Chapter 3: Playing Along

Holly gaped at me in disbelief.

"Dakota, how can you be drinking with people like this? The only thing that matters right now is your exam prep! The forensic certification is just two weeks away! Come back with me and study!"

"Don't you want that internship at the Criminal Investigation Department anymore?" She stepped forward, grabbed my wrist, and tried to persuade me earnestly.

It definitely sounded like she was looking out for me, at least on the surface. However, the truth behind it all was that she was afraid that my slacking off would ruin her plans.

How disgusting, and not to mention hypocritical.

I shrugged her hand off and said coldly, "My life is none of your business. If you've got time to meddle in mine, then you'd be better off going back and reading a few more books, wouldn't you say?"

My blunt rejection made her eyes redden instantly, her voice trembling with grievance. "Dakota, I only have your best interest at heart. How can you talk to me like that?"

I couldn't be bothered. "Did I ask for it? No, I didn't think so. So, run along now and go back to wherever you came from."

I made it clear she wasn't welcome, picked up my drink, and took a sip without sparing her a glance.

That was enough to set her followers off. One of them snatched the glass right out of my hand and glared at me. "Dakota, don't push your luck! Holly came here herself, and you're still acting like this?"

Another one shot me a cold look as well. "If it weren't for Holly, we wouldn't even bother with you. She's only here because she's kind and doesn't want to see you go down the wrong path. Yet, this is how you repay her?"

They tried to pull Holly away, but she didn't move. Her gaze lingered on me, and I noticed a flicker of panic in her eyes for a split second.

"Dakota, come back with me to study. You're not exactly well off. Your future will be ruined if you keep this up. We're classmates. I can't bear to watch you fall like this. Don't worry. I'm sure you'll still beat me in this exam."

Her acting was flawless. I had to hand it to her. If I hadn't died once because of her Oscar-worthy performance, I might have bought that slop.

When I saw how persistent she was, a devious idea started to form in my head. I came to the startling realization that I could make my revenge hurt way more if I gave her a little hope before taking it all away. After all, nothing was worse than being given false hope, no?

So, I begrudgingly nodded as I tried not to grimace under her expectant gaze. "Fine. I'll go back and study."

Holly kept a close eye on me after that. She would watch me head to the library every day, afraid I might slack off halfway. She even spent her own money to buy me stacks of study materials.

"Dakota, these are all key exam topics. You have to go through them carefully! And these autopsy videos. I pulled some strings to get them from a forensic expert. Don't let my efforts go to waste!"

I smiled and nodded. "I won't let you down."

Only then did Holly finally relax.

From that point on, I showed up at the library every day and stayed up late "studying" in bed at night.

Meanwhile, Holly went back to her carefree life, and her followers bragged about her natural talent—how she didn't need to study like some small-town grind just to get good results.

What she didn't know was that I spent my time in the library watching movies and scrolling through short videos. As night fell, I spent my hours reading novels. As for all the materials she bought for me? Hah! I sold every single one of them.