Chapter 192 More Solutions Than Difficulties
After finishing the spa, Rebecca went downstairs and found that the men's card game was still going on.
Rebecca listened in for a bit.
Rather than playing cards, it sounded more like discussions about economic cooperation—or perhaps an exchange of interests.
By the time they left the winery, it was already 2 AM.
Without putting on his coat, Frederick draped it directly over Rebecca's shoulders and helped her into the passenger seat.
"Home, or the old mansion?" he asked.
Rebecca didn't even open her eyes before answering, "The old mansion."
Frederick smiled but didn't expose her little scheme. He simply started the car.
The Maybach headed straight for the Windsor Mansion.
Perhaps because he knew she was exhausted and felt sorry for her.
Or perhaps he was worried that if he upset her too far, she'd hide at the Getty family villa during winter break and ignore him completely.
That night, Frederick was unusually merciful.
---
When Rebecca woke up again, it was almost noon.
She felt a little guilty. She had finally come back to the old mansion, only to sleep until midday.
After washing up, she hurried to the front yard and saw Frederick playing soccer with Alex.
"You're up?"
Looking at Rebecca—who looked rosy and refreshed after a good night's sleep—Frederick said casually, "Grandmother went to visit the neighbors and said she won't be back for lunch. She told us to take care of ourselves."
Rebecca breathed a sigh of relief.
Before she could say "sounds good," she watched Frederick execute a flying kick that sent the ball straight onto the rock garden, where it wedged perfectly between two stones.
Frederick's expression remained calm.
Alex huffed and puffed like an irritated bull.
Rebecca fell silent.
Looking at these two childish people in front of her, Rebecca decided not to get involved. She took out her phone and sat under the eaves of the corridor.
She chatted with Isabella for a while. When she learned Isabella wouldn't be returning until the end of the month, Rebecca expressed her envy and successfully secured two bags along with several perfumes and skincare products.
After that, she exchanged a few messages with Lucy.
Even though they were only texting, Rebecca quickly sensed that her friend wasn't in a good mood.
Without hesitation, she sent a video call request.
The moment it connected, Rebecca saw Lucy's downcast expression.
"Lucy, what's wrong?" Rebecca asked with concern. "Did Ryan upset you?"
"No."
Lucy looked dispirited. "I'm not on this year's scholarship list."
"Why not?"
Rebecca grew anxious as well.
Lucy sighed. "I'm not the only student who's poor but hardworking. The school can't award it to me every year."
Based on Lucy's grades and previous results, she should have received the first-class scholarship.
Five thousand dollars wasn't a huge amount, but it would have covered half of next semester's tuition.
Without that money, Lucy would have to double her part-time work next semester to make up for it.
But Lucy wasn't the only outstanding student from a disadvantaged background at Empire University. If the department decided to give it to someone else after weighing all the candidates, it wasn't impossible.
"Becca, I'm really fine. Don't feel bad for me!"
Seeing Rebecca's worried and apologetic expression on the screen, Lucy forced a smile. "Really, it's okay. I'll figure something out."
Then Lucy glanced at the time. "Becca, I have a tutoring session at two. I need to head out. Let's talk another day."
"Okay."
After hanging up, Lucy packed her bag and hurried out of Star Apartments.
---
At the graduate research building in the eastern section of Empire University, Ryan had just walked down the steps when the glass door of the laboratory opened and a tall, beautiful girl hurried after him. "Ryan!"
She wore Chanel's latest spring collection and carried a matching handbag.
The fashionable girl ran toward him, leaving a trail of perfume behind.
Ryan ignored her.
Clicking across the ground in high heels, the girl rushed forward and blocked his path. "Ryan, I told you there's no benefit to offending me."
She crossed her arms with a smug smile.
"Your girlfriend has already lost her scholarship. Surely you wouldn't want her guaranteed graduate school placement to disappear too, would you?"
"You did this?"
Ryan's expression changed instantly.