Chapter 6

The graduation ceremony proceeded exactly as scripted. Speeches from faculty, congratulations from alumni. Everything orderly and ceremonial.

Until the host announced, "Next, please welcome this year's Outstanding Graduate Representative..."

I steadied myself, smoothed my gown, and prepared to stand.

"Tessa Hawthorne."

I froze.

Wasn't I the one chosen to speak as the Outstanding Graduate Representative?

Whispers rippled through the crowd.

Everyone knew exactly what kind of reputation Tessa had in the department.

Tessa acted as though she hadn't heard a thing. She lifted her gown delicately and walked onto the stage, accepting the microphone with practiced grace.

Annie exploded first. She shot to her feet, completely ignoring the formality of the occasion, and pointed straight at the stage.

"Tessa, are you serious? Since when did you qualify as Outstanding Graduate? Everyone knows your record. That position belongs to Lydia!"

Tessa's expression flickered, then smoothed over.

"Annie, I understand you're close to Lydia, but the selection process was fair and transparent. Publicly questioning it shows disrespect to the school and the faculty."

She paused, then smiled maliciously. "And Annie, you should think about Lydia too. I heard a very important guest is attending today. Someone tied to a major future partnership for the university. We represent the school's image. Lydia... might not be the best choice to greet such a guest. Don't you agree?"

The implication was obvious. I wasn't polished enough. I would embarrass the school.

Miles frowned slightly but said nothing.

A soft laugh escaped me.

"Tessa, why don't you explain exactly what's wrong with my image?"

I rose slowly and walked straight toward the stage.

Heads turned. Conversations stopped. Once they saw my face clearly, stunned silence followed.

"Wait... that's Lydia? Isn't she the one who was famous for being fat and ugly? How can she possibly look this good?"

"Who knows, maybe she had work done."

"Plastic surgery or not, she's way prettier than Tessa now. Look at Miles' face. I bet he's regretting it already."

Tessa's face drained of color. When she noticed the admiration in Miles's eyes, jealousy flared visibly.

I ignored the stunned, doubtful, and admiring looks around me and walked toward the stage, one deliberate step at a time.

"Ms. Hawthorne, perhaps you'd like to explain how a plagiarized thesis and failing grades qualified you as Outstanding Graduate."

Tessa went ashen instantly. She looked to Miles for help.

But his gaze hadn't left me since the moment he saw me.

Fury flared across her face. Forgetting where she was, she snapped, "Miles!"

Only then did Miles snap out of it. He stood and walked over to me, speaking as if it were only natural for him to decide. "Lydia, you're already exceptional. Let Tessa take the speech this time."

He reached for my hand.

"Lydia, I didn't realize you'd gone this far for me. You didn't need to change. I never would've looked down on you."

I laughed softly. He wouldn't have looked down on me?

Too bad I was the one who looked down on him. I stepped away from his hand.

"Mr. Calloway, on what authority are you deciding who gets my speaking slot? And everything I've done was for myself. Don't flatter yourself."

His hand froze midair. Embarrassment flickered across his face.

Yet when his gaze fell on my bright, striking face, he showed a rare tolerance.

"Alright, Lydia. I was wrong before. I've reinstated your cards. I even came personally to your graduation."

He pulled out a small gift box and lowered his voice.

"I brought you a graduation gift. You've been upset long enough. Come home with me today."

I glanced at the box. It was the same necklace Tessa had mocked as outdated on her social media just yesterday.

Even when he tried to win me back, he offered leftovers.

I was about to respond when a low, commanding voice sounded behind me.

"Mr. Calloway, where exactly are you taking my wife?"

Every head turned.

A tall, imposing figure stepped in against the backlight from the entrance.

His tailored black suit framed a perfectly proportioned build. Authority radiated from him without effort.

It was Dominic.

He walked straight to my side and slipped an arm around my waist as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

A clear declaration of possession.

Miles stood frozen, eyes reddening.

"You... what did you just call her? No. That's impossible."

He lunged forward as if to tear us apart, but Dominic's guards blocked him instantly.

Dominic did not release him from the moment. His arm tightened slightly, drawing me closer against him in an intimate gesture.

"Lydia Prescott is my wife."

He paused, his gaze settling on Miles's ashen face.

"So tell me-who exactly dared to take my wife's Outstanding Graduate Representative slot?"