Amber wiped the tears from Tillie's cheeks. "From now on, you tell me everything. Right now, we might not have the power to openly defy the adults or fight for our futures, but we are not going to just accept fate."
"Tillie, Vance and I are your strongest backup. Two heads are better than one, you have to believe that. Now, hide this card well. Don't let anyone see it. And this contact I gave you—call him tomorrow at noon. Give him every single design portfolio in your backpack."
"He's going to help you, Tillie. Don't be afraid. Give your final exams everything you've got. They'll add value to your entirely new life. Promise me, Tillie: until you are powerful enough to stand up to your father, you will completely cut contact."
"When the time is right, I'll find you. I'll make sure you get your exam results and your university acceptance letter. You are going to go to college. If you understand me, nod your head."
Tillie nodded furiously. "Amber, thank you."
She pulled Amber into a tight, desperate hug. She didn't know what else to say. Besides 'thank you,' there were simply no other words.
Amber flashed a reassuring smile. "No need to thank me. Just work hard for me in the future."
Tillie had so many questions, but she didn't want to ask them right now. She felt like Amber was an angel sent from heaven to save her.
She was going to follow her instructions perfectly.
"Alright, dry your tears. Don't let Vance see you crying."
Tillie reached up and wiped the lingering tears from Amber's face as well. Amber had originally planned to tell her all this after finals, but realized it would be too rushed. Plus, in her past life, she and Tillie hadn't tested at the same location. To avoid psychological pressure and give Tillie time to mentally prepare, Amber had accelerated her plans.
The two girls walked back to the Daily Grind hand in hand, only to be surprised by the sight of Julian Zeller—who should have already left with Sharif—surrounded by their classmates.
Especially the girls.
"Mr. Zeller, does Mr. Madison have a girlfriend?"
"Even if he does, it's fine! Mr. Zeller, if we bomb our finals, could you pull some strings and get us jobs working the front desk?"
"Yeah! We might not have great grades, but we can definitely fetch coffee and make copies!"
"Mr. Zeller, let's exchange numbers! I don't need Mr. Madison's, yours is fine! You don't have a girlfriend either, right?"
Amber immediately face-palmed.
Beside her, Vance and his friends scoffed in disgust. "Women are so materialistic."
"They ignore the guys their own age and go straight for the older men?"
"We haven't even taken our exams yet, and they're already trying to interview for reception jobs."
"Since when does the Madison Group hire people without degrees just to fetch coffee?"

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