Associated with Victor Song? How successful could sh be? Probably some kept woman. Lara made a mental note to ruin her career after this was over.
But a moment later, Lara’s phone rang, and the color drained from her face.
“What do you mean The Clarity Group is terminating the partnership…?”
“Lara, don’t panic!” Serena said. “It must be a misunderstanding. You handle your business.” She then turne her attention to Talia, sizing her up. “You’re a college student, little sister?”
“I’m sure that as an educated person, you can see what a pathetic, disgusting loser this man next to you is.”
“Oh, really?” Talia’s eyes landed on the Stanford pin on Serena’s blazer. “You’re a Stanford student?”
A wave of pride washed over Serena. She puffed out her chest. She had worn the pin specifically to shov
off.
‘Ever heard of Dr. Talia Thorne? I’m about to become her official protégé. With her status in the academic
world, she could have you kicked out of academia with a single phone call.”
Talia’s lips curved into a smile that was anything but kind. “I wasn’t aware I had a protégé.” She exchanged < <nowing glance with Claire and pulled out her own phone.
‘Like father, like daughters!” a guest whispered. “Is this whole family delusional?”
‘That young girl must be crazy!”
But another phone call made Serena collapse to the floor.
‘What do you mean my research group application was rejected…?”
Hugo’s heart stuttered. “Serena, what’s wrong?”
“Dad… the admissions office… they said my application was canceled. They told me to… pack my things and leave the university…”
3/9
17.02
“Quick, ask your mentor! Didn’t he promise he’d get you in if you paid him-” Hugo clamped his mouth shut,
too late.
Talia smiled sweetly at him. “No need to ask. Professor Evans was just encouraged into an early retirement.”
“You’re lying! My mentor is coming to the party later…” Serena’s eyes were red, her gaze now fixed on Talia
with a dawning terror.
Isaac, meanwhile, was holding up his phone, a smug look on his face. “Everyone, check out my livestream! These people crashed my grandfather’s party, and now they’re trying to steal our gifts!” he narrated. “They’re common thugs! People like this should be canceled!”
Within minutes, his livestream was shut down. But as a mega-influencer, he had reach. He was confident
that photos of Claire and Talia would soon be all over the internet. So they had a little power, enough to cau-
