"A month ago, didn't the Voss donate fifty million worth of lab equipment to Aurora University?"
Charles Snow's heart skipped.
Wait—did the principal find out he'd skimmed a little off that shipment?
But Charles wasn't a rookie. Years in the system had taught him how to read people, and John Wesley didn't look like a man about to expose corruption.
So Charles kept his composure.
"Yes, Principal. I've been overseeing that donation. Is there… anything else you need?"
"The girl the Bennetts brought back," John said slowly. "Her name is Selene?"
Charles blinked, momentarily confused.
Since when did the principal care about family affairs?
"Yes. They only found her recently. From what I heard, her education's lacking—probably not even college-ready. Hard to say whether she'll even graduate from Aurora University. Is there something specific you're concerned about?"
John Wesley didn't answer right away.
If not for the sealed envelope sitting on his desk, he wouldn't have given this matter a second thought. The family involved had always been discreet. Letting Julian Voss's long-lost daughter enroll had simply been a favour.
But the problem was her name.
Selene.
The email request he'd received had explicitly instructed him to deliver an offer letter to "Selene."
John had gone over every possibility in his mind, but none of them fully made sense.
Except one.
Selene might be the key.
Maybe—through her—he could finally trace Elle.
"Take this," John said, pushing the envelope forward. "Deliver it to Selene. Personally."
Charles froze.
Selene?
A girl who'd supposedly grown up in some unknown place, barely educated, suddenly receiving a letter from the president of Aurora University himself?
He hesitated. "Principal… are you sure it's for Selene?"
John paused mid-sip and looked up sharply.
Was this man deaf?
Charles caught the warning in that glance and immediately nodded. "Understood."
He left at once.
---
At the Voss mansion, Charles Snow—Director of Student Affairs—was still considered a respectable figure, even among high society. Once he handed over his card, the butler came out personally.
"Well, well, Mr. Snow. This is quite the honuor."
Charles straightened, satisfied.
Two months ago, Julian Voss had exhausted every connection trying to get his daughter into Aurora University. Charles and the butler had… collaborated quite effectively back then.
They were seasoned players. Professionals.
"So," Charles said casually, "the daughter Mr. Voss recently found—is she home?"
The butler paused.
Why would Director Snow ask about the young miss?
Something felt off.
"May I ask why you're inquiring, Mr. Snow? Is your visit today related to her?"
Charles himself had no idea what John Wesley was thinking. Only that sealed letter held the answer.
"Yes," he said carefully. "I'm here for the eldest miss. The principal asked me to deliver a letter."
The butler's face changed instantly.
John Wesley.
A name revered in academic circles—a man who had single-handedly built Aurora University's reputation. Even the capital's elite treated him with respect.
And now… a personal letter for Selene?
Julian Voss was no less shaken when he heard.
John Wesley personally sent Charles Snow—with a letter for Selene?
If word of this spread, no one in Aden City's upper circles would believe it.
Julian wouldn't have bothered coming downstairs if Charles were acting alone. But John Wesley's involvement changed everything.
In the living room, Charles sipped premium green tea while surveying the surroundings.
The Voss family was obscenely wealthy. Even the antiques displayed casually around the room were priceless.
If he'd known this earlier, he'd have squeezed far more out of Selene's admission.
Butler Harlan noticed the greed flickering in Charles's eyes and sneered inwardly.
Everyone had weaknesses. That was exactly how Selene's enrollment had gone so smoothly.
As Charles mentioned Selene's name, a calm voice floated down from the staircase.
"Looking for me?"
He turned—and nearly lost his composure.
This was Selene?
She wasn't awkward. Or plain.
She was stunning.
Charles had met Vivian Voss—widely praised as one of the most beautiful heiresses in Aden City—but beside Selene, Vivian didn't even compare.
The butler coughed pointedly.
Charles snapped back to reality, forcing a polite smile.
"Miss Selene, this is Director Charles Snow from Aurora University," Butler Harlan said. "Principal Wesley sent him to deliver a letter."
Charles studied her closely.
The butler's respectful tone toward this long-lost daughter felt excessive. Without a powerful maternal family, how far could she really go?
He lifted his chin.
An educator like him didn't need to grovel.
Selene leaned against the railing in jeans and a white tee, hoodie draped loosely over her shoulders. Her expression didn't change.
"So it's from John Wesley?" she said flatly. "Hand it over."
John Wesley?
She said his name—just like that?
Charles's irritation flared.
She took the envelope and turned away without so much as a greeting.
That was it.
"Well, Miss Voss," Charles sneered, "quite the attitude. Ever heard of basic manners?"
Selene stopped and glanced back, eyes cool.
"Do you need something?"
"You're not exactly eye-catching. Who said anyone wanted to look at you?"
She raised a brow. "Are you okay in the head?"
The words landed like a slap.
The butler stepped forward, uneasy. Charles Snow was notorious for holding grudges. Provoking him now wasn't wise.
But before he could speak—
"My daughter's manners aren't your concern."
Julian Voss had entered the room.
Charles stiffened.
He'd miscalculated.
Apologizing now would cost him face.
"I see I'm not welcome," Charles said stiffly. "The letter's delivered. See you next week, Miss Voss.
I'm sure your start at Aurora University will be… exciting."
Selene caught the threat.
Julian did too.
"Harlan," Julian said coldly, "see him out."
Charles left in a fury, humiliation burning his chest.
Just wait, Selene Voss.
You'll regret this.
Afterward, Julian insisted Selene stay for tea.
She agreed, calmly downing it in one gulp.
Julian opened his mouth several times—
That's not how you drink tea—but each time, one look from her shut him up.
The letter sat forgotten on the coffee table, yet Julian couldn't stop glancing at it.
"Go ahead," Selene said. "Read it."
"You mean… I can?"
She looked at him like he was slow.
"I'm reading it, then."
The headline hit him like lightning:
Admission Recommendation Letter.
His hands trembled as the paper slipped from his grasp.
This wasn't an ordinary acceptance.
It was John Wesley's personal recommendation—something written only for the truly exceptional.
"Selene… you knew what this was?"
"Yeah."
"That's it?"
"You have the letter. You just didn't believe me."
Julian went silent.
She had told him.
He hadn't listened.
Just then, Helena Voss and Vivian Voss walked in.