Chapter 77
When Selene was admitted to Aldonia University of Science & Technology, Director White was still head of administration there.
She had been his most promising student. Back then, she was just fourteen years old. To ease the burden on her adoptive family, she’d finish her classes each day, then lie about her age to find part–time work in town.
Mr. White tracked her down and sat her down for a talk. He urged her to focus on her studies. With her abilities, he said, knowledge could open doors to a future she couldn’t yet begin to imagine.
The year Selene left for her PhD at Capital University, Mr. White received a promotion.
He stood at the gates of Aldonia University, waving her off.
“Selene Holloway, this is as far as I can walk with you. I know you’ll climb to heights I’ll never reach. And when you’re looking down from the summit, you’ll see me–down here, cheering for you.”
Six years later, they crossed paths again. This time, Director White was surrounded by a crowd, visiting the school as part of an official inspection.
After dropping her two kids off at school that morning, Selene barely had a moment to catch her breath. She had to dash to the mall to pick up the suit Harrison needed for the evening gala, making sure to find a matching pocket square and lapel pin.
The housekeeper texted her the day’s grocery list, and Selene double–checked every item. Harrison’s parents were coming for dinner that night, so she needed to lay out the right tableware and decorations ahead of time.
Sitting in her car, she ate a sandwich with her coffee and took a quick call with the chef to confirm the menu. Only then did she remember: she’d run into Mr. White at the school gates that morning, after six years apart.
She never dared reread the words he’d sent her off with when sheft the university. Afterward, whenever they/happened to cross paths, she never found the courage to greet him.
The Selene who once inspired such high hopes had vanished.
Now, she was Mrs. Vaughn, mother of two children. Whatever special connection.
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she’d once shared with Director White as his student was long in the past
Snapping out of her reverie, Selene noticed Director White smiling at her
“I heard you took first place at the ALI Math Competition,” he said.
Selene smiled modestly. “That was just the preliminary round. The finals are still ahead.”
“Congratulations,” Director White said, his tone formal but warm. Seeing Selene step out from the Vaughn family’s shadow, even just a little, filled him with pride.
He turned to the journalists gathered nearby and announced, “If you want to know more about Selene, you can interview me. When she was just fourteen and got into Aldonia University of Science & Technology, I was her advisor.”
The reporters lit up–interviewing Director White was a rare opportunity.
Meanwhile, Adrian sat in his car, watching Selene from a distance through the
window.
He saw her surrounded by people, saw Director White point at her and speak to the press, smiling.
A smile tugged at Adrian’s lips, dimples appearing on his cheeks, making him almost boyishly handsome.
But it wasn’t enough, he thought. He wanted to see her shine like the moon–high above, admired and revered by everyone.
“Daphne’s mother,” someone called out to Selene, hesitant.
She turned to see a group of parents, the same ones who had earlier supported Daphne dropping out, now approaching her with apologetic smiles.
“Daphne’s mother, we’re really sorry about earlier. We just got carried away by Principal Zachary’s opinion.”
As they spoke, their eyes kept darting toward Director White.
“Whenever Director White visited, I never saw you speak with h your connection with him under wraps!”
You really kept
“We never imagined you’d win first place at the ALI Math Competition! That’s incredible. My husband told me that anyone who makes it to the ALI Math Competition’s top twenty is courted by top firms from all over the world!”
“You’re not just a star to companies–Capital University’s news team came to
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interview you too! I overheard one of their reporters asking if you’d give a lecture
there.”
“Daphne’s mother, you should really let your daughter stay at Charteris Academy.”
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