Chapter 425: Raindrops Slid Down Paige Lawson's Hair

Raindrops slid down Paige Lawson's hair as she lay discarded like a piece of trash by the back alley dumpster of the Crown Club.

"Ungrateful bitch!" The security guard spat before slamming the door shut behind him.

The icy rain pelted her face, blurring the line between tears and rainwater.

* * *

The sky cleared.

Paige trudged aimlessly, her soaked dress clinging heavily to her legs.

Without realizing it, she found herself standing before the gates of Ashford University.

Groups of vibrant students passed by, their laughter piercing her eardrums like needles.

Suddenly, her pupils contracted.

"Emma!"

She lunged forward, nails digging into the familiar girl's arm.

Emma Fairfax winced in pain.

Her friends exchanged glances. "We'll wait for you at the tea shop."

Once alone, Emma finally took in Paige's disheveled appearance. The once-radiant campus queen now resembled a homeless vagrant.

"The baby's gone..." Paige's voice was hoarse. "He threw me out."

Understanding flashed in Emma's eyes. She'd seen this coming.

"Let me stay in the dorm for a few days," Paige begged, fingers tightening around Emma's wrist.

"Your bed was reassigned to a freshman." Emma shook her head. "The school won't allow it."

Tears spilled down Paige's cheeks. "Then lend me some money—"

Emma pulled out her phone. "I'll transfer you six hundred—"

"Six hundred?" Paige's head snapped up. "Are you treating me like a beggar?"

Emma's finger froze mid-air.

Slowly, she pocketed her phone. "Paige, you're still dreaming."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean—" Emma smirked coldly, "you deserve this."

She turned to leave.

"Emma! Stop right there!" Paige screamed hysterically. "You're just jealous of me!"

Night deepened.

Huddled in a street corner, Paige clutched her burning stomach.

The neon lights of the nightclub across the street dazzled her eyes.

Heavily made-up women strutted past, each carrying designer bags worth fortunes.

Once, she'd been one of them.

"Want to make some cash?" A woman with thick makeup blew smoke rings in her direction.