Two Reborn, One Throne novel Chapter 19

Hearing this, Amber let out a sharp laugh.

"Lucian, your shamelessness is truly awe-inspiring. Keep your charity to yourself. But thanks for the reminder—when you inevitably lose everything, make sure you don't come crawling to me on your knees."

"Amber!"

"Lucian, it's best if we stay out of each other's way. I hope you keep your word. Whether I pass that interview and secure the scholarship is my own business, not yours. If you're so threatened that I'm using my memories to get ahead, then step up and compete with me."

"Open your eyes and watch closely to see who this opportunity truly belongs to."

Amber shoved past Lucian with her shoulder and shoved the application materials safely into her backpack.

Lucian's face turned livid. "Stubborn to the bitter end, huh? Fine, I'll keep my eyes wide open. I'll watch you fail, and I'll wait for the day you come crying, begging me to take you back. Joanne, class is starting. Put the bag away. I'll buy you your favorite boba tea after study hall."

Putting on a grand show, Lucian pulled out Joanne's chair and chivalrously gestured for her to sit.

The classmates around them erupted into laughter again. "Hey Vance, looks like our odds aren't great. Should I buy some blue tickets for Amber's side just in case?"

Vance playfully slapped the back of the student's head. "Loyalty, man! Do you know what loyalty means? We still have twenty-nine days, what's the rush?"

But deep down, Vance knew with absolute certainty that Amber was never, ever getting back together with Lucian.

After study hall, Amber didn't head straight back to her cramped studio apartment. She texted her dad that she would be home before midnight, then ducked into a nearby internet cafe hidden in an alley.

Amber started drafting a proposal.

Lucian was right about one thing. Even though she had coached him through the interview and heard him recount every detail in their past life, she had never sat in that hot seat herself. She didn't fully understand the pressure or the precise nature of the questions he had faced.

But she understood Sharif Madison.

His business execution was just like his striking features—flawless, commanding, and awe-inspiring.

In her past life, it was her deep understanding of his strategies that had allowed her to snatch several massive contracts right out of his hands. Even though his proposals were always brilliant, corporate warfare sometimes required ruthless tactics.

She never quite understood Sharif; perhaps he was simply too honorable, which ultimately allowed her to outmaneuver him for those deals.

For tomorrow's interview, Amber needed more than just his nod of approval for the sponsorship—she needed to present him with a gift he couldn't refuse.

After all, she was currently ranked only tenth in her grade, had zero academic competition awards, and her final mock exam scores weren't even out yet. Amber needed to be fully prepared on all fronts.

But if he was being blackmailed, was his life in danger?

She knew Lucian didn't seem thrilled about applying for the overseas university, but he had never outright refused. He was a good boy who always listened. With graduation looming, it had to be the intense psychological pressure the police had mentioned.

So, after much agonizing, Grace decided to interrogate Amber first.

Amber definitely knew what was going on with Lucian; otherwise, the two kids wouldn't have had such an explosive fight earlier today.

But when study hall finally ended, Amber texted that she was at the internet cafe down the street doing research.

In their tight-knit neighborhood, the cafe owner knew Amber well. Trusting her character, he always turned a blind eye to her late-night research sessions.

"Amber hasn't replied. She must be deeply focused on her research," Arthur said.

Arthur waited another ten minutes before trying to call, only to realize her phone was turned off.

"No, Arthur, we can't just sit here and do nothing. If I'm not home when Lucian gets back, he'll get suspicious. Come on, we're going to the internet cafe to find Amber."