chapter666

Monica just laughed, her voice light. "Daisy, maybe she's just shy. She'll come around once she gets to know us."

Fiona nodded in agreement. "Yeah, we should chat with her more when she's back."

Lydia didn't care to talk to Daisy, but in Monica and Fiona's minds, that made her seem socially anxious. There wasn't much she could do about it.

As Lydia stepped out of the dorm, heads turned in her direction. She caught more than a few stares, some of the guys even sneaking photos of her on their phones. She ignored them and kept moving.

Connor had switched up his ride today, leaving his flashy car at home. The license plate on that one was way too recognizable. Anyone on campus would know it was his in a second.

Lydia spotted the black SUV he'd told her about, crossed the lot, and opened the back door. Before she could even settle in, Connor pulled her onto his lap, holding her close.

"You cold-heartedd girl, didn't you miss me at all?

Lydia arched a brow. "Aren't you still here?"

Connor went silent, not sure how to respond.

Outside, as the SUV pulled away, Rosie was just walking out of the building. She smirked, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "So what she's the top student in the country? So what she's pretty? In the end, she's just some guy's sugar baby."

Maisie, right beside her, snickered. "Exactly. So what if she gets picked up in an old Mercedes? Nothing special about that.

Rosie's lips curled in a mocking smile. "Maybe that's all she gonna get."

Maisie burst out laughing. That must be it."

Connor didn't take Lydia far. He found a trendy restaurant near campus, one of

those places that always showed up on social media. He'd reserved the best private

room.

As soon as they sat down, Lydia looked at him. "Would you mind if we had one more person?"

Connor lifted an eyebrow. "What are you talking about?"

"Juna wants to come. She wouldn't take no for an answer."

Connor's face fell. Why was Juna always determined to be the third wheel? Did he

not seem intimidating enough?

"You'll have to make it up to me later," he said.

Lydia nodded. "Deal."

Not long after, Juna came bouncing in, all grins. When she saw Connor's gloomy face, she just shrugged and smiled Sorry Mr. Jefferson but I missed Lyds too much."

Lydia rolled her eyes to herself. Yeah, right. She just wanted to see what being a third wheel was like.

Connor didn't even bother acknowledging Juna. He was clearly annoyed, but Juna didn't care. She launched right into conversation with Lydia.

"Lyds, you should've seen Lucinda today. She made such a scene. Ten suitcases can you believe it? She's

bat famous on the schoo

forum now. I couldn't stop laughing.

"I heard she gave her roommates designer bags. Now all the other dorms are

jealous, wishing they'd landed the billionaire's daughter as a roommate.

"Oh, and she's treating her whole class to lunch here today. They're right behind us. Should be here any minute."

Lucinda was really putting on a show as the rich heiress. Stories about her were blowing up online already.

"The more someone tries to show off, the more scared they are of losing what they have," Lydia said quietly.

Lucinda was obviously terrified of losing her title as the billionaire's daughter. That's why she wanted everyone to know just how rich and important she was.

Juna nodded, impressed with Lydia's insight. She glanced at Connor, then leaned toward Lydia. There's something else."

Lydia gave her a knowing look, as if she already guessed what was coming.

"Everyone at Capital College still thinks her fianc is the Jefferson family heir, Juna said, sneaking a peek at Connor.

At that, Connor's eyes turned cold, his whole vibe shifting. "She's got some nerve." Lucinda was still telling people he was her fianc ?

Juna let out a sigh. Well, you two kind of brought this on yourselves. You never made anything official, so she's taking advantage of that She's just letting everyone believe whet What they want."