Chapter 3

For the past few days, I'd been in a complete daze.

I couldn't tell which family was richer—the Dyson family with their business empire, or the Hunter family who owned a few hills and tens of thousands of sheep.

Seriously, was I the real deal or just a fake heiress?

On my first day at school, Kane and Zane had just walked me out the door when I stopped them.

After all, my decision to leave the Dyson family had become the hottest gossip in Beverllie. If this scandal drags them into it too, it might harm their professional reputations. After all, lawyers and doctors did value their reputations.

Kane handed me the suitcase and said, "I've transferred some allowance to your card. Just let me know if you need more."

I looked at the seven-figure sum in my bank account and nodded.

Zane added, "If you run into any trouble at school, just go to Shane. If he gives you attitude, feel free to tell us."

I kept nodding obediently.

Kane smiled, every inch the refined gentleman, "Then we won't walk you any further."

I hadn't even been with them for long, but I was already reluctant to part with my kind and handsome brothers. I stood there, biting my lip and blinking away the moisture in my eyes.

Suddenly, a soft chuckle came from above.

I looked up to see Zane, his eyes showing a rare tenderness as he gently pinched my cheek. "I'll come to pick you up and take you home this weekend."

"Okay," I replied.

Welles University was an elite academy, but the dorms were still quad rooms—just more spacious and better appointed than average.

Fate always made some funny arrangements.

I glanced at the girl in the opposite bed and gave a faint smile. "Camila, what a coincidence."

The real and the fake heiress sharing a dorm? This was straight out of a soap opera.

Camila still looked as timid as ever. She stole a glance at me, lowered her head, and mumbled a greeting, looking harmless.

"Ashley Dyson—oh, wait, I guess it's Ashley Hunter now," the girl from the next bed, Raina Evett, strutted over with her nose in the air and a mocking smirk. "So you're at Welles? What's the plan—graduate and inherit your family's ten sheep?"

Speaking of which, Raina was none other than my former lackey from our elite high school.

Her family had always leeched off the Dyson family. She milked me for all I was worth, and now she was the first to kick me when I was down. What a joke.

Wait, she said to inherit ten sheep?

I shot her an icy glance. It might be spilled by Camila.

"Raina, don't say that." Camila stepped forward and tugged at Raina's sleeve, her eyes downcast. "Ash's already suffered so much. It's all my fault."

I waved my hand dismissively. "Don't call me by my nickname. We're not that close."

I couldn't help feeling amused and cast Camila a glance with a tinge of sympathy.

The Hunters lived by one principle: raising their kids frugally while enjoying the wealth themselves. So before any of the sons came of age, they all endured hard times. No wonder Camila assumed they grew up in a remote village, raising a measly ten sheep.

She was right on the verge of living a high life, yet she schemed her way back into the Dyson family—only to end up missing out on all the Hunter family's advantages.

I somehow felt sad for her.

With a quiet sigh, I began making my bed.

Raina looked me up and down and sneered, "Look at those cheap rags all over you. Aren't you embarrassed?"

My eyes instinctively landed on my closet, and I drifted into thought.

They didn't have any visible logos, but every piece was custom-made for me by an exclusive high-end studio my dad commissioned. Made from real silk and cashmere with impeccable tailoring, they were even more comfortable than anything the Dyson family ever provided.

I didn't want to argue with them on the first day, so I continued unpacking.

"Raina, please." Camila hastily stepped between us, shooting me an uneasy glance. "Ash, I mean, Ashley, you can have my clothes."

I said flatly, "No, thanks."

"Mila, don't bother with her," Raina scoffed, turning away. "She's probably drowning in guilt for stealing your rightful place all these years."

"Enough with the noise." A crisp voice cut through from the doorway, followed by the sharp click of heels approaching.

It was Melissa Hinson, heiress of Hinson Group—her family was even more formidable than the Dyson family.

As expected, her single complaint instantly silenced the entire dorm.

I leisurely hung my clothes in the closet, not wanting to be dragged into the drama.

The welcome party at Welles University started at 6 PM. It was already 5:30 PM, and I was just standing here, staring blankly at a closet full of casual clothes.

Why didn't Dad ever think of having a couple of evening dresses custom-made for me?

I even thought of skipping the party.

The dorm door swung open. Melissa's high heels clicked sharply against the floor. She walked in and stopped right beside me.

"The party will begin soon. You're not going?" Melissa adjusted her wavy hair and eyed me.

I replied, "Just... give me a minute."

She glanced disdainfully at my closet and scoffed, muttering under her breath, "Why would someone like you even bother coming to Welles?"

Back when I was still with the Dyson family, I'd see Melissa at parties—she always carried an insufferable air of superiority, and we both pointedly ignored each other.

Without another word, she strode back to her desk and picked up the handbag she'd left there.

I didn't say a word but just shot a glance at her in that fitted black designer dress. As always, I felt like Melissa might be insufferable, but she got a killer figure.

"Stop staring at me like some pathetic little kitten," Melissa suddenly said, meeting my gaze.

I stared at her, confused.

"Fine, come here," she said with a sudden sigh of resignation. She crooked her finger at me and opened her wardrobe. "Try this one."

She picked up a short, white spaghetti-strap dress with delicate sheer fabric cascading down, giving it an adorable, ethereal charm.

"What are you standing there for?" Melissa frowned, her gaze flickering away awkwardly. "I don't want people saying I'm isolating you."

After a brief silence, I couldn't help but retort, "More like mutual isolation between us."

I soon put on the dress. The flower-embellished straps and soft hues highlighted my elegant collarbones.

Melissa fastened the straps at the back for me and scoffed, "Didn't Bryan insist you stay with them? What's the point of running off to a remote town?"

I wiped the smile off my face and said, "Honestly, the Hunter family's not so bad."

She scoffed, "Tch. Still counting money for the people who sold you out? Ashley, weren't you always arrogant before?"

Melissa must have decided I was a hopeless case. She shot me a withering look, grabbed her handbag, and stomped out, her high heels striking the marble floor harder than necessary.

With a resigned sigh, I picked up my phone and followed her.