Dumped Then Claimed By A Billionaire (Nerissa and Owen) novel Chapter 35

Chapter 35 Go To The Hospital

In Winifred’s eyes, Nerissa was nothing more than a clueless country burnpkin and an embarrassment with her questionable family background. She couldn’t even compare to a single strand of Ivy’s hair.

Ivy knew ballet and piano, and she had all kinds of talents, but Nerissa had nothing.

At best, Nerissa could stand on the sidelines and clap for Ivy like some kind of circus act. Someone like her drearning about getting into Yiorlian School was completely delusional and shameless.

Winifred looked away from Nerissa and turned to Ivy. “Come on, Ivy. Stop looking at her. Getting involved with people like that will only drag you down.”

“Okay, Mom.” Ivy nodded and followed Winifred’s lead.

After walking a few steps, they ran into a classmate. Ivy linked arms with Winifred, tilted her head up, and greeted her warmly. “Linda, what a coincidence!”

In the past, Ivy would never have initiated a conversation with Linda Bondi.

Linda’s family was loaded, and her mother wore designer brands head to toe, but the Holloway family was just average. To pay for Ivy’s extracurricular classes, Winifred never wore outfits that cost more than two hundred dollars.

Ivy had great pride, and she didn’t want anyone to see her with such an ordinary mother.

But things were different now.

Ever since the Calloway family started helping them out, the Holloways had moved into a new house. They received a huge sum of one hundred thousand dollars.

Dylan used that money to rent a storefront with Winifred and start a business. Hence, the Holloway family was no longer the same struggling family.

Now Ivy wore outfits worth over two thousand dollars, and even Winifred carried a six-thousand-dollar handbag.

Linda smiled at Ivy and asked, “Ivy, is this your mom?”

Ivy nodded, and a smug look flashed in her eyes. “Yeah, this is her.”

Linda’s gaze dropped to the bag in Winifred’s hand. “That’s a beautiful bag, ma’am. Must’ve been expensive, right?”

Nerissa happened to be walking past them right at that moment.

Winifred deliberately raised her voice. “Not that much, really. Only six thousand dollars.”

She wanted to make sure Nerissa heard every word. She wanted Nerissa to know that she and Ivy were no longer living in the same world.

‘Girls like Nerissa are stuck in the dirt forever,’ Winifred thought. ‘She’ll never climb out of it.’

Her bag cost six thousand dollars, and that sad excuse for a bag Nerissa was carrying probably wasn’t even worth six bucks.

Linda laughed, “Six thousand is still pretty expensive though. Ivy, I had no idea your family was this loaded. I totally underestimated you before.”

Winifred went on, “Ivy’s always been low-key since she was little, never one to show off. Not like some people who get a taste of power for a few days and suddenly don’t even recognize themselves anymore. But here’s the thing. Trash will always be trash.”

That last line was clearly aimed at Nerissa.

But Nerissa acted as if she hadn’t heard a thing and walked past them with a calm expression, completely unfazed.

Right then, the entrance suddenly got crowded.

Ivy and Linda immediately looked over.

A middle-aged woman dripping in jewels was walking in with several bodyguards trailing behind her. She was just a parent dropping off her kid for the exam, but she’d turned it into some kind of official inspection tour.

“Who’s that? She’s got quite the attitude,” Linda said, staring in that direction.

“You don’t even know Mrs. Diana Penhaligon? I heard from Ivy that your family’s pretty well-off,” Winifred said, glancing at

Linda.

Successfully unlocked!

Linda shook her head. “Ma’am, my family’s just odpinance callow someone like that?”

Winifred smiled, “I forgot-ordinary people don’t get to meet Mrs. Penhaligon, so it makes sense you wouldn’t know her.”

1/5

Chapter 35 Go To The Hospital

She continued, “The Penhaligon family runs a diamond business. They’ve got several diamond mines and even a gold mine. Mrs. Penhaligon just moved here from Butterwood. I haven’t seen the Penhaligon daughter yet, but Mrs. Penhaligon must be here today bringing Ms. Penhaligon for the transfer student exarn.”

“Wow, you’re amazing. You know so much about this,” Linda said, looking at Winifred with surprise.

Seeing Linda make such an impressed face at Winifred, Ivy’s vanity was instantly satisfied.

Winifred continued, “Ivy’s dad and I run a diamond business too, and we’ve worked with Mrs. Penhaligon before, so we know a thing or two about the Penhaligon family.”

The truth was, Winifred had never actually worked with Diana.

She’d just bought some decorative pieces from a counter at one of the Penhaligon family’s branch stores.

She only “knew” Diana because she happened to be shopping there one day when Diana came by to inspect the store. She’ d caught a glimpse of her from a distance, and that was it.

Linda’s eyes lit up instantly. “Wow, that’s incredible! If you’ve worked with Mrs. Penhaligon, your family must be really wealthy too, right?”

“Oh, just average,” Winifred said, touching her hair with evident pride on her face. “We’re just richer than most people, that’s all.”

Linda stared at Diana’s retreating figure and couldn’t help but say, “I wonder what Ms. Penhaligon looks like. I wish I could be lucky enough to become friends with her.”

Winifred glanced at Linda and sneered inwardly. ‘This girl’s seriously delusional, she thought. ‘Someone like her, trying to be friends with Ms. Penhaligon? She’s got no shame.’

But Linda’s comment did give her an idea, and Winifred lowered her voice as she turned to Ivy. “Ivy, if you could actually become close friends with Ms. Penhaligon, our family would be set for life.”

The Penhaligon family was old money-real wealth, even more than the Calloway’s had.

If Ivy could befriend someone like that, it would bring honor to their entire family.

Ivy nodded, and a glint flashed in her eyes. “Mom, I won’t let you down,” she said.

As long as she was at Yiorlian School, she’d do whatever it took to make that connection happen.

*****

Nerissa was directionally challenged, so it took her a while to find the exam room,

She’d arrived pretty early, but the classroom was already filling up with students

She’d barely sat down when a guy walked over, his face turning red as he looked at her. “Hey, I’m Peyton Thompson, taking the test today too,” he said. “Can I get your number?”

Nerissa was stunning, and she’d caught everyone’s attention the moment she walked in-even the other girls couldn’t help staring.

Peyton looked at her expectantly, waiting for her answer.

“Sorry, we’re not allowed to have our phones in the exam room,” Nerissa said gently, turning him down.

Peyton scratched his head awkwardly and backed away. “Oh, right. Yeah, okay.”

There were still thirty minutes before the exam started, so Nerissa pulled out her pencil case and started checking to make sure she had everything she needed.

“Oh my god!” A surprised voice suddenly rang out.

Nerissa turned her head slightly and saw a girl with short, perky hair staring at her.

The girl had big, round eyes and looked incredibly cute.

‘Have I met her before?’ Nerissa thought.

Before Nerissa could say anything, the short-haired girl rushed over and started introducing herself. “You don’t remember me, do you? I’m Faye. On the night of the 15th, you saved me from those thugs. I’ve been looking for you ever since, and I can’t believe I ran into you here.”

Faye never used to believe in fate, but now she really did. Though even fate couldn’t have placed her right in front of Nerissa like this.

Nerissa’s memories came flooding back the moment Faye spoke.

“Of course I remember,” Nerissa said with a soft smile. “How have you been?”

2/5

Chapter 35 Go To The Hospital

“Pretty good, except I got sick after I left the police station and only recovered a few days ago. Otherwise I would’ve found you way sooner.”

Faye had been sheltered her whole life and had never experienced anything that scary before, so she’d come down with a high fever afterward and been sick for almost two weeks. Her parents had been worried sick.

Faye continued, “Are you taking the Yiorlian School entrance exam too?”

“Yeah, I am.” Nerissa nodded.

“What a coincidence. I’m taking it too!” Faye walked over and sat down naturally beside Nerissa.

She continued, “That day at the police station, you were gone by the time I woke up. After I got better, I asked the police for your address, but they said you didn’t leave any information. You have no idea how hard I looked for you.”

She smiled, “Oh, by the way, I’m Faye Penhaligon. My nickname’s Fifi, and you can call me that if you want.”

“Sure, Fifi. I’m Nerissa, and you can just call me Neri.”

“So can we be friends?” Faye looked at Nerissa carefully, hope in her eyes.

She wanted to be friends with Nerissa, really, really badly.

‘Having a friend like Nerissa would be such an honor,’ she thought.

“Of course we can.” Nerissa’s eyes crinkled with warmth.

“Thank you, Neri. You’re literally the definition of beautiful inside and out.” Faye paused, then asked, “Are you from Aosthorne originally?”

Nerissa shook her head. “I’m originally from Hayland. What about you?”

“I just moved here from Butterwood,” Faye answered.

Sometimes friendship between girls happened just like that. After just a few sentences, they already felt closer, and neither of them even realized when it happened.

If the exam wasn’t about to start and she didn’t need to get back to her seat, Faye would’ve kept talking to Nerissa forever.

The first exam that morning was Language Arts, and it lasted 150 minutes. Then math started in the afternoon.

At eleven o’clock sharp, the exam ended.

Faye waited by the door for Nerissa, and when she came out, Faye naturally linked arms with her. “Neri, let’s go to the cafeteria together. I heard Yiorlian School’s chipotle are amazing,”

“Sure, I actually love chipotle too.”

When Faye found out Nerissa also liked chipotle, she got even more excited. ‘We have so much in common, she thought.

This has to be fate.’

Faye asked, “By the way Neri, how’d you do on the exam?”

“Pretty good. What about you?” Nerissa asked.

Faye grinned. “I think I did okay too. I really hope we end up in the same class after they sort us.”

They headed to the cafeteria and got in line for Chipotle together.

Exams had just ended, so the third-floor cafeteria was packed. They weren’t in a rush, though, and chatted while they waited in line. Faye said something that made Nerissa laugh, and her whole face lit up with genuine happiness.

When Nerissa smiled like that, she was absolutely radiant.

A guy got pushed toward Nerissa by his buddy and nervously cleared his throat. “Hey, um, which class are you in? Can I get your number?”

Nerissa politely turned him down.

“That’s the sixth one,” Faye said quietly.

“Sixth what?” Nerissa looked at her, confused.

Faye continued, “We’ve been here less than twenty minutes, and that’s already the sixth guy who’s asked for your number.”

She thought, ‘So this was what it was like being beautiful.

Then Faye asked, “Neri, you’re so gorgeous. Do you already have a boyfriend?”

“Nope,” Nerissa said seriously. “Right now I just want to focus on my studies.”

‘And get into a good college so Grandpa has something to brag about, she thought.

3/5

Chapter 35 Go To The Hospital

Faye pressed on. “Have you ever dated anyone before?”

“Never dated, but I’ve been married.”

Faye burst out laughing. “Neri, stop joking around.”

“I’m not joking. I was pretty rebellious back then, and I just got divorced recently.” Nerissa had never felt like divorce was something to be ashamed of.

Everyone makes mistakes-that’s just part of being human.

Faye didn’t take Nerissa’s words seriously at all and grabbed her hand. “Nerissa, I’m gonna add a fried egg to my Chipotle bowl, and I want steak too.”

“I’ll get the same thing as you, but I want extra coriander,” Nerissa added.

Faye lit up like she’d found a kindred spirit. “Neri, I love cilantro too, but none of my friends do. I can’t believe you’re a coriander person like me!”

At Calloway Group, Owen sat at his desk and looked at Yale. “Has Nerissa reported anything to you about Kinsbeat Game’s latest situation?”

Owen couldn’t wait to acquire Kinsbeat Game anymore.

Since Nerissa had joined Kinsbeat Game on his behalf, she should be reporting to Yale on a regular basis.

Yale shook his head. “Not yet.”

He found this strange, too. Typically, Nerissa should’ve come to him already, eager to share information. But she’d been entirely silent on her end, and that didn’t match her personality at all.

Yale looked at Owen. “Owen, what if we got it wrong? What if Nerissa joining Kin’sbeat Game was just a coincidence, and it wasn’t actually-”

He didn’t dare say it out loud, but the thought formed clearly in his mind. ‘What if it wasn’t for Owen at all? What if she’s not there to be our insider?’

People only saw things this clearly when they’d completely let go.

“Impossible.” Owen shut down Yale’s suggestion right away. “I’m the love of her life.”

Nerissa loved him so much that she’d even joined Kinsbeat Game as an undercover spy, willing to do anything for him. She loved him in such a humble, desperate way-there was no way she could let go of him that easily.

Owen narrowed his eyes. “Use a different phone to call her and tell her I need to see her.”

“Got it.” Yale grinned. “Owen, if you’re reaching out first, she’s gonna be over the moon.”

Thinking about Nerissa’s lovesick face, Owen’s eyes filled with disgust.

If it weren’t for Calloway Group’s future, he wouldn’t bother contacting that lowly country girl with her pathetic schemes.

Yale grabbed another phone and dialed Nerissa’s number.

The call connected almost immediately.

Nerissa answered, “Hello?”

Hearing Nerissa’s voice, Yale felt a sense of relief. “Nerissa, it’s Yale. Owen wants to-”

Before he could finish, the line went dead.

Yale looked at Owen, and a bad feeling crept over him. “Owen, she hung up.”

‘She hung up?’ Owen narrowed his eyes, and a mocking look crossed his face. ‘Nerissa’s so pathetic, he thought. She’s holding onto those Kinsbeat Game files like they give her power, trying to make me contact her personally. Where does she get the nerve?’

He frowned. “Use another phone and call again.”

Yale nodded and switched phones, dialing once more.

This time, Nerissa’s irritated voice came through almost instantly. “Yale, if you’re sick, go to a hospital, okay? Owen and I are done. We have nothing to do with each other anymore. Please stop bothering me.”

Owen snatched the phone from Yale’s hand and cut her off coldly. “Enough, Nerissa. Everything you’re doing is just to get- my sympathy, isn’t it?

“But you’re overdoing it. I’m willing to give you one chance to prove yourself. If you behave, maybe I’ll consider remarrying

4/5