Chapter 282

I left Victor asleep in my bed at the mansion. He had a tough time sleeping the previous night, and he would get through the day better with a little more rest.

I dressed in jeans and drank a cup of coffee on the balcony while I waited for him to wake up. When he didn’t, I went downstairs to the morning room without him.

I took my place at the table across from Alex. Benson placed a glass of juice in front of me, and I wished them both good morning.

“Good morning, dearest,” Alex said. “Where’s Victor?”

“He had a restless night, so I let him sleep in,” I replied. “Where’s Cassidy?”

“She had some personal business to attend to,” Alex replied. “She’ll be back in plenty of time to accompany us to the ceremony.”

“It’s too bad she couldn’t make it to the rehearsal or dinner yesterday,” I said. “She would have enjoyed the art and history of the Association Complex.”

Alex smiled and sipped his coffee. “She’s seen it. I’ve taken her there several times for the full tour. She promised to research and date the Ivory Columns that guard some of the secret passageways.”

“I’ll bet she loved the tour. If anyone can find out more about those columns, it’s her. I’ve never seen them, but I’ve heard they are magnificent.”

Alex laid his fork down. “Have Victor arrange for someone to give you a tour and show you the Ivory Columns sometime after his ascension. But stay out of the secret passages. It’s easy to get lost in them.”

After Alex left the room, I let my imagination chew on his words. I had to admit that the thought of exploring ancient secret passages thrilled me.

After I finished eating, Benson handed me several letters. “These arrived for you this morning, Miss.”

“Thanks, Benson,” I said and rifled through the envelopes. They were from the universities where I applied!

I forced myself to calm down. If Amy couldn’t get into these schools with better grades than mine, I didn’t have a chance.

But when I started to open them, I couldn’t believe my eyes. I had been accepted at all of them. Even my first choice, Frampton University, wanted me to start classes with them this coming semester.

I had to tell Victor! I ran upstairs to my room to see if he was awake. If not, I should let him sleep. But I badly wanted to share my good news with him.

He had recently awakened and was sitting on the edge of the bed. I sat next to him and waved the envelopes.

“What’s this?” he asked and rubbed his eyes.

“Answer letters about my college applications,” I replied.

He took the envelopes from my hand. “From the look on your face, you must have gotten into one of them.”

“Nope. I was accepted by all of them,” I said and bounced on the bed.

He began looking through the letters. “Even Frampton University?”

“Even Frampton University!”

“Congratulations, sweetheart,” he said and kissed me. “I am very proud of you.”

I stood and sat in his lap. “Let’s celebrate,” I said and kissed him passionately.

Victor kissed my cheek. “I can’t celebrate now. I only have a few hours to rewrite my speech and prepare for the ceremony.”

“Use my laptop,” I suggested. “Nobody can erase anything on mine.”

“It’s only my association computer that has been tampered with,” he told me. “But I think I will use yours just to be safe.”

Victor kissed me again and made his way into my bathroom.

I went out onto my balcony and called Amy.

She answered on the third ring. “Good morning. How is the future Luna of the leader of the Association this morning?”

“Wonderful,” I replied. “How is the city’s newest millionaire?”

“Fantastic,” she chirped. “I decided to buy Amanda’s half of Archer Manor and turn it into a homeless shelter and employment training center.”

“That’s wonderful. Deirdre would be proud of you,” I assured her.

“I think so, too,” Amy said. “I want to dedicate it to her.”

“I’ll do whatever I can to help you get it started,” I promised.

“Andrew’s father is moving out this week,” she told me. “Then, if you have time, will you walk through the house with me while I make notes about what needs to be done?”

“Sure,” I said. “That sounds like fun.”

As I said the words, I wondered if the creepy vibe that the old manor always had would still be there now that the murderers were behind bars.

“Hey, I almost forgot why I called you,” I said. “I got my college letters this morning.”

“And?” Amy waited for my reply.

“I’m going to Frampton University,” I told her.

“Wow. Congratulations, Daisy! I’m happy for you.”

“Thanks,” I said as I heard Justin calling Amy’s name.

“I gotta go,” she said. “We’ll talk more later after Victor’s ceremony. See ya then.”

As happy as I was, I sensed something was off. There was no legitimate reason for me to be accepted by all the colleges I applied to, while all of them had turned down Amy.

But then Jennifer knocked on the door to start preparing me for Victor’s big day.

I would be under scrutiny from the cream of Alpha society today. I had to look my best for me and for Victor.

With Jennifer’s help, I didn’t need to worry about not making him proud. Before it was time to leave for the ceremony, I was looking into my mirror and smiling with satisfaction.

Jennifer styled my hair in an elaborate updo that perfectly complimented my features, and she expertly applied my makeup to enhance my looks without it appearing obvious.

I adored the celadon green, light-wool dress I was wearing. It had a cowl neck, three-quarter sleeves, and a knee-length A-line skirt.

Paired with black ankle strap pumps, the dress created the perfect look for an Association leader’s Luna. It was stylish and attractive, yet dignified.

Victor looked as handsome as ever in black tie. He took my hand, and we drove to the Association Complex.

I was seated next to Lana again as I watched my fiancé become the new leader of the United Association of Alphas.

When Kyra introduced him as such, Victor grinned and gave me a wink. I knew what he was thinking: the faction against him had failed, and his lifelong ambition had been accomplished.

But before he left the dais, he said, “Now it is time for me to get to work for all the people.”

Most of the guests cheered, but a few were silent and sullen. I memorized their faces for later.

After everyone traveled to Alex’s mansion, the celebration began. Victor, Alex, Lana, Harry, and I formed the reception line at the mansion’s front entrance.

I was pleased to see many Betas mixing with the Alpha guests. They felt confident enough in Victor and me that they knew everyone would be welcome at the celebration.

After the flow of guests turned into a trickle, the five of us joined the crowd in the ballroom and gardens. I spotted Amy and Justin near the bar and hurried over.

“Congratulations on your acceptance to Frampton U,” Justin said.

“Thanks,” I said. “Did you guys try the buffet yet? There’s some fantastic food on the table.”

“Not yet,” Amy replied. “We were waiting for the crowd to thin out around the table. There’s a lot of people here to see you and Victor.”

Amy pulled me aside. “I’m not trying to bring you down or anything, but did you hear about Heather Woodward?”

I shook my head. Heather was our high school’s first Beta valedictorian. She had a 4.0 GPA and is a friendly, hardworking person who is liked by everyone.

“She’s going to the City’s College like me,” Amy said. “She was rejected everywhere else.”

“Something isn’t right with the admissions system,” I said. “It needs to be looked into.”

“Yeah,” Amy smiled slyly. “I was thinking a certain Journalism Major who recently solved a cold murder case should investigate the situation.”

“I think you’re right,” I said. “I’ll start by contacting Heather and asking her to talk to me.”

“I knew you would want to do something about it.” Amy hugged me. “Oh, hey, if you’re not busy tomorrow, I’m going to tour Archer Manor and make notes around eleven o’clock.”

“I’ll meet you there,” I promised.

Amy raised her glass of fruit punch. “Here’s to your investigation into admissions discrimination and the start of the new Beta and Omega housing and job training facility.”

I clinked her glass with mine.

Our lives had turned out to be very different from what they used to be, but we were still the same young girls inside, wanting fairness and justice in the world.