Winning the Heir Who Bullied Me novel Chapter 145

Chapter 145

After breakfast, we gather in the ballroom as usual.

You’d think i have leprosy with the way the girls give me a wide berth and sneer. Not that I have it in me to give a fuck.

The only two opinions that matter are Eliza’s and Lara’s, and I’m too busy mapping out the difficult conversation that needs to be had when Easton climbs atop the stage.

He clears his throat, and the buzz quiets.

“Well…” He rubs his palms together, but he lacks his usual authoritative flair. On closer Inspection, he looks…harrowed.

My pulse jumps.

If Nathan didn’t get punished for what happened yesterday, is it possible that someone else took the brunt of Samuel’s ire?

I don’t much care for Easton, but the thought of him being that someone makes my stomach churn.

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“We’re steadily reaching the end of this competition,” he announces, and my pulse jumps for an entirely different reason–relief, because I honestly can’t wait to be out of this stifling competition. And anxiety, because the only way out is through, and any outcome that doesn’t end with me marrying Nathan Ashford is going to destroy me.

“You’ve been tested on what it means to hold the Ashford title, fitting into the glamorous world you will eventually live in. You’ve been given a chance to explore personal relationships with the heirs…”

Savannah rolls her eyes, and I know she’s thinking about how she never got a chance to ‘explore personal relationships.‘

“And now,” Easton continues, “you will be evaluated by the heads of the Ashford family to determine if you are befitting of being

welcomed into the fold.”

My eyes widen slightly. He can’t mean…

“Over the next two days, you will each meet one–on–one with Mr. and Mrs. Ashford,” he clarifies, and my heart stops.

And then there’s the perfect couple–Marisol and Samuel. Nathan’s bitter voice echoes in my head.

Eliza’s nervousness must overwhelm her wariness of me because she slips her hand into mine and squeezes. “Shit,” she whispers.

I squeeze back, grateful for the comfort of the gesture. “Yeah, shit.”

Easton is evidently not satisfied with the crippling anxiety his words have created, because he continues, “I cannot stress enough how important this interaction is. Forget the outcome of the ball or the charity competition, or even the dates. This meeting will make or break your position in this competition.”

“I think I’m going to be sick,” Eliza whispers.

I think I’m going to beat her to it.

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Chapter 145

I have to meet Nathan’s parents one–on–one. The same parents in front of whom I caused a scene on my very first day here. The same people who I learned did not want me in this competition–who singled me out, exempting me from a privilege that every other contestant was granted.

Call me pessimistic, but I think I’m screwed.

“You will be informed when it is your turn,” Easton says. “That is all.”

The small crowd dissolves into nervous chatter, and Eliza sags against me.

“Oh, April,” she whispers. “What if they don’t like me?”

It genuinely baffles me that Eliza doesn’t see herself for what she is. She’s gorgeous and elegant, her family is affluent and well- connected, and she’s the perfect dose of calm to balance out Peter.

If Samuel and Marisol share more than a single brain cell between them, they’ll have no problem approving of her.

I tell her just that, squeezing her hand reassuringly.

“Yeah,” she sighs. “Let’s hope so. I’m so ready for this competition to be over, you know?”

I nod. “Yeah, I know. I just want to be with him without all this posturing.”

A shadow passes across her face, and her lips flatten. “Who?” she asks softly. “Nathan or Lucas?”

I understand her question, but still, it hits me like a blow. “Nathan,” I answer, trying to keep the hurt out of my voice. “You know that.”

She frowns. “Then what was that yesterday, April?”

I sigh heavily. “I-”

“Do you like them both?” she presses. “Is that it?”

I shake my head, horrified at the thought of liking Lucas. “No. I like–I love–Nathan.”

Her eyes flare, and I realize that I’ve never explicitly talked about my feelings for Nathan with her.

“Then…why?”

“Yeah, April,” a velvety voice says behind me, and my spine stiffens. “Why?”

I turn around, and my breath lodges in my throat.

Lara stands before us, looking flawless as ever. But we’ve grown close enough that I notice the differences in her appearance, the tiny cracks in her perfectly designed beauty armor.

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Her posture is usually perfect, but she’s standing a little too stiff, like it’s taking extra effort to hold herself up. Her arms are crossed, and I see the veins in her hand bulge as she digs her nails into the soft flesh of her upper arm. And although she’s wearing concealer that covers the potential dark circles underneath, her eyes hold a tiredness she can’t hide.

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17:23 Mon, Oct 13 N

Chapter 145

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