The classroom had barely emptied when Chantel slammed her designer notebook onto the desk, making nearby students flinch. Her heels clicked sharply against the floor as she paced back and forth, jaw tight and eyes blazing.
"I… I can't believe it!" she hissed. Marissa, her closest friend, leaned in cautiously. "Chantel… calm down. He's gone. Don't make a scene."
"Calm down? Calm down?" Chantel spat, voice sharp. "That café girl she actually got attention! She got praised! Her! Me? Absolutely nothing!"
Marissa swallowed, hesitant. "Chantel, you know he rarely praises anyone. Maybe—"
"Maybe?" Chantel cut her off, voice rising. "She stood there alone, with that broken laptop, and actually… got noticed! I had everything looks, status, style and she gets the spotlight!"
Across the room, Valeria quietly packed her tote. She felt the sting of whispers and the heat of gazes, but she didn't flinch. She had survived her first real test alone no partner, no luxury, no borrowed influence just preparation and skill.
Chantel's teeth clenched. "She'll pay for this. Oh, she's going to regret ever standing there alone! No one outshines me!"
Marissa tried again, voice trembling slightly. "Maybe you should just… let it go? He'll notice you eventually."
"Let it go?!" Chantel laughed bitterly, sharp as broken glass. "That girl doesn't belong here. Not the academy, not anywhere! And yet… she was seen differently. That will never happen again. I'll make sure of it."
With a dramatic toss of her hair, Chantel stormed out of the building, ignoring Marissa's protests. She hailed a black luxury car waiting outside. The driver, always punctual, opened the door for her with a respectful nod.
"Home. Now."
The city blurred past as the car sped toward her family mansion a sprawling estate perched atop the hill, every corner dripping with wealth, power, and untouchable privilege.
Once inside, Chantel burst through the grand doors, barely catching her breath. "Mother, Father! You won't believe what happened today!"
Her parents looked up from their conversation, shock instantly registering. "Chantel… what is it?" her mother asked, graceful yet concerned.
"She actually… she actually got noticed!" Chantel blurted, voice trembling with frustration.
Her father leaned forward, brow furrowed. "Noticed… by whom?"
Chantel waved her hands impatiently, pacing. "Don't you understand? The royal… cold-eyed… Adrian De Vere Leone himself came to the academy!"
Her mother gasped, eyes widening. "Adrian De Vere Leone? The prince of the De Vere Royal Conglomerate? The man whose presence alone makes people shiver?"
"Yes! That man! And he actually he looked at her! He… praised her!" Chantel's voice cracked with fury. "Can you believe it? Me? Everything I have, everything I am—and that girl got noticed instead!"
Her father's expression darkened. "Chantel… this man doesn't praise anyone. Not friends, not family, not business rivals. The fact he even looked at her…" His voice trailed, leaving the weight of his words hanging.
Her mother's hand flew to her mouth. "Chantel… you mean… the cold, ruthless, untouchable Adrian came to the college? And praised a girl?"
"Yes! And now I—" Chantel stopped herself, fists tightening. "I'll make sure that girl regrets ever stepping foot near him. Nobody outshines me. Nobody!"
Her parents exchanged glances, a mixture of concern and intrigue. Her father's voice was low, almost warning: "Be careful, daughter. That man's… aura isn't something to play with. He doesn't forget. He doesn't forgive. And he certainly doesn't tolerate foolishness."
Chantel's grin was predatory. "I know. That's why it'll be more fun. I'll use everything we have to make her stumble. I'll… I'll make her life hell."
Meanwhile, Leonard trailed Adrian outside the academy, notebook in hand but eyes locked on the departing students.
"She's bold," Leonard murmured. "Not afraid, not desperate… just capable. I've never seen him react like that."
Adrian's gaze, cold and unreadable, swept over the departing students. No words. No praise. Just quiet, piercing observation heavier than any compliment ever could be.
Back in her modest apartment, Valeria let herself slump onto the worn couch. Bills stacked on the counter, groceries running low, her laptop humming quietly beside her it was all a reminder of her struggle. She didn't celebrate, didn't brag. She simply pulled her notes closer, adjusting budgets, sketching plans for her small organic beauty product line, silently preparing for whatever challenges lay ahead.
Outside, the city lights flickered on, the world divided between the privileged and the persistent. Chantel was already planning, scheming from her mansion, while Valeria worked quietly, unaware that this was only the beginning of the storm.
And somewhere in a high-rise office downtown, Adrian remained silent. Leonard noticed the unusual spark in his boss's gaze toward the girl who had held her own. No words. No praise. Just cold, calculating observation.
And the game had begun.