The Returned Heiress Who Had It All (Cassia) novel Chapter 6

Geneva felt helpless. It seemed like no one in the family really liked Cassia.
But that only made her heart ache more. She was indebted to this child way too much.
Geneva simply wanted to make it right.
She turned her head awkwardly and said gently, "Cassia, I'm sorry. They don't know you yet. Don't take it personally."
Cassia's face stayed calm. "It's fine. I'll pretend I didn't hear anything."
She had always been good at tuning out unpleasant words.
"You must be hungry. Come with me and eat something. I saved you some food." Geneva smiled warmly.
Cassia wasn't really hungry, but seeing how eager Geneva was, she didn't want to disappoint her. So, she walked over to the dining table.
Just then, Vance came in through the front door. He saw Cassia from the hallway and started nagging immediately. "A young woman shouldn't be wandering around everywhere. You're too wild. Learn from Brie."
He was still upset from that morning when he couldn't find her. Who knew where she had gone? She was such a handful.
After all these years living outside, she must've grown into some unruly brat.
Cassia stayed silent. It was better to keep quiet now.
Geneva tried to defend her, but Vance cut her off. "Tomorrow, don't go anywhere. I'm taking you to enroll at Zrario High. With your poor grades, I'm not even sure they'll accept you."
He kept complaining nonstop.
Vance had first thought about putting her in a vocational school, but then he remembered—he had a reputation to maintain. If people found out his daughter went to a vocational school, he'd be laughed at for sure.
So, he decided to try his luck with Zrario High instead.
...
At a five-star hotel, Draven stepped out of the shower, a large white towel wrapped around his waist.
Water dripped from his toned skin, and his damp hair clung to his forehead.
Seven was already waiting outside.
"Boss, I found out. The woman you asked me to investigate is the biological daughter the Woods just brought home. She was kidnapped years ago and grew up in an orphanage."
Draven frowned slightly. "That's it? Nothing else?"
Something about that girl didn't seem simple.
Seven looked uneasy. "It's strange. We couldn't find anything deeper. It's like someone's blocking the information. Our team's the best at digging things up, but this time, it's all surface-level stuff."
A faint smirk curved Draven's lips. "Got it."
Interesting. Looks like things are about to get entertaining.
...
At seven in the morning, the sky was just turning bright when the butler knocked on Cassia's door.
A moment later, she came out with a small backpack. Her expression was as calm and distant as ever.
After a quick breakfast, Vance was already urging her again. "I told you we're going to enroll you today! Why are you still dawdling? When will you ever grow up?"
"Dad, I don't want to ride in the same car with her. It's way too embarrassing!" Danica pouted, clinging to her father's arm before glancing back at Brie. "Tell Dad! What if that bumpkin ends up in our class? I'd literally faint."
Brie glanced at her, graceful as always. "We're all family," she said softly. "We should help each other. But if her grades aren't good, she probably won't get into the advanced class anyway."
Her tone was gentle, but the meaning was clear. If Cassia's grades were poor, she wouldn't qualify anyway.
Her words were gentle, but everyone knew what she really meant.
Everyone knew Cassia's academic record was terrible. However, hearing that kind, polite comment still stung.
Cassia just smiled faintly. Of course. Always the gentle peacemaker. Kind and understanding.
"Let's go. We're running late," Vance said, his tone tight. The thought of what was coming made him restless and irritated.
Once they reached the school, Brie and Danica headed off to their own classes, leaving Vance to bring Cassia to meet the principal, Harold Bell.
Cassia waited quietly outside the office while Vance spoke with Harold about her transfer.
"Mr. Wood, I'm sure you know how things work here," Harold said, holding Cassia's file with a troubled look. "Most schools don't take new seniors. It's difficult—they don't know the material, and it could drag down the class average. That wouldn't be fair to the others."
He glanced down at Cassia's file, his expression twisting. Yikes. It was worse than he expected. If her record were even slightly better, he might have approved the transfer as a favor.
After all, the Woods was a privileged family, and they had donated a fortune to the school.
But this? She only had a middle school education, and she was too old to start over from the lower grades. Vance's proposal was simple: let Cassia study for one senior year, then take the SAT. After that, they'd use connections to place her into a low-tier college.
For a family as powerful as the Woods, having an uneducated daughter would be a public humiliation. His family would turn into a laughingstock in Zrario.
Vance understood that better than anyone. He would never allow it.
Harold glanced at Cassia, who was standing outside the office. Her blank expression made her look slow, maybe even dull.
He'd seen plenty of students like her. Some hopeless cases could never catch up no matter how hard anyone tried.
What a headache!
Vance's face darkened at Harold's speech. "What's that supposed to mean? You think my family's a joke? You looking down on us?"
Harold quickly waved his hands and hurriedly explained, "No, no, you misunderstand, Mr. Wood! I just meant she might not be the right fit. Senior year is a crucial time. If she joins now, it'll be hard for her to keep up."
He spoke carefully, trying to smooth things over before Vance's temper got worse.
Vance crossed his arms. "I don't care. Here's the deal: put her in the senior class. I'll donate one million dollars." Vance was loaded.
Harold's eyes widened. That was a generous offer. The school had been planning to buy new library books but was tight on funds. With this donation, the problem would be solved instantly.
His attitude changed in a flash. Harold grinned and said, "Mr. Wood, you're too kind! Absolutely, I'll take her to class right now."
Harold still had no idea who this girl really was, but anyone who could get someone like Vance—a man with money and status—to show up personally had to be someone special. Cases like this were rare.
Vance's expression finally eased when he heard Harold agree.
"Good. I'll leave it to you, then," he said with a nod, clearly pleased with the outcome.
A moment later, he and Harold walked out to where Cassia was waiting. "I've spoken with Mr. Bell," Vance said, his tone stern but controlled. "You'll start in senior year. Work hard. Don't slack off as before. This isn't your orphanage anymore."