Chapter 58
Judy’s POV
“That asshole!” Nan gasped as we stood in line at the campus coffee shop. “I can’t believe he had the nerve to do that to you last night. And to involve your mother?”
It was the morning after Ethan’s unexpected visit, and I had just finished telling Nan everything.
I was still in shock.
Not only had he shown up at my house and tried to manipulate me, but he’d also dangled my mother’s well-being over my head—as if it were some kind of bargaining chip.
I felt disgusted.
But worse than that… I felt guilty.
Irene didn’t deserve this. She had no idea that the man she loved was actively trying to make me his mistress.
“I told him to leave,” I muttered, shrugging as if the entire thing didn’t shake me to my core.
Nan folded her arms. “You should have kicked him harder on his way out.”
Before I could respond, the barista behind the counter spoke up.
“What can I get for you ladies this morning?”
I looked up to find Nicole, a girl from a few of my courses. She was a strong fighter—I had sparred with her before. She also worked the morning shifts here and always made my drinks perfectly.
“Just a vanilla cappuccino,” I said.
“Make that two,” Nan added, pulling out her wallet.
I shook my head and reached for my own. “I’ll pay. You got me a coffee last time.”
Nan sighed dramatically but relented as I handed Nicole my card.
After the transaction went through, Nicole handed it back. “Coming right up.”
As she turned to make our drinks, Nan nudged me. “So… what are you going to do about the whole Ethan situation?”
I exhaled.
“What can I do?” I asked. “He doesn’t take no for an answer. The best I can do is keep working to pay off my father’s debt.”
Nan narrowed her eyes. “Are you going to tell Irene what her fiancé is up to?”
I hesitated.
Then, I shook my head.
“It’s not my place. And Gavin made it very clear that I shouldn’t do or say anything that could jeopardize this marriage.” I lowered my voice. “If I’m the reason his daughter gets hurt, he’ll fire me. And then I’ll be out of a job—with no way to help my family.”
Nan frowned but didn’t push further.
Just then, Nicole returned with our drinks.
“Your cappuccinos are all set.” She slid the cups across the counter.
“Thanks.” I grabbed both and handed one to Nan. “See you in class later.”
Nicole waved goodbye as we stepped outside and started walking across campus.
Nan didn’t ask any more questions, but I could feel her concern.
She didn’t know that I was personally getting to know Irene.
And she definitely didn’t know that if she kept pressing for details, she might uncover something that could put everything at risk.
The Landrys had always been private. Irene might have been in the spotlight, but she never really had friends—never socialized much outside of her family.
To most people, she was a mystery.
If Nan found out I had been in close contact with Irene, she’d start asking questions.
And I couldn’t afford for anyone to know the truth.
I had to protect this job as if my life depended on it.
Because… it did.
We still had thirty minutes before class, so we decided to head to the student lounge.
The moment we stepped inside, I sensed something was off.
The atmosphere was thick with whispers.
Eyes flickered toward me.
People were talking—about me.
I frowned. What the hell?
“She was the one who got Carol expelled,” I heard someone murmur.
“I can’t believe she walked in here like nothing happened.”
“She has some nerve after what she did.”
Heat flushed my cheeks.
I glanced at Nan, who was also eyeing the crowd, her frown deepening.
“What’s going on?” I whispered.
Nan exhaled sharply. “Carol was expelled.”
My brows shot up.
Before I could react, Nan added—loudly—“And it’s obvious everyone is blaming you, even though it wasn’t your fault!”
She wasn’t wrong.
Carol had cheated.
She hadn’t worked hard for that scholarship—someone else had done the work for her.
Still, I hadn’t expected the backlash.
As we moved toward our usual table by the window, a group of students stepped in front of us.
Carol’s friends.
Their arms were crossed, their gazes full of contempt.
“How dare you show your face here after what you did?” one of them sneered.
“Carol earned that scholarship! You stole it from her!”
My eyes narrowed.
“She cheated,” I said through clenched teeth. “She didn’t earn anything.”
One of the girls stepped forward, her lips curling.
“And you,” she hissed, “have been lying to everyone—pretending to be poor.”
