Senhor, A Madame Fugiu Novamente
The Omnipotent Mrs. Ranford By Darlene Wright Chapter 17

Chapter 17

Alexandra turned and looked at Julian. However, his eyes were focused on the person lying in the ward.

Julian was looking inside the ward, but he noticed Alexandra’s attention on him. “He’s been lying there for almost three years,” said Julian

“Oh,” said Alexandra. “What illness does he have?” she asked

“An old problem, replied Julian.

Julian did not tell Alexandra the details of the illness. Thus, he chose to be vague.

Alexandra looked back at the person lying on the bed. She curled her lips. “Mr. Ranford, don’t worry,” she said. “Your father will get better.” Alexandra tried to comfort Julian.

“Uh-huh.” replied Julian.

Julian and Alexandra did not stay in the hospital for long. They soon left and went somewhere to eat.

After that, Julian brought Alexandra to report to the university.

The dean’s full name was Colin McFadden. Everyone called him Mr. McFadden. He was in his seventies but still full of vigor. He had a head of white hair and a pair of gold-rimmed reading glasses.

Colin’s gray suit seemed out of fashion. Alexandra’s first impression of the dean was kind and benevolent.

Colin promised Julian to allow Alexandra to transfer mainly because of Julian’s late grandfather. Another reason was that the Ranford family had been donating money to the University of Highclere for a long time.

Every year, the Ranford family would donate a large amount of money to the University of Highclere. The university would use the money for school facilities and scholarships.

Although Colin and Julian did not have a lot of interactions, Julian’s grandparents, Deacon and Josephine Ranford, were on good terms with Colin. That was why Colin had to do this favor for Julian.

However, when Colin found out that Alexandra did not complete her high school education, he was a little reluctant.

This was because the University of Highclere was a prestigious university. Every year, high school students had to work very hard to get excellent grades before they applied.

Colin had always been a man of integrity. Allowing Alexandra to enter the university through the back door was concrete evidence that Colin had let his morality slip in his old age.

What if Colin’s old friends found out that he had admitted the young woman through the back door just because Julian introduced her? Colin would be the butt of his friends’ jokes till the end of his life.

“How do you do, Mr. McFadden, greeted Alexandra. Tm Alexandra Doherty. Before leaving the house, Alexandra had changed into something simple and clean. She wore a jumpsuit and tied her hair into a ponytail.

Alexandra looked the same as all the other students on campus.

Moreover, Alexandra’s voice was sweet. Her simile was warm like a ray of the sun.

Colin did not feel right to put on a grim look in her presence.

Colin coughed. He had a double-walled glass mug in his hand. A teabag of sage and lemon zest was steeping inside the mug.

Colin looked at Alexandra and then back at Julian. Colin assumed that Alexandra was related to the Ranford family.

Colin nodded toward Alexandra in acknowledgment. Then, he turned to Julian and said, “Well, you see, Mr. Ranford. Though I’ve given you a promise, Ms. Doherty still has to take an aptitude test next week, which is the university’s usual practice. Only then the academic affairs office can decide what discipline of study is most suitable for her

Julian nodded. “Since I’ve already admitted Alex here, I’ll let you take care of everything” said Julian. “Thank you for your help.”

How could one hit an apologetic person? Moreover, Julian was very respectful. Colin could not bring himself to say anything

else.

“So. what is the test about?” asked Alexandra. She sounded afraid.

Her voice sounded like a mosquito. She was visibly scared.

Colin heard the fear in Alexandra’s voice. He smiled. “It’s a simple test of your abilities,” said Colin. “Ms. Doherty, you don’t have to be afraid”

“Oh, replied Alexandra. But Colin was the dean and in charge of running a prestigious university. Alexandra did not know what Colin meant by a simple test.

Alexandra started to worry again.

Julian naturally was not as worried as Alexandra. He knew that since Colin had decided to give Alexandra the test, it meant that Colin was willing to accept Alexandra as a student.

As for which simplest course of study Alexandra got assigned to, Julian had no say over that.

Someone wise once said that a teacher could only introduce a student to a subject and the student had to do the learning.

Julian and Alexandra left the dean’s office and took the elevator down.

Alexandra could officially start school the next day. However, the “simple test felt like a knife stabbed into Alexandra’s heart. She could not be fully excited.

Alexandra did not doubt that she might score a big fat zero.

If that were to happen, she would bring embarrassment to both herself and Julian.

Julian noticed that Alexandra had gone very quiet behind him. He stopped and waited for her to catch up. “What’s on your mind?” he asked.

Alexandra’s eyes were swirling. “Why don’t we look for another college?” she asked Julian.

Julian did not reply.

He knew that she was not thinking of anything good.

Julian turned around and continued walking toward the exit of the university. Alexandra heard his voice say, “You still have at week to prepare.

Alexandra gave a small “hinn” and ran after Julian. “But Mr. Ranford, even if I had a year to prepare, I wouldn’t be able to do it!” she said. “Is it an open-book test? Or could you take it for me instead? That’s right! Since you applied for me, you should

take the test!”

Julian ignored her.

They had reached the parking lot. Julian was about to get into the car, but Alexandra was still rattling on behind him. “I know!” she said. “Actually, you don’t have the confidence to pass the test too. You did mention during dinner the other day that your degree was from a degree mill.”

Julian was about to say something but stopped himself. He decided to forget it and not stoop to her level.

Julian leaned against the car door. “I’m going back to the office,” he said. “Til send you home first.”

Alexandra stood still and thought for a while. She felt that Ranford Mansion was like a giant cage made of gold.

She looked around her. The university campus had only been open for the new semester for a few days. There were several groups of young students gathered in the sports complex.

Since she was already here, Alexandra thought she should take the opportunity to look around the campus more.

She waved and said to Julian, “I’m not going home. You go on first, Mr. Ranford. I want to familiarize myself with my future campus!”

“Aren’t you scared that you won’t pass the test?” asked Julian, half-squinting his eyes. The sun at this moment was a little glaring. Squinting felt more comfortable.

Alexandra shook her head. Her brain cells seemed to have been woken up after being in the sun for a while.

She tilted her head. “If I don’t pass, then you will find another school for me,” she said. “After all, you are very resourceful.”

Julian eyed Alexandra. His gaze made her feel a little guilty.

Alexandra stood up properly and said with a straight face, “Ok, ok, ok! I promise I’ll study hard. I won’t disappoint you for all the effort you’ve put in for me. Even if I don’t know the answer, I won’t submit a blank paper!”

Julian did not respond to that.

He got into the car and drove off.

After Julian left, Alexandra immediately felt that the world had become larger and the sun had become warmer.

Not far from the parking lots was the University of Highclere’s vast sports complex. There was a group of young men playing basketball.

Alexandra was curious. As she walked toward the trash can next to the sports complex, she took out a lollipop from her bag.

She threw the lollipop wrapper away and sucked on the papaya-flavored lollipop. She walked to the stands next to the basketball court, found a spot, and sat down.

The stands were made up of several steps. There were young men and women seated scattered at the top.

Alexandra sat down somewhere in the middle of the left side of the stands. Then, she watched the group of young men who were going all out in their basketball game on the basketball court

She let out a sigh.

It was good to be young.