Chapter 279
Karlie said, “I asked around, and all the seniors said the school’s military training uniforms are trash quality. They told us we’d better wash them before wearing [them], because in previous years, some people with sensitive skin broke out in rashes, and sweat even made the colors bleed onto their skin.”
Karlie grabbed the uniform and complained, “Even a top school like Rithol University gives out such crappy military training uniforms?”
Sally said enviously, “Karlie, it’s only the beginning of the semester, and you’ve gotten to know some upperclassmen.”
Right after Sally finished her words, Natalie flung two pieces of clothing at her head without even looking up from her phone. “Wash these for me. I’ve transferred you 30 dollars for your trouble,” she said, her tone casual and dismissive.
Sally’s face went pale, but in the end, she said nothing, silently clutching the clothes to her chest.
Aubree sighed inwardly. ‘Looks like a lot must have gone down in the dorm during my seven-day leave. Judging by Sally’s and Natalie’s behavior, this definitely isn’t their first time.’
Karlie glared at Sally, exasperated by her lack of backbone. “Why can’t you stand up for yourself? You just let her boss you around like you’re her damn maid or something?”
Sally bit her lip, thinking, ‘But 30 dollars is already a fifth of my monthly allowance!’
Natalie rolled her eyes at Karlie. “Don’t act all high and mighty. Am I her slave driver? She gets 30 dollars just for washing two pieces of clothing. I only let her do it because we’re roommates. Otherwise, if I just say the word, there’d be plenty of people lining up.”
“Seven days into the semester, and every single day, you’re either making Sally wash your clothes, pick up your packages, or fetch your meals. And you still have the nerve!” Karlie shot back indignantly, righteously standing up for Sally.
Natalie snorted. “Every time she gets my meals, she uses my meal card, so I even pay for hers. And when she picks up my packages or does my laundry, when have I ever not paid her for her trouble? I pay, she works. Isn’t that perfectly normal?”
“Go on, ask her. Does she feel humiliated?”
“Karlie, it’s fine, really,” Sally said hurriedly, tugging at Karlie’s sleeve.
Karlie yanked her sleeve away in frustration and exclaimed, “I’m just trying to stand up for you! Fine, I’m done with you!” Then, she grabbed Aubree and dragged her toward the laundry area.
“Aubree, you should keep your distance from Natalie. She always has her nose in the air, looking down on everyone as if she’s the only one with money. Hello? You’re a billionaire CEO yourself!”
Aubree frowned slightly. ‘Honestly, I’m not even that close to Karlie, yet she has lumped me in with her crowd,’ she thought.
Upon seeing that, Natalie rolled her eyes.
“Honestly, I don’t think Natalie did anything wrong,” Aubree said. “It’s a willing deal. No one is forcing anyone. It’s just like me paying someone to do a job.”
Karlie waved her hand dismissively. “Let’s drop it. The Freshman Welcome Party is on the last night of military training, and auditions are this afternoon. Aubree, you coming? Natalie is definitely going. I heard you’re a young lady from the Wilson family. You must be super talented, too, right?”
Aubree was filling the sink to do her laundry when she said flatly, “I’m not going. And just to be clear, I have nothing to do with the Wilson family.”
Karlie finally took the hint and dropped the subject.
Little did Aubree know, someone had snapped photos of her during registration. In the seven days she was away, the finance majors had already crowned her the hottest freshman of the year—not just a pretty face, but also seriously impressive!
If anyone manages to get close to her, wouldn’t that be like securing an early job offer from Bree Technology?
Rihol University didn’t have evening self-study sessions. That night, Aubree first had a long phone call with Bowen out on the balcony. When she got back to bed and was about to sleep, she finally checked the campus forum to see if anything noteworthy had happened.
Well, there actually was something.
Aubree clicked [on] the forum to find a dance video featuring Natalie. As a privileged young lady, she was somewhat haughty, but her striking elegance and beauty were undeniable. On the dance floor, she was absolutely mesmerizing.
Not only that, Aubree also spotted Karlie in the video. Unlike Natalie, who was stealing the spotlight, Karlie stood in a corner of the frame, accidentally caught on camera.
She was wearing a numbered tag, the kind only students auditioning for the Freshman Welcome Party would wear.
Aubree arched an eyebrow. That’s odd, she thought. Karlie wasn’t on the official selection list.