Chapter 6
Benny was stunned. ’16 years old?’
The reason people in Benny’s social circle held Jessica in such high regard wasn’t just because of her beauty. It was also because of her exceptional academic achievements. She was a high achiever at a prestigious university, someone unmatched even among Hovendale’s socialites.
She deserved to be with Stanley.
For any woman, beauty alone was a dead end. Beauty combined with education was the real trump card. The higher the social class, the more they valued a woman’s education.
Benny’s initial admiration for Wendy vanished instantly. His tone became dismissive. “Wendy, did you seriously drop out of school at 16?”
Wendy glanced at Jessica, who stood there with pride, and smiled faintly. “Yes, I did stop studying at 16.”
Benny sneered, “Well, what a coincidence. Stanley also stopped studying at 16. But he’s a true prodigy, earning dual master’s degrees from Harfield at that age and making history. And you? Dropped out of high school with nothing to your name!”
His mockery echoed loudly.
Jessica stood tall, looking down at Wendy with disdain.
Stanley, with his tall and imposing figure, stood silently under the corridor lights. His handsome face remained unreadable as his gaze fell on Wendy.
For the past three years, Wendy had been just a housewife, revolving around him. It was no surprise she lacked education.
Wendy, however, didn’t seem embarrassed or flustered. Instead, her clear, luminous eyes met his gaze. Then she smiled gracefully and said, “Yes, what a coincidence.”
‘Indeed, what a coincidence.’
For reasons he couldn’t explain, Stanley felt a ripple in his heart.
He suddenly noticed how beautiful Wendy’s eyes were-brimming with vitality and seemingly able to speak volumes without words.
“Wendy!” At that moment, Cecelia came rushing over. She glared at Jessica. “Jessica, are you bullying Wendy again?”
Jessica responded proudly, “We weren’t bullying Wendy. We were just discussing helping her find a job.”
Cecelia was stunned. “You’re helping Wendy find a job?”
Jessica continued her magnanimous act. “Yes. Even though Wendy lacks education and qualifications, we’ll try our best to help her secure something decent.”
Cecelia laughed in disbelief. “Do you even know who Wendy is? Wendy is—” Wendy quickly grabbed Cecelia’s arm to stop her. “Cecelia, let’s go.”
Cecelia held back her words, but before leaving, she cast a mocking glance at Jessica. “You’ll regret this someday!”
With that, she led Wendy away.
Benny fumed, “What’s wrong with Wendy? She dropped out of school at 16 and still acts so arrogant! If I were her, I’d be too ashamed to show my face.”
Jessica wasn’t upset. She had never truly looked at Wendy as a rival Wendy wasn’t even qualified to compete with her. Getting angry at Wendy would only lower her status.
She smiled loftily at Benny. “Benny, let it go. Ignorance is bliss.”
Benny turned to Stanley. “Stanley, you should hurry up and divorce Wendy. She’s not worthy of you.”
Stanley’s expression remained calm as his gaze briefly lingered on Wendy’s departing figure.
“Let’s go,” he said to Jessica.
Jessica nodded. “Alright.”
And so, Jessica and Benny left with Stanley.
Later, outside the bar…
“Mr. Hawk?” a voice called out.
Stanley looked up to see a familiar face. It was Dave Suarez, the president of Harfield University.
Stanley approached him. “Mr. Suarez, what brings you to Hovendale?”
Jessica, always respectful of such prestigious figures, greeted him as well. Although she had always excelled academically, she hadn’t been able to secure a spot at a top-tier institution like Harfield.
Dave smiled. “Mr. Hawk, I’m here for a seminar. What a coincidence-you have a junior alumna here in Hovendale too.”
Stanley paused. “A junior alumna?”
Dave nodded. “Yes, Harfield has two legends. The first is you, Stanley. The second is your junior alumna. Like you, she earned dual master’s degrees at 16. She’s a high-IQ prodigy. Unfortunately, you were a few years apart, so you’ve never met her.”
Benny’s curiosity was piqued. “Wow! Stanley’s junior is that amazing? Who’s better between the two of them?”
Dave smiled and looked at Stanley. “They’re evenly matched.”
Stanley raised an eyebrow. He had never encountered a woman who could be his equal.
Jessica, who had been calm earlier, suddenly felt an overwhelming surge of jealousy. This mysterious prodigious junior made her feel threatened.
“Who is this junior?” she wondered aloud.
Dave pulled out his phone. “Mr. Hawk, I’ve sent you her WhatsApp contact. She’s also in Hovendale. You should connect with her and look out for her since you’re her senior.”
Stanley nodded. “Alright.”
After Dave left, Benny urged, “Stanley, add her WhatsApp now! I want to see what she looks like.”
Stanley switched on his phone and found the contact. It had a profile named simply ‘W,’ with a plain white background.
“What does the ‘W’ stand for?” Benny asked excitedly.
Stanley didn’t know either. He sent a friend request, adding the note, “Stanley.”
The request was pending approval.
Benny was buzzing with excitement. “Stanley, once she adds you, introduce her to me! I’m in awe of her already.”
Jessica, sensing the shift in attention, grew visibly unhappy.
At that moment, a Rolls-Royce pulled up. Stanley’s personal secretary, Zayn Cameron, had arrived.
Jessica seized the opportunity to cut the conversation short. “Stanley, the car’s here. Let’s go.”
“Stanley, Jessica, see you later,” Benny said.
The Rolls-Royce glided smoothly through the city streets, the quiet, opulent interior filled with an air of calmness. The dazzling city lights outside refracted against the polished windows, creating a cinematic interplay of shadows on Stanley’s chiseled face-elegant and enigmatic.
From the driver’s seat, Zayn glanced back respectfully. “Sir, where to?”
“To the office,” Stanley answered curtly.
Jessica observed him quietly, love evident in her gaze. She broke the silence with a question. “Stanley, what was that with Wendy earlier? You’re not interested in
her now that she’s grown more beautiful, are you?”
Stanley turned his sharp gaze toward her, his voice nonchalant yet teasing. “She’s my wife. If something were to happen, wouldn’t that be normal? Wasn’t it you who handed her to me in the first place?”
Jessica knew he still blamed her for leaving him behind to marry Wendy three years ago while he was in a state of coma.
“Stanley, it wasn’t like that. Wendy insisted on marrying you—I had no choice but to let her take my place…”
Stanley’s piercing gaze held hers. “Do you even believe that yourself?”
Jessica faltered.
Biting her lower lip, she feigned defiance. “Fine! Three years ago, I abandoned you—if you can’t forgive me for that, then let’s just break up! You can simply get rid of me if you don’t want me anymore.”
She turned to Zayn and ordered, “Zayn, stop the car!”
Jessica wanted to get out, but before she could leave, Stanley’s long, elegant fingers reached out, grabbing her delicate wrist and yanking her firmly to his chest.
Jessica’s soft body collided with his solid frame, and she froze.
Above her, Stanley’s deep, exasperated voice softened into indulgence. “Jessica, you’re only this bold because you know I’d spoil you rotten.”