Chapter 62

Chapter 62:

Once Mabel confessed, all the emotions she had been holding back came rushing out. Her composure shattered in an instant, and tears began to flow uncontrollably.

“Ms. Ross, you’ve finally admitted it,” Fernanda said, a smirk tugging at her lips. “Earlier, when you denied it, I almost thought I was wrong about you.”

She made sure to say it in a way that Mabel could clearly feel the sting.

The weight of her shame and guilt was overwhelming, and for a brief moment, Mabel wished she could just vanish.

“Ms. Ross, this is truly disappointing,” Damian scolded, his voice tight with frustration. His eyes, filled with dismay, fixed on her. “The university had planned to nurture your career, but you’ve let us down. You abused your position for personal reasons and brought shame to the institution.”

“Mr. Castro, I’m so sorry, truly sorry,” Mabel said, her voice shaking as her tears fell freely to the floor. “I let you down. I didn’t live up to your expectations or honor the effort you put into supporting me.”

Damian shook his head and let out a long, weary sigh.

In the silence of the office, the only sounds were Damian’s heavy breaths and Mabel’s muffled sobs of humiliation.

After a long pause, Cristian finally spoke. “Now that we know who’s responsible, the matter is settled. Mr. Castro, please hand Fernanda her admission letter.”

Fernanda jumped slightly, surprised by his sudden statement.

How well did they really know each other? What was it that compelled him to step in for her so decisively?

Cristian turned to Fernanda and smiled gently. “Fernanda, congratulations,” he said.

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His eyes narrowed slightly as the smile lingered, softening his elegant demeanor with a warmth that was rare to see.

Without hesitation, Damian retrieved a fresh admission letter, wrote Fernanda’s name on it, stamped it with the university seal, signed it, and handed it to her with both hands. “Congratulations, Fernanda,” Damian said, smiling sincerely. “You are now officially part of Esaham University.”

Fernanda’s lips curled into a half-smile, one that was more mocking than pleased. Hadn’t he just threatened to refuse her admission?

But instead of speaking her thoughts aloud, she simply took the letter and replied casually, “Thank you, Mr. Castro.”

“Well, we won’t take up any more of your time,” Cristian said, getting up from the sofa and resting his arm comfortably around Fernanda’s shoulder, as if they were old friends.

“Take care of my friend, Mr. Castro,” he added with a half-smile. “If she runs into any trouble, I’ll be the one to have a word with you.”

“That won’t happen,” Damian reassured him, waving his hands in dismissal. “Here at Esaham University, we pride ourselves on a peaceful, respectful environment among students. There will be no bullying, I promise. Don’t worry, Mr. Reed.”

Cristian offered a small smile as he walked out alongside Fernanda.

Fernanda shot a quick glance at Mabel, who looked back at her for a brief moment before quickly averting her gaze, unable to meet Fernanda’s eyes out of guilt.

Holding the admission letter signed by Damian, Fernanda walked out of his office with a confident stride.

The moment they stepped outside, she shrugged off Cristian’s arm and turned to face him.

“Finished with your little performance?” she asked.

“Not quite yet,” Cristian replied with a serious expression. “I’m actually enjoying this more than expected, and I’m not ready for it to end.”

Without missing a beat, he draped his arm around her shoulder once again.

Fernanda struggled to pull away, but his grip remained firm, refusing to let go.

“We’re on campus,” she said through gritted teeth. “Could you please behave yourself, Mr. Reed?”

“Isn’t this normal on campus?” Cristian asked, gesturing to a couple strolling hand in hand. “Look, isn’t that just like us?”

“We’re nothing like them!”

“Why not?” Cristian asked, his curiosity piqued.

Fernanda was too irritated to argue, considering his behavior downright shameless.

“They’re a couple, but we’re not like that,” Fernanda said, her voice steady. “I’m grateful for your help today, but that doesn’t mean you can take advantage of me.”

Seeing Fernanda’s serious demeanor, Cristian finally backed off.

“It’s not that I want to take advantage of you,” he said. “We just need to make it look convincing. If Mr. Castro finds out we’re only acquaintances, he might stop looking out for you.”

“I don’t need it,” she replied, her tone sharp with disdain. “He wanted to cover for Mabel in the first place. If you hadn’t intervened, he would’ve never changed his mind. Why would I need help from such a hypocrite?”

“Fine,” Cristian said with a soft smile. “But I really hope your life is simple and peaceful. I’ll do whatever I can to make things easier for you.”

Under the sunlight, his eyes glinted with sincerity, and in their reflection, only Fernanda remained. A soft breeze lifted his shirt and tousled his hair. A few strands fell across his forehead, giving him a casual, handsome appearance—just like any other youthful student on campus. Fernanda felt a flicker of emotion stir within her.

Cristian had been nothing but kind and considerate. He truly treated her well.

Moreover, it was clear he never intended to take advantage of her. When he placed his arm around her earlier, his hand had been carefully positioned—respectful, like a true gentleman.

With quiet appreciation, she said, “Thank you.”

Cristian’s smile returned, and after they exited the school gates and got into the car, he drove her back to Dawn Villas.

During the drive, Cristian’s phone buzzed with a call from Bobby, who sounded unusually eager.

As soon as he answered, Bobby’s voice came through, serious and urgent. “Cristian, you won’t believe what I saw last night. My angel went to a hotel with a guy. They went upstairs together. Does she have a boyfriend now? Do you still have a chance with her?”

Cristian, skeptical, asked, “Are you certain about this?”

“I saw it myself,” Bobby insisted. “I don’t think they’ve even left yet. Why would anyone leave early after getting a room? Especially with someone like her—this guy probably wants to stay with her until tonight.”

“Cristian, why not come over and check it out?” Bobby suggested with a mysterious tone. “I’m dying to know who that guy is. Who’s won her heart?”

Cristian rejected the idea without hesitation and decisively ended the call.

Bobby stared at his phone, his head pounding from a hangover. He shook it, trying to make sense of Cristian’s reaction. Was he truly indifferent, or was something else going on?

The woman Cristian had a crush on had shared a hotel room with some unknown man late at night, yet Cristian hadn’t seemed fazed at all. Could it be that he didn’t actually have feelings for her?

When the car pulled up in front of the Morgans’ house, Fernanda stepped out.

“We should go out for dinner sometime,” she said. “I’d like to thank you properly.”

“Okay,” Cristian replied with a slight nod. “I’m free anytime.”

Still holding the admission letter, she opened the front door.

To be honest, she had no desire to return to that house. The moment she stepped inside, the atmosphere felt thick and suffocating. Something about it weighed her down.

Robert was on the phone, his face flushed with a mix of shame and embarrassment.

“It’s my fault,” he said into the receiver. “I didn’t realize she didn’t get in. It’s fine. I’m not upset, really. Thanks for your concern.”

He hung up, and Erika, standing nearby, sneered.

“Oh, you’re back, Fernanda. I thought you’d be too embarrassed to show up after being out all night.”

Robert shot Fernanda a sharp glare and let out a heavy sigh.

“Fernanda, I’ve made up my mind,” he said coldly. “We’re sending you back to the countryside for a while. We’ll bring you back once we’ve found a school. Go pack your things.”

“Alright,” Fernanda replied calmly, nodding.

Erika tried to suppress a laugh, her amusement barely concealed.

To her, Fernanda had lost all grounds for pride. Her confidence had evaporated.

Completely disappeared. No matter what decisions were made, she wouldn’t have the courage to argue back.

Fernanda walked past Erika, who was smirking, Robert, who was fuming, and Michelle, who remained silent, without sparing them a glance. As she moved, the admission letter she had been holding slipped from her hand and landed right at Erika’s feet.

“What’s this?” Erika asked, picking it up with idle curiosity.

The moment she saw the bold lettering, her eyes widened in disbelief.

Robert, who had only given it a passing glance at first, quickly stepped forward. He snatched the letter from Erika’s hand, rubbed his eyes hard, then stared at the document again and again, as if his mind couldn’t quite catch up.

“An admission letter?” Robert’s voice trembled with disbelief. His eyes locked onto Fernanda, his face a mixture of confusion and shock. “Fernanda, what is going on?”

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