Chapter 8 Upstairs in her room , Briar took a long bath and slipped into a loose , ankle - length nightgown covered in cute cartoon prints . Just as she stepped out of the bathroom , towel drying her hair , her phone buzzed with a WhatsApp message . Holding her damp hair over one shoulder , she dried it with one hand while checking her phone with the other . It was from Ashton . The message was short . [ Fill this out . ] Briar raised an eyebrow . She had a feeling she knew what it was . Sure enough , when she opened the attachment , it was an application form for Shoneport University . She was surprised that he worked so fast . With her hair nearly dry , she tossed the towel aside and pulled an old , bulky laptop from her suitcase . Sitting at the desk , she opened a folder , copied over her academic records and test scores , and filled out the form . The whole thing took less than two minutes . She sent it back without a second thought . Ashton accepted the file in no time , probably just waiting for her to respond . After a short pause , he sent a brief message : [ Got it . ] Then , weirdly, he sent an eye - roll emoji right after . But as expected of him , he didn't ask any questions . He simply forwarded Briar's application straight to Marvin . Marvin Goodwin - the president of Shoneport University - was from one of Shoneport's four major families . The Goodwin family carried weight in both politics and business . Their influence was something most upper - class families wouldn't even dare challenge . Even the kids from Shoneport's richest families tread carefully around Marvin , knowing he had the power to make or break their academic futures . Besides , he was also the most well - liked principal among the upper crust . However , usually cool and collected , Marvin lost his composure the moment he saw Briar's application . Less than three minutes later , he.video - called Ashton . He looked upset , but still forced a smile when Ashton picked up . " Ashton , who exactly is this girl ? " Just an hour ago , Marvin had been thrilled when Ashton said he'd found a traditional medicine prodigy for the university . The medical school of Shoneport University was already prestigious , but it had a big gap in traditional medicine . In Dasmieca , traditional medicine wasn't exactly mainstream - modern medicine was more popular . But to these century - old elite families , no matter how advanced modern medicine was , it still couldn't compare to the steady , time - tested ways of traditional medicine . And then there was the legend : Tristan . The world - renowned doctor who had once saved lives using the Golden Eighty - One Technique - his fame had practically made him a ghost story in elite medical / circles . As the president of Shoneport University , Marvin had been trying for years to recruit real talent in traditional medicine . So when Ashton said he'd found someone , Marvin had high hopes . But the moment he saw the application , those hopes crashed . Briar's grades were awful - possibly the worst he'd ever seen . Her photo showed a pretty but wild - looking girl who clearly didn't take things seriously . 1/2 Chapter 8 From Marvin's years of experience , she didn't look like someone who had the discipline or patients to study traditional my , dicial to mingue trouble . Marvin figured Ashton wasn't interested in her brains - he probably just thought she was cute , " She's the traditional medicine prodigy I told you about , " Ashton said plainly , not at all acknowledging Marvin's near - breakdown on the video screen . . I'm just worried this pretty girl might not be able to keep Marvin tried to keep his cool . " Ashton , you kno up . " Shoneport University only takes top students . Ashton's eyes narrowed . " Wait a moment . You're saying you're rejecting someone I personally recommended , huh ? " Marvin froze at Ashton's sharp tone . His hand trembled a little as he held his phone . " No , that's not what I meant . I just think if she stands out too much , she might get picked on ." Ashton locked his gaze on Marvin , that cocky , sharp look in This eyes hinting at just how dangerous he could be . " Are you saying students at the top university in Dasmieca are out here bullying people , and you can't even stop it ? " He said , " Maybe I've been wasting my donation money on your school . " " No , no ! I've put every cent of your donations to good use ! " Marvin panicked at Ashton's aggressive , rich - guy pressure and backpedaled fast . " Since you're the one backing her , I'm sure she's got something special . Fine , I'll make an exception and approve her admission . " Ashton nodded and didn't let up . " When's her acceptance letter going out ? " Marvin gritted his teeth but smiled through it . " I'll have my staff write it up now . We'll deliver it in the morning . She'll have it by tomorrow afternoon . " Ashton thought for a second , then said , " She's stopping by to see me tomorrow . Just have someone bring it to Wade Mansion . " Marvin was speechless . At this point , he was convinced Ashton was just taken with a pretty face . He let out a long sigh. Ashton had too much power in Shoneport to argue with , and now the girl he forced into the school would probably be just as untouchable . Marvin would have to choose her professors carefully - he didn't want any blowback if she caused trouble . Briar had no idea the president of Shoneport University now saw her as just as scary as Ashton . Later , whenever she stirred up drama on campus , Marvin pushed all the problems onto Ashton . He even gave Ashton a fake librarian title just to keep a eye on her . But Briar didn't know any of that . She was lying in bed , trying to calm down a panicked Tristan over video chat . " I get that you're worried , " she said , rubbing her forehead . " But can you chill out for two seconds ? " Tristan was pacing on the screen , clearly freaking out . " Chill ? One of the last brothers I've got left is on his deathbed ! I should've been back in Dasmiec yesterday ! " Briar raised an eyebrow . " You sure about that ? Are you not afraid of being hunted down ? And I'm guessing none of those bodyguards on your little priva Trist AD Comment Send gift Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!