Chapter 615
It looked like Aubree would need to stop by the university before heading to Drebay City to ask a few questions.
For now, she set aside the issue with Jacinta, but Oliver’s words kept replaying in her mind: “Do you trust Bowen that much? Don’t you ever wonder if he’s hiding something from you? If you want, I can help you find out what Bowen is doing in Rithol City instead of being on a business trip.”
She knew these voices were like the whispers of the demon. In her rational mind, she knew who was conspiring against her, but she found it difficult to resist their temptation.
After a long pause, Aubree slowly opened her eyes and wondered, “How am I supposed to find out what Bowen’s hiding from me?”
Her trip to Drebay City was already set for the next few days, but the following day, she stopped by the university. Since Jacinta was supposedly in the same year as her, Aubree planned to ask one of the finance professors about her.
She’d already given her advisor a heads-up. It was just a small favor – asking about someone – so the advisor had immediately informed the relevant professor and told Aubree to reach out directly when she arrived on campus.
“Aubree, based on what you told me, there’s no one named Jacinta in your year who stands out for her grades. There’s no Jacinta at all in your year in the entire finance department,” the faculty member shared.
“No one?” Aubree gasped in astonishment. She had always thought Jacinta was just some girl from Rithol University who happened to resemble her a lot. She had thought that Jacinta was someone Alvin had found, and during those months she’d disappeared, maybe Alvin had struck some sort of deal with her and helped her refine her style and presence.
However, this new information completely blew apart all her previous assumptions.
There was no Jacinta to begin with.
But even Kelvin had confirmed that Jacinta was a student at Rithol University – there was no doubt about that.
Aubree frowned before responding, “Alright, sorry to trouble you, Professor.”
As she left the office, Aubree was deep in thought, “Who on earth is Jacinta, really?”
“Ah!” someone cried out suddenly. Before Aubree could react, someone crashed right into her.
“Sorry, sorry! I was in a rush to deliver some documents to the professor… Wait, are you Aubree?” the person asked.
Aubree stumbled from the impact. Before she could even see who had bumped into her, the flustered voice turned to surprise.
“Who are you?” Aubree asked. The girl in front of her had her hair down, wore a plain jacket and jeans, and looked completely average – just like any other college girl you’d see around campus.
“Oh, I’m, uh… we grew up in the same orphanage, but I doubt you remember me,” the girl said.
She continued, “I’m two years older than you, and I’m about to graduate. I was adopted not long after you arrived at the orphanage.”
“Sorry again for running into you just now.”
As she wasn’t really in the mood for small talk, Aubree forced a smile, “Oh, I see. It’s fine, I’m okay. You’ve got stuff to do, right? Don’t let me hold you up.”
“Oh, right! I still need to deliver these documents to the professor,” the girl gasped as she slapped her forehead, as if just remembering, then hurried off. But then, as if something suddenly occurred to her, she turned back and said, “Aubree, have you been back to the orphanage lately?”
Before Aubree could answer, the girl continued, “I had a chance to go back, and saw some new news about you recently. Looks like you were in Mistmere, so I guess you haven’t. I’m not sure how close you are to Ethel, but… the last time I visited her, she seemed to be in even worse health than before. If you have the time and want to, you might consider going to see her. When I was there last time, Ethel was talking about you.”