JASMINE
The university looked like someone had taken a luxury resort and forced it to hand out degrees.
Endless green lawns rolled between gleaming white buildings that caught the sun like mirrors.
Tall glass towers rose high, reflecting blue sky and fluffy clouds. Fountains bubbled in courtyards lined with blooming cherry trees and modern sculptures.
Students in designer clothes lounged on wide steps or hurried across elegant bridges over artificial ponds. Even the trash cans were matte black and sleek.
This wasn't just a school it was a playground for the ultra-rich, disguised as higher education.
I stepped out of the car before Lucas could open the door. He gave my outfit another long stare. Well, I understood that look, Stephan's oversized charcoal hoodie hanging off one shoulder, baggy black joggers rolled at the ankles, white sneakers, backward baseball cap.
I looked like I had raided my husband's closet and declared war on elegance.
"Give me your number," I told him. "So I can call when classes end."
Lucas blinked, then smiled small, polite, a little surprised. "Of course, ma'am."
He recited the digits. I typed them in, gave him a mock salute, "Good… I will let you know when I am ready to call for you." and watched the car glide away.
I took a deep breath and started walking. Well, I had zero idea where I was going.
(System, this is the perfect time for you to help.)
(Using five points to give directions. Enjoy being broke again.)
I groaned at this. Well, I am used to it already. "Whatever. Just do it."
The system pinged and then a glowing arrow appeared in my vision, pointing left toward the Business & Real Estate wing.
My points dropped to 15.
Fantastic, Broke, directionally challenged, and dressed like a streetwear model. Perfect first day back.
I followed the arrow through arched walkways and past whispering students who stopped mid-sentence to stare.
"Is that Jasmine Maxwell?"
"She's wearing men's clothes…"
"Didn't she drop out last semester?"
"Well, she got the money so they keep helping her out."
I ignored them as I walked off. After all, my plan was simple to survive class and avoid Henry Maxwell. Also, gather intel from Jaden later, and do not lose more points.
I reached the lecture hall door. Before I could step inside, a hand clamped around my wrist.
"You came late," a smooth, irritated voice said. "I understand you are not serious about your education, but do you want to ruin mine too?"
I turned slowly forcing a small smile on my face, because according to what Jaden had told me, I love him to the extent that I would do anything he asked me to do even though it would hurt my husband.
I stared at him for a long second, letting the original Jasmine's memories flicker late nights, whispered lies, tears she hid from Stephan.
Then I yanked my hand free.
"Well, sorry to bother you," I said sweetly, "but I can't recall collecting any project to help with. If you want to be serious about your education, maybe you should handle your own work."
His brows shot up. "Excuse me? Did you lose something up there?"
I smiled wider. "Nope. Just woke up and decided to stop being your personal project slave."
He stepped closer, voice dropping. "The project is due today. You were supposed to finish the financial analysis section. I transferred it to you because…"
"Because you knew I would do it for free while you chased skirts?" I cut in.
"Yeah. I remember now." His face darkened.
Before he could reply, another hand grabbed my arm, manicured nails digging in.
"Hey… Jasmine. Just because he doesn't want you anymore doesn't mean you should keep hurting him." I turned and I was speechless at the plastic thing talking.
A girl stood there fake-tanned skin glowing under layers of highlighter, long platinum-blonde hair with bright pink tips, heavy winged eyeliner, glossy pink lips, and a tiny black dress so short it barely qualified as clothing. Gold hoop earrings, multiple-layered necklaces, and sky-high heels that made her wobble. I could but scoffed at how she clung to Henry's arm like a trophy.
(System. Tell me everything about her.)
(She's the girl Henry is having an affair with. They planned together to make you fall for him so they could use you, money, grades, and connections. She's been spreading rumors about you for months.)
I laughed out short and cold as I glanced back at the nonsense things Jasmine had decided to fall for.
"I am your sister-in-law," I said slowly to Henry, reminding him of his position. "Wife to your boyfriend's older brother. So you should show some respect instead of trying shit with me."
Henry's eyes widened. "What?"
"You heard me. If you don't mind yourself, I will make sure you regret it. Now, get out of my way."
I tried to step past but Henry grabbed my elbow so hard and I saw red.
I spun, slapped his hand away, then swung my open palm straight across his cheek.
The sound echoed down the hallway like a gunshot. Making Henry staggered back, hand flying to his face, eyes wide with shock.
The girl stared at him and then shrieked out. "You bitch!"
She lunged at me, nails out like claws.
I caught her wrist mid-air, twisted it just enough to make her yelp, then shoved her back gently but firmly into Henry's chest.
"Touch me again," I said, voice low and sweet, "and I will make sure the whole campus sees the video of your boyfriend threatening me last semester." Her face went white.
Henry grabbed her shoulders, pulling her behind him.
"You have lost your mind," he hissed.
"No," I said, stepping closer. "I just found it."
The crowd had grown students whispering, phones out, filming everything.
Two guys pushed forward. "Hey, calm down…"
I held up a hand. "Back off. This is family business."
One guy hesitated and the other reached for my arm. I sidestepped, grabbed his wrist, twisted it behind his back in one smooth move from my old fighting days, and pushed him away.
"Try again," I said cheerfully, "and I will make sure to break that wrist." He stumbled back, rubbing his wrist, eyes wide.
The girl started crying loudly, dramatic, fake tears. Henry's face twisted with rage. "You will regret this."
I smiled big, bright, terrifying.
"No, Henry Maxwell. You will." I turned on my heel, hoodie flapping, joggers swishing, and walked into the lecture hall as if I owned it.
Behind me, phones kept recording as the system pinged happily.
(+10 points. Reputation shift detected. Henry's social standing just dropped 30% on campus.)
I smirked as I took a seat in the back row.
First class. First win.