the entire table came to a standstill, thei

demanded, "Country bumpkin, what are you even saying? My mom was kind e

clearly referring to the beef," she said with a deliberate pause. "It's raw

r throat. Admitting that she thought Fernanda

"Unless, perhaps, you think there's something e

and for a split second, her voice seemed to have dese

is called beef tartare. It's a renowned delicacy made from top-notch beef and a pasteurized egg, typically f

a's simpler past might not have inclu

cestors honed an array of sophisticated recipes and techniques. They certainly didn't refine

t she managed to sustain a polite smile, nodding her agreement s

, his gaze settling on Fernanda with evident pride. "I've always prefer

pkin after attempting the beef tartare, then resumed eating with a c

ersity are you attending these days? Erika is at Luminary Univ

ce morphed into a s

ehalf. "I've spoken to a few contacts back in Fernanda's h

university? That simply cannot be! What will happen when the Harpers find out? Mrs. Harper had just mentioned a few days ago that they

cutting through Michelle's rising panic. "Enough.

gining Fernanda managing to sneak into some low-ranked

rural nobody, was an absurd thought. Fernanda's crude and graceless de

onoring their promise to engage him to Fernanda and pushing Robert to rei

would never develop an affinity for som

ew tense as they discussed F

ly. "I have already registered to take the entrance exam for Esaham University," she announced,

a moment, was speechless before sh

ion where seats were as coveted as gold, would allow Fernanda to

val and said sternly, "Fernanda, how could you lie about being granted the opportunity to take the e

nterjected quickly. "Fernanda

tone, "There's no shame in skipping college, Fernanda. You don't have to pretend or

urated with disbelief, assuming Fe

lled out her smartphone. After a few taps, she

lay. Erika's laughter stopped abru

University entrance exam admission ticket,

it repeatedly. Her anger boiling over, she tossed it away and