The talented test taker only scored 2.50 Chapter 2

"How did you do?"

It was a text from Julian's burner phone.

"Don't worry, I guarantee you'll be 'satisfied.'"

After I sent it, I squeezed my phone tight.

Oh, Julian, this score? You're going to *love* it.

Three days ago, the scene of Julian kneeling before me, proposing, was still vivid in my mind.

Tears welled in his eyes, and he said I was the most important person in his life.

Now, it all seemed so laughable.

Back home, Julian had just gone into the bathroom.

On the couch, his phone screen was still lit, showing a SnapChat group chat called "The Bro Zone."

The messages that flashed across the screen made my stomach clench into a painful knot.

They were private photos and videos of me and him, during our most intimate moments.

He'd posted them all in that group, accompanied by vile comments.

"Trailer park girls really let loose."

"Julian's done with her, can I have a turn?"

"Girls like her? Throw some cash, and they'll do anything."

The latest message was from Julian:

"Seraphina's coming back tomorrow. Finally, I don't have to pretend to be deeply in love anymore. This girl actually thought I was going to marry her, LOL. With her background, she's not even fit to be a maid in my house."

I bit down on my lower lip, hard, until I tasted blood.

My phone trembled in my hand, not from sorrow, but from a raging fury.

What I'd believed was love, in Julian's eyes, was nothing more than a game, and I was just the clown there for his and his friends' amusement.

The toilet flushed in the bathroom, and I quickly put his phone back, a docile smile plastered back onto my face.

When Julian came out, I was kneeling on the floor, polishing his leather shoes, just as I often did over the past six months.

He looked down at me, his gaze as dismissive as if I were a dog.

Then he spoke, "Seraphina's coming back tomorrow. I need to pick her up at the airport. You can grab dinner on your own tonight."

I looked up, blinking innocently, feigning confusion. "Seraphina?"

"Just an old friend," he said dismissively. "You wouldn't know her."

I lowered my head, continuing to polish his shoes, hiding the icy coldness in my eyes.

Of course, I knew exactly who Seraphina Vance was – Julian's childhood sweetheart.

After Julian left, I opened my laptop and started searching for everything I could find on Sterling Corp.

I needed to understand my enemy if I was going to deliver a fatal blow.

Three days later.

Julian suddenly appeared at my doorstep, holding a massive bouquet of roses, his face sporting that familiar, 'sincere' expression.

"My father wants to meet you." He finally revealed his true purpose. "He... he approved of us."

I raised an eyebrow. "Approved of what?"

"Our marriage."

Julian said urgently, "Just come home with me tomorrow to meet him."

I almost burst out laughing.

Julian's sudden change was too suspicious. There had to be a catch.

But I decided to play along.

"Really?" I feigned surprise. "Your father really agreed?"

"Yes!" Julian grabbed my hand. "As long as you make a good impression, we'll be married very soon."

I lowered my head, concealing the calculation swirling in my eyes.

Meet Mr. Sterling? Oh, this was *perfectly* playing into my hands.

"Okay, I'll go," I said softly.