Too Late to Hold Me Back novel Chapter 671

"I understand, Piper. I know he's busy. Whenever he can bring a friend is totally fine."

*Oh, you want to string me along?* Madison thought bitterly. *If you're going to play me, maybe I'll just steal your boyfriend instead.*

"I knew you'd understand, Maddie. You're the best."

Piper laughed.

She wasn't about to turn down free labor.

Piper had swallowed her pride and let Vanessa boss her around, desperate to claw her way into elite social circles.

Now, Piper finally had her own devoted follower.

As for setting Madison up, she'd eventually just ask Xavier North—her flashy new boyfriend—to bring a random buddy around to keep up appearances.

Whether Madison could actually seal the deal was entirely up to her own charm. That wouldn't be Piper's problem.

That evening, Mira and Leah strategically hit the showers early, dedicating the rest of their night to studying and working.

Positivity was contagious; inspired by Mira's relentless drive, Leah had started pouring all her energy into her academics.

"As long as you master your technical skills, I can guarantee you a solid job."

They had been roommates long enough to be considered friends, and Mira was more than happy to offer some encouragement.

"Thank you. I'm going to give it my all."

While the two were deep into their studies, Vanessa strutted into the dorm fashionably late, flanked by her loyal entourage, Jillian and Piper.

Like clockwork, Jillian unpacked Vanessa's bag and helped her change, while Piper rushed to scrub and sanitize the bathroom for her.

Jillian then poured a glass of warm water, handing it to Vanessa with both hands before rushing off to prep her designer toiletries.

Finally, both girls followed Vanessa into the bathroom to wait on her hand and foot while she showered.

As the bathroom door clicked shut, Leah leaned over to Mira, rolling her eyes. "She's getting more dramatic by the day. She literally acts like she's The Queen Bee."

"I'll stay out here and stand guard by the door. That way, none of the blind idiots out here can barge in and disturb you."

Piper didn't force her, not out of kindness, but because she loved the insult directed at their other two roommates. It fed her superiority complex.

Their fourth roommate, who had a docile temperament much like Elara's, hated confrontation and completely ignored the petty jab.

Once Piper was inside, Madison dutifully pulled up a chair and sat right outside the bathroom door.

When no one was looking, she snatched Piper's phone from the desk. Having secretly memorized the passcode earlier, she unlocked it with ease.

She opened the contacts app, found Xavier North's number, and quickly saved it to her own phone.

Then, using Piper's phone, she texted her own number to Xavier: *This is my best friend. She's a huge fan of yours and wants to add you on Vertex Social.*

He replied almost instantly: *Babe, you're setting me up with your classmates? Aren't you worried I'll fall for her and dump you?*

Madison typed back effortlessly: *Of course not, darling. I trust you completely, which is why I'm doing this.*