C30 She Left after Barking.

In the evening, Reece finished his tasks but didn't return to the warm comfort of his usual room.

He needed solitude to clear his thoughts, so he retreated to his own quarters.

Yet as he lay in bed, sleep eluded him no matter how much he tossed and turned, leading to an all-too-successful bout of insomnia.

Propped against the bed, he inhaled a cigarette deeply, hoping to quell the restlessness within, but the smoke offered no relief from his persistent wakefulness.

He had to acknowledge that Lydia, acting as a sedative, was quite effective for him.

Her delicate face floated into his mind once more.

Lydia?

His thoughts kept circling back to her.

Frustrated, Reece took another drag on his cigarette and pulled a photo frame from the drawer, his gaze fixed on the gentle woman pictured within—Maria.

Many were curious about his profound affection for Maria. He suspected it stemmed from a car accident years ago.

Though he was comatose, he was still aware.

He heard the doctors give up on him, but a woman's voice at his side insisted she was waiting for him, that she wouldn't give up, that her lucky pendant was his to borrow, and she believed he would awaken.

And awaken he did the next day, finding the star-shaped necklace under his pillow and Maria by his side.

He learned from the nurse that Maria had cared for him for two months, and from that moment, he silently vowed to protect her for life.

But...

She had been in a car accident.

With these thoughts, Reece took a harsh drag from his cigarette, his expression growing darker...

After that night, his demeanor towards Lydia reverted to cold indifference.

Still, he returned home punctually each day.

Lydia, engrossed in her studies, remained oblivious to these changes.

This morning, as she descended the stairs, she encountered Loran.

She offered a courteous smile before taking her seat and bowing her head to eat breakfast.

The man opposite her had risen and left his seat as soon as she sat down.

"Young Madam, I believe Mr. Tillman mentioned earlier that today's destination is the University of Goulcrest," Ora interjected, noting Lydia's focus on her meal.

Lydia simply uttered an "oh" and continued with her breakfast in a methodical fashion.

Mrs. Ora paused, taken aback, wondering if her hint had been too subtle.

So, she added, "Aren't you also heading to class? It happens to be on the way. Why not ride with Mr. Tillman?"

Reece overheard and cast a casual glance at Lydia beside him.

Lydia remained composed, eating her meal as if she hadn't heard a thing.

"Young Madam?"

It wasn't until Ora called out to her a second time that Lydia looked up and smiled, "I have some other errands to run today; they're not on the way. I'll drive myself over in a bit."

An excuse not to share a ride with him, perhaps?

Reece's expression grew colder, and he strode out swiftly.

Loran, noticing the tension, hurried after him, stealing a glance at his brother's grim face and inwardly sighed.

Oh, the fates are against me.

It seems my sixth brother has truly met his match in a woman this time.

...

After finishing their meal,

Lydia leisurely drove to the school and hurried to the design competition's registration desk.

In truth, this competition was more of a talent hunt for companies. Executives often spotted contestants they liked and offered them contracts on the spot.

As a result, many college students eagerly entered, hoping for a chance to leapfrog to success.

With the overwhelming number of participants, a long queue had formed outside the registration area.

After standing for an extended period, Lydia's injured left leg began to ache.

When the pain intensified, she would clench her fist and rhythmically tap the nerves in her thigh to alleviate the discomfort.

Her stooped figure stood out in the crowd.

Viola caught sight of her and her eyes narrowed with displeasure. "What is she doing here?"

"Who?" Pauline, trailing behind her, followed Viola's gaze. Upon seeing Lydia tapping her left leg, she sneered, "Lydia!"

Given the Cooper family's business reliance on the Ellis family, Pauline was somewhat informed about their affairs.

Pauline sidled up with a sly smile. "Viola, let's go have some fun with that worthless nobody, shall we?"

"But isn't that kind of mean?" Viola hesitated, feigning the innocence of a model student.

"What's there to fear? She's a nobody, unloved and unwanted. It's not like the Ellis or Tillman families would ever defend her." Pauline's words were sharp as she tugged Viola along.

The recent issues with the Blue Bay property had put Pauline's grandmother in a position of power, increasing the pressure on her side of the family. Viola had been harboring resentment towards Lydia and was itching for a chance to put her in her place. Pauline's eagerness to join in on the mischief was just the opportunity she needed, so she reluctantly followed suit.

"Well, if it isn't Lydia Ellis herself," a voice dripping with sarcasm rang out.

Lydia stopped in her tracks and looked up. Seeing Pauline dragging Viola toward her, she braced herself for their cruel intentions.

"To think someone like you, who betrayed her best friend and caused her tragic death, would dare to enter the design competition. You're tainting its integrity," Pauline sneered at Lydia, her eyes filled with contempt.

She raised her voice deliberately on those last words, drawing the attention of everyone around them. The students began whispering and pointing.

"Wow, how can she be such a two-faced schemer?"

"Exactly, she's the lowest of the low!"

"Is she here to cheat her way through the design competition again?"

The crowd's murmurs grew increasingly harsh, and Viola couldn't help but snicker at Lydia's expense, relishing the moment.

She stood to the side, silently reveling in the drama unfolding.

"Oh, and Miss Ellis, perennially topping the absentee list, have you ever actually attended a class? Ever even held a pen? What audacity you have, entering a design competition with your pathetic skills," Pauline gloated, buoyed by the crowd's support.

Ignoring Pauline's smugness, Lydia replied coolly, "At least I have the courage. What can you do besides bark aimlessly?"

"You dare to call me a dog!" Pauline fumed, her anger reaching a boiling point.

Lydia simply shrugged and smiled, "Dog is your word, not mine."

"You!!!" Pauline was seething, her chest heaving with rage. If it weren't for the crowd, she would have lunged at Lydia and given her a piece of her mind.

"Done barking? Then move aside!" Lydia stepped over Pauline and continued on her way.

Pauline, nearly driven mad with fury, watched Lydia limp past her, a flicker of malice barely perceptible in her eyes.

Seizing her moment, Pauline stuck out her leg to trip Lydia.

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