Jasper nodded. “Great. You should know how to get there by reading the road signs.”


    Then, he turned around and left.


    As Jasper stepped into the campus, several boys of his age quickly greeted him on the roadside. “Jasper! How do you feel in the new week? Have you been out for fun these two days?”


    Jasper said, “No.”


    He was indifferent, but the friends around him were still enthusiastic. “Do you want to have a party tonight? We


    can stay with you!”


    ??


    Laura gazed at Jasper in a daze as his form faded from her view, lost in contemtion.


    “Is this what Jasper meant? That as long as I am a member of the Yale family, people would gather around me?”


    she mused.


    She turned around again and looked at Xander and Everett who got out of the car.


    At the age of 15, Xander already possessed the demeanor of an adult. He wore gold–rimmed sses, which


    somehow gave off an aura of being deceptively unassuming.


    Many female students who passed by couldn’t help but cast nces at him, albeit not too overtly.


    She could sense his immense poprity among the students.


    There was a mole under his enchanting eye.


    He looked like Antonio.


    But at the same time, he possessed an air of sophistication and a certain severity that were uniquely his own.


    Xander put one hand in his pocket, and his gazended on Laura’s face casually. “Ldon’t care how smart you are, but considering your background from the orphanage, you likely have some undesirable traits. Keep in mind that your name is now associated with both the Smith and Yale families. Your actions and words represent the standing


    of our two families. If your behavior ever disappoints me even slightly, I will advise Father that you be sent back.”


    Laura trembled with fear and continued to nod. “Understood.”


    Everett got out of the car and grabbed Xander. “Xander, why are you being so harsh? Our little sister’s intelligence hasn’t fully manifested yet. As she grows, her IQ might surpass all of us! And given she’s a girl, Dad mighte to favor her. Imagine if you act this way toward her now. She mayin about you to Dad in the future!”


    Laura shook her head with determination and stated, “I won’t do that. I won’t speak poorly of you. Besides, you’ve been kind to me. There’s no reason for me to.”


    1 Thu


    Chapter Ca


    Everett’s smile turned cold.


    Xander scoffed. “You’d better not. Otherwise, I won’t let you go easily. Besides, remember that I will check your


    exam results regrly. If you can’t get first ce in the ss, you should leave as soon as possible.”


    Laura pursed her lips and didn’t dare to say anything.


    Xander pushed Everett away and then proceeded to walk directly past Laura toward the junior high school section.


    Everett yfully stood beside her and patted her head with a mischievous grin. “Don’t worry, kiddo. Despite Xander’s tough exterior, he’s not heartless. Plus, you’re a girl, so we probably won’t give you a hard time.”


    Laura’s keen mind detected the subtlety in that statement.


    “Probably won’t give you a hard time. Does that imply they might actually give me a hard time in the future?” she


    pondered.


    She tilted her head.


    Everett smiled, “I’m not like Xander. He’ll monitor your grades, while I’ll keep an eye out for any bullying in the ssroom. If someone tries to bully you, just as Mandy did, I’ll be furious. But unlike my other brothers, I might


    resort to some clever tactics to deal with you.”


    Everett walked up to her with a smile and put his hands on her shoulders. “So, don’t even think about tattling to Dad. If I catch wind of you saying anything negative about any of us three brothers to him, I might just resort to some less–than–honorable tactics!”