Ex Wife's Trillionaire Revenge

Layla Jackson crashed into someone as she hurried across the courtyard, and the papers in her hands scattered before she could even catch her balance.

She dropped to her knees, reaching for the nearest page before the wind could carry it away. Another hand caught it first.

"Here. I think this one belongs to you."

Layla looked up at the young man standing in front of her. He held out the paper with an easy expression, as though bumping into strangers and picking up their belongings was part of his morning routine.

She took it from him and reached for another. "Thanks. I can get the rest."

He picked up two more before handing them over. "You seem to have a lot going on for someone who just arrived."

Layla frowned. "How do you know I just arrived?"

He glanced at the campus map lying beside her knee. "Because you're holding a map."

She followed his gaze and quickly picked it up.

"I still know where I'm going."

He looked at the papers scattered around her and then at the suitcase lying on its side.

"Sure."

Layla's eyes narrowed.

"What is that supposed to mean?"

He handed her another paper. "Nothing. You just don't look like you know where you're going."

"I was doing fine until you got in my way."

His hand stopped.

"I got in your way?"

"You did."

"I was walking."

"So was I."

He gave a short laugh, clearly more amused than offended.

"Most people would apologize."

Layla gathered the last paper and pushed it into her bag before standing.

"I don't see a reason why."

His smile disappeared.

For a second, he looked at her as though she had just said something completely unreasonable.

"You're serious?"

Layla picked up her suitcase. "Very."

He looked at her worn handbag, then at the suitcase with its loose wheel, before his eyes settled on the scholarship letter sticking out of her bag.

"Are you here on a scholarship?"

Layla's expression hardened.

"Why does that matter?"

"It doesn't."

"Then why ask?"

He shrugged. "You don't exactly look like someone who grew up around here."

Layla pulled the scholarship letter farther into her bag.

"My mother can't afford a place like this. That's why I got the scholarship."

He glanced at her.

"And you're proud of that?"

Layla looked him directly in the eye.

"I earned it."

Something in his face shifted, but Layla didn't wait for a response. She unfolded her map and searched for the administration building.

The young man glanced at it.

"You're going the wrong way."

Layla looked up.

"I'm sorry?"

He pointed across the courtyard. "The administration building is over there."

She followed his finger and realized he was right.

Her cheeks warmed.

"You could have said that before."

"You were busy arguing with me."

"You were the one who started it."

"And you're still arguing."

Layla folded the map and slipped it into her bag.

"I have somewhere to be."

She started walking.

After a moment, she heard his footsteps behind her.

She turned.

"Are you following me?"

He glanced toward the same building.

"I'm going there too."

"You weren't."

"I changed my mind."

Layla stared at him, then shook her head and continued walking.

He caught up.

Neither spoke for a few seconds, until several students passed them and greeted him.

"Morning, Scott."

He acknowledged them with a nod and kept walking.

Layla looked at him.

"Scott?"

He glanced over.

"My name is Scott."

She nodded.

"Okay."

He frowned slightly. "That's all?"

"What else should I say?"

"Nothing."

She turned her attention back to the path.

A few moments passed before he spoke again.

"What's your name?"

"Layla."

"Layla what?"

"Jackson."

He nodded.

"Nice to meet you, Layla."

She gave him a small nod.

"You too."

They reached the administration building.

Layla stopped at the entrance and adjusted her bag.

"Thanks for showing me the way."

Scott nodded. "No problem."

She turned toward the doors.

"Layla."

She looked back.

"Your map is sticking out of your bag."

She pushed it inside.

"Thanks."

This time, she walked into the building without looking back.

At the front desk, a woman with blonde hair and glasses checked the documents Layla handed her.

"Layla Jackson?"

"Yes."

The woman searched through the list.

"Scholarship placement. Hartwell Hall, Room 214."

Layla accepted the key.

"Thank you."

The woman's hand remained on the file.

"You know Hartwell Hall is mostly occupied by students from some of the university's oldest families?"

Layla looked at her.

"No, I didn't."

"You'll be sharing the floor with several of them."

Layla nodded.

"I'll manage."

The woman studied her for a moment before continuing.

"There's another detail about your room assignment."

Layla waited.

"Your roommate is Vanessa Miller."

The surname caught her attention.

"Miller?"

"Yes. Vanessa Miller."

Layla hesitated before asking, "Is she related to Scott Miller?"

The administrator looked up.

"You know Scott?"

"I met him outside."

The woman glanced toward the entrance.

"Then yes. Vanessa is his cousin."

Layla looked down at the key in her hand.

She had known Scott for barely fifteen minutes.

Now she had discovered that his cousin was going to be her roommate.

"Did Vanessa know I was coming?"

The administrator checked the file.

"She specifically asked about her new roommate when your scholarship placement was confirmed."

Layla's brows pulled together.

"She asked about me?"

"Yes."

"Why?"

"I don't know."

The administrator closed the file and returned to her computer.

Layla stepped away from the desk, but she couldn't shake the feeling that something about the situation didn't add up.

She had come to Dortmund to study.

She hadn't expected to know anyone.

She certainly hadn't expected to meet someone like Scott Miller within her first hour.

And she hadn't expected his cousin to already know her name.

Layla tightened her grip around the key and headed toward Hartwell Hall.

She had a feeling her quiet first day at Dortmund was already over.