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Brighton Wisdom School – Silver Storm Private Room.
The Silver Storm members lounged lazily in their exclusive private suite. The room, with its sleek interiors, flat screens, and private dining set, reflected the authority they held inside Brighton Wisdom.
Selina sat close to Han, delicately holding a grape between her fingers.
"Open your mouth," she teased, pushing it toward him.
Han leaned back, expression unreadable.
"No."
But Selina kept pressing until, with a sigh, Han finally opened his mouth, letting her place the grape between his lips. She smiled in triumph.
Raina, meanwhile, scrolled on her phone, her sharp eyes glinting with curiosity. She muttered under her breath, Who is she… Then suddenly, her lips curved.
"Hey guys, I got it."
The room stirred. Jake, who had been sprawled on the sofa, cracked one eye open lazily. Ronnie paused his game at the computer. Even Han turned his attention, Selina leaning closer with him.
Raina lifted her phone with a smirk.
"She… is the heir of the Gabriella Group."
Selina blinked. "But… I don't know they have a daughter."
Han tilted his head, voice edged with curiosity. "Wait. Is Frederick married? How can he have a daughter?"
Ronnie chuckled, resting back in his chair. "Didn't you know? He had a lover. They split. But he left behind a child."
Selina frowned. "That's just a rumor, right?"
Raina's eyes narrowed. "Not anymore."
The room suddenly fell into silence as the door swung open. Principal John stepped in. The Silver Storm members immediately rose, though Jake's posture remained slouched, his laziness intact.
"You have a new member now," Principal John announced firmly.
Raina folded her arms. "Mr. John, you didn't even bother to ask our permission before admitting a newbie into our group."
Ronnie nodded, backing her. "Exactly. You should've consulted us."
Selina smiled slyly. "Of course. We decide who enters our storm."
But John only smiled. "That's not necessary."
As the tension simmered, Ronnie's phone buzzed. He glanced at the screen, then his lips curved into a knowing smirk. He held up the display for the others.
"Gabriella Group sponsored a massive amount to Brighton Wisdom School."
One by one, the others checked their phones. Selina let out a laugh.
"Ohhh, so that's the reason."
Jake, finally looking interested, sat up enough to glance at his own phone. He chuckled, then shook his head.
John's voice cut through them. "Now you understand. And here is your new member—welcome, Ms. Gabriella."
From behind him stepped a poised, elegant girl. Gabriella. She wore confidence like a crown.
"Hi everyone," she greeted smoothly. "My name is Gabriella."
The members sized her up.
Han offered a casual nod. "Hi."
Gabriella smiled softly back. "Hello."
Selina approached, offering a handshake. But as their hands touched, she leaned close and whispered,
"If your family sponsored this school, that doesn't mean you'll rule here. Right?"
Gabriella's lips curled as she whispered back, "And it doesn't mean you have a monopoly either. Am I right?"
Selina's smile stiffened as she stepped back.
Ronnie strode up next, grasping Gabriella's hand. His eyes flickered with playful danger as he held it longer than needed, biting his lip.
"Welcome, beauty." He winked.
Gabriella smoothly pulled her hand away. "Me?" She arched a brow. "Don't flatter yourself."
Raina finally came forward, her smile sharp and calculating. "Welcome to Silver Storm. You're one of us now… at least in name."
Gabriella met her playful tone with a cold smile. "Of course."
Jake didn't move closer. He simply leaned back against the sofa, watching her.
"I think five members are enough. This new addition? Annoying."
Gabriella met his gaze head-on. His smile vanished briefly, then returned with a mocking curve.
"I don't like it," he said, dismissively turning back to his seat.
But Gabriella's lips twitched into a venomous smile.
Principal John clapped his hands together. "Good. Then I'll leave you all."
And with that, the storm had a new member.
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Classroom
When Gabriella entered her new class, all eyes turned. Whispers rose. Smiles surfaced.
"Welcome!" someone greeted. Gabriella returned a polite smile.
Anitta hurried to her. "Are you the new Silver Storm member? Let's be friends!"
Gabriella smirked faintly, leaning close.
"As usual, you're playing your little role."
Anitta froze. "What? What did you just say?"
Gabriella straightened. "Nothing."
Soon, a group of girls circled her.
"Are those limited-edition shoes?"
"You're so gorgeous!"
Harry stepped forward nervously. "What's your old school?"
Gabriella tilted her head. "Is that necessary to know?"
He scratched his hair awkwardly. "N-No… I was just curious."
Another girl beamed. "Your entry raises the standard of our class!"
Gabriella's smile turned venomous.
"So, you're saying this class was low standard before? Interesting." She laughed softly.
Silence followed. The girl stammered, "No, I mean—we finally have a Silver Storm member here…"
At the back, Erica watched silently, her eyes cold.
Gabriella moved toward a desk, but Harry quickly blocked her.
"Don't sit there."
"Why not?" Gabriella asked.
Another girl whispered, "That's the seat of the unlucky one."
Gabriella narrowed her eyes. "Who?"
Erica's voice cut across the room, loud and sharp.
"A loser girl. That was her seat. But she vanished—disappeared from school like the failure she is. Sit there if you want to vanish too."
The class gasped. Gabriella's smile faded for the first time, her eyes sharpening.
"Erica," her friend hissed, "don't pick a fight! She's Silver Storm now!"
But Erica stood firm. "I don't care. I disliked her the moment I saw her." She brushed past Gabriella and stormed out.
Harry rushed forward, bowing slightly. "I'm sorry on her behalf, Gabriella."
Gabriella's lips curved again. "Never mind." But her gaze lingered on Erica's retreating figure.
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School Auditorium
A student meeting wrapped up, the hum of chatter filling the hall. Then a professor announced,
"Next week, we're holding the annual Ms. Beauty Competition! All girls are welcome to participate." She laughed lightly. "Not boys!"
In the front row, Erica's friends whispered excitedly.
"You'll win for sure, Erica."
"Shall I put your name down?"
Erica smiled proudly. "Of course."
From the back row, Gabriella sat silently, watching, smirking.
Later, outside the auditorium, she spotted the notice board with the participant list already pinned.
"What…? They announced the competition just now. How is the list ready already?" she muttered, suspicion dawning. She glanced closer. Rigged.
Her eyes scanned the names. She froze.
"Erica…" she whispered. But then her gaze dropped lower.
Her eyes widened. "My name? Who added me—"
A voice behind her interrupted smoothly.
"It was me. Surprised?"
She turned. Ronnie leaned casually against the wall, his shoulder-length black hair shimmering under the light. He flipped it back, smirking.
Gabriella stared at him, still confused. "Why did you put my name?"
Ronnie stepped closer, his finger brushing lightly against her cheek. She didn't flinch, only locked eyes with him.
"This competition is for extraordinary beauties," he whispered. "Like you."
Gabriella arched a brow, biting her lip before letting out a soft laugh.
"Am I beauty to you?"
Ronnie leaned in, his breath warm against her face.
"I've never seen beauty like yours before." His eyes lingered dangerously.
Gabriella studied him, her mind sharp. Playboy.
Her lips curved into a venomous smile.
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