looked at Bonnie.
"She's even prettier than our campus belle, Selina."
"I never liked Selina. She has too many men around her. I won't be surprised if that girl snatches the campus belle title from Selina."
"Huh? Don't you think she looks familiar?"
"Someone familiar? Like who?"
"That rumored good-for-nothing daughter of the Shepard family."
"Now that you mentioned it, she does look familiar. I was there when Trina and Hadwin got engaged. That girl is Bonnie, the Shepards' legitimate heiress they disowned."
"If that's the case, the campus belle title is still up for grabs."
"Not necessarily. Bonnie may not be skillful, but she's undeniably beautiful."
Meanwhile, an innocent-looking girl in a classroom on the third floor glared at Bonnie.
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Trina stood beside the girl who was glaring at Bonnie. The former said, “Selina, you’ve been the campus belle for two years. I don’t think you can keep it this year.”
Selina retorted, displeased, “Why do you sound so proud? You and Bonnie have never gotten along. Do you mean you’ll be happy for Bonnie if she gets attention?”
“Don’t speak so harshly, Selina. I’m here to give you advice. Bonnie’s just a nobody who got into Pyralis University with luck.
“On the other hand, you’re a member of the pianists association. All you have to do is challenge her with a piano. Once everyone hears how bad Bonnie plays, their impression of her will disappear.”
“Do you think I’m stupid? You’re just using me. Bonnie’s the legitimate heiress of the Shepard family, while you’re just a fake. You’re just trying to secure your fake heiress position.”
Trina balled her fists and suppressed her anger before saying, “It doesn’t matter whether or not my advice benefits either of us. What matters is that we have a common enemy in Bonnie. She’ll outshine your looks if you don’t follow my instructions.”
“Hmph, outshine me? She’ll outshine you by several times, too!”
“Selina, there’s no point arguing with each other. Do you find happiness in ridiculing me?” Trina could not stand Selina’s poor behavior.
Selina scoffed at Trina, then glanced back down at the gorgeous Bonnie. Selina clicked her tongue, saying, “Hadwin must be blind.”
“Selina Pearson!” Trina exclaimed through gritted teeth.
Selina said, “Fine, I’ll stop arguing with you. Does Bonnie not know how to play the piano? I need to be sure. I can’t afford to embarrass myself, after all.‘”
Although she was a member of the pianist association, she was just scraping by.
“Why would I lie to you? Bonnie’s a country bumpkin. She can’t afford to pay for piano lessons. I bet she’s never touched a piano in her life. My mom enrolled Bonnie in piano lessons when she first brought Bonnie home.
“Bonnie claimed that only the president of the pianist association could guide her. She said others weren’t qualified to teach her and that taking classes would be a waste of
money. My mom was furious. I remember that vividly.”
Selina’s eyes widened as she said, “No wonder your family hates Bonnie so much. She sure can talk a good game.”
Trina opened her phone to show Selina something. The former said, “Let’s stop wasting time. I checked the school forum, and the campus belle competition has already started. Bonnie’s vote has already exceeded yours.”
The phone showed that Selina had 598 votes and Bonnie had 672.
Selina felt a sense of crisis and rushed to prepare to challenge Bonnie.
Meanwhile, Bonnie, sitting in the classroom, sneezed. “Achoo!”
Avril joked, “One sneeze means someone’s thinking about you, and two means they’re cursing you. I wonder who it could be. Hehehe.”
Bonnie flicked Avril’s forehead and said, “With that logic, someone was thinking of Jim since he sneezed yesterday.”
“Wh–what do you mean?! What do Jim’s sneezes have to do with me? You and Hamish are different. You guys are
“Achoo!” Bonnie sneezed again and shrugged. “Now that’s two sneezes. It looks like someone’s cursing me.”
Avril tugged at Bonnie’s sleeve and raised her chin toward the window, saying, “She must be the one cursing you.”
“Who is she?” Bonnie asked curiously.
Avril’s eyes widened. “You don’t know her? She’s Selina Pearson, our campus belle. So many people around you are discussing yours and Selina’s rivalry for the campus belle title, yet you don’t even know what your opponent looks like.”
“Her appearance has nothing to do with me,” Bonnie said indifferently, “Besides, I’m not interested in becoming the campus belle.”
Avril looked at Selina, who approached them. The former sneered, saying, “You might not be interested, but she is. You’re already a threat to her. Today’s challenge might be tough for you.”
The closer Selina got to Bonnie, the more disheartened the former felt. Selina thought she was attractive and more beautiful than most of the starlets in the entertainment
industry, not to mention her elegance.
However, she paled in comparison to Bonnie. No wonder everyone voted for her, event though they knew she was a nobody.
Selina asked, “Bonnie, I heard you’re an excellent piano player. How about we play a piece together?”
Bonnie rested her chin on her hand, looking uninterested. “I won’t participate in the campus belle competition. You can play by yourself.”
‘Play? She’s treating the competition as child’s play! Is she implying she’s too beautiful to bother competing?!‘
Selina sighed and forced a smile, saying, “As your senior, I would like for you to support me a little.”
“Are you worth supporting?” Bonnie remained indifferent.
Selina finally understood why Trina took the initiative to advise her on how to deal with Bonnie. It seemed Bonnie’s words were infuriating. Selina guessed Bonnie often verbally
attacked Trina.
With that in mind, Selina felt slightly relieved. She said, “If you don’t want to compete
Chapter 280
Avril tugged at Bonnie’s sleeve and raised her chin toward the window, saying, “She must be the one cursing you.”
“Who is she?” Bonnie asked curiously.
Avril’s eyes widened. “You don’t know her? She’s Selina Pearson, our campus belle. So many people around you are discussing yours and Selina’s rivalry for the campus belle title, yet you don’t even know what your opponent looks like.”
“Her appearance has nothing to do with me,” Bonnie said indifferently, “Besides, I’m not interested in becoming the campus belle.”
Avril looked at Selina, who approached them. The former sneered, saying, “You might not be interested, but she is. You’re already a threat to her. Today’s challenge might be tough for you.”
The closer Selina got to Bonnie, the more disheartened the former felt. Selina thought she was attractive and more beautiful than most of the starlets in the entertainment
industry, not to mention her elegance.
However, she paled in comparison to Bonnie. No wonder everyone voted for her, even though they knew she was a nobody.
Selina asked, “Bonnie, I heard you’re an excellent piano player. How about we play a piece together?”
Bonnie rested her chin on her hand, looking uninterested. “I won’t participate in the campus belle competition. You can play by yourself.”
‘Play? She’s treating the competition as child’s play! Is she implying she’s too beautiful to bother competing?!‘
Selina sighed and forced a smile, saying, “As your senior, I would like for you to support me a little.”
“Are you worth supporting?” Bonnie remained indifferent.
Selina finally understood why Trina took the initiative to advise her on how to deal with Bonnie. It seemed Bonnie’s words were infuriating. Selina guessed Bonnie often verbally attacked Trina.
With that in mind, Selina felt slightly relieved. She said, “If you don’t want to compete
today, I’ll find you tomorrow, the day after that, and the day after that. I’ll keep coming until you’re willing to compete.”
“That’s horrible!‘ Avril exclaimed inwardly.
“Selina, who told you Bonnie is a good piano player? She never learned to play, yet you’re forcing her to compete. What are your intentions? Do you want to embarrass her?”
Selina said confidently, “Trina said her mom once enrolled Bonnie in piano lessons, and she played exceptionally well. Of course, I had to challenge her. If I don’t take it seriously, others might think I admit to not being as good as her.”
Trina, who had secretly followed Selina, sneered.
The former had planned to use Selina to cause trouble for Bonnie on her first day in school. Ultimately, bad rumors would spread about Bonnie. Moreover, Trina could then take the opportunity
to harass Bonnie.
However, Trina did not expect Selina to throw her under the bus.
“I–I was just asking if you dared to compete. As your senior, I don’t want to force you. If you don’t want to compete, then admit on the school forum that your piano skills are not as good as mine.”