Chapter 34 — STEAL LUCK (2)
1 hr before the Fall
When Violet stood at the podium, her voice steady as she delivered her speech, Principal Aiden's phone vibrated quietly in his pocket.
He frowned, excused himself with a brief nod to the MC, and stepped out of the grand hall.
The moment he answered, his secretary's voice came through, low and urgent.
"Principal… Julia Crescent is here."
Aiden stopped walking.
"She came alone," the secretary added. "She says she's here to sign out."
Aiden's eyes darkened. "I'll handle it," he said calmly, before ending the call.
And somewhere, unseen, the final thread was already tightening.
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Meanwhile—
Violet had just stepped down from the stage, applause still echoing behind her, when her wrist was suddenly caught.
Before she could react, she was pulled away from the grand hall.
"Hey—!"
Andrea didn't stop walking.
They turned a corner, out of sight, the noise of the ceremony fading behind them.
Violet stumbled slightly. "Andrea, what are you—"
He stopped abruptly, turning to face her.
"Wow," he said, crossing his arms. "Family. Friends. Teachers. Even principals."
He leaned in, eyes sharp with mock offense.
"But not a single mention of me, huh? Really, wife?"
Violet blinked. "When I said friends, I meant everyone. That includes you."
Andrea's brows lifted. "Oh? So we're just friends ?"
"Yes," Violet answered, stunned. ". we're friends"
"Friends," he scoffed softly his voice sounding hurt."Maybe this will help you understand the difference between a friend and your husband."
Before she could react, Andrea leaned in and bit her lower lip—hard.
"HEY!" Violet yelped, shoving him back. "You dog! What is wrong with you?!"
Andrea only smiled.
"That's your punishment," he said lightly. "Next time, I won't stop at a bite. So be careful, wife
Violet stood frozen, shocked, heart pounding far too fast.
Unseen by them— Melissa stood a short distance away.
She had witnessed everything.
Her face flushed red, heat crawling up her neck. Without a word, she turned away and left, not wanting them to notice her.
Inside Violet's head, Vira snorted.
Tch.Host And you say you don't want him.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
40 minutes before the fall
Melissa needed air.
Somewhere quiet.
Somewhere far from laughter and fireworks and whispered congratulations.
She climbed up to the rooftop.
The night was cool. The noise below was distant.
She didn't expect to see anyone there, But Jeff was already there, deep in thought.
"Hi…" she whispered hesitantly. "Can I sit?"
Jeff startled slightly, then nodded quickly. "Y—yeah. Of course."
He scooted over, giving her space.
After a moment of awkward silence, Melissa spoke.
"I'm sorry," she said quietly. "For almost ruining everything. For all of you."
Jeff scratched the back of his head. "It's… it's okay. You told the truth. That's what mattered."
Silence stretched between them.
Then Jeff asked, carefully, "If you don't mind me asking, Why did you do it?"
Melissa stared at the floor, thinking of how to answer.
"Jealousy," she admitted. "I was always told Andrea would be mine. And then I saw him chase someone who wasn't me."
She laughed softly. "I think I snapped."
Jeff hesitated. "Do you… still like him?"
Melissa shook her head.
"No. This is a secret, but… I don't think I ever really liked him."
She paused.
"I just saw him and Violet kiss. And I felt nothing."
Jeff's heart skipped.
He adjusted his glasses, suddenly nervous.
It was silent for a few minutes before Jeff spoke up.
"Melissa," he said, blurting out, "I have something to tell you."
She turned to him.
"Not now," he added quickly. "Maybe… much later. In the future."
Then, with a deep breath— "When I become a big surgeon someday… marry me."
Melissa froze.
"…What?"
"I like you," Jeff said earnestly. "So when that day comes, I'll ask you again. You won't be allowed to say no."
Before she could respond, Jeff stood up, face red, leaned down, pecked her cheek, and ran.
"WAIT—JEFF—!"
But he was already gone.
Melissa sat there, stunned.
Her heart raced erratically. Her cheeks burned. Her mind went blank.
Surprised.Shocked.Flabbergasted.
After a while, she finally stood up, still dazed, and headed back down.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
15 minutes before the fall
As Melissa reached the hallway leading back to the grand hall— A hand grabbed her arm.
Hard.
"Let go of me!" she shouted, struggling. "LET GO—!"
She was dragged toward the stairwell, toward the upper level.
Then— The person turned.
The hood slipped back.
Melissa's breath caught.
"Julia…?"
Clara smiled faintly.
"Melissa," she said softly. "It's me."
Her eyes were dark. Too calm.
"Let's talk," Clara continued, tilting her head. "Shall we?"
And somewhere below— Laughter echoed.
Music played.
Unaware that the unexpected had already begun...
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If anyone asked Clara whether Melissa was meant to be her victim tonight— She would laugh.
Melissa was never the target.
After the signatures were done, after Imperial High officially severed ties with her, Clara hadn't come here to steal Melissa's luck.
She had come for Violet. The ultimate target.
Her system had made it clear, Put Violet in danger.
Fear is the fastest way to steal luck.
Break her composure, Corner her.
Threaten what she values.
That was the plan.
And yet— On her way through the upper floors, searching for Violet, Clara passed by the rooftop.
And that was when she saw them.
Jeff.
Melissa.
The boy leaned in, awkward, flustered—then pressed a quick kiss to Melissa's cheek before fleeing like a startled rabbit.
Clara stopped.
Her steps froze.
For a second, she simply stared, stunned, disgusted.
So that's how it is.
Jeff.
After everything.
After all she had done for Melissa.
After Melissa betrayed her—confessing about the clothes, choosing Violet's side— She is now with Jeff.
That loser.
"No, she won't allow it, Melissa can't give up on Andrea".
And so the plan shifted.
Not deliberately.
Not calmly.
But emotionally.
And emotions were dangerous.
Which was how Clara ended up here.
"Really, Melissa?" Clara's voice cut through the first floor of the grand hall
"You and Jeff?"
Melissa turned sharply.
Clara stepped away from Melissa, her hoodie pulled low, eyes bright with something unstable.
"That loser?" Clara continued, smiling thinly.
"What happened to Andrea? To your dream life together?"
Melissa frowned.
"Julia," she said firmly, cutting her off. "Why are you so invested in Violet and Andrea?"
Clara's smile twitched.
"I don't like Andrea," Melissa continued. "I'm giving up."
The words landed wrong.
Too calmly, Too decisively.
Clara stiffened.
"Why go to such an extent for a guy, Julia?" Melissa asked quietly.
"Do you like him too?"
For the first time—Clara faltered.
"What—no," she stammered, a beat too fast.
"No, of course not. What are you saying?"
Her breath came uneven.
"I did all of this for you," she insisted.
"You're my friend. My best friend."
Her voice sharpened.
"She stole your man, Melissa. We can't just let her win like that."
Melissa shook her head slowly.
"But he was never mine in the first place."
Clara froze.
"I thought I liked him," Melissa admitted. "But I don't. And even if I did—he doesn't like me back."
She exhaled.
"So it's better to let go."
She met Clara's eyes.
"I'm sorry, Julia. But I'm tired. I want out."
Then— Melissa turned around.
She took one step.
Then another.
And something inside Clara snapped.
Not rage, Not hatred.
Fear.
Fear of being left alone, Fear of losing the last thread binding her to control.
Her lips parted.
"System," she whispered hoarsely.
"Hypnotize."
The air seemed to tighten.
Melissa suddenly gasped.
A sharp pain struck deep in her chest—violent, piercing, as if something invisible had rammed straight through her heart.
She staggered.
Her hand flew to her chest.
"What—?" she breathed.
But—
Something resisted.
The pain didn't spread the way it should have.
The command didn't sink fully.
Clara's eyes widened.
"What…?" she whispered.
Melissa's breathing was uneven now, but she was still conscious. Still herself.
The faint scent of perfume drifted between them.
Sweet.
Flowery.
The perfume Violet had given her the day before.
The one Melissa had chosen to wear today.
Clara stared.
And for the first time that night— Unease crawled up her spine.
Melissa staggered.
Her legs suddenly felt hollow, as if the strength had been drained straight out of her bones. She grabbed the railing instinctively, nails scraping against cold metal.
"Julia…" her voice came out hoarse, uneven. "What did you do to me?"
Clara's eyes darkened.
"You will not give up on Andrea," she said sharply. "You will listen to me."
Her jaw tightened.
"System—hypnotize."
The air shifted.
It wasn't visible, not exactly—but it pressed. Like something invisible slammed into Melissa's chest, again.
Melissa gasped, pain blooming deep inside her ribs.
But it didn't take.
The pressure recoiled.
She coughed, choking, yet still standing.
The scent of the perfume spread, again. This time stronger.
Again.
Clara's voice rose, strained. "System—hypnotize her!"
Another wave struck.
Stronger.
Colder.
Melissa cried out, falling to one knee—but once more, something resisted. The force cracked against an unseen barrier and scattered, while the flowery scent took over.
Inside Clara's mind, the system's voice sounded tight.
Host… I can't hypnotize her. In fact I'm feeling weak, Something is wrong.
Very wrong.
Clara's breath hitched.
"What?" she hissed internally. "You useless thing—why didn't you tell me earlier?"
Her expression changed instantly.
The sharpness vanished.
Concern replaced it like a mask snapping into place.
"Melissa?" Clara said softly, stepping forward, when she got closer, she felt nauseous,Melissa scent disgusted her, too sweet,too flowery,but she had to act.
"What's wrong? Are you okay?".She reached out as if to help.
Melissa slapped her hand away and stumbled back, fury blazing through the pain.
"Don't touch me!" she screamed. "What did you do to me, you crazy bitch?!"
Clara raised her hands defensively, feigning shock.
"What are you talking about?" she said calmly. "What could I possibly do to you?"
Melissa's breathing was ragged.
"You said it," she shot back. "I heard you. 'System, hypnotize.' What system? Did you try to control me?"
Her eyes widened slightly, realization crashing down.
"…You have a system, don't you?"
For a fraction of a second— Clara froze.
Then she laughed lightly.
"Melissa," she said gently, taking another step closer, "I told you to stop reading those ridiculous novels. You're imagining things."
She reached out again.
"Stay away from me!" Melissa screamed, terror finally bleeding through her anger.
She turned and ran.
Behind her, the system's voice spiked with urgency.
Host—don't let her go. She knows about me. Stop her.
Panic surged through Clara.
Her thoughts raced.
Hypnosis won't work.
Then— An idea.
Fast. Desperate.
"Can I steal her luck?" Clara demanded internally.
Yes, the system answered.
Clara's eyes sharpened.
"Then do it."
The air collapsed.
With the last of the systems power, something dark surged forward—thick, heavy, unseen—wrapping around Melissa like chains made of shadow.
She was yanked backward violently.
"No—!" Melissa screamed as something was pulled from her chest, invisible threads tearing free.
Her body convulsed, pain ripping through her.
The pink heart perfume scent on her body shimmered faintly—fighting back, Then vanished as if it's never been there.
The shadows wavered.
Then— Footsteps echoed.
"What's going on there?" a man's voice called out sharply. "What's are you doing to her, let's her go?"
A security guard.
Clara's eyes snapped toward the sound.
Fear overtook calculation.
"Now," the system hissed.
Without hesitation— The force shoved Melissa backward.
Over the railing.
Her scream was cut short by the rush of air.
Then— Silence.
Clara turned and ran.
Behind her, the balcony stood empty.
Below—The sound of impact reach the hall seconds later.
And by then— It was already too late.