Chapter 3 – One Seat Too Many

Monday.

The first official day of classes.

Westbridge University looked completely different from orientation day. Students hurried through the walkways with coffee cups, laptops, and backpacks slung over one shoulder.

Freshman excitement had been replaced by reality.

Assignments.

Deadlines.

Professors.

Evelyn arrived fifteen minutes early.

Always.

She hated rushing.

Entering the Business Management lecture hall, she scanned the room before choosing a seat in the middle—not too close to the front, not too close to the back.

Perfect.

She placed her notebook on the desk beside her.

Reserved.

For Mia.

Five minutes later...

Mia rushed in, breathing heavily.

"I swear this campus is built to make people suffer."

"You woke up late."

"...Maybe."

"You definitely did."

"I definitely did."

Both laughed.

Across campus...

Three boys walked toward the same lecture hall.

Liam yawned.

"I already miss summer."

Ethan adjusted his backpack.

"We've had one class."

"And?"

"I'm exhausted."

Noah opened the classroom door.

The room was almost full.

Only one empty seat remained.

Right beside...

Evelyn Carter.

Noah looked at the seat.

Then at her.

A slow grin spread across his face.

"Oh, this is fate."

Evelyn looked up.

"No."

"It's bad luck."

Ignoring her comment, Noah walked over and dropped into the empty chair.

"You can move."

"I'm comfortable."

"There are other seats."

"There aren't."

She glanced around.

Unfortunately...

He was right.

The professor entered before she could argue.

"Good morning, everyone."

"I'm Professor Williams."

"For the next four years, some of you will become successful entrepreneurs."

He smiled.

"The rest will blame the economy."

Laughter echoed through the room.

Halfway through the lecture...

Professor Williams asked a question.

"What is the most important quality of a leader?"

Hands shot up.

Including Evelyn's.

Including Noah's.

The professor pointed toward Noah first.

"Confidence."

He answered without hesitation.

"If people don't trust your confidence, they won't trust your decisions."

Professor Williams nodded.

"Interesting."

He turned toward Evelyn.

"Miss Carter?"

She calmly replied,

"Adaptability."

The room fell silent.

"A confident leader who refuses to adapt eventually fails."

Several students nodded.

Professor Williams smiled.

"Excellent."

Then he looked between them.

"Both answers are correct."

Noah leaned closer just enough for only Evelyn to hear.

"I still think mine was better."

Without looking at him, she whispered back,

"I know."

He blinked.

She continued writing.

"I also know you're wrong."

After class...

Students gathered outside.

(Liam already saw noah looking and arguing with evelyn from outside the classroom)

Liam wrapped an arm around Noah's shoulder.

"I've never seen someone argue during their first lecture."

"I wasn't arguing."

"You were flirting."

Noah stopped walking.

"I was what?"

"You smiled."

"So?"

"You only smile like that when you're interested."

"I'm interested."

Liam's eyes widened.

"Really?"

"In beating her."

Ethan sighed.

"Sure."

Meanwhile...

Mia looked at Evelyn.

"So..."

"What?"

"He's kind of handsome."

Evelyn didn't even look up from her phone.

"I hadn't noticed."

"Liar."

"I don't waste time looking at arrogant boys."

"You noticed."

"I noticed he talks too much."

That afternoon...

Freshmen were assigned their first semester project.

Professor Williams clapped once.

"This project counts for forty percent of your final grade."

Groans filled the classroom.

"You'll work in pairs."

Evelyn silently prayed.

Anyone but Noah.

Professor Williams began reading names.

"Evelyn Carter..."

She looked up.

"...Noah Walker."

Silence.

Noah slowly turned his head.

Evelyn closed her eyes for one second.

"No."

Professor Williams looked confused.

"No?"

"I mean..."

She forced a polite smile.

"No problem."

Noah couldn't stop himself from laughing.

"Oh, this semester is going to be fun."

She looked directly at him.

"For one of us."

"Oh?"

"The other is going to regret every minute."

For the first time...

There was no teasing in Noah's eyes.

Just excitement.

He extended his hand.

"Partners?"

Evelyn looked at it for a long moment.

Then shook it.

Her grip was firm.

His matched hers.

Neither let go immediately.

They stared at each other.

Two people.

Too competitive.

Too stubborn.

Too proud.

This wasn't the beginning of a partnership.

It was the beginning of a war.

End of Chapter 3

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