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In Brighton Wisdom School – Library
The library was silent except for the faint rustle of pages. Gabriella sat in the far corner, her eyes distant, her fingers clutching the edge of her notebook.
I'm sure Selina and Ronnie are behind Lara's accident, she thought, her brows furrowed. They saw me— they know I witnessed it. That's why they sent Erica and her friends to attack me. But… before I fainted, I saw them. Three Silver Storm members standing right behind Erica's group. Two girls and one boy.
Her thoughts raced faster. There are only two girls in Silver Storm—Selina and Raina. So it had to be them. But that boy… who was he?
She chewed her lip, staring blankly at the open book in front of her. There are three boys—Ronnie, Han, and Jake. Ronnie is definitely involved, I know it. But was it really him standing with them? Han is calm and quiet, he wouldn't… right? Or maybe Jake… mysterious, always smirking, always hiding something.
Suddenly, a loud thud echoed. Gabriella closed her book on the desk too sharply. Every head turned. The silent library reacted with glares and whispers. But Gabriella only leaned back casually, acting cool, as if nothing had happened.
Her mind, however, was sharp as a blade. Yes. He's the mysterious one. I need to find out who that boy was. But I'm sure—Ronnie is one of the culprits. My next target is him.
Her eyes glowed with a dangerous determination, and a poisonous smile curved on her lips.
"Gabriella!" a voice suddenly called.
Gabriella lifted her gaze, and her expression softened into an elegant smile.
"You…" she said smoothly.
It was Anitta. The girl smiled shyly. "Didn't you come to the auditorium?"
Gabriella tilted her head. "For what?"
"Today's the final result of Ms. Beauty competition."
Gabriella chuckled lightly. "Never mind." Then her gaze sharpened. "But tell me, why are you here alone? Where's your friend Erica? You're usually glued to her side."
Anitta's smile faltered. "She's… angry with me." She hesitated, then forced a small smile. "But don't mind that. Let's go to the auditorium."
Gabriella studied her for a moment, then gave a slow nod.
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In the Auditorium
The auditorium buzzed with energy. The audience clapped and cheered as the staff walked onto the stage.
"Now," the staff announced, "time to reveal the finalists of this year's Ms. Beauty competition!"
The first name rang out: "Erica!"
The audience erupted in cheers. Erica, sitting in the front row with her group, smiled confidently, tossing her hair as her friends clapped for her.
"And the second finalist is… Gabriella!"
The cheer that followed was louder, twice as powerful. Gabriella sat in the second row with Anitta, her expression calm, almost cold, as if none of it mattered.
"Congratulations, Gabriella!" Anitta whispered excitedly.
Gabriella's sharp eyes shifted toward her. "You're not upset? I'm competing against your best friend."
Anitta froze. Then she quickly smiled. "You're also my best friend. I'm happy because of you."
In the next row behind them sat Jake, Ronnie, Selina, Han, and Raina. They clapped politely as Gabriella's name was called.
"I'm sure Gabriella will be the winner," Selina muttered.
Raina smirked faintly. "Who knows? She doesn't even care."
The big screen lit up, showing Erica and Gabriella's photos side by side.
"You can now vote for your favorite finalist live through your smartphones!" the staff announced.
Excitement rose like a wave. Students pulled out their phones, voting feverishly. Numbers climbed on the screen, Erica and Gabriella's votes neck and neck.
Jake leaned back, smirking as he tapped on his phone.
Ronnie glanced at him. "Let's vote for Gabriella."
Jake raised a brow. "Shall I? But… I don't want her to win." He let out a sly laugh.
Ronnie's smile disappeared, his jaw tightening as he turned toward him.
Jake's grin widened. His thumb hovered over Erica's name—ready to click.
Suddenly, the screen flickered and went black. Gasps echoed.
The staff stepped forward, smiling. "And now, the judges will cast their final votes."
Five tense minutes crawled by. Finally, the big screen lit again. Erica's photo appeared first. The audience cheered. Erica's smile widened in victory—until her photo shrank into the corner. Gabriella's picture filled the screen.
"She is the winner!" the judges declared.
The auditorium exploded in cheers. Gabriella's name echoed from every side.
Gabriella rose gracefully and walked to the stage. She accepted the trophy with a cold, elegant smile.
"Thank you to all who voted for me," she said softly into the mic, her voice smooth but sharp as glass. "And thank you, Erica, too."
Her smile was sweet—but everyone could feel the sting in her words.
Erica's face darkened, her hands curling into fists.
Gabriella stepped off the stage, her aura radiant. A crowd of students swarmed around her, snapping photos, cheering, following her as she exited.
Erica slammed her hand on her seat and stormed after her.
She reached Gabriella just outside the auditorium, fury burning in her eyes. She raised her hand to shove Gabriella from behind—
But Gabriella moved at the last second. Erica stumbled and fell to the ground.
Gasps. Phones flashed. Students laughed and snapped photos of Erica, sprawled on the floor in humiliation.
Gabriella turned back, smirking. She handed the trophy casually to Anitta, then bent down, her face inches from Erica's.
"Are you satisfied?" she whispered.
Erica's eyes blazed red with anger. "Do you think you're really Ms. Beauty? You cheated!"
Gabriella's cold smile never wavered. "Me? Not at all. You lost because of your own jealousy and selfishness."
She whispered the last words into Erica's ear, poison dripping from every syllable.
Erica trembled. The students around them fell silent, watching the confrontation.
Then Erica smirked suddenly. "You may have won… but you're still an illegitimate child." Her voice rang out, followed by mocking laughter.
The crowd erupted in whispers. The Silver Storm members watched calmly, without reaction.
No one expected what happened next.
Smack!
Gabriella slapped Erica hard across the face. The sound echoed in the silent hall.
Erica froze, stunned. The crowd gasped in shock.
Gabriella leaned in, her face cold, her voice husky and sharp.
"Girls who think their beauty is everything… wasn't that what you said once?"
Erica's eyes widened, the memory of her own words stabbing back at her.
Gabriella's gaze pierced through her. "I beat you with the very thing you worshipped most. And you failed."
Erica's breath quickened, her voice trembling. "Who… who are you?"
Gabriella's lips curved into a poisonous smile. "You know me better than anyone else ever could."
Her words hung heavy in the air, leaving Erica stunned, breathless, and defeated.
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