Chapter 79

Beatrice hadn't expected Grace to say that to Johnny.Could Grace have actually noticed something?

No way. She had been extra cautious-picking quiet spots, always looking over her shoulder. There was no way Grace could have seen her with any man.

"What kind of garbage are you talking about!"Johnny snapped, his voice rising sharply with anger.

A few heads turned from nearby tables in the library,brows furrowed in irritation. He forced himself to lower his voice but still glared at Grace, clearly fuming. "Stop trying to stir things up between me and Beatrice. She's not that kind of girl. If you ever bad-mouth her again-even if Mom's around-I'll teach you a hard lesson!"

"Johnny, are you really saying you'd hit me-even if Mom were standing right there?" Grace looked at him,wide-eyed, her face a picture of innocence.

"-" His words caught in his throat.

He knew his mother had always sided with Grace. To an unfair degree. She'd spoil Grace endlessly and scold him for the smallest things. If she ever found out he laid a finger on Grace, she'd probably beat him herself and throw him out of the house.

Sometimes, he couldn't help but feel like he was the one adopted.

"Anyway, just don't say anything bad about Beatrice again. I trust her," he muttered, sounding far less sure of himself now.

"Alright. Mom asked you to come home early tonight for dinner. Don't stay out too late," Grace said as she turned to leave.

From behind, she looked like the same sweet girl as always-but up close, there was a mischievous curve to her lips.

Beatrice must have overheard them.

Sooner or later, the truth would surface. And now that Grace had caught on to Beatrice's game,Beatrice might react soon. Once she did, it would only be a matter of time before everything unraveled.

Grace hadn't forgotten how smug Beatrice had acted during the whole same bags fiasco.

Now that she had some free time, she figured it wouldn't hurt to stir the pot a little-especially if it meant exposing Beatrice.

Besides, she owed it to her parents to protect her clueless brother from being played like a fool.

"Dinner? As long as you're home for dinner, no one really cares if I show up or not," Johnny muttered, the bitterness slipping out before he could stop it.

Then, just as he remembered something important,he let out a soft curse.

He had wanted to ask Grace about hacking stuff. But somehow, she had completely thrown him off. He hadn't gotten to ask a single question before she

walked off.

Then again... what would she know about internet and computers anyway?

"Hi, Johnny,"

a sweet, familiar voice said. Beatrice walked over with a bright smile that looked so natural.

Johnny's mood instantly lifted. That smile always worked on him.

"Are you here to study?"

"Mm-hmm." she nodded. "Exams are coming up, sol need to put in the extra hours."

Something about that reminded Johnny of Grace's question. "Do you study at home every day?" he asked suddenly. "You haven't... been going out or eating with anyone else, have you?"

Usually, Beatrice could've handled such questions with ease-made up some sweet excuse or laughed it off.

But after overhearing his talk with Grace, his questions instantly made her uneasy.

Guilt pressed down on her chest, and suddenly,every word he said felt like it was hiding a deeper meaning-like he was testing her without saying it outright.

She forced her nerves down and gave him a soft,practiced smile. "The exams are so close-l've been locked in with my books at home. I want to get into the best university in the city."

She even tilted her head and blinked sweetly,looking completely innocent.

The moment Johnny saw that face, any doubts he had vanished. He didn't question her further. Instead,he mentally scolded himself for listening to Grace's nonsense.

The Beatrice he knew, even with her modest upbringing, was hardworking and fulI of drive. Her smile could light up a room, and she always seemed genuinely kind. She'd often ask him to tag along to buy snacks and feed the stray cats and dogs.

There was no way a girl like her was mixed up with shady older men. Grace was probably just trying to stir things up-or maybe she'd gotten it all wrong!

Feeling guilty for ever questioning Beatrice, Johnny reached out and gently took her hand. "Would you tutor me sometime? I want to get into the same university."

The meaning behind his words was clear-he wanted to stay with her, even after graduation.

This love-struck boy would stay wNrapped around her finger, offering whatever support he could.

He didn't handle the family money, but he saved faithfully, and while it wasn't nearly as much as what she got from other men, it still added up.

Plus, he was good-looking, and his family name carried weight. He might not have much now,but he was bound to be wealthy someday. It was just a shame his mother was so tightfisted, never givinghim enough allowance.

Still, Beatrice planned to keep him close while quietly getting what she needed from other men.

For now, she tucked those thoughts away and gave a shy smile. "But my grades aren't as good as Gianna's. Wouldn't it be better to ask her instead?"

Of course, she didn't mean it. It was just part of her act.