The Mocked Miss’s Hidden Crowns novel Chapter 1658

Shirley pressed her lips together. Nothing Mr. Lane said sounded wrong, but something didn’t sit right. The timing of that scholarship, swooping in just when she was desperate for money, felt way too convenient.

She’d wondered if Charlotte was behind it at first, but that wasn’t Charlotte’s style at all. If Charlotte wanted to help, she’d just stuff cash into Shirley’s backpack and pretend it never happened.

Other than Charlotte, who else even had a few million to casually toss at the university? She couldn’t come up with anyone. Was it really just luck?

Shirley decided not to push any further. She got to her feet, bowed politely, and said, “I’ll do my best on the project, and I won’t let you down. Thank you for the opportunity.”

“Give it your all. Stay focused,” Mr. Lane replied, waving her off with a smile.

The moment Shirley left, Mr. Lane grabbed his phone and called Patricia.

“What are you doing? Trying to poach my student again?” he asked, not bothering to hide his suspicion.

Back in her younger days, Patricia had been a prodigy at everything she tried. She’d gone on to be an honorary professor and board member at Cabinda University, just like Lane. It was no secret she had a soft spot for rising stars. Secretly funding scholarships was just something she did. But she’d never gone this big before, and never for Shirley especially.

“I…”

Patricia barely got a word out before Mr. Lane jumped in, rattled. “Don’t get any ideas. Shirley is my student. You’re not taking her.”

He still hadn’t gotten over all the times Patricia had swiped his best students in the past.

Patricia laughed on the other end, amused by how jumpy he sounded. “Calm down. I’m not here to steal your protégé this time.”

Mr. Lane frowned, more lost than ever. “Then what’s this about?”

Patricia’s answer came with a hint of delight that carried through the phone. “I’m hoping to land a granddaughter-in-law.”

That threw him. Granddaughter-in-law? If he remembered right, Patricia’s granddaughter-in-law was Lottie. Did Patricia have some issue with Charlotte and wanted to replace her?

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