Chapter 276: Chapter 276

Skylar Hughes also wanted to move out, but she had already paid a year’s rent for the house. Where could she go now?

Her stepmother seemed completely unaware of her troubles, always smiling and saying to her, "Skylar, in my opinion, you shouldn’t be too fixated on Mr. Hawthorne. People like him aren’t meant for people of our status..."

Skylar’s expression soured. What does she mean by people of our status?

Skylar Hughes was not like them at all.

"Actually, I think that boy named Archie is quite good. I heard his family is quite influential abroad too. With your status, you shouldn’t aim too high or settle too low. I advise you not to set your sights too high. Otherwise, you’ll end up like your aunt, almost forty and still not married..."

Seeing Skylar didn’t respond to her words of wisdom, her stepmother added, "If you really don’t like him, then let your sister have him. Your sister isn’t picky; as long as the conditions are right, she likes it. We aren’t picky either; as long as the dowry meets the conditions, it’s fine..."

Skylar was frustrated hearing this, "Are you done yet? Do you think that kind of influential family would be interested in people like you?"

"What do you mean by people like us? Aren’t you just like us?" ɴᴇᴡ ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀʀᴇ ᴘᴜʙʟɪsʜᴇᴅ ᴏɴ 𝙣𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙡•𝙛𝙞𝙧𝙚•𝙣𝙚𝙩

"Who said I’m like you? We’re from two different worlds!"

Skylar hated when this family said she was like them.

How could such a group of parasites say such things?

Her stepmother’s temper flared up too, "Why are you being so mean? Don’t you see the Sterling Family already kicked you out and doesn’t recognize you anymore? You want to marry into a wealthy family, but they don’t want you. We were kind enough to take you in, and now you’re showing disrespect? Do you even recognize me as your elder..."

Debates and arguments ensued again.

Skylar finally stormed out, considering her current predicament, unable to stop herself from crying.

In the past, nobody knew Paige Sterling was the Sterling Family’s daughter. She claimed to be the Sterling Family’s daughter publicly, even though many understood she was merely a stepdaughter, she often accompanied Jared Sullivan. Everyone thought Jared valued his stepdaughter, looking at her differently, surrounded by elites and gentlemen.

But now, under Paige Sterling’s spotlight, Skylar’s entire presence was overshadowed.

Even if someone noticed her, it was because of Paige.

Everyone around her, even when speaking with her, couldn’t go three sentences without mentioning Paige.

Some mocked her, while others envied her — envied having Paige as a sister.

For Skylar, this was pure humiliation. She even wondered if she owed Paige in a previous life, coming expressly to repay a debt this life?

Paige had become the looming shadow above her, suffocating her.

Especially now, when Skylar’s life was a mess, yet Paige thrived, winning both love and career. Skylar couldn’t stand the comparison and disparity for one more second.

Skylar clutched her head, telling herself she couldn’t continue . She must rally herself, make Paige pay for her deeds today.

At this moment, the big screen on the street again played news about Paige, even her name was now mentioned alongside famous scientists.

Skylar clenched her teeth. Since Paige could thrive in the research world, why couldn’t she?

If she was willing to put in the effort, to learn and explore, wouldn’t it feel great to ultimately surpass Paige’s expertise?

To Skylar, if someone like Paige could achieve success in research, then it surely couldn’t be hard. As long as she invested dozens, even hundreds of times more effort than Paige, surpassing her wouldn’t be difficult.

However, before that, she needed a renowned mentor to start from a higher point, ensuring smoother progress and more attention.

In the research field, besides Old Professor Keating who interacted frequently with Paige, there were plenty of notable figures.

Among them, Old Professor Keating’s fellow disciple Professor Lancaster had the most reputation, apart from Old Professor Keating. Privately, it was said he had past grievances with Old Professor Keating, never getting along, and seemed to have no interaction with Paige online.

Skylar decided that she would seek out Professor Lancaster to be her mentor! Surely Professor Lancaster would welcome a talented and hardworking disciple to bring him glory.

But how would she meet Professor Lancaster? How would she convince him to take her as a student?

Skylar naturally thought of Yvette Hughes at this time.

Let Yvette go to Jared Sullivan, let Jared step in.

She had given so much for the Sterling Family, Jared owed her at least some effort.

Besides, her fall to this point was caused by Paige and the Sterling Family. The Sterling Family indeed owed her.

If Jared had any conscience, he would spare no effort to fulfill her wish.

Skylar went to the Sterling Family to find Yvette.

Yvette also wanted her daughter to have a good future.

But the research thing, wasn’t something just anyone could undertake, right?

Yet Skylar spoke with such conviction and portrayed the prospects so well, Yvette was easily persuaded, and she approached Jared with the matter.

Seeing Jared remain silent, she cradled her belly and said, "Jared, just for the sake of the child in my womb, won’t you help Skylar this time? Just this once, if Skylar achieves success, she won’t forget you, Uncle Sterling. Once her wish is fulfilled, I can peacefully rest while expecting..."

Jared remained silent; Yvette plotting for Skylar was understandable.

However, after all Skylar did to Paige, for Yvette to still seek his help, even using her unborn child as leverage, Jared felt somewhat chilled.

Who did she think Professor Lancaster was? Someone money could bribe?

The people in the research field only gave him some consideration because of his daughter’s influence.

Considering what Skylar had done, was it worthy for him to leverage his daughter’s reputation to benefit her?

Skylar was indeed dreaming.

Jared thus said calmly, "This isn’t something I can control; I’m powerless."

Moreover, how could Skylar expect that she desired to be Professor Lancaster’s student and he’d accept her?

Did she think the world revolved around her?

Seeing Jared unwilling to discuss further, Yvette dared not press on, and she called Skylar saying, "Your Uncle Sterling said he really can’t do anything..."

What does ’can’t do anything’ mean? It’s merely unwillingness to help, she had been so devoted to Jared over the years, was his conscience fed to dogs?

Skylar angrily hung up the phone.