Amidst the lively gossip, Anne’s voice pierced through the noise with an idea that quickly gained traction. “How about we make this more interesting? Let’s place a bet on whether Blair will return to complete her studies or if she’ll drop out.”

  The suggestion quickly excited everyone. The cafe’s energy shifted as students focused on the proposal, their curiosity ignited by the prospect of transforming Blair’s downfall into a game.

  “Let’s do it!” someone exclaimed, their enthusiasm infectious. “I’m betting two grand that she’ll drop out. There’s no way she’ll return.”

  Another student nodded eagerly. “Yeah, I’m betting five grand she’ll disappear. I mean, can you imagine her walking back into this place after all the embarrassment?”

  The bets quickly accumulated as more students joined in, their voices overlapping as they eagerly placed their stakes on the likelihood that she wouldn’t show her face on campus again.

  Spencer Brooks, who had been observing with a smirk, finally spoke up. “I’ll take the opposite bet. I bet she’s already in the classroom while you were busy gossiping about someone else’s life.” His voice carried a sharp edge of mockery as he added, “After all, she has never been late a day at school.”

  He leaned back, a smirk spreading across his face as the bet unfolded. Crossing his arms, he appeared clearly amused by the situation. His eyes gleamed as if he already knew the outcome.

  The room descended into a brief, intrigued silence as the students processed Spencer’s unexpected bet. A flicker of doubt crossed their faces. Could it be that the rumors were not as solid as they had believed?

  One student’s eyes widened in realization. “What if all this talk about her being expelled is just a baseless rumor?”

  The tendency spread among the group. They knew Blair well enough to understand that she would not easily let such an insult go unchallenged. If she had been publicly humiliated, her pride might have compelled her to seek striking revenge.

  With classes about to begin, students reluctantly left the cafe, their minds still preoccupied with the morning’s heated discussions.

  As the students entered the classroom for their medicine lecture, the atmosphere shifted to one of anticipation mixed with lingering confusion, their collective breaths catching in their throats.

  Seated in the front row was Blair Wilson.

  She occupied her usual spot, the one she had claimed as her own, where she always sat to command attention and exude her presence. Her elegant posture and serene expression were unmistakable.

  For a moment, it felt as though time had stopped. Their eyes were wide with disbelief. The sight of Blair, so calm and composed in her familiar seat, was as shocking as seeing a ghost.

  “Is that... is that Blair?” someone stammered, unable to tear their eyes away.

  Janica, attempting to comprehend the situation, muttered, “But how? The rumors... we thought she had dropped out.”

  Of course, they recognized it was Blair Wilson! No one else radiated a noble beauty like hers, which seemed almost ethereal in the natural light streaming through the large windows. Her straight, dark hair cascaded down her shoulders, framing her face with an elegance that conveyed timeless sophistication. Her amber eyes, with their golden hues catching the light, appeared almost otherworldly. Those eyes, framed by perfectly arched brows, were both piercing and inviting.

  Raina, Janica, and Anne exchanged uneasy glances as they approached Blair, their once casual demeanor now tempered by a forced cheerfulness.

  Raina took a deep breath and forced a warm smile. She approached Blair with an air of practiced nonchalance, as if the morning conversation had never occurred. “Blair! It’s wonderful to see you again. We were all curious about how you’ve been after the rather long summer vacation.”

  Anne, attempting to uphold the facade, added with exaggerated cheerfulness, “We miss you. I mean, I miss everyone!”

  Janica, equally eager to quell the morning’s gossip, joined in. “Oh, Blair, you look amazing! That outfit is stunning—” She paused, as she thought she unmistakably saw a cat’s fur on her dress. “Just like always.”

  Her tone was warm, and she offered her a friendly pat on the shoulder.

  Blair turned toward Janica, her amber eyes softening with genuine warmth. As she expressed her heartfelt gratitude, saying, “Oh, thank you!” her face lit up with her signature optimistic smile.

  The trio exchanged puzzled glances as Blair expressed her gratitude to Janica with genuine warmth. Typically, she would accompany her thanks with a display of newfound wealth, showcasing her opulent lifestyle.

  Janica, her smile faltering slightly, tilted her head and asked with a hint of curiosity, “Thank you for what?”

  “Did you just help me with that fur on my dress?” Blair asked, her tone light and her eyes wide with innocent curiosity.

  “Come on, Blair. We know you’re allergic to fur,” Raina said with a chuckle, as if she had just heard a funny joke.

  “So you patted my shoulder to comfort me? That’s so kind of you,” Blair said, her voice filled with genuine appreciation. “You always know how to make me feel better.”

  “Of course, because we’re your friends,” Anne said, her face radiant with a smile. The eagerness to pry showed in the way her eyes darted between Blair and the others, who wore similar expressions of anticipation, clearly hoping for more details.

  This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

  Blair took a deep breath, her expression transforming into one of solemnity as she met their eager gazes. “Actually,” she began, her voice steady yet tinged with an undercurrent of sadness, “my family disowned me. It’s been incredibly tough.” She hesitated for a moment, her eyes reflecting the weight of what she was about to disclose. “I’m bound by a non-disclosure agreement, so I can’t share all the details. However, I want you to know that this has been a challenging time for me.”

  As Blair’s revelation lingered in the air, the classroom descended into silence. In that moment, every whisper seemed amplified. With all eyes on her, everyone collectively held their breath, awaiting further details.

  Raina, a smirk tugging at the corners of her lips, nodded sympathetically but couldn’t conceal the glint of satisfaction in her eyes. “Oh, Blair, I’m so sorry to hear that. It must be incredibly tough for you,” she said, her voice laced with false empathy.

  Janica chimed in, “It sounds like you’ve been through so much. I’m sure everything will work out on time. Just remember, we’re here for you.”

  Anne narrowed her eyes slightly as she processed Blair’s revelation, her tone laced with skepticism. “Blair, I have to ask—are you sure you’re not playing some kind of prank on us? It just seems so hard to believe that parents who have always spoiled you and treated you like a princess would turn their backs on you like this.” She leaned in, her expression a mix of doubt and genuine curiosity. “I mean, it’s not something you would expect from a family that has been so indulgent and loving. Are you really telling us the truth?”

  Blair’s face brightened with a glimmer of relief as Anne’s words echoed her own thoughts. She reached into her bag and retrieved a folded document. As she unfolded the paper, she held it up for everyone to see. “I understand it’s difficult to believe,” she said, her voice imbued with quiet determination. “That’s why I brought proof.”

  The document, a legal-looking form, prominently featured official seals and signatures. It outlined the terms of her estrangement, detailing the legal agreements and conditions surrounding her separation from her family.

  The document circulated among the students, causing a quiet murmur of surprise to spread. “So, where are you living now?” Raina asked, her tone softening with concern.

  Janica nodded in agreement, her voice filled with empathy. “How are you managing on your own?”

  She opened her mouth to respond, but before she could fully explain, the door to the classroom swung open with a loud creak. Spencer Brooks strode in, a self-satisfied grin plastered across his face. He appeared to revel in the attention he had just commanded from the now silent room.

  “Well, well, well,” Spencer drawled, his voice dripping with smugness. “It seems I was right after all. I won the bet!” He theatrically held up a stack of papers, presumably the betting slips, as if they were trophies.

  Blair’s expression hardened, her relief from confiding in someone about her predicament replaced by a sudden surge of irritation.

  “What bet?” she asked, her voice laced with restrained anger.

  “Oh, you know how it is,” Spencer said, shrugging his shoulders dismissively. “Students gossip, and sometimes things just get blown out of—”

  Before he could complete his sentence, her hand shot out with sudden, fierce precision. Her palm connected with Spencer’s cheek in a stinging slap that silenced him.

  “Is exploiting someone’s struggles for your amusement?” She confronted him with the full force of her emotional turmoil. “I knew you didn’t like me, but I never thought you would stoop so low as to exploit my suffering like this.”

  The students watched in stunned silence, unable to tear their eyes away from Blair. They had always known her to be confident and poised, but this was a side of her they had never witnessed before. Her face was a turbulent storm of raw emotion—her eyes, usually so composed, now glimmered with unshed tears, reflecting a profound, unspoken pain.

  Spencer smirked, his expression betraying no hint of the sting from Blair’s slap. “At least I’m not surprised to see you here—” He glanced at her friends, who surrounded her, and added, “especially since everyone else in this room bet you wouldn’t show your face again. It’s amusing how your so-called friends seem to wish for that.”

  Blair took a deep breath, her voice steady yet laced with an undercurrent of warning. “Spencer, if you’re attempting to manipulate my situation to turn my friends against me, you’re making a grave mistake. It’s one thing to dislike me, but involving my friends in this is crossing a line. I suggest you concentrate on your own behavior and leave my friends out of it.”

  She briefly glanced at her friends before turning her gaze back to Spencer and smirking proudly.

  Her eyes sparkled with palpable excitement as she continued, her voice overflowing with enthusiasm. “And anyway, I never viewed what happened to me as a downfall! I’m still the same person I’ve always been—strong and brilliant. In fact, this entire situation has only intensified my motivation, and I won’t expect help to anyone.”

  She took a dramatic breath, her smile widening as she leaned in slightly, clearly eager to share her plans. “I have this incredible list of goals, and let me tell you, it’s not just about bouncing back—it’s about coming back stronger than ever! I’m talking about achieving things that will exceed everyone’s expectations out of the water!”

  Her confidence was almost electric as she spoke, her words flowing with infectious energy. “I’m not just going to meet my goals; I’m going to surpass them. Watch me. I’ve always been driven, but now? Now I’m unstoppable. So, if you think this setback has any power over me, you’re in for a surprise. I’m on a mission, and it’s going to be spectacular!”

  As she continued to elaborate on her incredible ambitions, the scene shifted abruptly. The vibrant energy of her confident speech faded, replaced by the stark contrast of her shabby apartment. She found herself back in her small, cluttered living space, her grand plans now seeming a world away.

  She opened her front door, her enthusiasm still lingering, only to be greeted by an unpleasant sight—a cat’s feces right on her doormat. A groan of disbelief replaced the cheerful tone of her recent speech.

  Blair fumbled with the paper towels, still reeling from the sudden shift from her grand ambitions to her current reality.

  “Acho!” The sneeze erupted with such force that it seemed to shake the entire apartment.

  She glanced over at the doormat, where the offending mess lay. With a dramatic expression, she addressed the kitten, which was the size of her palm, her voice adopting an exaggerated tone of distress. “Do you realize what you’ve done? You’ve ruined my day and my plans! And do you know what else? I’m allergic to fur!”

  Her eyes watered as she continued to sneeze. She turned toward the door, hoping to enlist the help of her neighbor. “This is just fantastic,” she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “I need someone to help me clean this up!”

  She knocked on the door of her neighbor’s apartment, hoping for a sympathetic ear. “Hello? Anyone I could really use a hand here!?”

  There was no response. She knocked again, her voice growing louder. “Come on! I’m practically begging you here!”

  After several moments of silence, Blair sighed and stepped back, glancing around the hallway. The dim lighting and peeling wallpaper intensified the eerie atmosphere of the building. It was then that she recalled the infamous difficulty people experienced in renting her apartment because of a haunting rumor.

  She shook her head with a rueful smile. “Oh, right? No one wants to come near this place. I forgot about that little detail.”

  With a resigned sigh, she turned back to her apartment, muttering to herself. “Guess I’m on my own. Just me, the cat poop, and a never-ending list of goals.”

  Despite the situation, Blair couldn’t help but chuckle at the absurdity of it all. It was just another day in her chaotic life, balancing lofty ambitions with the messy realities of her haunted apartment.