Chapter 103.
Chapter 103
Many girls who’d long had it in for Valerie whispered among themselves, “That explains it no wonder Valerie’s so close with Adrienne –
“Well, flowers do need green leaves as their backdrop, don’t they?” said Jasmine.
The mocking laughter lingered in the air. Adrienne’s chest tightened at those words, her face flushing red. “You don’t know shit. Disgusting who I choose to be friends with what’s it to you?”
Adrienne’s voice was so loud that even Adrienne herself couldn’t believe it had come from her mouth.
Jasmine was caught completely off guard by the sudden shout, momentarily stunned into silence.
Adrienne had always been mild–tempered and rather introverted, usually keeping to herself–the very picture of an easygoing pushover.
Ever since Valerie returned, Adrienne had been following her around like a devoted shadow.
‘Now she’s suddenly got a backbone?‘ Jasmine wondered.
Adrienne, emboldened by all the stares around her, shouted defiantly, “Yeah, I know I’m not pretty–I’m the ugly duckling. But Valerie doesn’t need me as some pathetic foil. She’s beautiful.
“Only you small–minded, jealous types keep calling her a foil or a scheming bitch. And you? What’s with all this fake–ass posturing?”
Adrienne’s eyes brimmed with tears as she shouted, “I’ve never been good with words–never knew how to butter people up. When I first moved into the dorm, you all called me a country bumpkin.
“Only Valerie ever comforted and encouraged me–she’s always been there for me, always stood up for me. All you ever did was bully me. And-”
Adrienne’s head snapped up as she scanned the crowd. “So what if Valerie’s prettier than you? When has she ever dolled herself up? Just look at what she’s wearing compared to Jasmine.
“It’s obvious who’s actually trying too hard. How can you lie through your teeth like this? Doesn’t it bother your conscience at all?”
Jasmine, the one being called out, stood there in a fitted white maxi dress, looking every bit the picture of demure elegance.
But after that tirade from Jasmine just now–heard by so many people–there was no supposed demure and gentle demeanor.
Valerie stood there in a simple, casual outfit, her natural grace as fresh and striking as a lily. Just by standing still, she effortlessly commanded the attention of everyone present.
Nobody here was blind–the truth was plain to see.
Jasmine’s face flushed crimson as she shouted, “You’ve been totally brainwashed by Valerie. I’m not wasting my breath on you. Friends? Please. She’s
making all that money.
“Has she ever shared any with you? No, right? And you know why? Because she can’t even explain what she really does.”
Jasmine’s voice boomed with false conviction, as if she had irrefutable proof. She declared, “I bet she’s turned to prostitution. Or maybe she’s got a sugar daddy–how else could she afford all that money?
“She used to tutor, but she doesn’t even do that anymore. Now she’s always sneaking around, acting all shady.”
Meredith, standing nearby, immediately chimed in, “Exactly. Who knows what she’s up to all day? She’s hardly ever in the dorm, yet she’s decked out in designer brands.
“That full set of skincare products alone costs thousands. You’re her best friend, right? So tell us, where’s Valerie getting all that money?”
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Adrienne shouted at the top of her lungs, “Valerie is talented and brilliant. She makes her own fortune trading stocks and creates amazing work.
“Just yesterday, she even partnered with Shelton Entertainment–how could you miss that? Your incompetence is the only thing limiting your imagination. Don’t assumie everyone is as pathetic as you losers.”
Jasmine’s face turned crimson with rage as she shouted, “It’s all fake–a front. If she’s really that talented, why didn’t she trade stocks or create anything before? Why did she only start after taking a month off from school and suddenly have money?
“I bet she’s just been pleasing some sugar daddy. Stop playing the saint. At this point, even if you admit it, so what?”
Some people were just like that even when the truth was staring them right in the face, they would willfully blind themselves and chant, “I don’t want to hear it.”
It was as if by doing this, they could cling to their own version of reality and remain comfortably in their little bubble.
Adrienne got even angrier and shouted, “You’re the one with double standards. Valerie is already married–her husband’s loaded and spoils her rotten. Look how jealous you are. Have some shame, will you?”
Someone scoffed, “You’ll say anything now. Married? Come on. You must be joking.”
Jasmine burst out laughing. “You’re killing me. Married? At her age? That’s the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard.”
Valerie gently pulled back Adrienne, who was flushed red from arguing with Jasmine, and stated calmly, “It’s true. I’m aiready married.”
Jasmine sneered with open contempt, “Married?
ani
–
Adrienne, fuming, shouted, “Oh, cut it out with your sugar daddy talk. Valerie’s husband is tall, handsome, young, and loaded–eat your heart out. And just so you know, her husband is none other than Mr. Walker, Aiden–the very man you just saw.”
In the heat of their argument, Jasmine found the whole thing so absurdly funny that she couldn’t help herself–a snort of laughter escaped her lips.
Her laughter was contagious, and soon the whole crowd joined in, howling with laughter.
“Oh my god, have you no shame?”
“How shameless can you get?”
Adrienne’s face turned bright red as she yelled, “It’s true. How else can you explain his constant concern for Valerie? He’s helped her again and again.”
“Enough already,” sneered a classmate named Elbert Yule, clearly enjoying the spectacle. “Even if Mr. Walker really is interested in Valerie, it’s just some rich guy playing around with a pretty face. And now you’re making such wild claims–have you no shame?”
Adrienne was absolutely fuming.
Contrary to everyone’s expectations, Valerie showed no trace of embarrassment or anger. She cast a calm glance around, then broke into a faint smile. “What if it’s true? What if he really is my husband?”
“No way, seriously? So that’s why Adrienne dared to say that–you’re the mastermind behind all these ridiculous lies.”
“This is hilarious. No wonder you’re best friends. You all love to dream these impractical dreams.”
Jasmine folded her arms with a sneer. “You did say it was just a ‘what if,” she scoffed. “So, do you dare to call him right now and prov
“Hold on.” Elbert piped up with a smirk, clearly/relishing the chaos. “If you really want to prove it, call him over. Otherwise, how would we know who’s actually on the other end of that call?”
Valerie frowned slightly and said, “He’s far too busy to bother with something this trivial.”
Jasmine scoffed, “Now it’s suddenly just a small matter? Or are you just too chicken? All talk, but too scared to prove it–what a pathetic lie.”
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Adrienne, seething with anger, grabbed Valerie’s hand and shouted, “Call him right now.
AD
