Chapter 27: Chapter 27: The Beloved Star Student

The layout of Stellerton University’s main campus is quite unique; the largest auditorium is actually near the Southgate Square, which also happens to be on the route where Cecilia Vaughn and Adrian Law park their car.

As the crowd heading towards the auditorium grew larger, the surrounding discussions became impossible to ignore.

"I absolutely love that show ’The Summer When Gardenias Fell’ featuring Fiona. I’ve watched it three times already!"

"I adore her! No wonder everyone calls her the nation’s first love!"

"Exactly, back when Fiona was in the broadcasting department, everyone could see her often. Ever since Director Chandler of ASC recommended her for acting, she’s been almost invisible."

"Yeah, and before you know it, Fiona will be in her senior year. Balancing acting with her graduation project must make her even busier, who knows if she’ll come back to school after graduating."

The girls’ discussions were lively, and even a guy joined in on the topic.

"I’m also Fiona’s number one fan. You probably don’t know, but the ’Thousand-Thread Tower’ in our university’s Sericulture Institute, started construction three years ago, was actually funded by Fiona’s dad!"

"No way, really?"

"I told you, ’Thousand-Thread Tower’ has the radical for silk and ’thousand’, isn’t that Fiona’s name?"

"Oh my god, she really has the life of a princess! Great grades, top student, beautiful, doted on by her father, and an affluent fiancé like Tyson Law, truly a winner in life!"

...

Cecilia Vaughn and Adrian Law walked side by side, even if they didn’t want to listen, those discussions still reached her ears clearly.

Ha, the Thousand-Thread Tower, such a generous donation...

A born princess, a top student loved by everyone...

The girl’s lips curled into a mocking smile.

Back then, when she, as the top scorer of Stellerton City, got into Stellerton University, Gregory Vaughn and Florence Warner didn’t show any sign of pride, just indifferently felt like it was something she was supposed to achieve.

But when Fiona Vaughn failed to get in, Gregory Vaughn and Florence Warner were like ants on a hot pan, nearly frantic in trying to find connections to get her in through the backdoor.

Originally, Fiona was probably supposed to just spend some money to get into a third-rate college.

As a result, hearing that she and Tyson were both admitted to Stellerton University’s finance department, Fiona was unwilling to give up, trying every trick to get into Stellerton University.

Somehow, Fiona suddenly deepened her ties with Chloe Alden, the mayor’s daughter, and through her, cozied up to the honorary deputy dean of Stellerton’s broadcasting department, who is also Director Chandler of ASC, Chloe Alden’s uncle.

Then, somehow cooked up some wild idea, persuaded Gregory Vaughn to donate millions to build a teaching building for Stellerton University.

Usually, Gregory Vaughn, her father, wouldn’t even consider buying her a few hundred-dollar piece of clothing, yet when it came to Fiona and her mother, he shells out millions without batting an eye.

Fiona, a zero-credentials reject, was just stuffed into Stellerton University’s broadcasting department!

Now, she’s even become the so-called "top student", soared into the entertainment industry, becoming the nation’s first love.

...

Adrian Law noticed Cecilia’s indifferent expression, knowing those words from others touched on her sore spot.

A trace of heartache flickered in his eyes, as he understood better than anyone how Cecilia Vaughn was treated by her family.

The man suddenly gripped the girl’s palm.

"Cecilia, don’t mind them, let’s just go."

"Okay."

Cecilia suppressed her sarcasm and nodded at him with a nonchalant smile.

Adrian, feeling compassionate, immediately diverted the topic to draw Cecilia’s attention.

"Cecilia, your sketch just now was beautiful. Did anyone teach you at home before?"

Putting aside personal emotions, Adrian had just been moved seeing himself depicted vividly in the girl’s drawing.

"No, my father didn’t support my interest in painting, said it was a diversion, I secretly took extracurricular classes on my own."

Ironically, while Fiona was sponsored for broadcasting and then acting, Gregory Vaughn spared no effort and money, yet towards Cecilia, he was stingy.

"Didn’t expect Cecilia to be so talented."

"Oh please, stop overpraising me, there are far more talented people than me, my favorite is the meticulous painting master Autumn Shields."

She couldn’t help but roll her eyes at Adrian, unaware how charming and endearing her pouting appeared to him.

The man’s lips curved, his fierce and cold face suddenly softened.

"How could it be overpraising, I’ve already prepared to frame that painting in the bedroom."

"The work of a genius should naturally be well preserved, might even appreciate in value in the future."

That professor who interviewed Cecilia just now was clearly a talent enthusiast, loath to part with the painting but dared not compete with him, returning it reluctantly.

Actually joked about waiting for its appreciation?

Cecilia laughed speechlessly, her repressed mood lightening up.

...

Meanwhile, in the auditorium, Fiona and Tyson Law had already arrived.

The auditorium was by no means small, but the immense crowd there for the nation’s first love far exceeded just this batch of freshmen.

The administration was truly at wits’ end and had to make a public announcement.

"Attention all students, today Stellerton University is privileged to have our senior Ms. Fiona Vaughn give a welcome speech to the freshmen, but everyone is too enthusiastic and the auditorium capacity is limited..."

"The administration now decides to move the freshman orientation to the open air stage at the Southgate Square, please relocate and inform each other."

...

Meanwhile, Cecilia Vaughn and Adrian Law were slowly walking toward the parking lot near Southgate Square.

They didn’t expect that when passing by the square stage, Fiona Vaughn in a powder-colored fairy-like dress was already delivering a speech, with Tyson Law standing next to her.

On stage, Fiona had a gentle and noble smile at the corner of her lips.

"Hello, freshmen, I am senior Fiona Vaughn from the broadcasting department, it was an honor to enter Stellerton University, and I’m excited to be speaking to you today..."

"And beside me is Tyson Law, a senior from my batch..."

...

Cecilia glanced distantly at Fiona delivering her speech, recalling when she once gave a freshman speech after entering Stellerton University as the top scorer in the city.

Only... who could have predicted that the son of Stellerton University’s former director, who was responsible for presenting flowers to her, would later act improperly, leading her to commit murder and end up in jail...

Cecilia’s eyes dimmed for a moment, pulling Adrian quickly to turn away.

"Let’s go."

...

Almost as if telepathically sensing that gaze, Fiona on stage glanced around and immediately noticed the two figures.

Her previously fluent speech suddenly faltered.

—Why is that bitch Cecilia here!

Tyson Law quickly stepped in to rescue the scene, then softly reminded with a puzzled look.

"What’s wrong?"

Fiona bit her lip, looking delicate and pitiful.

"Tyson, I think I saw my sister..."