Chapter 92: Don’t expect me to save you
Those words struck a chord with Paige. Enter it, break it.
She looked at Rachel, her mind made up. She withdrew her hand from Rachel’s side and agreed without hesitation, “Alright, I’ll attend the banquet.”
Upon hearing this, Rachel’s face lit up with excitement. “That’s great! I’ll definitely introduce you to the seniors and you need to impress them, aiming to get into the Elite Club.”
“Go ahead,” Paige replied, less enthusiastic than Rachel.
“Okay!” Rachel nodded eagerly, gripping her books tightly, then happily turned and walked away.
Paige stood in place, watching Rachel’s retreating figure for a few seconds before heading back to her easel to continue painting. The painting was nearly finished; just the final touches remained…
As Rachel descended from the rooftop, Nancy spotted her and hurried over. “Rachel, why are you here at the art school?”
“I came to talk to Joss about joining the Elite Club.”
“Her grades might be achieved through cheating. Rachel, considering your health, why bother persuading someone like her?”
“Don’t say that, she wouldn’t cheat. She’s genuinely talented. I saw her on the rooftop working on her themed painting; she wouldn’t let me see it, but judging by how seriously she was taking it, I’m sure she’s preparing to get a good grade.”
‘Joss painting on the rooftop? Still aiming for a good grade? A standout performance in one law school exam wasn’t enough; does she want another at the art school?’ Nancy listened, a calculating look in her eyes.
“My family is hosting a banquet this weekend. Would you like to come? I’ll have someone send you an invitation later,” Rachel said with a smile.
Upon hearing this, Nancy looked pleasantly surprised. “Can I come too?”
“Of course, aren’t we friends? Then it’s settled,” Rachel concluded and leaving.
Nancy stood still for a while, dazed by Rachel’s invitation, before finally remembering Rachel’s earlier words and hurried back into the building.
She waited in a corner along the path Paige would take down from the rooftop, keeping watch for nearly two hours until she finally saw Paige descending.
Nancy followed her.
It was late, and there weren’t many people in the art school.
Paige entered an empty classroom alone and took out a leather portfolio from a drawer. She placed her finished painting in a transparent bag first, then put it into the portfolio, making it a complete exam paper.
Paige fastened the clasp on the side and wrote her name on the cover of the portfolio. It seemed she was ready to submit her painting.
Nancy hid near the classroom door, secretly watching. She turned her head and took a few steps back, retreating to a corner near the stairs. She pinched her throat and let out a sharp cry, “Oops.”
Paige stood in the classroom, and upon hearing the sound, walked towards the direction of the stairs.
Nancy immediately ran quietly back into the classroom from another direction. Paige’s portfolio was still on the desk. She hurried over and was about to take out the painting to destroy it, but was stunned by what she saw.
Both were in the art department, and Nancy immediately knew this painting was extraordinary.
“This bitch is truly a genius.
She can get an S+ in the law school exam, and paint such a stunning piece of work.
Who exactly is she?
This painting… it’s just too eye-catching…
Nancy hesitated for a moment, unable to bring herself to tear the painting. If this painting ended up in the hands of the teachers, it would surely be praised across the whole school, possibly even earning extra credit. There was a chance it could be recommended for higher-level competitions.
Suddenly, footsteps approached from outside. It was Paige returning.
Nancy’s hands trembled slightly, but she couldn’t muster the courage to destroy the painting. Without further thought, she swiftly took out her own painting, and slipped it into Paige’s portfolio. Then, she placed Paige’s painting into her own bag and quickly crouched down, crawling forward under the desk.
She lay hidden under the desk, silently praying, hoping not to be discovered, praying especially that the painting wouldn’t be found.
Paige walked up to the desk, tidied up for a moment, then carried the portfolio towards the office.
Nancy breathed a sigh of relief, hand pressed against her pounding heart.
Paige entered the office, a mischievous smile playing on her lips…
…
Later that night, after a passionate lovemaking session, Paige was too exhausted to move, lying sprawled on the bed.
“Do you know the Gustins are having a banquet this weekend?” she asked.
“Why bring that up?” Enrico replied.© 2024 Nôv/el/Dram/a.Org.
“Your sister invited me, and I’m planning to go.”
The hand on her waist paused abruptly, and Enrico’s gaze hardened. “Why would you go to the banquet? If you like banquets, I can arrange one for you-whether it’s on a plane or on a cruise,” Enrico said sarcastically.
Paige lay there, slowly lifting her face to meet his sharply defined features. “I want to go.” Her eyes showed determination.
“Aren’t you afraid they’ll catch you and use you to threaten me, then take the opportunity to kill me?” Enrico propped himself up to look at her. “If that happens, don’t expect me to save you.”
“They wouldn’t dare,” Paige replied confidently. She knew they wouldn’t dare; otherwise, they would have kidnapped her at school.
“You seem to have it all figured out,” Enrico sneered. “I’ll have Jaden check my schedule. If I’m not free that night, you can go. If yes, you’ll have to stay here with me.”
She sat up in bed, asking, “You’re not going to the banquet?”
“What, you want me to accompany you?” Enrico glanced at her disdainfully.
“That’s not what I meant,” she said casually.
“I’m not going,” Enrico replied coolly. “If I go, it’s just to save face for them. It’s their anniversary, those two dogs.”
This answer didn’t surprise Paige. She nodded and prepared to lie back down, but added, “I have my own reasons for going to the banquet. It’s not to harm you.”
Hearing this, Enrico teased, “Are you so afraid I’ll misunderstand you?” He didn’t really suspect her. It wasn’t about trust; even if she did harm him, he wouldn’t care. He only cared whether she would leave him.
“I think it’s important to clarify,” Paige said, focused on advancing herself and unwilling to waste energy entangled with Enrico. The current peaceful situation between them was essential to her.
Enrico chuckled at her words, he pulled her into his arms, his eyes darkening. “I see you’re not ready to sleep yet. Too much talking.”
With that, he rolled over, pinning her beneath him.
Realizing what he was about to do, Paige sighed inwardly. “My back is sore…”
“I’ll be gentle this time.” Enrico said, silencing all her protests with a deep kiss…
…
Jeremy and Leah’s wedding anniversary banquet attracted celebrities from all around. It was widely known that Enrico and Jeremy had some issues, but the extent of their discord wasn’t widely understood by outsiders. Therefore, when the Gustins hosted their banquet, everyone came to show respect.
It was just a banquet, yet the entire road was lined with police maintaining order and countless bodyguards. Ornate lights adorned both sides of the road, forming two rows of glowing trees that resembled galaxies under the night sky, leading straight to the brightly lit estate.
Car after car passed by, each one a limited edition luxury vehicle, as if competing to see whose car was superior.
Paige didn’t arrive by car; instead, she walked along the road towards the estate.
“Welcome, please present your invitation,” a familiar voice said.
There were numerous security guards at the entrance, and staff dressed in black and white uniforms-or should they be called servants-were there to welcome guests and verify their identities.
“We’re Rachel’s university classmates and close friends,” said a familiar voice.
Paige looked up to see Nancy and a group of girls standing there, all dressed in glamorous evening gowns.
Paige didn’t avoid them; she walked up and handed her invitation to the greeter.
“Joss?” Nancy’s expression changed abruptly upon seeing Paige. She remarked sarcastically, “You received an invitation too?”