Chapter 2 The Stolen Scholarship

After class, as she stepped out of the vocal music classroom, Ella spotted the Maybach parked at the entrance.

Her classmates buzzed with whispers.

"Ella sure knows how to play the game. One night, and she went from rags to riches."

"Others charge three thousand a night, but she managed to land herself a wealthy husband."

"What, jealous? If you're so capable, why not work at a club too? Drug some rich playboy and turn your life around."

"Don't even suggest it. I keep myself pure and wouldn't stoop to such things."

In her past life, Ella would have stormed over to confront them. The argument would have spilled onto the school walls, and the stigma of "Ella drugged her way into a wealthy marriage" would have been broadcast far and wide. Even her advisor grew distant. In the end, Forrest punished her and beat her until her skin split open.

This life? She'd rather die than waste time arguing with those gossiping women again.

Under everyone's gaze, she grimaced as she got into the car. Forrest rolled up the window, forcing a hint of concern from his throat.

"Did they gossip?"

Ella stretched, her posture elegant and her tone utterly unconcerned. "Whatever. From now on, just let me go home by myself. Don't send the driver either. I'm not used to it.”

Forrest didn't respond immediately. He studied her up and down before casually suggesting, "Then I'll buy you a car for commuting."

Before Ella could refuse, they arrived home in silence.

That night, Ella planned to sleep in the guest room as usual.

"I need to study for my music theory exam. You go ahead and sleep.”

Forrest's eyes darkened. "Still mad? That's unnecessary. I only got drunk once, on our wedding day. Besides, love needs time to develop."

Ella scoffed inwardly. I spent ten years building that with you in my past life, and you still showed no affection.

But she only offered a flat explanation: "I'm going to Berkeley. It's my dream."

At this, Forrest sat up straight, his face darkening. "You're leaving to study abroad?"

She nodded calmly.

His brows knotted into a deep frown, and his voice thickened with anger. "What are you trying to do? Stir up trouble? You agreed to marry me! I compensated you. Now you want to leave? Are you worried the gossip columnists won't have enough material?"

Ella didn't want to explain. Marrying you isn't the same as selling myself to you. Besides, your family is wealthy and powerful. If you can't even handle a little gossip, what kind of elite family are you? At the end of the day, you just can't stand the slightest blemish on your reputation.

She knew full well that Forrest was in love with Vivian. Staying here would only lead to repeating the same mistakes.

She rolled her eyes, turned, and walked out, hearing Forrest's furious words behind her.

"Ella, don't be so stubborn."

In the days that followed, Forrest indeed vanished from her world.

Though the school still buzzed with gossip about her, Ella remained silent. She read and sang in endless cycles. This time, she would get into Berkeley.

One evening after dinner, the female students on campus suddenly went wild. They ran everywhere, screaming as they searched for someone.

Ella wore headphones, annoyed by the noise. She turned and walked down a path, immersing herself in her musical world.

The path was dim. Ella had assumed it was empty. Suddenly, she felt a tremendous force on her shoulder.

She was nearly knocked into the bushes.

Immediately, a hand caught her waist, steadying her.

After regaining her footing, Ella took quick steps back and adjusted her high heels when a familiar voice spoke up.

"Ella."

She looked up and found herself face-to-face with her advisor's son and senior classmate, Trent.

“Trent!”

Trent and Forrest had always been popular with the female students at their school. They were handsome, well-educated, in great shape, and came from wealthy families. They were practically perfect partners.

Ella used to regularly practice singing with Trent, but after news spread that she was marrying Forrest, Trent left for further studies abroad, and they lost touch for a long time.

Ella pulled Trent aside, and they settled into a secluded garden.

"Trent, I heard you performed at Vienna's Golden Hall. How was it?"

Trent crossed his arms, waved a finger, and wore a look of smug satisfaction.

"Hmph—the atmosphere, the acoustics... It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience."

Outside the garden, Forrest, who had come to pick up Ella, watched the two of them chat and laugh. He took a deep breath to suppress his rising anger. Just as he was about to barge into their conversation, Vivian murmured softly beside him.

"Ella and Trent were so close. I heard her mentor tried to set her up with Trent back then. It's such a pity they never became a couple...”

Vivian's words referred to both Ella and Forrest. Hearing this, Forrest lowered his gaze and turned to leave.

Meanwhile, the two grew increasingly engrossed in their conversation, sharing stories of their overseas experiences and some of the masters' closely guarded secrets, leaving Ella astonished.

She almost couldn't resist heading to the vocal studio to try them out. Glancing at the time, however, she saw that it was already past midnight. After setting a time for their next meeting, she stepped out of the school gates and immediately spotted Vivian leaning against the wall with her arms crossed.

"Ella, practicing this late?"

Ella cleared her throat.

"Just catching up with my friend after being apart for so long."

Vivian's expression was half-smiling, half-mocking.

"So, an ex is back in the picture, huh?”

Ella rolled up her eyes, muttering, "None of your damn business," and went off to wash up.

The next day, as soon as she entered the vocal studio, her instructor greeted her with a smile.

"Ella, your vocal condition has been excellent lately. Your technique is maturing, too. Keep it up—you'll definitely pass the audition."

A smile blossomed on Ella's face. Nothing felt more satisfying than having her efforts acknowledged.

In the days that followed, Forrest seemed to vanish from her life. Rumor had it that he was busy with a new film and constantly shooting on location.

Just like in her past life, he was either filming or on his way to a shoot.

Ella was always waiting at home, humming songs and longing for his return. Each night, she could only sleep soundly with the help of sleeping pills.

Now, she felt she had wasted her life.

The auditions finally began, and her hard work paid off.

Whether it was music theory or singing, she was confident that she would take first place.

When she emerged from the vocal studio, Vivian was there with a smile on her face.

"Ella, I see why you're so set on getting into Berkeley."

Ella took a step back, instantly wary. "What do you mean?"

Vivian only gave a cold laugh. "Aren't you going for Trent?"

"You're despicable. Back then, I liked Forrest, but you used dirty tricks to steal him away."

"Now, I want to go to Berkeley, and you want to go too. You're so annoying."

Ella's eyes blazed with fury.

"I want to go to Berkeley purely to improve myself. Stop spreading lies."

With that, she ignored Vivian's cold laughter and walked away.

The vocal exam results came back quickly. Ella took first place in both music theory and singing.

When she received the recommendation letter bearing the academy's seal, she smiled radiantly.

With this letter, she could pursue advanced studies at Berkeley and refine her vocal skills. Even without Forrest, she could thrive.

Back in the vocal classroom, everyone's gaze held a hint of schadenfreude. Her instructor even sent her a "Sorry" message, sending a chill down her spine.

A few minutes later, the homeroom teacher abruptly entered the classroom and summoned her to the dean's office.

Ella's unease deepened. Taking a deep breath, she knocked and entered.

The dean sat with his hands clasped and a stern expression before tossing several photographs onto the desk.

"Ella, I've received some photos. I'd prefer not to believe it, but unfortunately, it is you in them."

"You were originally our sole candidate for the advanced studies program. Now, however, we must replace you with Vivian."

"Given the severe repercussions this has caused, I won't impose disciplinary action. I expect you to handle your personal affairs appropriately."

Ella felt desperate. She hadn't anticipated this unexpected complication.

"Dean, I can explain these photos."

"Please give me another chance."

The dean tossed all the photos into her arms.

"No need for explanations. This personnel change was discussed by the board of directors."

Ella retorted instinctively, “Who?”

The dean uttered each syllable deliberately: "Forrest."