Chapter 4 " Is this some sort of joke ? " I ask , my voice barely above a whisper . Gabriel shakes his head . " No , ma'am ; your application was reviewed and you were shed . " " But I didn't submit an application . " Gabriel turns away from me and faces his companions . " Take him away , " he instructs , pointing to Professor Lincoln . Then , he turns to the subject in question . " You'll be disciplined accordingly ; say goodbye to your job . " Lincoln sneers as he stands . " I have tenure , you bastard , you can't do shit to- His face snaps to the left , the sound of the slap Gabriel gives him resounding through the coffee shop . " Tenure doesn't mean shit when you mess with the Ashfords . " Lincoln's eyes widen as two of the men grab him , pulling him away . " Wait , I didn't know what she was . I didn't mean to- " " You broke the university's code of conduct and attacked a prospective bride . You're done for . " I bite my lip to hide my satisfied smile as the ex - professor is dragged out of the coffee shop , his haughtiness quickly replaced by desperate pleading . I turn back to Gabriel , and my heart sinks as he gives me a curt nod . " Well then , shall we ? " *** " Louise , " I hiss as I walk into the apartment . 1 My roommate looks up from her perch at the kitchen island . She and June are hunched over a textbook , and June is scribbling into her notes with a pencil . " Spring ! " My sister pushes off the stool and heads for me , wrapping her skinny arms around my waist . " Hi , Summer , " I mumble , shooting Louise a glare over her head . " Lou , can we talk ? " My roommate smirks as she stands . " Continue your homework hon , I'll be back soon . " I grab Louise's arm and drag her into my room . " What did you do ? " I ask as soon as the door closes . She blinks , widening her eyes innocently . " Me ? Whatever do you mean ? " " This isn't funny , Lou . Did you submit an application for me ? " She shrugs . " Lou ! " " What ? " she laughs , " I thought it'd be fun . I entered too , what's the harm ? " " I got shortlisted . " This time , her wide eyes hold surprise . " Seriously ? " I nod . " Freaking bodyguards showed up at my work today to inform me . " " Oh my God , April ! " She hugs me , but I don't return her embrace . " I can't see him again , Lou , " I whisper . 1/3 P P Chapter 4 " Who ? " " Nathan . " She pulls back . " You actually know him ? " I scoff . " Know him , been humiliated by him . " O Her gaze softens . " Oh , babe , I didn't know you had bad history . I never would have entered you if I did . " sigh , slumping onto the bed , the reality of the situation dawning on me . I can't believe I'm going to see Nathan Ashford again . I'm going to compete for his hand in marriage . Is it even a competition ? Or do we just line up as the heirs take their pick ? Is he going to recognize me ? Will he humiliate me afresh ? " April , " Louise says softly , sitting next to me . " I'm sorry . " " It's okay , Lou , you didn't know . " " What can I do ? " I stand , heading for the small closet June and I share . " You can help me pack a bag for June . We have to leave in the morning . " " Wow ! " June twirls in a circle , taking in the sprawling magnificence of the Ashford estate . I chuckle , as I get down from the limo behind her . After passing through the main gate , we drove for about fifteen minutes , during which June had her nose pressed against the window , drinking in the meticulously landscaped lawn , the huge trees , the gorgeous flower gardens . We drove through a pathway that led through the property and passed fountains and ponds . And now , we're in front of the outdoor terrace , expertly decorated for the event - the welcoming of the bridal candidates . As we walk towards the crowd , June takes in the splendor of our surroundings , and I take in the competition . I've never felt more out of place before in my life . Every girl here is drop - dead gorgeous and dressed to the nines in finery I would need to save up for a year to afford . And I'm here - plain Jane , in a dress I borrowed from Lou that I know for a fact is thrift . June tugs on my hand , and I turn my attention to her . " They have a chocolate fountain , Spring , " she says excitedly . I bite my lip worriedly . " Summer ... " " Please ? " She pouts . " I've had my morning shot , and I won't take too much . " I sigh , unable to resist her plea . " Fine . " I let her pull me toward the large table spread with all kinds of food - hors d'oeuvres , cookies , cupcakes , fruit platters , mini hamburgers ... the list goes on and on . Distracted as my sister dips strawberries into the chocolate fountain , I eye the girls around me again , feeling increasingly self - conscious . What am I doing here ? If these are the people I'm up against , I don't stand a chance . I should just leave before I'm further humiliated . " Spring , do you want a cup- " My eyes widen as a shrill shriek threatens to burst my eardrums , and I turn to my sister in a panic . " June ?! " She's holding a smeared cupcake and blinking at the girl in front of her . I follow my sister's gaze to see the huge frosting stain on the girl's pale white dress . 2/3 Chapter 4 " You filthy little shit ! " the girl shrieks , glaring at June . I grab my sister's hand and shove her behind me , standing between them . " I'm so sorry , it was an accident , " I say to the girl . She's absolutely gorgeous , with midnight - black hair and dark blue eyes - eyes that are currently filled with hatred and scorn . " What's an accident is letting you two be here , " she spits venomously . " Shouldn't you be in the servant's quarters scrubbing dishes ? " I clench my jaw , aware of every eye on the terrace on us . " We're not servants bridal candidate . " , " I reply with calm that belies the anger her words ignite . " I'm a The girl scoffs and eyes me , disdain filling her gaze . " You must be fucking joking . " I roll my eyes and turn to June . " Summer , are you okay ? " June nods , her eyes wide and glassy . " I'm so sorry , " " Hey , it's- " A hand grabs my shoulder and spins me back around forcefully . " Don't turn your back on me , you filthy bitch ! " the girl screeches as she shoves me hard . I gasp as I lose my footing and feel myself start to fall . Wonderful , I think in the split second that I hover in the air . This is what I get for thinking I belong anywhere near Nathan Ashford . But I don't slam into the hard ground like I anticipated . A pair of strong arms wrap around my waist , catching me mid - way and pulling me to a warm , firm body . I look up at my savior , and a small squeak escapes my parted lips as my heart thunders so loud , I'm sure everyone in the estate can hear it . 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