Chapter 253 Received the Admission Notice
Chapter 253 Received the Admission Notice
"Audrey." Julian strode over and clapped a hand on Audrey's shoulder, his voice trembling with emotion. "Sweetheart, you didn't just save your grandmother's life—you saved the entire Collins family. I'm so grateful, so incredibly grateful that the Collins family has a daughter as remarkable as you!"
Lucienne stepped forward too, taking Audrey's hands in hers, drinking in the sight of her daughter like she couldn't get enough. This was her own flesh and blood, lost to them for twenty years. Instead of growing up timid and useless, she'd become a towering oak tree strong enough to shelter the entire family.
Audrey watched her parents' tears of joy, and a gentle warmth flickered across her usually cool features. "Dad, Mom. I told you I'd cure Grandma."
Meanwhile, upstairs in the shadows, Helen listened to the celebration below, her nails digging so hard into the wooden banister that they left grooves. Her eyes practically dripped blood with envy.
Amenda had actually recovered.
Audrey's position was now unshakeable.
The next morning.
A yellow DHL international courier van pulled up outside the Collins Mansion.
A servant signed for an exceptionally thick package and hurried it up to Audrey's study.
"Lady Audrey, your express delivery."
Audrey sat behind her desk and accepted the rigid envelope embossed with a dark crimson-and-gold crest.
In the upper left corner, the words "University of Pennsylvania" were clearly printed.
She broke the seal and pulled out the fine parchment documents inside.
It was an official acceptance letter from the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School, her name written in elegant calligraphy.
Along with the acceptance letter came a full scholarship confirmation and a premium Ivy League alumni resource card.
Ethan's efficiency was, as always, swift and impeccable.
Audrey's fingertips lightly traced the embossed crest on the letter, her cool eyes reflecting the early autumn sunlight streaming through the window.
Her business school life was about to begin.
The Collins family first-floor living room.
Audrey descended the stairs carrying the acceptance letter bearing the University of Pennsylvania crest.
Lucienne sat on the sofa flipping through a magazine. When she spotted the document in her daughter's hands, she immediately came over.
"Audrey, the Wharton acceptance arrived?" Lucienne's face filled with pride as she took the letter and examined it carefully. "Your Ethan really does handle things well. Wharton's the best business school in the Ivy League. If you're going there to study, I'm absolutely supportive."
Helen was walking out of the dining room with a cup of tea, Linda trailing behind her.
At the words "Wharton School," Helen froze mid-step, her gaze locking onto that gold-embossed parchment.
Wharton School. The place countless elite heirs and business dynasty successors would kill to get into.
And Ethan had quietly arranged everything for Audrey—even handled the board of trustees recommendation letter himself.
Jealousy sprouted like weeds in Helen's heart.
She stepped forward, plastering on a seemingly concerned smile. "It's wonderful that Audrey can study at Wharton. But..."
Helen's tone shifted, injecting just the right amount of worry. "Wharton's academic pressure is famously intense in the Ivy League. It's filled with the world's top elites. Audrey's been away all these years... her foundation must be somewhat weak. Going to such a demanding program—what if she can't keep up? Wouldn't that just waste all the money and effort Ethan donated?"
The words sounded caring on the surface, but every sentence dripped with implications that Audrey was an uneducated country bumpkin who'd be dead weight there.
Audrey's expression remained cool. She didn't even bother lifting her eyelids, completely ignoring the jab.
Seeing an opening, Linda immediately chimed in. "Exactly. Lady Audrey hasn't received proper elite education, after all. Wharton isn't something just anyone can graduate from. If she fails her finals and gets expelled, it'll reflect poorly on the Collins family's reputation."
Lucienne's brow furrowed. She was about to scold Linda for speaking out of turn.
Linda's eyes darted around, and she quickly revealed her real agenda. "Ma'am, think about it—Lady Helen majored in business administration in college and always had top grades. Why don't you contact the board and send Lady Helen to Wharton for a master's degree too? The sisters could look out for each other at school, and Lady Helen could help tutor Lady Audrey. That way Lady Audrey won't struggle alone in Philadelphia."
Helen immediately lowered her eyes, putting on an obedient, understanding expression. "Mom, if I can accompany Audrey, I'm willing to go. I'll make sure to help Audrey with her studies so others won't laugh at the Collins family."
Lucienne fell silent for a moment.
She didn't actually think Audrey would struggle academically—after all, she'd witnessed her daughter's business acumen firsthand.
But Philadelphia was quite a distance from Washington. Having Audrey study alone in another city did worry her somewhat.
Besides, Helen had been stuck at home lately with nothing to do, which made her prone to overthinking. Sending her to school to pursue some actual education might keep her out of trouble.
"All right." Lucienne nodded in agreement. "Helen, since you're willing, I'll have my secretary contact Wharton's board tomorrow to arrange your enrollment. Once you're at school, make sure you look after your sister Audrey."
Helen's heart soared with triumph. She fought to keep her mouth from curving into a wild grin and replied sweetly, "Thank you, Mom. I will."
She sneered inwardly.
Once they were at school, away from Ethan and Lucienne's watchful eyes, she'd have plenty of ways to make Audrey humiliate herself in front of those elite circles.
Audrey casually set the acceptance letter on the coffee table. She saw right through Helen's scheming but found it merely tedious.
That afternoon.
A black Maybach glided smoothly into the Collins Mansion courtyard.
Reid emerged in a dark suit, his long strides carrying him into the living room.
His special assistant Aaron followed behind, carrying over a dozen beautifully wrapped gift boxes.
"What brings Mr. Harrington by today?" Lucienne stood with a welcoming smile.
Reid gave a slight nod, his gaze sweeping past everyone to land directly on Audrey sitting on the sofa.
He walked over, his voice low and warm. "Hank heard you're going to study at Wharton and couldn't be happier. He said the Harrington family's future granddaughter-in-law deserves to go to school in style, so he specifically asked me to bring these over."
Aaron stepped forward and began opening the gift boxes one by one.
The first contained keys and a property deed to a top-floor duplex penthouse near the University City area of Philadelphia.
The second held a custom key to the latest model Aston Martin.
The third revealed a complete set of handcrafted Hermès leather goods and stationery.
The last box contained an extremely rare Van Cleef & Arpels unheated ruby jewelry suite, along with a Swiss bank black card with no spending limit.
"Philadelphia's quite a distance from Washington. Living in the dorms wouldn't be convenient. That apartment's already been cleaned and ready for you, with top-tier security." Reid explained softly to Audrey, his eyes full of indulgence. "The car's in the garage for you to get around. As for the jewelry, Hank said to wear it for fun."