Chapter 30 Chapter 30 55 vouchers Ruth shut her mouth when she caught Kaia's sharp glare . For a split second , it felt like her life was in danger . Kaia was boiling inside , but her anger cooled fast . " Wow , you really have a way with words . People might think you're my enemy , not my mom ." Ruth felt awkward . No matter how much she didn't like Kaia , Kaia was still her daughter . Throwing out an accusation like that without proof was going too far . But instead of apologizing , Ruth complained , " Kaia , don't get mad . I'm just worried someone's tricking you . Tell me the truth - where'd you get that money ? " " I earned it , " Kaia said , already tired of the back - and - forth . She stood up . " I'm leaving . I need to get ready for my SAT tomorrow . " After Kaia left , Ruth let out a sigh and said to Lincoln , " What if she can't even get into some no- name college ? How am I supposed to face my relatives ? " Lincoln sighed too , looking just as stressed . " Yeah . My brothers will never let me live it down . " Andrea slipped an arm around both of them . " Mom , Dad , don't worry . I'm sure she'll at least get into a bottom - ranked school . She won't embarrass you ." But deep down , Andrea was certain Kaia would bomb the test completely . She couldn't wait to tell everyone in Morganburg how bad Kaia's score was . That way , even if she wasn't Ruth and Lincoln's real daughter , they'd still treat her like their one and only . She was determined to make sure that country bumpkin Kaia would never belong in the Bennett family . In the car , Cecelia and Bianca were chatting , " Bianca , I heard Mr. Malcom is at Moreno Manor today . He's famous all over the world . This is your shot . You love coffee art so much - you have to ask him to be your teacher , " Cecelia said . " You're right . He turned me down last time , but I've been practicing for a whole year . This time I'll blow him away ," Bianca said , full of confidence . The car pulled up to Moreno Manor , and as they got out , a taxi rolled in . They exchanged a look , knowing that only Kaia would be cheap enough to show up in a taxi . Kaia spotted them but walked right past without a word . 1/4 11:50 pm Chapter 30 " What's her problem ? She didn't even say hi . She's so rude . I ought to teach her a lesson ! " Cecelia fumed , ready to chase after Kaia . But Bianca grabbed her arm . " Cecelia , do you think she's here for Mr. Malcom ? " " Her ? Please . She's just some country bumpkin . Mr. Malcom wouldn't even bother looking at her , Cecelia scoffed . " But what if Tobias spoke up for her ? Would Mr. Malcom ..." Bianca trailed off , suddenly uneasy . Cecelia froze , then narrowed her eyes . " Good point . I'll go warn that piece of trash to keep her mouth shut . " She stepped in front of Kaia . " Kaia , hold it right there . " Kaia's voice was cold . " What ? " Cecelia glared at her . " Listen . Mr. Malcom is only taking Bianca as his student . If you go in there and ask Tobias to help you , and mess up his decision , you'll regret it . " Bianca walked over , putting on her soft , pitiful act . " Kaia , I've admired Mr. Malcom forever . I've spent a year studying coffee just to be his student . This means the world to me . If you don't compete with me , I'll give you 300 thousand dollars . " She said it like she was doing Kaia a huge favor . Kaia was thrown for a second , then remembered Tobias had told her the Moreno family's coffee maker wanted to talk to her about coffee . Erasmus was the guy who lost to her in a coffee competition and begged to be her student . She had no idea he was so sought after elsewhere . Kaia gave them both a weird look . " Don't worry . I'm not competing . " " If you dare - wait , what ? " Cecelia cut herself off , surprised that Kaia agreed so fast . Without another word , she and Bianca relaxed and hurried to the door . " That trash finally knows her place ," Cecelia muttered . Bianca gave a cold laugh . " Of course . 300 thousand dollars is probably more than she's ever seen in her life " They were still mocking Kaia as they stepped into the front hall . Kaia followed a short distance behind . In the living room , Erasmus was pacing impatiently . " Why isn't the person who made the coffee yesterday here yet ? " 2/4 11:50 pm Chapter 30 55 vouchers Just then , Tobias looked toward the doorway . The second he saw Kaia , his sharp eyes softened . " She's here . " Erasmus's eyes widened in excitement as he jumped up . " It's you ? " Bianca walked in just in time to see Erasmus's reaction . She figured he must have heard about her progress over the past year and was thrilled to take her in . She smiled and stepped forward to introduce herself - but Erasmus brushed right past her and went straight to Kaia . " It really is you , Miss Bennett . I should've known . Only you could brew pacamara coffee that perfectly , " Erasmus said , full of admiration . Bianca's eyes almost popped out of her head . Cecelia just stood there with her jaw hanging . They thought they must've misheard . The Moreno family's honored guest , the coffee master Bianca had dreamed of learning from , was acting like a fanboy over the country bumpkin Kaia . They had no clue Kaia even knew the first thing about coffee . Seeing Erasmus's excitement , Tobias studied Kaia closely , trying to see straight through her . " Erasmus , long time no see , " Kaia said casually . Her attitude stunned everyone . Erasmus was world - famous , but she talked to him like he was just some old buddy - no extra respect , no polite flattery . Bianca perked up , ready to scold Kaia for being rude . But before she could open her mouth , Erasmus said , " Miss Bennett , I've been working hard on my coffee lately . I think I've gotten a lot better . Do you think I'm good enough to be your student now ? " Tobias already knew Kaia was good with coffee , but even he was floored by this . Cecelia was practically choking on her own surprise . When she finally got words out , she stammered , " Bianca , do ... do you still want Mr. Malcom to be your teacher ? " If Bianca became Erasmus's student , that would make Kaia her teacher's teacher . Bianca's face crumpled . Tears filled her eyes as she whispered to Cecelia , " Let's go . " She couldn't stand another second there . Even without Kaia saying a word , just her presence felt like mockery . They slipped out , humiliated . Kaia didn't even notice them . She and Erasmus sat down and talked about coffee for a long time , and she turned him down again when he asked to be her student . 3/4 11:50 pm Chapter 30 2X 55 vouchers The only one who really got anything out of it was Tobias , who got to enjoy the coffee and watch two masters show off . The next morning was the SAT . Tobias drove Kaia to the testing site himself . " Don't be nervous . Just do your best . " " Thanks for driving me . I'm not nervous ," Kaia said honestly , but Tobias figured she was just trying to reassure herself . " I know about the bet with your family . If you don't get in , I can get you into Morganburg University . But getting the top score ... " Even with all his money and connections , that was out of his hands . " I'll make it , " Kaia said , then stepped out of the car and made a phone call . Over in the president's office at Morganburg University , Horace had just taken a sip of coffee when her call came through . Seeing her name , he picked up right away . " Kaia ! You finally agreed to take over the school , huh ? Get over here now . I'll do the paperwork today . You'll be the new president of Morganburg University ! " > AD ~ ift No Ads 11:50 pm Chapter 31 Chapter 31 Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!