Darius Lynch was an A-list actor in Veridia's entertainment industry. Since his debut, he had amassed a global fanbase—Lynch's Fans—with his stunning looks and superb acting skills.
A few blockbuster films earned him a prestigious international film award, and from then on, Actor Lynch became a global sensation.
But unlike others, Actor Lynch had zero scandals and zero negative press since his debut, making him a breath of fresh air in the entertainment industry.
It wasn't that no one dared to mess with him. When he first debuted, some had tried to teach him the industry's unwritten rules, but their efforts always came to nothing. They even ended up personally visiting him to apologize.
Eventually, rumors began to circulate in the entertainment world that he had powerful backing and shouldn't be crossed. But as for who was backing him, neither the public nor industry insiders knew.
Only the truly powerful and influential families knew he was one of the Morgans of Kingsford. He was the son the Morgan Family Head had in his later years, just two years older than the family's Crown Prince, Alvin Morgan.
Inside the car, Darius Lynch stared at the cloth bundles, his charming, almond-shaped eyes wide with the same craving a puppy has for a meaty bone.
"Morgan... Whitlock... Whitlock..."
"Shut up!" Alvin Morgan opened an identical pair of charming, almond-shaped eyes, but his gaze was cold.
Darius Lynch's breath caught. He muttered under his breath, "Have some respect for your elders. I'm your uncle..."
Alvin Morgan simply closed his eyes again, pretending not to hear. At his wit's end, Darius Lynch gritted his teeth. "Fine, you don't have to give them to me. But you have to tell me how you got them!"
"They were a gift."
"A gift?" Darius Lynch thought he was hearing things. Who would be so extravagant as to give away so many Master-level crafts?
Alvin Morgan didn't answer him. Darius Lynch turned to Beta Morgan. "Is he telling the truth?"
Beta Morgan recalled Aurora Sinclair's impassive face and replied with a smile, "They were indeed a gift. But the Master signed a safekeeping agreement. If the owner wants them back, we have to return them!"
Darius Lynch clutched his chest, feeling as if his heart were bleeding. "Beta Morgan, who is it? Tell me! I'll sign an agreement too. I'll definitely take better care of them than they do..."
Beta Morgan glanced at Alvin Morgan in the rearview mirror and hesitated. "That person's identity is very sensitive. The Master has forbidden me from disclosing it."
Darius Lynch immediately deflated. He shot a plaintive look back at Alvin Morgan.
'Anything he marks as confidential is top-secret. Not even the Old Man can get a word out of him.'
***
「The next morning.」
Stella Sinclair rode in the Sinclair family car, heading straight for the Kingsford Calligraphy and Painting Association.
She wasn't particularly early. The entrance to the Association was already lined with cars bearing prestigious 'A' plates. The Sinclair family's driver parked the car in an empty spot.
Like any other parent, Hailey Gordon carefully reminded her, "Don't be nervous! You'll definitely get in. Mom will be waiting for you outside!"
Stella Sinclair smiled and nodded slightly. "When is Dad coming?"
Hailey Gordon recalled Master Sinclair's words from yesterday, her brow furrowing slightly. "He can't make it today. He has to take that little monster to look at schools."
The smile on Stella Sinclair's lips faded. "I'm heading in then."
To be eligible for the Calligraphy Association's membership examination, one needed at least one work that had qualified for a major city-level exhibition. Stella Sinclair had a piece shown in an art exhibit when she was just sixteen, but she was too young to take the membership exam at the time.
It was that very piece that had made her known as one of Kingsford's famous young prodigies.
Hailey Gordon could see her daughter was unhappy. After seeing Stella off, she immediately called Linton Sinclair to ask him to come over, but she was told that Master Sinclair was with him, taking Aurora Sinclair on a school tour.
Kingsford No. 1 High School and First City High School had always been rivals. Their teaching faculties were on par with each other, and a very high percentage of their students were admitted to Arcadian University and Kingsford University. They were, in a word, evenly matched.
Because First City High had produced Kingsford's top scorer on the college entrance exams for three consecutive years, its reputation was at its peak, giving it a slight edge over Kingsford No. 1. This was why Master Sinclair had initially considered First City High.
But after Hailey Gordon's reminder yesterday, he suddenly thought of Kingsford No. 1 High School and had his eldest son contact its principal right away.
First thing this morning, he personally brought Aurora Sinclair to Kingsford No. 1 High School.
While the administration at First City High School focused heavily on students' academic performance across all subjects, Kingsford No. 1 was relatively more flexible. Consequently, many students at Kingsford No. 1 were admitted for their special talents.
Master Sinclair thus came up with the idea of enrolling her as a student athlete. 'From the heavy things she was carrying when she walked in yesterday,' he thought, 'it's clear her physical condition is outstanding. Master Aerion must not have let her talents go completely to waste all these years.'
"Aurora, don't be nervous when you meet the principal. Just do whatever he asks of you, okay?" Master Sinclair patted her head, instructing her carefully.
Aurora Sinclair nodded, looking very well-behaved.
She was still wearing her own clothes today—an ill-fitting tracksuit, though it was slightly newer than the one she wore yesterday.
Thinking she might have to demonstrate her athletic skills today, Master Sinclair didn't say anything about her attire. However, he made a mental note that his young granddaughter seemed to like loose-fitting tracksuits.
Principal Lawson of Kingsford No. 1 High School was usually very busy. He was only squeezing the Sinclairs into his schedule today because the Sinclair Family had once donated a library to the school. One had to show some courtesy to such a major donor.
'From what the Sinclair's eldest son had said on the phone yesterday, he wanted to pull some strings to get his niece into the school.' Principal Lawson was inwardly dismissive. 'Plenty of people in Kingsford want to pull strings. Does he really think donating a library means they can just shove anyone in here? Kingsford No. 1 High School isn't some diploma mill that values money over grades.'
"Principal, the Sinclairs are here." The Director of Admissions, Howard Lowell, knocked on the door and entered respectfully.
Principal Lawson didn't even look up. "Let them in. And go find the senior year dean and get a copy of the science composite exam."
***
Principal Lawson had expected to meet an arrogant young lady from one of the Great Families, but upon seeing Aurora Sinclair, he was momentarily puzzled.
'This is a young lady of the Sinclair Family? Why is she dressed so shabbily?'
Master Sinclair chuckled and patted Aurora Sinclair. "Aurora, this is Principal Lawson. Go on, say hello."
Aurora Sinclair obediently greeted him and even gave Principal Lawson a bow.
'Very polite!'
Principal Lawson's prejudice lessened slightly.
"Mr. Sinclair, I generally understand your intentions, but our school has its own rules and regulations. It's especially difficult to place a student in the graduating senior class at this juncture. You're putting me in a tough spot."
Master Sinclair naturally understood that schools cared about their college acceptance rates. He chuckled and replied, "My Aurora is very smart. She had excellent grades at her previous school and even won the 'Most Improved Student' award in her town. Here, take a look, these are all my Aurora's award certificates..."
Principal Lawson, who had just been raising a cup to take a sip of tea, nearly spat it all out. He glanced at the photos on Master Sinclair's phone and was speechless for a long moment.
'In... in her town?'
"I was hoping my Aurora could enroll as a specialty student. She's exceptional at sports! She even won the town's decathlon championship."
This time, Principal Lawson really did spray his tea.
'A student athlete? Our school only accepts specialty students in the arts!'
'If you want sports, please go to the sports academy next door, thank you very much.'
He could complain internally all he wanted, but Principal Lawson couldn't disrespect Master Sinclair to his face. He chuckled and replied, "Mr. Sinclair, our school only admits specialty students in the arts. We really don't have a program for student athletes."
"Then how about you let our Aurora become your school's first-ever student athlete?"
Principal Lawson: ...
Just then, Howard Lowell returned with the exam paper.
Principal Lawson looked as if he'd seen a ray of hope. "Mr. Sinclair, even specialty students need to take the college entrance exam. As long as your child can pass in every subject, our school can consider admitting her."
Master Sinclair's expression darkened slightly. He knew this principal was looking down on his granddaughter, so he pressed his lips together and said nothing.
Principal Lawson didn't mind. He spread the exam paper out and said amiably to Aurora Sinclair, "Sinclair, you have two and a half hours. Finish this exam."