You're not leaving this time.

Chapter 5: Chapter 5: I’ll Give You Resources, You Give Me Photos

Simon Sinclair felt even more guilty. He was just about to apologize again when a commotion broke out at the auditorium entrance.

Lynn Winslow looked up, her lips curling into a smirk.

Mia Rhodes, always surrounded by an entourage.

Dressed in a princess gown, her expression was confident and aloof—a stark contrast to the girl who had once begged at their grandfather’s door in a washed-out, yellowing dress.

Seeing the two people behind Mia, Lynn’s eyes flickered.

It was Joanna Jacobs and Veronica Leighton.

Lynn had long known that these two had befriended Mia after her departure. They had bought into Mia’s lies, helping her spread rumors throughout the school and Quartos that Lynn Winslow’s bright, kind exterior was merely a facade. Behind closed doors, they claimed, she was an arrogant, domineering heiress who threw her weight around.

Lynn lowered her eyes, a lonely expression on her face. To Simon, she looked like a heartbroken girl watching her close friends cozy up to someone else. In reality, Lynn was only afraid she wouldn’t be able to conceal the contempt and disdain in her eyes. If she let that slip, wouldn’t her carefully reconstructed persona completely collapse?

”Lynn, don’t be sad. I know the old rumors were just misunderstandings. Everything will be fine once you explain things to them,” Simon consoled her.

Struggling to suppress her mounting disgust, Lynn said softly, ”It’s fine, Simon. They already have a new friend, so there’s no need for me to push myself on them and ask for a snub.” She looked up, her eyes slightly damp. ”As for the misunderstandings, I don’t want to explain anymore. Once people have a fixed mindset, what use is explaining? The innocent need no justification. I believe someone out there will trust me.”

Simon pursed his lips and declared solemnly, ”Lynn, I believe you!”

”Thank you, Simon.” Lynn gazed at him gratefully. She glanced sideways at the trio across the room and sighed. ”I’m going to step outside for a bit. I’ll come back when the gala starts.”

Simon assumed she was just upset and needed a moment to clear her head.

Lynn gave him a faint smile and turned to leave. As she walked past the three girls, her footsteps faltered, and she glanced in their direction.

Sensing an unfriendly gaze, Mia looked up in confusion, her eyes locking straight onto Lynn’s. Her eyes widened in shock. Joanna and Veronica followed her line of sight, and all three shared the exact same look of absolute disbelief.

Lynn merely offered them a slight, cryptic smile before walking away. That single look was enough to make Joanna and Veronica break out in a cold sweat despite the crisp, early autumn air.

Mia was Lynn’s cousin. Even knowing Mia was the mastermind behind their antics, Lynn might still spare her some face out of respect for the Powell and Rhodes families. But Joanna and Veronica were outsiders with no such protection.

Mia bit her lip, a deep, bitter resentment gnawing at her heart.

She had tried numerous times to infiltrate Ian Sterling’s social circle. Her cousin, Vincent Powell, had even brought her to their gatherings, but from start to finish, she had barely managed to exchange a few words with Ian.

There was only one exception. Ian had been drunk and stared at her for a long time. Thinking he had finally taken an interest in her, she smiled shyly—only to hear his hoarse voice ask, ”You’re Lynn’s cousin. Do you have any photos of her? Your cousin doesn’t.”

She had frozen, staring at him in sheer astonishment, before Ian continued, ”I heard from your cousin that you’re an actress now. I’ll give you resources; you give me the photos.”

Mia had desperately wanted to refuse. But having just entered the entertainment industry, she was severely disadvantaged. Since the Powell family disapproved of her career path, she had to claw her way up the ladder little by little like any ordinary person, despite being a young lady of the Powell family. If Ian backed her with his resources, she could skyrocket to stardom overnight.

So, Mia agreed. She added Ian on WhatsApp, dug out an old photo of herself and Lynn, and sent it to him.

Aside from coveting his resources, she harbored a secret hope: that by seeing their somewhat similar faces side-by-side, Ian might transfer his lingering affection for Lynn onto her.

Who would have thought her plan would spectacularly backfire?

A few days later, Mia found an excuse to tag along with her cousin to a club Ian’s group frequented. When Ian opened his wallet to tip a waiter, she caught a glimpse of the photo tucked inside.

He had actually cropped her out, leaving only Lynn in the frame!

The more Mia thought about it, the more unbearable her indignation became. Telling Joanna and Veronica that she needed to greet a former teacher, she slipped away and chased after Lynn alone.

Joanna and Veronica exchanged a knowing glance. In truth, they both knew exactly what Mia was up to.

Standing by the campus lake, Lynn watched the koi fish swimming gracefully through the water. Hearing hurried footsteps approaching from behind, she suddenly smiled.

”Lynn! What did you come back for? Are you trying to steal Grandpa and Ian away from me again?!” Mia had completely abandoned the fragile, innocent persona she wore in public. Driven by jealousy, her voice was shrill and grating.

Lynn turned around to face her, feigning absolute innocence. ”Cousin, how can you say that? Grandpa belongs to both of us. And Ian is my ex-boyfriend. I haven’t heard anything about you two getting together.”

Mia bit down hard on her lip, her eyes burning with fiery hatred. She watched as Lynn’s slender, pale fingers casually brushed a stray lock of hair off her collarbone, deliberately revealing a highly suggestive red mark.

Mia lunged forward, viciously grabbing Lynn’s wrist as her eyes zeroed in on the mark.

”What is this?! Have you been pestering Ian again?! How can you be such a slut?! You’re already broken up, do you understand that?!” Mia shrieked.

Lynn let out a pained cry, instantly drawing the attention of students nearby. Only then did Mia remember they were out in public. She was just about to loosen her grip when Lynn suddenly clamped down on her hand instead, dragging her backward a few steps. Before Mia could even process what was happening, Lynn plunged into the lake.

”Help! I... I don’t know how to swim! Help!” Lynn thrashed frantically in the water, choking and coughing violently. Seeing someone fall into the lake, bystanders scrambled to action—some shouting for help while others dove straight in.

After a tremendous amount of effort, Lynn was finally hauled ashore. A sympathetic bystander even draped a jacket over her trembling shoulders.

Sitting on the ground, Lynn coughed incessantly. Her eyes were rimmed with red, and the soaked hair clinging to her pale face only enhanced her fragile, pitiful appearance.

”Cousin... even if you really hate me, you shouldn’t try to hurt me. You know how terrified I am of water.” Lynn looked up, clutching the jacket defensively against her chest, looking utterly miserable and victimized.

At those words, furious whispers broke out among the onlookers. Mia stumbled back, shaking her head frantically as she tried to defend herself. ”I didn’t push her! She fell in on purpose! She’s trying to frame me! You have to believe me!”

Yet, almost instantly, over half the crowd believed Mia’s defense, with some even bringing up the old malicious rumors about Lynn.

Lynn sighed inwardly, marveling at the undeniable charm of a beloved female protagonist.

”What is going on here?”

The crowd turned toward the deep voice. Upon seeing who it was, they parted in unison to make way.

Lynn glanced up, surprised to see Ian Sterling approaching with two other people.

As for Ian, his pupils shrank violently the moment he saw Lynn in such a battered state.