Chapter 580
“Where are you staying right now?” Mira asked.
“I’m at the steakhouse’s staff dorms. I picked up a few shifts here today to help out.
“Mira, we don’t even have to worry about rent anymore! My dad gets free room and board at the restaurant dorms, and once the semester starts, I’ll be in the campus housing p>
It was a massive financial relief for them.
“What about all your bags p>
“We didn’t bring much. It’s all shoved under my dad’s bunk p>
“Elara, if you have any overflow, you can always store it at my place p>
“Thank you. If I need the space, I’ll definitely take you up on that p>
Mira deliberately didn’t invite Elara to move into the luxury duplex. Setting clear boundaries and encouraging self-reliance was crucial. As a friend, extending a lifeline in a crisis was right, but providing limitless charity would eventually breed resentment and entitlement.
The adage was true: *Give a man a bowl of rice, he’s your friend; give him a sack of rice, he’s your enemy p>
Regardless, Elara had proven herself to be intensely loyal and grounded.
Shortly after Elara hung up, Harvey called.
“Mira! I got all my registration sorted today. I spent the entire afternoon mapping out the campus.
“I’ve got the layout memorized. When you come in tomorrow, you won’t need to bother with the student volunteers. I am your exclusive, personal tour guide p>
Harvey knew exactly how to make himself useful. When it mattered, he flawlessly shed his wealthy heir persona to do the grunt work.
“I appreciate it, Harvey p>
“My absolute pleasure p>
The next morning, Elara showed up at Mira’s front door.
“Mira, this place is incredible! You’re practically living on campus. It feels just like your old setup in Melvion,” she said, her eyes wide with awe.
She deeply admired how Mira could simply buy premium real estate and plant roots wherever she went.
But Elara was pragmatic; she knew they were playing on vastly different fields, so she didn’t dwell on the envy.
“Do you think I could find some tutoring gigs in this neighborhood? Just like I did back home p>
“Tutoring every single day is going to burn you out. You need to focus on adjusting to the university’s academic rigor first.
“Your dad is bringing in a steady paycheck now. If you pick up shifts at the steakhouse on the weekends, youtheasily
cover your weekly
expenses. Let’s worry about side
hustles later p>
Mira advised her smoothly.
Harvey arrived shortly after. Hearing Mira’s prediction about the soaring real estate
market, he had casually purchased a condo in a neighboring building.
Following Mira’s blueprint, he had moved in with his own security detail and housekeeping staff.
He hadn’t touched his family’s trust
fund in months. His venture, Solftare Academic, was already heavily profitable, not to mention the massive dividends, he pulled from his equity in Mira’s tech empire.
He was a self-made boss with serious liquidity.
So, whatever he chose to do, he didn’t need to ask his parents for permission or money.
In reality, his fierce independence was entirely modeled after Mira.
Since they were so close to the main gates, the trio decided to walk to campus instead of driving.
“Is that… is that Mira Mercer p>
As the provincial valedictorian and a
rising star in the music industry,
Mira naturally drew a crowd the
second she stepped onto the
fel
university grounds, despite her low-key outfit.
“Which department are you looking for? We can take you p>
Several eager upperclassmen surged forward, enthusiastically offering to carry her bags.
In reality, the heavy luggage belonged entirely to Elara. Since Mira lived right across
the street, she only brought a half-empty designer backpack with her absolute essentials.
“We can show you the way, ladies p>
“We’re good. I know the layout,” Harvey barked, stepping smoothly in front of Mira.
Acting like a fiercely protective guard dog, he glared at the approaching guys, shutting down any attempts to get close to her.