Flora’s Guide to a Second Chance at Love and Life

"Fiona, we're all students here. Can you cut us some slack and give us a few more days?"

"Three days. You've got three days to pay up, or I'll report this to the school," Fiona shot back, not missing a beat before diving back into her game.

Paying back millions in just three days was a wild fantasy.

Still, no one dared to argue more. They knew this was as much leeway as they'd get with Fiona, who was as stubborn as they come.

But Yvenne's tears flowed even more freely, like a spring downpour. Just then, a girl from the next dorm wandered in. Hearing the drama, she couldn't just ignore

it.

She started by comforting Yvenne, pointing out how much easier it was to feel for her than to bicker with Fiona.

"Fiona, how can you be so cruel? You didn't take care of your own clothes, and when someone accidentally messes them up, you demand they pay for it. Where's your sense of decency?"

"Even kids know better! How can you act like this? We all share this dorm; does it really have to get this ugly?"

Before long, the whole neighboring dorm had gathered, and Fiona almost found it funny. Were they here to scold her or just cause a scene?

What a show.

Each one stood on their high horse, pointing fingers at Fiona, forgetting she was actually the one who'd been wronged.

"If you're all so keen to play the hero, why don't you chip in and pay off Yvenne's debt? I just want the money. I don't care who it comes from."

"Whoa, hold on. Who said we were giving you any cash? Are you nuts?"

"Yeah, Fiona, have you lost it with this money obsession?"

Fiona chuckled instead of getting mad. These folks sure were something, masters of moral grandstanding and not much else.

"Then why are you all acting like saints?" Fiona shot back with a sarcastic grin, her contempt plain as day. "Being a saint isn't as easy as you think. You all act so righteous, but when it counts, you bail. Weren't you all fired up to stand up for Yvenne? Why not back it up with some action?"

With Fiona's words hanging in the air, everyone fell silent and quietly shuffled out of the dorm.

Seeing this, Yvenne realized her plan had flopped, and she gave Fiona a look full of blame.

Taking a deep breath, she said, "Fiona, I'll do my best to pay you back soon."

...

The next morning, Jackson received a package. As he opened it, he froze. Inside was a brooch.

The brooch was exquisite and petite, both unique and distinctive.

"Who sent this?" His voice shot up several notches.

Startled, his assistant hesitated before saying, "It came from the police. Christina mentioned it."

Christina!

In an instant, his demeanor changed, his icy gaze cutting through the

room, making his assistant toenee

scared to even blink.

"Mr. Woods, Christina requested to see you yesterday."

Jackson clutched the brooch tightly, narrowing his eyes as he stood by the largenoveldrama

window, hands clasped behind his back.

"Get things set up. We're heading to the police station."

His assistant wasted no time and hurried out.

Jackson looked at the brooch in his

hand and sighed deeply, clouded with an unshakeable as he stared into the distance.

Soon after his assistant stumbled back in, rembling as he spoke, "Mr. , Christina... she passed away

in her cell last night."