Chapter 648
The next morning
After breakfast, Anthony drove Charlotte to campus himself. With the physical training behind them, Kingswood University was buzzing with excitement as the new semester kicked off. The whole place felt alive, students everywhere, laughter and voices floating through the air.
When the car came to a stop, Hans hopped out first to grab Charlotte’s suitcase from the trunk. Not far away, by another car, Andrew, Parrish, and Stella were lined up, waiting with wide eyes for someone to get out.
Anthony leaned down, his voice soft as he moved a stray strand of Charlotte’s hair behind her ear. “There’s medicine in your backpack. Only take it if you really need to.” His eyes searched hers, full of worry. “If you can’t sleep, just video call me… or tell me to pick you up, okay?”
“Okay.” Charlotte nodded, playing along.
He kept going, his tone gentle but insistent. “If you don’t like the cafeteria food, just eat somewhere else. There’s a restaurant right next to Kingswood. I already talked to them for you.”
Charlotte couldn’t help but smile. She tapped him lightly on the chest, her voice teasing. “Anthony, I’m starting college, not preschool.”
She could handle her own meals and her own bedtime now.
Anthony chuckled and pulled her closer, his hand warm on the back of her neck. He pressed her forehead against his chest for a moment, his words low and a little rough. “You’ll always be a little kid to me, you know that?”
He couldn’t stand the thought of her being uncomfortable, not even for a second.
“It’s only a few weeks,” Charlotte said quietly, her cheek brushing his shirt. She blinked, letting herself lean on him just a little longer. Once all the chaos of starting school settled down, she’d turn her attention back to her real goal-finishing the medical research her mom never got to complete.
***
Before classes officially began, everyone majoring in Clinical Medicine had to gather in the
university’s grand hall for a videon et
seminar. Word was, a team from the Cabinda Medical Organization had just returned from an overseas research trip and would be leading the discussion.
These seminars always brought in new ideas and breakthroughs from the medical world, and all the top schools tuned in.
Charlotte followed the location Emma sent and found her way to the hall. The place was packed, buzzing with anticipation.
“Charlotte, over here!” Emma waved her over, grinning. Alvina and Eileen were with her, all three looking excited and a little nervous.
Charlotte slipped into a seat beside them, her eyes drawn to the massive screen at the front of the room Representatives from Eldoria and the Cabinda Medical Branch were both part of today’s exchange.
Emma leaned in, her voice barely above a whisper. “That’s Letty, in the white dress.”
“She got into the Cabinda Medical Branch as a junior,” Eileen added, awe in her voice. “She’s the youngest member they’ve ever had. I’d give anything to work there someday.”
Alvina’s shoulders slumped a little. “It’s like the Cabinda Medical Branch only wants people from modern
medicine. People like us, studying traditional medicine, don’t even get a shot.”
Charlotte stared at the girl on the screen, her lips curling into a quiet, almost defiant
smile. If that was the rule, maybe it was time to change it.
Just then, Charlotte’s phone buzzed in her pocket. She checked the screen-Dr. David had sent her a message.
[Lottie, did you forget you still have a research institute to run?]
Dr. David was the vice president of the International Medical Alliance and was currently working at her institute, developing new medicines.
Charlotte grinned and was about to reply when another message popped up.