So the reason the goddess often took leave wasn't to skip class on purpose, but because she was busy managing her company and taking various exams.
Turns out all those things the goddess bought weren't funded by her family or a man, but earned by her own hard work and real skills.
Turns out the goddess isn't just beautiful, she's also incredibly hardworking.
Wuwuwu, what should I do, I like the goddess even more now.
She could easily rely on her looks, but she chooses to rely on her talent instead.
Goddess, please give us a break!
Rona Muir hadn't expected things to turn out like this at all.
Actually, she hadn't planned on getting so many certificates at first. It was Sean Kerr who kept encouraging her, supporting her, and personally helped her find many teachers, pushing her to keep learning and improving.
Back in high school, Rona Muir was already a top student. Now that she had so many opportunities to study, of course she wouldn't let them slip by.
So in the past six months, she's kept up her high school study habits day and night. Thanks to her excellent logic and a bit of luck, she managed to pass two certificates in just half a year.
Next, in the career plan Sean Kerr laid out for her, there were still many more skill certificates she needed to complete during her university years.
Rona Muir believed she could handle all this, so she didn't refuse.
But then, how did Fiona Liu know about all this?
She definitely hadn't told Fiona Liu any of this!
At this moment, Rona Muir had no idea that Fiona Liu had already been won over by Sean Kerr when she first started school.
Many times, it was Fiona Liu who helped cover for Rona Muir.
So Fiona Liu knew Rona Muir was the one Sean Kerr cared about. If her own brother wanted to pursue Rona, of course she had to stop him!
Fiona Liu knew better than anyone that her brother Julian Liu was hopeless and totally unworthy of Rona Muir.
She thought that if she didn't give him Rona's contact info, he'd eventually forget about her.
But she never expected he'd be bold enough to actually come to the school and pursue her.
Sigh, I just hope Sean Kerr will remember how I've secretly protected Rona Muir and not hold a grudge against my stupid brother.
Rona Muir felt a headache coming on—faced with this mess, she had no idea what to say.
Sean Kerr said in a deep voice, "If anyone has any objections, bring them up now so we don't have more rumors later. This time, since you're all my juniors, I won't pursue it. But next time, you'll be facing my legal team."
Everyone shrank back and bowed their heads, not daring to look Sean Kerr in the eye.
This time, they finally realized they'd messed with the wrong person.
"Alright, I'm tired. I'm heading back." Rona Muir turned and walked out.
Sean Kerr quickly caught up to her and said quietly, "Let me walk you back."
Rona Muir didn't refuse.
"Sorry about what just happened—it must've bothered you." Sean Kerr grabbed Rona Muir's hand. "I had my own reasons for saying that. Maybe you should hear me out before you decide whether to be mad at me?"
Rona Muir was suddenly at a loss for words.
"You saw it yourself—as long as you're single, people will keep bothering you, chasing after you. If they can't win you over, they'll spread rumors. Even if you don't care, do you think your teachers won't care?" Sean Kerr said softly. "I want to help, but solving this once or twice won't fix it for good. The only way is to put up a strong shield. I think I'm the right person to be that shield."
Rona Muir looked at him in surprise. "But I don't want to date anyone right now. I just want to study and take my exams. I'm hoping to study abroad in my sophomore year, then get my master's and PhD."
"I know," Sean Kerr chuckled. "That's exactly why I want to be your shield. Rona, pretend to be my girlfriend. If people think you're with me, they won't bother you anymore. And if I can't protect you one day, someone else will step in. Only when we get rid of these pests can you focus on your studies, right?"
Rona Muir hesitated. "Let me think about it."
"Last time, it really upset your teacher. But your teacher doesn't want people to know about your relationship—he doesn't want them saying you only succeeded because of him." Sean Kerr continued, "But if you're my girlfriend, no one will question your achievements, because you earned them yourself. Of course, it's just for show—just acting for others. After you graduate, you can end it whenever you want."
Rona Muir was wavering.
It really was the best solution.
One and done.
As long as she had Sean Kerr's label on her, all those boring people would stop bothering her.
Not only would the rumors stop, but her dad wouldn't have to worry, and she could focus on her studies, exams, and management work.
Three birds with one stone.
But is this really fair to Sean Kerr?
Sean Kerr guessed what Rona Muir was thinking and immediately said, "I don't want to date anyone right now either—it's a waste of time. With you helping me keep all those girls away, I can finally relax!"
Just then, Rona Ruan from the journalism department walked over and said, "Sean, you're here! About that thing I mentioned last time..."
Sean Kerr immediately shot Rona Muir a pleading look and whispered quickly, "I just helped you out—now it's your turn to help me!"
Rona Muir saw Rona Ruan looking so delicate and couldn't help but laugh. "Alright, I accept your proposal. From now on, we're fake dating."
Rona Muir was never a delicate little flower—she's always been the type to fight back if she doesn't like something.
So she immediately stood between Rona Ruan and Sean Kerr and asked, "Rona, what do you want with my boyfriend?"
Rona Ruan's face instantly changed at Rona Muir's words.
Rona Muir and Sean Kerr are together now?
How is that possible?
Why didn't she hear about this?
At this point, Rona Ruan still didn't know what had happened at the rehearsal venue. She tried to bypass Rona Muir, looking helplessly at Sean Kerr. "Sean... maybe it's better if we keep our business private, don't you think?"
Sean Kerr coughed lightly and said, "I've got nothing to hide. Rona is my friend—she has every right to know everything about me."
Hearing Sean Kerr officially confirm his relationship with Rona Muir, Rona Ruan's face flashed with a hint of ferocity before she hid it, looking utterly shocked. "Are you joking? Sean, you don't have to say that just to make me give up. Rona's still young—she doesn't understand adult matters. I think..."
"What's so hard to understand?" Rona Muir put her hands on her hips. "You think I'm young? What's young about me?"
After that, Rona Muir straightened up and said, "Looks like you're the young one, not me."
Rona Ruan: "..."
"So, what do you want with my boyfriend? I'm super possessive—if I don't agree, he can't do anything for you." Rona Muir clung to Sean Kerr's arm, looking defiant. "Are you trying to intern at his company, or do you want to steal him away and be his girlfriend? Sorry, Rona, I'm not agreeing to either!"
Sean Kerr was very pleased with Rona Muir's performance, so he played along and said to Rona Ruan apologetically, "Sorry, you see how it is—if my fiancée doesn't agree, there's nothing I can do."
Wow, from girlfriend straight to fiancée.
Rona Muir wanted to correct him, but now wasn't the time—she just let Sean Kerr call her that.
Rona Ruan couldn't handle the blow and looked like she was about to collapse.
"Careful, Rona. If you fall, no one's going to help you up. This is concrete—if you fall, you'll get a bump for sure." Rona Muir bluntly exposed Rona Ruan's act and warned her, "Sean Kerr won't help you!"
Rona Ruan's expression instantly darkened, her disgust plain to see.
She glared fiercely at Rona Muir, realizing no amount of acting would work today.
That damn little vixen!
Rona Ruan slunk away, defeated.
Rona Muir boasted to Sean Kerr, "So? Pretty good acting, right?"
Sean Kerr chuckled, "Excellent performance. Thanks for teaming up with me."
They shook hands, understanding each other perfectly.
The years flew by—four years passed in the blink of an eye.
Rona Muir returned from studying abroad, having completed her university degree ahead of schedule and earned her master's overseas.
If it weren't for some trouble at Odyssey Corporation, she would've gone on for her PhD.
But now, she really didn't have time for a PhD.
Because the Vice President appointment letter from Odyssey Corporation had already arrived.
Having finished her studies, Rona Muir shed her youthful naivety, replacing it with maturity, decisiveness, and a fierce, efficient style.
Over the years, she rose from Finance Director to CFO to Vice President, all by her own merit.
No one dared say she got ahead just because of her looks or shady connections anymore.
The only annoying thing was that among her business partners, she was still bothered by their advances—and their wives kept mistaking her for the 'other woman.'
Ugh, the same old cycle.
But after she returned to China, that kind of thing happened a lot less.
Because Sean Kerr spent four years finally getting his family to stop interfering in his marriage.
And because Sean Kerr proposed to Rona Muir in public.
Sean Kerr said to Rona Muir, "Pretending to be lovers doesn't work anymore—let's do a contract marriage. If you ever meet someone you truly love, I'll divorce you and let you go. Only if we get married will all those people really leave us alone."
Rona Muir only thought about it for a moment before agreeing.
On the day of their wedding, Sean Kerr happily put the ring he'd been saving for years on Rona Muir's finger.
For the rest of his life, he would never let her go.
For the rest of her life, she would only ever be his wife.
Never to part.