Chapter 103

Evelyn stared at her phone screen, her finger hovering over the reply button.

Another message from the dean popped up: [I've sent you the address. You must come this weekend.]

She took a deep breath and finally typed a single word: "Okay."

That was a place she never wanted to visit again in her life.

But the dean's tone was like that of an overprotective father about to marry off his daughter—nervous yet hopeful. It softened her resolve.

Going alone was out of the question.

For an occasion like this, she needed someone who could command the room. She immediately dialed Vivian Dempsey.

"Miss Dempsey, are you free this weekend?"

A cold snort came through the phone. "Funny you should ask. I was just looking for someone to watch a good show with me."

Evelyn raised an eyebrow. "What's going on?"

"I got an invitation too—same day, same place." Vivian gritted her teeth. "Guess who sent it?"

Evelyn's heart sank.

"Simon Stapleton."

"Who?!" Evelyn nearly dropped her phone.

"That bastard who ruined our college entrance exams and got himself into Hudson University!" Vivian scoffed. "Surprise, surprise. The dean's daughter is marrying him."

Evelyn's fingers turned cold.

The dean was such a kind man. If his daughter married someone like that...

"I wasn't planning to go," Vivian said, her tone suddenly lighter. "But since you're going, it works out. If he's actually changed, we'll bless the happy couple. If he's still the same scumbag..."

"What are you planning to do?"

"Crash the wedding, of course!"

On the day of the wedding, the two arrived at the hotel before dawn.

Vivian tossed her car keys. "You go find the dean first. I'll park and catch up."

In the bridal suite, the dean rushed over the moment he saw her. "Evelyn! You made it!"

A sweet-faced girl sat at the vanity, smiling at her. "Hi, Evelyn."

"You know me?"

"My dad never stops praising you. Says you're the golden standard at the hospital." The girl blinked. "I might need your help soon."

Evelyn's gaze instinctively dropped to her abdomen.

The dean pulled her aside and lowered his voice. "She's pregnant. They're rushing the wedding before she starts showing. I’m sorry for the last-minute request to be a bridesmaid."

Evelyn's heart tightened. "So sudden..."

The dean sighed. "What's done is done. We can't have her walking down the aisle with a baby bump."

He pressed a thick red envelope into her hand. "I know you're still recovering. This is for your trouble."

The envelope was heavy—easily several thousand dollars.

"Take good care of Natalie when she delivers," the dean said, patting her shoulder.

Evelyn nodded. "Of course. But... do you know much about the groom?"

The dean beamed. "That boy is exceptional—undergrad at Hudson, grad school in the UK. Bound for great things!"