Ex Wife's Trillionaire Revenge

Layla had barely stepped onto the staircase of Hartwell Hall when she spotted Scott standing at the bottom, his phone in one hand and the other tucked casually into his pocket.

He looked up when he heard her suitcase dragging across the floor.

His eyes moved from her face to the battered suitcase behind her.

"You found it."

Layla rested one hand on the railing. "You sound surprised."

"I am."

"Why?"

Scott slipped his phone into his pocket. "You got lost on your way to the administration building. I wasn't sure you'd survive the journey back."

Layla rolled her eyes and continued up the stairs. "I survived."

"I can see that."

He followed her up.

Layla glanced over her shoulder. "Are you following me again?"

"I live here."

She stopped halfway up the stairs and looked at him.

"You live here?"

Scott nodded. "Unfortunately."

"Why unfortunately?"

"Because now I have to see you again."

Layla scoffed and continued climbing. "Don't worry. I'm not planning to make you part of my daily routine."

"That's a shame."

She looked back at him.

His smile made her narrow her eyes.

"You're very annoying."

"I've been told."

"I'm not surprised."

They reached the third floor, and Layla checked the key in her hand.

"214."

Scott pointed down the hallway.

"Last door on the left."

Layla looked at him suspiciously. "You know where my room is?"

"I know where every room in this building is."

"Of course you do."

She dragged her suitcase down the hallway while Scott followed behind her.

When they reached the door, Layla put the key into the lock.

Before she could turn it, a female voice came from inside.

"Is that her?"

Layla paused.

Scott looked toward the door.

The lock clicked, and the door opened.

A blonde girl stood there with her arms folded, her eyes moving over Layla from head to toe.

Then she looked at Scott.

"You didn't tell me she was coming."

Scott shrugged. "I didn't know when she'd arrive."

The girl looked back at Layla.

"You're Layla Jackson."

Layla nodded. "Yes."

The girl smiled.

"I'm Vanessa Miller."

Layla glanced at Scott.

"My roommate?"

Vanessa's smile widened.

"Apparently."

Layla stepped inside, pulling her suitcase behind her.

The room was larger than she expected. Two beds stood on opposite sides, with a small sitting area between them and a large window overlooking the courtyard.

Vanessa followed her in and closed the door.

"I've been curious about you."

Layla turned toward her.

"Why?"

Vanessa leaned against the door.

"I heard we were getting a scholarship student."

Layla's expression tightened.

"And?"

"And I wanted to know what you were like."

"You could have just waited until I arrived."

"I did."

Layla studied her.

"You asked about me before I got here."

Vanessa's smile faded slightly.

"News travels quickly in this family."

Layla glanced toward Scott.

"What does your family have to do with my scholarship?"

Scott pushed away from the wall.

"Nothing."

Layla looked at him.

"Then why does everyone seem to know about it?"

"Because you're the only Whitmore Scholar this year."

His tone was casual, but there was something almost dismissive about it.

Layla placed her bag on the bed.

"So?"

Scott shrugged.

"So it's not exactly a secret."

Vanessa looked between them.

"You two already know each other?"

Scott answered before Layla could.

"We met this morning."

"And argued," Layla added.

Vanessa's eyebrows rose.

"You argued with Scott?"

Layla looked at him.

"He started it."

Scott gave a quiet laugh.

"You walked into me."

"And you still haven't let that go?"

"You still haven't apologized."

Layla folded her arms.

"Because I don't think I need to."

Vanessa looked at Scott with open amusement.

Scott shook his head.

"See what I mean?"

"You're the one who followed me here."

"I live here."

Layla opened her mouth, then closed it.

Vanessa laughed.

Scott glanced at his cousin.

"What?"

"Nothing."

He looked at Layla again.

"You're going to have a hard time here."

Layla's eyes narrowed.

"Is that supposed to scare me?"

"No."

"Good."

Scott smiled.

"It was advice."

"I didn't ask for it."

"I know."

Layla turned back to her suitcase.

Scott remained by the door for another moment before Vanessa spoke.

"Are you leaving?"

He looked at her.

"Yes."

"Good."

Scott frowned.

"You're kicking me out?"

"I want to get to know my roommate."

Layla glanced at Vanessa.

Something about the smile on her face made her uneasy.

Scott seemed to notice it too.

He looked at Layla.

"Good luck."

Layla raised an eyebrow.

"With what?"

"Vanessa."

Vanessa picked up a cushion from the bed and threw it at him.

"Get out."

Scott caught it easily and laughed as he stepped into the hallway.

"See you around, scholarship girl."

Layla turned toward him.

"Stop calling me that."

He smiled.

"Make me."

The door closed behind him.

Layla stared at it for a second before turning back to Vanessa.

Her new roommate was still smiling.

"What?" Layla asked.

Vanessa shook her head.

"Nothing."

Layla sighed.

"You and Scott say that a lot."

Vanessa's smile disappeared.

"Don't worry about Scott."

Layla started unpacking.

"I wasn't."

"Good."

Vanessa picked up her phone and glanced at the screen.

Then she looked at Layla again.

"But there is something you should know."

Layla stopped.

"What?"

Vanessa slipped her phone into her pocket.

"People here already know you're the scholarship girl."

Layla frowned.

"So?"

Vanessa walked toward the window.

"So some people will like you."

She turned.

"And some people won't."

Layla stared at her.

"And which one are you?"

Vanessa smiled.

"You'll find out."