Gabriella rose from floor, her words cutting through the crowd like a knife.
"Your beauty is worthless… it's beneath my foot."
She turned on her heel and walked away, her presence sharp, leaving Erica stunned on the floor.
Erica's face twisted with rage. She slammed her palm against the tiles. Slap!
Phones clicked—students captured her humiliation, their laughter echoing around her.
"Aaahhh!" Erica shrieked, voice shaking with fury. Her friends rushed in to cover her from the relentless cameras.
Anitta, worried yet determined, hurried after Gabriella.
---
Staircase Encounter
Gabriella's heels struck the steps sharply as she stormed down the staircase. Suddenly, a voice drifted from behind.
"Are you targeting Erica?"
Gabriella stopped mid-step and turned. A boy leaned casually against the railing, blonde hair catching the light as he flipped it back. Jake.
"Me?" Gabriella arched a brow. "She's the one interfering in my path." She smirked slightly. "Just like you."
Jake laughed low, the sound unnerving. He stepped forward quickly, closing the distance. His hand landed firmly against the wall beside her, caging her in.
Gabriella froze, eyes widening.
"I can clearly see there's something between you and Erica," Jake murmured. "Are you using Silver Storm's name to get vengeance on her?"
Her lips pressed together. She bit down slightly before replying, "Why are you interested in my business? Don't tell me… you like me."
Her smile teased.
Jake leaned closer, his face inches from hers, eyes unblinking.
A voice suddenly called from behind, breaking the charged moment.
"Gabriella, where are you?"
She whispered softly, "Anitta…"
Jake smirked. Before she could move, he snatched her waist and pulled her swiftly into an unused classroom, shutting the door behind them.
---
Classroom Tension
Inside, Jake pressed her against the wall—one hand silencing her lips, the other gripping her waist.
Gabriella, furious, bit his hand. He hissed, pulling back.
"Why are you doing this… like some lover hiding me?" she demanded.
Jake winked. "Do we look like lovers?"
"I've never seen someone as weird as you," she muttered.
Suddenly, her phone buzzed. Jake glanced—it was Ronnie.
Gabriella tried to leave, but Jake blocked her path, making her almost collide with him.
"Who's calling?"
She leaned closer, whispering near his face, "None of your business."
Jake smirked, stepping aside.
"I don't care what you do to others," he warned, his voice suddenly bitter, "but if you mess with my friends… I won't leave you."
Gabriella said nothing, her silence as sharp as a blade. Then she walked out.
..some seconds later,The echo of her heels tapped sharply against the staircase as Gabriella descended, her posture regal, her smile faint but dangerous.
"Gabriella!" A voice called from behind.
She turned gracefully, her lips curving into a knowing smile. Ronnie stood there, extending his hand. He clasped hers gently.
"Congrats," he said smoothly.
"Thanks," she replied, her eyes narrowing with curiosity. "But why did you call me?"
Ronnie stepped closer, brushing a loose strand of hair behind her ear. His voice dropped low, a whisper brushing her skin.
"To invite you to a party. In our club," he murmured.
Gabriella raised a brow, amused. "You could've messaged me. Why come all the way here?"
"Because you're special." His fingers lingered near her cheek. He leaned closer, whispering in her ear, "I wanted to invite you myself."
Her lips parted into a playful smile. My prey is walking into my trap by himself… she thought.
A little distance away, Anitta froze. She had seen everything—but instead of confronting, she quietly slipped into the shadows, hiding.
---
Gabriella's House
Roselette lay weakly on the bed, pale yet fierce. Frederick carefully helped her sip the bitter medicine.
The door creaked. Gabriella walked in.
"Mom… when will you be discharged?"
"Afternoon," Frederick replied softly.
But Roselette's sharp eyes went to Gabriella. She clutched her daughter's hand, refusing to let go.
"Tell me now, Andria… why did you go back to that school?"
Frederick tried to intervene. "Roselette, don't—"
"Don't cover up for her," Roselette snapped. "You don't know how much she suffered because of that garbage school!"
Roselette's jaw tightened. "Did you file a case against them, Frederick?"
"No…" Frederick began, but Roselette cut in with trembling anger.
"Why not? Why didn't you protect her?"
Gabriella's voice dropped, cold and sharp. "Because I told him not to. Law is blind, Mom. It only protects the higher class. I don't believe in it. The law can't give the same pain I felt. Only I can give that."
Her eyes gleamed with determination as she turned and walked away.
"Andria! ANDRIA!" Roselette called desperately. But Gabriella didn't look back.
Frederick gently held Roselette. "Don't worry. I'm behind her. I won't leave her alone." His gaze, however, darkened.
Then his phone rang. He answered, and his face stiffened.
"What?!" His voice thundered. "How dare she…" The call ended abruptly.
He dialed another number immediately, his tone icy. "Prepare everything. Legal documents too. Tomorrow. And arrange a press meet." His face turned stone cold.
---
Down-Town Club
The music pulsed, lights flashing red and violet. Ronnie held Gabriella's hand, guiding her into the crowd.
"Dance with me," he asked, but Gabriella hesitated, sipping her drink instead.
Girls flocked to Ronnie, pulling him to dance. He went, but his eyes never strayed far from Gabriella.
Sitting at her table, Gabriella slipped a small pill into a glass, stirring it casually.
Moments later, Ronnie came back, leaning close. "You know, I was the one who added your name in Ms. Beauty competition. I knew you'd win. You're the most beautiful girl in our school." His whisper tickled her ear.
Gabriella smirked. "So confident…"
Ronnie tilted his head, lips almost brushing hers. "Not your first kiss, right?"
Her smile turned sharp. "No. Your friend Jake already stole my first kiss."
Ronnie chuckled. "Doesn't matter. I want you." He slid his arm around her waist.
Just as their lips nearly touched, Gabriella raised the glass between them. "Drink first."
Ronnie grinned, downing the glass in one go.
At that moment, Selina and Raina appeared.
"What a surprise," Selina teased. "Are you two that close now?"
Gabriella playfully shoved Ronnie back. "Not what you think."
Raina leaned near Gabriella's ear, whispering, "Don't trust him. He's a playboy."
"I know," Gabriella replied with a sly smile.
Ronnie pulled her away again. "Let them enjoy. We're going upstairs."
But suddenly, Ronnie staggered, his steps unsteady. He leaned against the wall, dizzy.
"I only drank one glass…" he muttered, blinking.
Gabriella's eyes sharpened. She grabbed his shirt, pinning him to the wall. Her voice was low and dangerous.
"Why were you following Lara before her accident? Are you behind it?"
Ronnie's lips curled in a foolish smile, the drug loosening his tongue. "Yes…"
Her eyes blazed. "Why?"
"She had… evidence… of our—" His words broke off.
"What evidence?" she demanded.
But before he could speak, the lights cut out. Darkness swallowed the room.
Gasps echoed, voices complaining. When power returned, Ronnie was gone.
Gabriella's eyes widened. She searched frantically, finally running downstairs.
"Where's Ronnie?" she demanded from Selina and Raina.
"Wasn't he with you?"
A voice cut through the noise. "He's with me."
They turned. Jake carried a limp Ronnie and placed him on the sofa, staring straight at Gabriella.
Raina narrowed her eyes. "Strange. We didn't see you inside earlier."
Jake smirked. "I just arrived. Found him outside babbling nonsense."
Gabriella forced a laugh. "Didn't think his alcohol capacity was this low."
Selina muttered, "He's not like that…"
Jake only smiled. Gabriella's thoughts raced.
---
Outside the Club
An hour later, the group spilled out into the night.
Jake turned back. "Forgot my phone inside. I'll catch up."
Gabriella is helping Ronnie to the car. Raina sat in the driver's seat, Selina nearby.
Then a sharp voice rang out. "Ronnie!"
They turned. Anitta stormed forward, her eyes blazing. She seized Ronnie's collar.
"How dare you cheat on me?!"
Ronnie shoved her hands away. "I told you already—it's over. Why are you following me everywhere?"
"You forgot me this easily?" she shouted, tears threatening.
Selina and Raina froze. Gabriella smirked inwardly. So that's why she was sneaking around. Not for Jake… but for Ronnie.
Ronnie suddenly grabbed Gabriella's hand. "She's my girlfriend now. Don't bother me again."
Everyone gasped. Raina and Selina stared, stunned. Jake, stepping out of the club, stopped dead in shock. Gabriella herself was frozen.
Anitta's face twisted with betrayal. "How can you steal your friend's boyfriend?" she accused Gabriella.
Gabriella coolly removed her hand from Ronnie's grip. "First of all, you're not my friend." She smirked wickedly.
Anitta's chest tightened with pain. Tears burned her eyes.
Ronnie sneered. "You're just a gold digger. Don't act innocent now."
Anitta stumbled back, crying openly, her world shattering.
Gabriella leaned close, whispering venom into Anitta's ear.
"How does it feel, being betrayed by your friend?"
Anitta's breath caught. Her eyes widened, trembling with heartbreak.
"You…" she whispered, her voice breaking.
Gabriella only smiled—sharp, poisonous, triumphant.
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