Chapter 9
Riley stood at Harvard’s gates with her suitcase, September sunshine binzing overhead.
She squinted and brushed the hair from her forehead, having long since ditched those thick black frames, revealing bright, clear almond–shaped eyes.
Students walking by kept turning to stare, their gazes lingering on her, but she barely noticed, just checking her watch–thirty minutes until registration deadline]
“Need help?” A warm male voice came from beside her.]
Riley turned to see a pair of smiling eyes.]
The guy wore a simple white button–down, tall and lean, with gold–rimmed glasses that made him look refined and scholarly.
He pointed to her three suitcases: “Looks like you’ve got a lot to carry, and registration’s still pretty far. If you don’t mind, I can help with some of it.“]
Riley hesitated for a moment, but time was tight, She nodded: “Thanks.”
“Ethan Mitchell, Physics Department,” the guy said naturally as he took two of her suitcases
“Riley Thompson, Business,” she said, walking behind him to the registration desk.]
Ethan’s eyes swept over the fading scrapes on her arms.
He frowned slightly but quickly looked away without prying.
They walked in silence until they finished the registration process. Only then did Ethan speak up: “Your injuries… do you need. to visit the campus clinic?“]
Riley instinctively pulled her arms back and shook her head: “No need, they’re almost healed.“]
Ethan didn’t push it, just pulled out a business card: “I work with the Student Life Office. If you need any help getting settled. feel free to reach out.“]
Riley took the card and thanked him quietly. She watched Ethan walk away, feeling a warmth she hadn’t experienced in a long time.]]
This was the first person to show her genuine kindness in her new environment.]
On Orientation Day, the main auditorium was packed.]]
Tuley stood backstage as the student representative, waiting to give her speech.
She took a deep breath and looked over her notes one more time]
Her advisor patted her shoulder: “Don’t be nervous, just speak naturally.“[]
Riley nodded and walked onto the stage
The spotlight hit her and the auditorium fell silent.]
She adjusted the microphone and was about to speak when she heard whispers from the back: “Is that Riley Thompson from Business School? She looks totally different from her photos”
“Holy shit, she’s stunning without those glasses…”
*OMG she’s gorgeous! Those thick frames were totally masking her whole viber
Riley ignored the chatter and began her speech smoothly..
Her voice was clear and confident, her logic sharp. The five–minute speech earned thunderous applause
As she left the stage, her eyes briefly swept the front row and met Ethan’s approving gaze[]
He nodded slightly at her, his eyes full of admiration.
Meanwhile, at Georgia Southern University, Sophia was surrounded by a group of freshmen, showing off the diamond bracelet on her wrist:
THE USTO
“This is an orientation gift from Jaxon–limited edition, can’t even buy it in the
“Wow, Sophia, what’s the deal with you and Jaxon?” someone asked curiously.
Sophia flipped her hair with a meaningful smile: “Guess?”
Just then, a girl nearby suddenly gasped: “You guys, check out the national campus trending topics! Harvard’s student rep Riley Thompson is drop–dead gorgeous!“]
Sophia’s smile froze.
She frantically grabbed the phone. On the screen was a photo from Riley’s orientation speech.
The girl looked stunning, with flawless skin–nothing like the “bookworm” she used to be.]
Sophia’s eyes filled with undisguised jealousy and rage, along with a growing sense of dread
Jaxon kicked open his dorm room door, his face dark as thunder.]
He’d just gone to Business School looking for Riley, only to be told no such person existed.[]
Then he saw Riley’s photo on Harvard’s campus forum, looking absolutely breathtaking without her glasses![]
But why hadn’t she told him she’d changed her college choice to Harvard?||
And why had she always hidden behind those glasses, never letting him know she was so beautiful it took his breath away?]
Just thinking about countless guys staring at her made an indescribable irritation rise from deep inside.
He pulled out his phone and dialed Riley’s number again, only to hear the same cold automated message: “The number you have dialed is temporarily unavailable…“]
“Riley, WHAT THE HELL IS YOUR PROBLEM?]
He slammed his phone onto the bed and turned around to see the envelope Marcus had delivered sitting on his desk.[]
He grabbed it and tore it open roughly. Inside was a folded piece of paper.
Unfolding it revealed a line of messy handwriting:
[Jaxon, we’re breaking up. I know you used me as practice, but I used you as a vibrator too. Pretty good experience. Let’s never see each other again.
