According to Felicia, she had every right to be at IU.
She was an outstanding student—someone who had earned her place through merit. But because Riley was "mentally challenged," and their family favored Riley, her rightful admission spot had been taken away.
Now, instead of attending as a proper student, she could only enter as a companion.
Worse, she had to carry Riley's bags every single day—like a servant.
And with the two bulky bags slung over her shoulders right now, the story seemed even more believable.
That was all it took.
Sympathy spread instantly.
Before long, a crowd had gathered around Felicia, rallying behind her. Their resentment toward Riley grew with every passing second.
How could someone be so cruel?
Yet Felicia acted as if this was nothing new—like she had long grown used to such treatment.
That only made things worse.
Protectiveness flared among the crowd, especially among the boys. Some even openly declared they would teach Riley a lesson.
Felicia lowered her gaze, the corner of her lips lifting in a subtle, satisfied smile.
"Oh my god! Look—that's Felicia, isn't it?"
"I heard she joined this year's girl group survival show! She's already in the top ten—she might debut with HoneyPop!"
"Seriously? That's insane!"
The moment Felicia stepped out of the campus gates, a group of girls nearby burst into excited screams, phones raised as they snapped pictures nonstop.
Felicia lowered her head shyly, offering a gentle smile and even waving at them.
"Wow, she's so sweet. Not a hint of attitude."
"And she's a top student too? She got into Imperial University? That's incredible!"
Hype spread like wildfire.
It only took a few excited voices to draw a crowd. Soon, more people gathered, pulling out their phones without even knowing what was going on—just following the wave.
Among them, Felicia's classmates looked the most shocked.
"Felicia… you're actually a celebrity?"
Felicia waved her hands quickly. "No, no, not yet. Please don't misunderstand—I haven't debuted, so I'm not a celebrity."
"Oh come on, don't be modest," someone chimed in. "I know that show. You need real talent just to pass the first round. Being top ten already proves how amazing you are!"
"Seriously, Felicia, you're beautiful and talented. Who wouldn't like you?"
The speaker was a senior, two years above them—Evan Sullivan, the student council president, campus heartthrob, and the undisputed number one in the university-wide popularity vote.
Right now, his gaze burned with undisguised admiration as he looked at Felicia, who stood there blushing with her head lowered.
Felicia basked in the praise, her vanity swelling with satisfaction.
Then—
"Hey, look at this!"
Someone at the edge of the crowd paused their recording, replaying a clip on their phone.
"Did you see that? The girl who just walked past behind Felicia—the one holding that bunny—she's really pretty too!"
Felicia's gentle smile froze instantly.
A girl holding a bunny…?
Her gaze snapped toward the direction they pointed—
Just in time to see Riley stepping into a car from the Yates family.
Damn it. Of course it's her.
Felicia's expression shifted. Her eyes reddened slightly, as if she were on the verge of tears.
Evan's heart clenched at the sight.
He raised his voice, cold and cutting. "So what if she's pretty? She's just a pretty face. How could she possibly compare to Felicia? Felicia, let's go."
The girls who had come out with Felicia quickly seized the moment.
They exaggerated and embellished Riley's "foolishness", spinning the story until the onlookers' earlier admiration turned into disappointment.
Only then did they leave—satisfied.