Chapter 17

Valerie met everyone's curious stares with an easy smile. "And here I thought everyone at Arcton University was supposed to be brilliant. Guess I was wrong." Yvette hurriedly defended herself. "I never believed those rumors!" Owen nodded. "Me neither." Owen's obvious favoritism toward Valerie made Aurelia's chest tighten with frustration. The young woman beside her nudged her shoulder. "Quick, look over there, Aurelia!" The group was dining in a private room, but since the dishes hadn't all arrived yet, the door remained wide open, giving them a clear view of the hallway. Aurelia followed the direction of her friend's finger and spotted a familiar face. "Lucius!" Lucius, who had come with a few friends to have dinner, looked over. However, it wasn't Aurelia, the one who had called his name, who first caught his attention. His eyes landed instead on Valerie, whose beauty stood out in the crowd. After murmuring a few words to his friends, he stepped into the room. His appearance