The War God Alpha's Arranged Bride (Evelyn and Alexander) novel Chapter 235

**Steps Along Forgotten Roads**
**By Sophia Reed**
**Chapter 235: Acting Strange**

**Judy’s POV**

“That jerk!” Nan exclaimed, her voice a mix of disbelief and indignation as we stood in the bustling line of the campus coffee shop, anticipation hanging in the air. “I can’t believe he had the audacity to do that to you last night. And involving your mother??”

The morning sun filtered through the large windows, casting a warm glow on the tables around us. I felt the weight of her words sink in, still reeling from the events of the previous night. Ethan had come to my home, uninvited, and had the nerve to play caretaker to my mother while I was grappling with the idea of becoming his mistress. The thought churned my stomach, leaving me feeling both revolted and strangely guilty. Irene, my mother, was oblivious to the turmoil brewing around her, and the last thing I wanted was for her to be hurt by Ethan’s reckless actions.

“I told him to leave,” I said finally, shrugging my shoulders as if to dismiss the entire situation.

“What can I get for you ladies this morning?” Nicole, the barista, chimed in, her cheerful demeanor a stark contrast to the heaviness of my thoughts. She was a familiar face in my classes, someone I’d sparred with on multiple occasions, and I had to admit, she made the best coffee on campus.

“Just a vanilla cappuccino for me,” I replied, forcing a smile despite the turmoil inside.

“Make that two,” Nan added, reaching for her wallet.

I quickly shook my head, my fingers already digging into my own wallet.

“I’ll cover it,” I insisted, recalling how she had treated me to coffee last time.

With a swift motion, I handed my card to Nicole, who processed the transaction with a practiced ease.

“Coming right up,” she said, her focus shifting to the espresso machine.

“So, what’s your plan regarding the whole Ethan mess?” Nan asked, her voice low as we stepped aside to await our drinks.

I met her gaze, a frown creasing my forehead.

“What can I do?” I replied, my voice tinged with frustration. “He doesn’t seem to understand the word ‘no.’ The only thing I can focus on is working hard to pay off my father’s debts.”

“Are you seriously not going to tell Irene what her fiancé is up to?” Nan pressed, her eyebrows arching in disbelief.

I paused, contemplating her question. The thought of spilling the truth felt heavy on my heart. It wasn’t my place to interfere in their lives, especially after Gavin had made it clear that I should keep my distance from their impending marriage. If I were the catalyst for Irene’s heartbreak, it would not only fracture our tenuous relationship but also jeopardize my job.

“It’s really not my business, and I don’t want to get involved,” I stated firmly, trying to shake off the weight of the decision.

“Your cappuccinos are ready!” Nicole announced, sliding two steaming cups in our direction.

“Thanks!” I said, grabbing both cups and handing one to Nan. “I’ll catch you in class later.”

As we exited the coffee shop, Nicole waved goodbye, her smile lingering in my mind as we stepped onto the campus grounds.

Nan, sensing the tension, chose not to pry further into the events of last night or whether I should confront Irene. To her, I was just another student, barely acquainted with the enigmatic Landry family. The Landrys had always kept their circle tight, and while Irene was a name known to many, she was seldom seen mingling with others. Her allure lay in her mystery, a puzzle that intrigued everyone but remained unsolved.

If Nan knew the truth—that I was getting to know Irene on a personal level—she would undoubtedly question how I had become entangled with the famous Landry, forcing me to reveal secrets that could cost me everything. I had to cling to this job as if it were my lifeline, because in many ways, it was. My father’s future, and mine, depended on it.

“I still have thirty minutes before my class starts; want to hit the lounge for a bit?” I suggested as we approached the familiar buildings.

“Sure,” Nan replied, her tone lightening.

As we entered the lounge, the atmosphere buzzed with the chatter of students preparing for their morning classes. Yet, something felt off. Whispers flitted through the air like moths drawn to a flame, and I sensed their eyes flicker in my direction as we stepped inside.

What had I done to warrant this scrutiny?

“She’s the one who got Carol expelled from the school,” I overheard one voice say, dripping with disdain.

“I can’t believe she walked in here like she owns the place,” another added, their tone laced with judgment.

My cheeks flushed with embarrassment, and I shot a glance at Nan, who was scanning the room with a deep frown etched on her face.

“What’s going on?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

“Carol was expelled,” she replied, her voice rising slightly. “And everyone seems to think you’re to blame, even though it’s completely unfair!” She spoke loud enough for the surrounding students to hear, her indignation palpable.

We maneuvered through the lounge, finally reaching our usual table by the window. Carol’s friends stood nearby, arms crossed and expressions hostile.

“How dare you show your face here after what you did!” one of them spat, venom dripping from her words. “Carol worked hard for that scholarship, and you stole it from her!”

I turned to face them, narrowing my eyes in defiance.

“She cheated!” I shot back, my voice steady despite the anger bubbling beneath the surface. “She didn’t earn that scholarship; someone else did the work for her.”

“And you’ve been fooling everyone into thinking you’re poor,” another chimed in, her tone mocking.

“Believe what you want,” I muttered, my voice low. “I don’t owe you an explanation.”

“Maybe you should be more concerned about yourselves,” Nan interjected, her arms folded defiantly.

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