Kicked Out, She Came Back To Rule - Chapter 36: Chapter 36

"Nah, that's too much work," Kaia said.
Horace sounded let down. "Then hang up."
Kaia rolled her eyes. "I've got something important to ask you."
"You changed your mind?" Horace's eyes lit up.
"No," Kaia said, already getting speechless.
"Bye then." Horace's smile faded, but he didn't hang up. "What is it?"
"Here's a tip—stop letting rich kids sneak in through connections. It makes the school look bad," Kaia said.
Russell had told her his grandpa was a professor at Morganburg University and could get her in. Tobias had just said the same thing.
Horace didn't get why Kaia cared, but he nodded. "You're right. We can't keep turning a blind eye. It just tells people it's better to have connections than to work hard."
He had someone handle it right away.
Soon, Twitter blew up with a trending post. [Morganburg University will now strictly check all admission qualifications.]
In other words, no more getting in through connections.
The news hit not just Morganburg but all of Wustriland like a bomb.
Morganburg University was notoriously hard to get into, full of geniuses. But every year, there were three spots reserved for anyone who could pay enough. Now those spots were gone.
Tobias saw the headline and frowned. He'd just told Kaia he could get her into it. Now, that door was slammed shut.
He wasn't the only one with a headache. Parents who'd been planning to pay or pull strings for their kids were suddenly scrambling, wondering what on earth had happened.
None of them knew it all started because of what Kaia had said.
Meanwhile, Andrea was staring at her phone with a grin.
She'd been worried her parents might try to pull strings to get Kaia into Morganburg University just to save face. Now, that worry was gone.
In her mind, even a fool stood a better chance of getting into Morganburg University than Kaia.
*****
The SAT started on time. After the last test, Kaia walked out and spotted a Maybach parked across the street.
She headed over. The door opened, and Tobias got out, holding an umbrella for her.
A few girls nearby stared, looking jealous. To them, Kaia was ridiculously lucky to have a hot guy waiting for her after the test.
Kaia overheard one girl mutter under her breath, "She's probably been too busy dating to study. Bet she bombed the SAT."
Kaia laughed to herself. She was sure she'd nailed the top score. "When'd you get here?" she asked.
"I never left," Tobias said, handing her a yogurt drink.
Kaia looked at the peach-flavored yogurt—her favorite. "Didn't you say this store-bought stuff wasn't healthy?"
"You like it, so it's fine once in a while," Tobias said.
Kaia took a sip, smiling in satisfaction.
Tobias kept watching her. She reminded him of a little kitten that had just eaten, looking softer and more girlish than usual.
When she finished, he reached out with his rough, calloused fingers and wiped the corner of her mouth. The touch sent a little jolt through her.
Kaia's eyes widened, and her ears turned red. It felt weird.
Tobias caught her reaction and grinned, his eyes gleaming.
"What do you mean?" Kaia asked, frowning.
"Wiping your mouth," Tobias said, dead serious.
That serious tone made Kaia feel like he'd taken advantage of her, but she had no idea how to get back at him. It was irritating.
Annoyed, she quit talking and got in the car, closing her eyes to rest.
Then Tobias handed her a cake box.
Kaia opened it and froze. Inside was her favorite tiramisu from her favorite shop.
The place was insanely popular and made only a few each day. This flavor always sold out fast. Even if Tobias sent someone to line up early, it wouldn't be easy to get.