----
Backstage…
The backstage was dim, quiet, and tense. The faint glow of a laptop screen lit the space.
Raina entered swiftly, her heels echoing on the floor.
"Where is it?" she asked sharply.
A man sat in front of the laptop, his back to her. Raina moved behind him, arms folded. Suddenly, a hand from the shadows slipped a pendrive into her palm.
Her lips curved. "Why did you stop the video before it ended?"
The man finally turned, his face slowly clearing from the darkness—Jake.
He leaned back lazily, expression cool and unreadable.
"Because," Jake said, putting a cigarette to his lips, "I don't want it."
Raina chuckled, a sly grin forming. "Good. If I exposed her now, it wouldn't be interesting. I want her to suffer first… to see fear in her eyes. That's exactly what I want. She won't dare to mess with me again."
Her smile slowly faded when Jake didn't respond. He lit the cigarette with a flick of his lighter, stylishly exhaling smoke, his face blank.
Raina turned to leave, but with a quick flick, she threw the pendrive toward him.
Jake caught it effortlessly, eyebrow slightly raised.
"Keep it for me," she said, not turning back.
Jake stared at her, confused. "Did you watch the full video?"
"Not yet," he replied casually.
Raina smirked. "Aren't you curious? About her? About who she really is?"
Jake blew smoke to the side, shrugging. "I'm not."
Raina smiled slyly. "Watch it if you want. You might be surprised." Then she walked out, heels clicking against the floor.
Jake stared at the pendrive in one hand and his cigarette in the other. A smirk tugged his lips as he slipped the pendrive into his pocket. Leaning back in his chair, he exhaled slowly, smoke swirling in the dim light.
---
Canteen – Brighton Wisdom School
Gabriella sat at the table, her sandwich untouched. Her eyes were distant, mind clouded. Across from her, Dona sipped her cola, watching closely.
"Are you still upset?" Dona asked gently. "Don't worry, I won't let Erica get away with this."
Gabriella shook her head, forcing a small smile. "Erica only recorded the video… but the one who played it on stage—it wasn't her. The real mastermind is Raina."
Dona's eyes widened. "What?! Then that means… Silver Storm already knows who you are? Who you really are?"
Gabriella narrowed her eyes at her friend. "Wait… I never told you why I want revenge on them, or who I am. How do you—?"
Dona's voice panicked. "I-I guessed… from the video clip. You were about to reveal yourself in it, right?" She smiled nervously.
Gabriella nodded slowly, though suspicion lingered. "Maybe not the whole Silver Storm… but Raina knows."
Suddenly, Selina appeared at their table. Dona forced a polite smile, but Gabriella remained calm, sipping her drink.
"Hi, Dona," Selina smiled warmly at her—before her face stiffened at the sight of Gabriella.
"Didn't expect to see you here," Selina said coolly. "Are you joining any competition?"
"Yes, guitar," Dona answered quickly.
Gabriella ignored their small talk. Selina glanced back at her with sharp eyes. "Tomorrow is my engagement party. Don't forget to come—Royalty Hotel." She handed an invitation to Dona, who accepted eagerly. Then Selina placed another invitation in front of Gabriella.
"You too. But listen," Selina leaned slightly closer, "I don't want any drama there. So behave."
She left, heels clicking against the floor.
Dona looked at Gabriella. "Are you going?"
Gabriella smiled faintly. "No. It's one of their traps."
"But Gabby," Dona insisted, "if you don't go, you'll never know about the pendrive. This could be your chance."
Gabriella fell into silence, thinking.
Suddenly, her eyes caught a struggling student carrying multiple food boxes toward the entrance. Gabriella whispered something under her breath and quickly stood up.
"Gabby? Wait!" Dona followed her, but Gabriella pressed a hand to her lips.
"Shh."
They tailed the girl quietly down the dark corridor that led to the indoor swimming pool.
There, they saw it—Erica grabbing the delivery girl's hair, scolding her. Around them stood Harry, Anitta, and others, bullying a group of weaker students. They shoved, laughed, and threw leftover food at them.
Dona gasped, horrified. "I heard about bullying in Brighton Wisdom… but this… this is cruel."
Gabriella's eyes narrowed. "So, I was right. Raina's given Erica her authority back… because Erica handed my video over to her."
She stepped forward, but Dona stopped her. "No! If you interfere now, Raina will get angry, and our whole plan will collapse."
Gabriella smirked. "Don't worry. I have another idea." She whispered quickly into Dona's ear.
A few moments later, Gabriella peeled the bandages off her hand and silently counted down.
"Three… two… one…"
Suddenly, the entire pool area went dark.
"What's happening?!" Erica's voice rang out, shaky.
"Go check the power box!" Harry ordered, but his voice trembled.
Then came a splash. A scream. Gasps echoed.
Erica turned on her phone torch, and the beam landed directly on Gabriella's face.
"You!" she gasped.
Gabriella smirked, slapped Erica hard, and pushed her straight into the pool. Water splashed high as Erica flailed.
Harry panicked. "Erica!" He rushed forward, but Dona shoved him in too, laughing. "Then help her!"
Chaos erupted. Gabriella fought Erica's friends fiercely in the dark, Dona at her side. Poor students scattered, confused.
Ten minutes later, the lights flickered back on. Erica, Harry, and Anitta were all floundering in the pool, dripping wet and humiliated.
The bullied students stood at the edge, watching. One boy suddenly threw his leftover bun—straight into Harry's mouth. The entire group of poor students burst out laughing.
Humiliated, Erica whispered under her breath, trembling with rage. "Andria…"
But Gabriella was already gone, walking calmly out of the pool area. One student gasped, recognizing her silhouette.
---
Outside the Swimming Pool
Gabriella and Dona ran outside, bursting into laughter.
"I enjoyed that so much!" Dona grinned.
"Me too," Gabriella admitted, sighing in relief. "It's been so long since I fought like that. I feel alive again."
They walked off together, their laughter echoing behind them.
---
Royalty Hotel – Engagement Party
The hotel rooftop gleamed under golden lights, draped with white and red roses. Luxury cars lined the entrance. Guests in glittering gowns and suits mingled with champagne flutes in hand.
Han stood proudly beside Selina, both smiling as they greeted people. Nearby, Raina chatted with her circle of friends, her violet slit gown catching every gaze. Jake appeared beside her, silent, observing.
Then the grand doors opened. A hush spread through the crowd.
A girl entered, wearing a crimson red slit gown. Her wavy hair shimmered under the lights, her smile brighter than the chandeliers.
Gasps followed. Raina's eyes narrowed.
"Gabriella…"
She walked straight toward Raina, ignoring the whispers, her eyes sharp and poisonous.
"You look gorgeous," Gabriella said sweetly, eyes flicking down. "But one thing's missing… your heels."
Raina froze, her smile venomous. "Oh? But wait—I heard you were looking for the owner of those limited-edition royal blue heels. That's me."
Their eyes locked. Gabriella leaned closer. "You don't believe me right ? Look,Something is really missing from your heels. —one stone is gone."
Raina quickly glanced down and noticed it. Her chest tightened.
"You have sharp eyes," she said coldly. "I must have lost it somewhere here."
Gabriella smirked and raised her hand, revealing the missing stone. "No. You lost it exactly where. And I found it from there."
Raina's smile faltered, her eyes darkening.
The air between them grew tense, electric, poisonous. A silent war in a single glance.
"Gabby, you came!" Dona suddenly interrupted, breaking the heavy silence.
Raina swiftly snatched the stone from Gabriella's hand, her face blank. "Thanks," she said flatly, and turned away.
Gabriella's eyes followed her coldly. Dona blinked between them. "What's going on?"
Gabriella smiled faintly, her voice low and sharp. "A cold war."
Raina stopped mid-step, her heart skipping—Gabriella's words cut sharper than a blade.
---