Had she truly been taken on as a student by the renowned Glenn, just like that?

Was this a dream?

"Go on, move it." Noticing Sloane still standing there, dazed, Tilda nudged her gently with a warm smile, coaxing her forward.

"Oh, right!" Sloane snapped back to reality and hurried to Glenn's side. She bowed to him. "Mr. Cortez, thank you for accepting me as your student."

Glenn gave a soft grunt and nodded. Then he started asking Sloane a few simple questions.

Still buzzing from the excitement, Sloane's voice quivered slightly as she responded, her nerves evident.

Corrine quietly slipped back to Tilda's side and shot her a sly wink.

Tilda returned a knowing smile and murmured, "Thanks."

Corrine flashed a dazzling grin and teased, "Hold off on the gratitude. Wait until I've actually pulled off my matchmaking scheme—then you can thank me properly." Tilda caught her drift instantly.

Corrine was hinting that once her matchmaking efforts bore fruit, Tilda could show her appreciation then.

At the thought of something, Tilda's expression grew faintly icy.

Just then, a knock sounded at the door. "Mr. Cortez, Miss Gordon is here."

Tilda and Corrine exchanged a quick glance, their eyes turning toward the entrance.

The receptionist ushered Rita into the room before stepping out.

Rita wore a polite smile, but upon spotting Tilda and Corrine, her expression faltered briefly, a flicker of surprise crossing her eyes.

She quickly recovered, however, and greeted them, "Hello, Mrs. Fernandez and Miss Sanderson."

Tilda gave her a cold glance, nodded curtly, and looked away.

Corrine, well aware of Rita's cunning nature, felt a sudden urge to march over and confront her on the spot.

But, mindful of her own strategy, she barely restrained the impulse to lash out.

"Rita, you're quite the player, aren't you? You couldn't snag Langston as a mentor, but you somehow stumbled into Glenn's favor. I'll have to watch my back around you from now on."

Rita met Corrine's biting sarcasm with a serene smile. "I will work diligently under Mr. Cortez and make sure not to disappoint him."

Her voice remained gentle, a testament to her skill at keeping up appearances.

Corrine shot her a glare, her fingers twitching with the desire to rip away Rita's polished mask.

Sensing her rising anger, Tilda lightly tugged at her arm and gave her a pointed look.