Chapter 5

By noon, Aurora's exam results were already in. Maura barely had lunch before hurrying to the administration office, Damon trailing close behind. "Mr. Gill," she asked, her practiced smile in place. Being a top student year after year, she had cultivated quite a rapport with the school's staff.

Frank Gill, the stern academic director nearing forty, usually wore a no-nonsense expression. But today, a wide grin spread across his face. "Maura, Aurora's already left."

"Left! She didn't finish the exam?" Maura's initial reaction was suspicion. With all the exams crammed into one morning, time was already tight, and she found it impossible for Aurora to be done so early unless she'd given up halfway through.

Maura's eyes lit up with excitement, though she maintained a calm expression, masking her delight with feigned concern. "Oh no, Mr. Gill. I hope she didn't cause too much trouble. Aurora recently moved from the countryside. Her background is...well, you know. We didn't even want her to sit for the exam, but she insisted. What could we do?"

She had taken the opportunity to subtly disparage Aurora. She inwardly reveled in her own words, thinking, This will surely hinder Aurora's chances at Merrida and make her a laughingstock. Let's see how she dares to compete with me now.

But Frank quickly dismissed her concerns, beaming. "No, you've misunderstood. Aurora didn't leave because she gave up—she handed in her papers early. And get this, she scored perfect A's in every subject. A real genius! This is bound to elevate Merida High School's reputation even further."

The admiration in his voice was undeniable, his excitement palpable.

Maura's face paled. Her lips trembled, disbelief washing over her. "How's that even possible!"

"I know, right!" Frank laughed, oblivious to Maura's internal turmoil. "When your father first sent me her grade report, I was hesitant. I thought there was no way we would accept someone like that. But it turns out she's been holding back. Thank goodness I didn't let this hidden gem slip through my fingers."

Each word felt like a slap. Aurora? A genius? That backwoods bumpkin? she raged inwardly. Her nails dug into her palms as she imagined Aurora's smug face upon their return home. It nauseated her.

"Maura!" Frank's voice pulled her from her thoughts. He had been calling her name for some time.

"Since Aurora had to leave quickly, can you apologize on my behalf? Rejecting your father earlier was a misstep. Tell her to come in and finalize her enrollment as soon as possible." Frank patted Maura's shoulder with an enthusiastic smile, barely containing his excitement at having Aurora on board.

Maura's face darkened further. She felt suffocated by her fury. Without a word, she fled the office.

Damon hurried after her. "Maura, don't let it get to you. Didn't you give her some study materials before the test? If she scored well, it's because you predicted the questions. You know those teachers like the back of your hand; it's no wonder you guessed right."

His words soothed her wounded pride, and she exhaled slowly.

"My father doesn't know that," Maura muttered, her voice low and bitter. "Aurora is his biological daughter, after all. I'm just the stepdaughter. Now that she's shining so brightly, I won't have a place in the family anymore." Her pained expression tugged at Damon's heartstrings.

"Don't be ridiculous, Maura. You've been a role model for all the young ladies in Merida for years, the perfect picture of a high-society lady. This is just one exam. It doesn't mean anything in the long run. In a few days, my dad's company is hosting its anniversary gala. Why don't you bring Aurora? We'll show her the real gap between you two."

Damon's tone was firm, determined to protect Maura's standing. He knew that in their world, an exam score was merely an ornament; connections and influence were the true currency.

Maura's spirits lifted. She shot Damon a grateful smile. "Thanks, Damon. I really appreciate you."

Aurora didn't go straight home. Instead, she hailed a cab to Woodside Capital Management, her heart racing as she prepared for what lay ahead. Wearing a low cap and a mask, she entered the building, blending into the midday crowd. The receptionist barely glanced at her.

"May I see your ID?" the receptionist asked politely, her tone professional yet distant.

Aurora dispensed with pleasantries. "I need to speak with your manager."

The receptionist assessed her youthful appearance and casual attire. She was certain Aurora was a minor. With a practiced smile, she replied, "Our manager's quite busy. If your business is under thirty million dollars, I can handle it for you." The emphasis on the amount was unmistakable.

Aurora's heart pounded. She had no idea how much her mother's estate was worth, but based on Jaxon's behavior in her previous life, it had to be far more than thirty million dollars. She shook her head firmly. "You won't do. I need to see the manager."

The receptionist's smile faltered, irritation flickering across her face. "Miss, are you sure you're not here to cause trouble?" she asked. This kid's clearly under eighteen, and at best, she might have a million dollars tops. If we weren't short-staffed, I wouldn't even bother with this kind of business.

Seeing Aurora unfazed, the receptionist sighed, losing patience. "Our manager won't see you. If you have no business here, I suggest you leave."

Turning to walk away, she was startled when Aurora grabbed her arm. "How can I meet your manager?"

Does she not know how any of this works? the receptionist thought, her exasperation deepening. This girl must be messing around. Pointing dismissively to an office down the hall, she replied with disdain, "Go get your capital verification. If you've got over one hundred million dollars, you'll skip the line, and our manager will come to see you."

Aurora didn't have anywhere near one hundred million dollars, but she had to find a way to access her mother's inheritance.

She stood there, defiant, her eyes fixed on the receptionist's face. The receptionist, growing annoyed, was about to call security when her expression changed abruptly. Her eyes widened as she noticed a man walking in with the manager, someone clearly important. The manager was all smiles, nodding deferentially as he escorted the man inside.

Seeing the receptionist's changed expression, Aurora immediately sensed an opportunity. Without hesitation, she stepped forward. "Excuse me, are you the manager of Woodside Capital Management?"

The manager, in the midst of attending to an important client, was taken aback by her bold approach. Though annoyed, he maintained a courteous smile. "Yes, Miss. If you need assistance, our staff can help you." He gestured toward the receptionist who had just dismissed her. "She's the one you should speak to."

The receptionist's face lit up as she saw the tall, handsome man beside the manager. She quickly hurried over, her voice suddenly sweet and pleasant as she explained, "I told her I could handle the matter, but she insisted on meeting you without even going through the verification process."

As she spoke with a troubled expression, her eyes kept darting to the man, hoping to catch his attention. But he didn't seem to notice her.

Aurora's heart pounded as she recognized the man: Harry Gray, Jaxon's assistant. Memories of that fateful moment in her previous life flashed through her mind, when Jaxon had ordered this very man to drive her to the hospital as she lay lifeless on the ground.

A flash of inspiration struck her, and she spoke confidently, "Mr. Gray can vouch for me."

Her words hung in the air, silencing the room. The manager, the receptionist, and even Harry were stunned.

Harry frowned, clearly puzzled. He had no memory of this girl and suspected a scam, but before he could dismiss her, Aurora stepped closer and whispered something in his ear.

Harry's expression shifted as he processed her words, his eyes narrowing as he studied her closely. He wasn't sure if she was telling the truth, but something about her struck him as sincere, and the information she gave him wasn't something just anyone would know.

The manager, sensing the tension, cautiously asked, "Mr. Gray, do you know her?"

Aurora held her breath, her pulse racing. She had no idea if Harry would cooperate, but her plan hinged on his answer.

After what felt like an eternity, Harry nodded slowly. "Yes. I do."