I Helped Him Get Into an Elite University—Then He Dumped Me Before Day One Chapter 03

I Helped Him Get Into an Elite University—Then He Dumped Me Before Day One Chapter 03

The girl at Adrian’s side noticed the change in him immediately. Her grip tightened around his arm as she turned to look at me with open suspicion and hostility.

“Claire Bennett?”

Ignoring the whispers and stares, I walked straight to the empty seat beside Emily, sat down, and calmly poured myself a glass of water.

“Claire, long time no see.”

It was Vanessa Carter who spoke first, dressed to the nines and as showy as ever.

“I heard you never went to college after all. Then again, with your family, how could you have afforded the tuition?”

“So where have you been working all these years? Don’t tell me the rumors were true and you married some rich old man. Looking at what you’re wearing today, you seem pretty casual.”

She put deliberate emphasis on rich old man, drawing a few muffled laughs from the girls around her.

“I spent a few years abroad. I just got back.”

My reply was flat. I had no interest in saying more.

“Oh, abroad?”

Another classmate, Ryan Mitchell, picked up the thread with exaggerated sympathy in his voice.

“Oh, abroad? Even with a foreign degree, things aren’t exactly easy these days, are they? Maybe that kind of shady work flies overseas, but it’s illegal back here. We’re all classmates, so tell us, do you need help finding a job?”

“My uncle’s company is hiring an office clerk. The requirements are low. As long as you know how to use a computer, you’re good. The pay isn’t great, but at least it’s honest work. Better than whatever you used to…”

He dragged out the last part on purpose, letting the implication hang in the air.

“Exactly,” Vanessa chimed in at once, all fake concern.

“I mean, sure, foreign men might like women like you, but that’s usually just for fun.”

“Claire, we go way back. If you’re struggling, just say so.”

“Given your situation… no college degree, no real professional wardrobe, you’d probably have a hard time making a good impression in interviews.”

“Tell you what, I can take you shopping for a few decent outfits. If money’s tight, I can front it for you. You used to be the top student in our class, so honestly, it’s kind of sad seeing you end up like this.”

Adrian still said nothing. He only tightened his fingers slightly around his glass as he watched me with a dark, unreadable look in his eyes.

At last, the new girlfriend beside him could not hold back any longer.

Her name was Chloe Harrison.

She gave a soft, mocking laugh and leaned forward, wearing the kind of pity that barely bothered to hide its contempt.

“So you’re Claire Bennett? I’ve heard about you.”

“I heard you used to trail after Adrian like some desperate little groupie.”

“You did his homework, copied his notes, even helped him smooth things over with teachers?”

“That must’ve been exhausting.”

She paused on purpose, savoring the expressions around the table as everyone settled in for the show.

“Still, I guess you had enough self-awareness to realize Adrian was never in your league. You knew there was no future there, so you left on your own. Although, judging by the way things turned out, life doesn’t seem to have treated you very well.”

“Adrian is the heir to Sterling Group now, and I’ve just taken over my family’s fashion label. We’re currently discussing a collaboration with a top international design house. If you’re really struggling, I suppose we could help you out.”

I took a sip of water and answered evenly, “No need. Thank you.”

Chloe shot me a dismissive look, and her tone grew even more self-satisfied.

“You probably have no idea what league I’m in. Ever heard of Lumina? It’s an up-and-coming French fine jewelry brand.”

“Their chief designer is a genius who won major international awards in Paris. She’s brilliant and ridiculously hard to reach. I pulled a ton of strings just to get on her radar. If she agrees to design a capsule collection for my brand, it’ll shake the entire fashion scene.”

“And once that happens, all I’d have to do is lift a finger to throw you a few scraps.”

The room instantly filled with gasps and flattery.

“I know Lumina. Their designs are amazing.”

“I heard that designer is insanely selective. Most people don’t even get in the room with her.”

“Miss Harrison really has connections. Being able to bring in someone that elite is incredible. A woman like that is the only kind worthy of standing beside Adrian.”

Chloe lifted her chin smugly, basking in the praise.

This was exactly the effect she had been after.

“What’s that designer’s name, anyway? She sounds incredible.”

Someone asked the question with open curiosity.

Chloe smiled and answered, “Her name is Eileen Bennett. She’s American.”