Second Chances Protecting Mrs. Hall by Colby Stanford
Chapter 44

Chapter 44

Emma quickly scanned the ticket she had just picked up, concealing the details from the prying eyes around her. However, the buzz about Starry’s newly announced concert in Troln City spread like wildfire. Tickets were scarce, with many unable to secure them due to high. demand or steep prices. Holding a front–row ticket, Emma suddenly became the center of attention, almost revered by her classmates.

Kate, despite not fully grasping the ticket’s significance, knew well of Starry’s fame. The singer had maintained a veil of mystery around his personal life, never revealing his real name or personal details, yet he had captivated fans for a decade with his talent.

Moreover, he was not just a pop icon; he was also strikingly handsome and incredibly wealthy, rumored to be worth over 20 million dollars more than Kate’s entire family fortune.

“Emma, where did you get this ticket?” Kate asked, her voice tinged with disbelief.

“Is that any of your business?” Emma retorted, clutching the ticket as she walked away.

Kate watched her leave, then glanced down at the broken perfume bottles at her feet, frustration mounting. She was desperate to attend Starry’s concert and knew she had to replace a way to get a ticket.

Meanwhile, Emma was on her phone, looking up Starry. The photos she found showed a man who looked cold yet incredibly charming- strikingly similar to Daniel. But as she continued to search, she realized this was actually her third uncle, Sean Rivera. Emma was astonish to discover that her third uncle was a music industry legend,

That same night, Kate visited Brad in his opulent apartment. The room was dimly lit, and Brad remained expressionless and detached throughout their sex.

After that, Brad shrugged off Kate’s arms and headed toward the bathroom.

“I was bullied by Liam’s girlfriend today,” Kate began, following Brad.

Brad’s interest was piqued slightly at the mention of Liam. “So what?”

“She pushed me and smashed my things on the ground. She’s just too rude. How could Liam be with someone like that?” Kate was astute, knowing well that Brad’s dislike for Liam could be leveraged. She continued to disparage both Liam and Emma, hoping to sway Brad to her

side.

Brad sneered, his amusement tinged with disdain.

Kate glanced at Brad’s reflection in the mirror, taking in his chiseled abs and striking physique. A frown creased her forehead. “Aren’t you upset? Your girlfriend was bullied! It was that despicable couple again!”

After drying his hands, Brad turned to face her with a piercing gaze. “First off, you’re not my wife. And secondly.” His tone grew colder. “I got you into Vark College, but you can’t even handle someone like Emma on your own. Do you really expect me to sort out such petty issues for

you?”

“But aren’t I your girlfriend?” Kate’s eyes welled up with tears. “When Emma gets into trouble, Liam is always there to defend her. Why don’t you stand up for me after she bullied me? You hate them, don’t you?”

“Enough!” Brad’s voice was sharp, his disdain for Kate growing. He had Initially been drawn to her under the false impression that she was involved with Liam. But since Emma came into the picture, it became clear that Kate meant nothing to Llam

Brad’s interest in Kate dwindled rapidly, his patience thinning. The fact that Liam’s girlfriend had confronted Kate only intensified his aversion toward Kate.

Chapter 44

Mon, 8 Jul

“We’re just fuck buddies, Kate. Don’t flatter yourself” Brad sneered.

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Kate was taken aback. “How can you say that to me?” She had once been engaged to Liam, but Brad had woged her with his attentiveness and warmth, making her feel deeply loved–more so than she ever felt with the aloof Liam. Now, hearing Brad dismiss her as a “fuck buddy” broke her heart.

Kate watched as Brad emerged from the bathroom with an aloof expression. She hurried after him. “Brad, what did you mean by that? You need to explain yourself..

Before she could reach the bed, Brad pushed her back onto the sheets and tightened his grip around her neck with a malicious glint in his eyes. “Keep quiet unless you have to moan in bed!”

As the days flew by, the tension at Vark College mounted with the release of the semester rankings. Emma, consistently a top student, expected to see her name at the top of the list. Instead, she was shocked to replace herself ranked tenth.

Frowning, Emma scanned the list further and noticed Kate’s name at the bottom with a score of zero. Determined for answers, she stormed

into Kate’s office.

Kate sat nonchalantly at her desk, painting her nails as if she had been expecting Emma’s arrival. “I guess you’re here about your grade. Let me tell you something. I control the scores, and nothing you say can change that.”

Emma’s anger flared. “Why would you do this?”

matters into her own hands to

“I simply don’t like you,” Kate retorted, her voice cold. Since Brad wouldn’t support her, she decided to take m prove she wasn’t beneath Emma.

Emma scoffed. “You’re compromising fairness and ethics over personal dislike? People like you shouldn’t be in charge of anything at Vark

College.”

As Emma turned to leave, Kate called out in a sly tone, “Hold on. If you want your grade changed, I can give you a chance. Just give me your ticket to Starry’s concert.”

Kate had been desperate to attend Starry’s concert but had failed to secure tickets, much to her dismay. Her rich friends had spent all night raving about the event. Scoring a front–row ticket would certainly boost her social standing.

Emma looked back at Kate with a disdainful look. “You think I’d trade the ticket for my grade? You’re delusional.” Despite the threat to her academic standing, Emma knew she would never compromise her integrity, especially not for a concert ticket given by her uncle.