The Mocked Miss’s Hidden Crowns novel Chapter 1610

Karan slunk away, shoulders drooping. The woman in bold makeup ducked her head close to Pandora and whispered, “She’s not actually getting fired, right?”

Pandora looked up slowly, eyes icy, jealousy etched across her face. “Shirley must feel so smug, landing that exchange student spot.”

The makeup woman hesitated, her expression tangled in uncertainty. Getting into the Apex physics exchange program was no small feat.

“So what if she made the exchange list, or even gets into Apex?” Pandora clutched her phone tighter, spite burning in her eyes. Her voice dropped, practically hissing. “She could have all the degrees, stack up all the accomplishments, but none of that will change where she comes from.”

That alone was enough for Dorothy to refuse Shirley entry into the Blair family.

“So… now what?” the makeup woman asked.

Pandora stood, dusting invisible wrinkles from her skirt. Her red lips quirked in a cutting smile. “I’ve never missed out on anything I wanted.”

Especially with such powerful help behind her, really, what was there to worry about? All she needed was a good chance to let Dorothy know that Andrew had a new girlfriend. Dorothy would probably take it even worse than Pandora, and want Shirley gone even more.

***

Inside the office, Karan stood frozen, head bowed, silent tears slipping down her cheeks.

Mr. Lane’s voice broke the tension. “You graduate next year. I know you acted on impulse and you’ve learned your lesson. I won’t take this further for now.”

At the sound of his words, Karan slowly raised her head, eyes red and swollen, watching him.

“I reminded you over and over, go easy before the competition…” Mr. Lane sighed and shook his head, beyond disappointed. “I hope what happened today sticks with you.”

“Mr. Lane, I’m sorry,” Karan whispered, voice trembling.

“You should be apologizing to yourself.” Mr. Lane pinched the bridge of his nose, looking tired and angry, and then waved her away. “Next year, you’ll need a new advisor for your thesis.”

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