The Bride Who Said No: Escaping the Shadows of Yesterday
Chapter 304

In the schoolyard, the buzz was all about Kara and her sudden connection to the illustrious Sutton family.

"Kara, are you for real moving in with the Suttons?" one of her classmates asked in disbelief.

"Please tell me you're joking. We're talking about the Suttons here."

Within just three days, Kara had become the talk of the town-or more accurately, the school's most envied figure. The sight of her being picked up by the Sutton family's sleek black limousine had everyone buzzing. Yet, Kara had remained tight-lipped about the whole affair.

Kara blushed and tried to deflect, "Guys, I promised Audrey I wouldn't blab about it."

At the mention of Audrey, the students' eyes gleamed with curiosity.

"Audrey? Kieran's grandmother?"

"OMG, Kara, don't tell me you're going to be the future Mrs. Sutton?"

No one in their class had come close to rubbing shoulders with someone of Kieran's stature.

Kara's cheeks flushed even more. "I can't say anything, guys. Just drop it."

Her reaction only fueled their speculation further.

Remembering their past behavior toward Kara, a few girls quickly cozied up to her. "Kara, we didn't mean anything by it. It was all joking around. Don't take it to heart." "From now on, you're my bestie. Tell me if anyone messes with you, and I'll back you up." "Yeah, Kara, if you marry into the Sutton family, don't forget about us."

Kara listened to the flattery, feeling a rush of satisfaction. She was once invisible in this school due to her lack of status. Now, with her connection to the Sutton family, everyone was eager to be in her good graces. Was this how Freya felt every day?

"So, Kara, is Mr. Sutton nice to you?"

"And is the Sutton Mansion as grand as they say? We heard it's the biggest estate in Echo City."

Mention of the Sutton Mansion had their imaginations running wild, picturing Kara living a lavish lifestyle.

"I can't talk about it," Kara demurred, appearing shy.

Eager to curry favor, one student intervened, "Let's not make Kara uncomfortable with all these questions!"

"I always said Freya wasn't right for Mr. Sutton. Only someone like Kara deserves to be part of the Sutton family!"

"I believed in you all along, Kara. Remember when I bought you lunch? Maybe you could invite us to see the Sutton Mansion sometime?"

At the mention of visiting the Sutton

Mansion, Kara, told them Audrey disliked unexpected visitors and turned them down, so a wave of

disappointment washed over thenet

group Kara knew what they were after. They saw her as a stepping stone to get closer to Kieran. She wasn't about to give them that chance.

Just then, a knock on the classroom door interrupted their chatter.

Everyone turned to see Ronan standing at the entrance.

"Professor Beckett..."

Realizing class was in session, the students quickly returned to their seats. Ronan had been listening at the door, but for how long?

Kara felt a chill down her spine.

Fooling her classmates was onenet

thing, be in

Ronan was another. She'd

trouble if he reported this

to the Sutton family.

"Class is starting," Ronan announced, keeping his tone neutral but his eyes locked on Kara.

Feeling as though her secrets were laid bare, Kara barely breathed.

She couldn't focus on a single word during the class. When the bell finally rang, she was the first to spring up, eager to escape.