Lex’s POV

“What a nerd.”

I let out a low whistle, eyes glued to the university’s topper list tacked on the bulletin board. First place, again—and the name beside it was practically glowing in gold: Joy Stone.

Rowland, my best friend and Beta, chuckled beside me. “She’s not a nerd, Lex. Trust me—she’s anything but.”

I raised an eyebrow, still staring. “You trying to say she slept her way to those scores? Because that list looks like she bribed the ...