Chapter 1031

"With sportsmanship like that, you guys are better off playing in the mud," a Computer Science student scoffed.

The Medical program students flared up, ready to argue, but the CS students weren't pushovers. They surged forward, chests puffed out. "What? You want a piece of this?"

Outnumbered and outmatched, the med students exchanged nervous glances before slinking away in defeat.

"Hey! What about your silver medal?" the referee called out.

Nobody answered.

The referee muttered under his breath, "Sore losers."

Turning to Juniper, his tone softened. "Juniper, are you staying for the award ceremony?"

"Yep!" Juniper nodded enthusiastically. She was heading toward the podium when a girl suddenly sprinted past her, making a beeline for the nearest trash can.

Moments later, the girl fished out the empty plastic water bottle Juniper had just tossed away.

"Goddess! Can I get your autograph on this? I want to frame it."

Juniper blinked, a slow question mark forming in her mind. She looked closer and recognized the girl as an Arts major-a hardcore fan of hers.

"Sure."

"Hehe, thanks!" The girl hugged the signed bottle to her chest as if it were a priceless artifact and skipped away.

...

After the ceremony, Juniper shoved her gold medal into her bag. As she rounded a corner, she nearly collided with Yolanda Sherwin.

Juniper paused, her expression turning terrifyingly blank as she stared the other girl down.

Before a single word could be exchanged, Yolanda's face drained of color. She spun on her heel and bolted.

*Freak,* Juniper thought, rolling her eyes as she headed for the campus gates. She slipped into the passenger seat of a sleek black car.

"You're in a good mood," Shanley noted softly, leaning over to buckle her seatbelt.

"Mhm." Juniper grabbed her iced juice and took a long sip. Then, she held it out to him. "Want some?"

"Sure." Shanley didn't typically have a sweet tooth, but if his girl offered, he wasn't about to say no. He leaned in and took a sip from her straw.

"How is it?" Juniper asked.

Shanley's dark eyes locked onto hers, his voice dropping to a low, husky register. "Didn't get enough to tell. Let me try again."

"Oh. Okay." She innocently pushed the cup closer.

The next second, the man's large hand cupped the back of her head. He bypassed the straw entirely, his warm lips crashing down onto hers. The kiss was deep, intoxicating and thoroughly consuming.

When she finally pushed him away, gasping for air, she shot him a breathless glare. *Where exactly was he tasting that juice?*

"Very sweet," Shanley smirked, looking entirely too satisfied. "All of it."

Juniper froze, the straw hovering near her lips. She couldn't tell if he meant the drink, or her.

Across the street, Sheryl Yardley watched the entire exchange from the back of her chauffeured car.

"Slut," she spat, slamming her hand against the leather seat. The sudden movement aggravated her fresh injuries, making her wince in pain.

"Please don't upset yourself, Ms. Yardley," her driver said respectfully, handing her a glossy photograph "Mr. Yardley found the person you asked for. See if she's a match."

Sheryl snatched the photo. Her eyes narrowed as she studied it.

She had to admit, the resemblance to Juniper was uncanny, even if this girl lacked Juniper's effortlessly intimidating aura. But she was young and with the right makeup and wardrobe, she could be a near-perfect carbon copy.

Men were all the same—they always strayed. She just had to wait for Shanley

Schwartz to get bored and kick Juniper to the curb.

Once that happened, she'd make sure Juniper paid for everything.