Chapter 556 A Meeting Arranged

Maybe Jean was pretending to be okay.

Sofia’s worry red up again. “Are you really fine?”

Jean nodded and offered a reassuring smile. “I’m totally fine. Don’t worry.”

+8 Pearls

Ironically, ever since this whole mess began, Jean’s mental state had been better than anyone expected. The ones falling apart were the people around her–every one of them needed her to confort and reassure them, not the other way around.

She shook her head and sighed with a helpless smile tugging at her lips.

Only then did Sofia finally rx.

They didn’t linger–there were only a few minutes left before ss started. The two em left the dorm building together and soon split off in different directions, heading to their respective departments.

On the way, Jean’s phone kept buzzing with messages of concern. Even Hector had somehow heard about the news and sent her a message, asking if she was okay. Jean replied patiently, assuring him that she was fine and there was nothing to worry about.

By the time she stepped into the ssroom, she tucked her phone back into her pocket.

Immediately, she felt the eyes.

Countless stares bore into her from every direction–dozens of curious, whispering gazes fell on her like invisible needles, sharp and prickling.

It felt like she’d suddenly turned into some bizarre, rare creature everyone was gawking at.

Considering the news that had just exploded online, all the attention was understandable.

Jean wasn’t fazed. She didn’t bother trying to guess what they were thinking. Disgust? Scorn? Amusement?

She curled her lips in a half–smile, ignored every look thrown her way, and calmly found an empty seat.

And right after she sat down, Sarah entered the ssroom.

Her eyes sparkled, brows lifted in quiet pride. She looked lively–like someone on a winning streak.

Clearly, her return to the Ginger family had done wonders for her confidence.

Jean took one nce, then lowered her head again, no interest in staring.

Sarah didn’t even spare Jean a single/look. She acted like she didn’t exist, chatting andughing with the ssmates around her.

That was a change.

The old Sarah had been aloof and withdrawn, a cold, distant presenceb. /bBut now she was smilingb, /bbevent /bstarting conversations with othersb…. /b

bWas /bthis what people meant by “good things lifting bthe /bspirit“b? /b

14:41 bMon/b, b4 Aug /bA

Chapter 556 A Meeting Arranged

Feste

The ss was obviously happy with the new Sarah. Who wouldn’t prefer someone warmer, more cheerful, and easier to talk to?

Jean drifted through the rest of the day like a ghost, going through the motions without speaking to anyone, Of course, with the cold and distant air she gave off now, no one dared approach her anyway.

Sienna and the Ginger brothers bombarded her with messages, each one wanting toe to campus and check on her. Jean refused them all.

Them showing up would be a disaster.

Things were already awkward enough–if the Ginger family suddenly turned up, it’d be a total mess.

Besides, she’d already spoken with Winston. No need to make a scene.

As soon as thest ss ended, Jean quickly packed up and left the ssroom.

That morning, she’d used the hiddenm badge from the Divine Sound Organization to contact Ludwig. They’d arranged to meet that evening.

Jean wasn’t running off in a panic–she had a reason.

This wasn’t about venting orining. What she needed was Ludwig’s help.

She wanted out of the Ginger family. But money alone wasn’t enough. The family didn’t want anything to change–they weren’t going to let her go easily. And even if she idid /imanage to leave, what then? She had no idea how to handle the day–to–day logistics of her life from that point forward.

That was what she wanted to discuss with Ludwig.

They’d agreed to meet in a quiet, secluded alley tucked away from the main streets.