Chapter 958

She had almost lost her chance at an education entirely, nearly sold off for a dowry to fund her brother’s life.

If it hadn’t been for the Doyle family’s sponsorship, she never would have escaped the Backwoods to attend Marington College.

No one had ever genuinely cared about her well-being.

Caleb felt the exact same way. His parents were always gone, working in other cities, leaving him to be raised by his grandmother.

When she got sick.

His parents moved on, starting entirely new families with new children.

They abandoned him, and they abandoned his grandmother.

The rest of his relatives avoided them like the plague.

The Doyle family had paid for his schooling, but that meant living like a dog under Bianca’s heel, stripped of his dignity.

He had been forced to act as her ghostwriter, drowning in academic fraud just to survive.

In their minds.

The wealthy were all exactly like Bianca―arrogant, cruel, and completely disgusted by anyone beneath them.

But the Lancasters… they were entirely different.

They treated them like actual human beings. Like family.

Having survived the harshest environments, they were incredibly perceptive.

They could spot fake sympathy from a mile away.

But this was real.

Tears welled up in their eyes, their voices thick with emotion. “Thank you, Aunt Catherine… Thank you, Mr. Lancaster. You’re so kind p>

“Oh, you sweet kids. Serena’s friends are our friends. You have to come visit often,” Catherine said, her heart breaking for them.

How much cruelty and judgment had these two endured to become so painfully insecure and sensitive?

They had clawed their way out of absolute poverty.

To make it to a prestigious institution like Marington College, they had fought a

thousand times harder than the average student just to break free from the cage of their past.

They had relied on nothing but their own grit.

To secure a spot at Marington.

To earn a place in the Vanguard Honors Program.

They should have been standing tall, bursting with pride, admired by everyone around them.

The Lancaster family deeply respected anyone with a clean heart who possessed that kind of relentless drive.

Just as the emotional weight settled over the room.

A lazy, familiar voice drifted down from the staircase. “Grandpa, Mom, you’re terrifying my teammates p>

At the sound of her voice.

Lydia and Caleb immediately snapped their heads up, their eyes shining with relief.

Serena was descending the stairs in a loose sweater and sweatpants, her hair tied in a messy ponytail, looking completely relaxed.

That effortless grace.

That innate, untouchable confidence.

It made their hearts race with pure admiration.

“Serena!” Catherine reluctantly let go of Lydia’s hand. “I’m just so happy! Look at your friends—they’re so polite and sweet p>

“Alright, well, they’re staying for

lunch, so you have plenty of time to

fuss over them.” Serena reached the

bottom of the stairs, flashing a

warm smile at Catherine. “Momm

taking them to the back garden to

prep for the competition p>

Catherine beamed. “Go, go! I won’t hold you up from your important work p>

Serena nodded, turning to Caleb and Lydia. “Follow me p>

The two students practically leaped

off th

couch like they

granted a pardor bowi

been

Old Mr. Lancaster and Catherine before scurrying after Serena.

It wasn’t until they had completely exited the main house.

That they finally let out a massive breath of relief.

“Are my mom and grandpa really that scary?” Serena teased, glancing over her shoulder with a lazy smirk.

Lydia shook her head frantically.

not that they’re scary, wet

“N-none they’re

re so mcredibly nice. We just didn’t know how to handle it p>