Chapter 18  

Raine and Snow were not twins, but they looked like two peas in a pot, graceful, gentle, and lovely. They were the goddesses in the eyes of the boys, recognized as the most popular girls in high school and college, respectively.   As soon as the two appeared, they attracted the attention of many people.   Raine and Snow greeted a few classmates before sitting down.   “We have been waiting.” Their friends winked at them as soon as they sat down. “See that newcomer of Class B of the eleventh grade over there? The forum is filled with her photos, saying that she is now the most popular girl in the school.”   The two sisters looked back and saw Nicole, a hint of nonchalance flashing in their eyes.   Raine smiled, pretending not to care. “It doesn’t matter. It is not easy to be the most popular girl in Royal Creek Institute.”   “Exactly. Being the most popular girl requires not only good looks but also good grades.”    “Absolutely. Raine and Snow have always scored first on every exam.” The two sisters from the Riddle family could firmly cling to the title of the most popular girls in the school, not just because they were pretty but also because of their outstanding academic performance, in a different league than those girls with only beauty.   “Let’s eat. Most popular or not is up to others to decide. There is no need to care too much.” Snow calmly ordered her meal, as if she did not care about the popularity title.   “Yeah, Snow doesn’t care about this vanity title.” Snow’s friend smiled and rolled her eyes toward Nicole.   Seeing that Nicole did not respond, Bradley rolled his eyes back at them. “Pretentious.”   Lulu scoffed. “Agree. Those two sisters are incredibly showy.”   “It doesn’t matter. Don’t let those random people affect your appetite.” Nicole's beauty was unparalleled even when she smirked.   Lulu and Bradley quickly nodded in agreement. “You are right. Don’t let those random people affect our appetite.”   The three of them looked at each other with a smile and then heartily continued their meals.   Bradley was cheerful, while Lulu was innocent and cute. Nicole could not help but start to chat with them. It was her first time making friends at school, and it felt good.   In the midst of laughter, the three of them finished their lunch. Just as they were about to get up to leave, several people stood in their way.   “You are now the most popular girl in the school?” There were three of them. The leading guy let out a sinister laugh. When everyone saw him, they gasped. That guy was Austin Woods, the notorious school bully of the twelfth grade.   The Woods family was San Joto's famous upstart, very wealthy. Austin was a school flaneur and never scared of anyone except the two Finley brothers.   Nicole looked at the rowdy guy and felt disgusted, her eyes turning frosty. “I am not. Get out of the way.”   All the students in the cafeteria held their breath when Nicole said that. Except for Gary, no one in the school had ever dared to speak to Austin like that.   “Huh? You have got an attitude. I like it.” Austin smiled and reached to touch Nicole’s face.   Not far away, Samuel subconsciously wanted to get up and help but was held down by Spencer. “What are you doing?”   “What am I doing? Someone is bullying my sister. I need to fix him up.”   Nicole might have been snubbing Samuel all this while. He still had this sister at heart. While speaking, Samuel was ready to rush up.   Just then, Austin had suddenly let out a cry. “Ouch! It hurts!”   Samuel and Spencer were stunned. They saw clearly that Nicole was twisting Austin’s wrist. With a quick force, she folded his hand to his back.   Austin was in pain and could only bend down and lean forward. “Let—let me go!” He roared.   “Let you go? You are asking for it.” Nicole scoffed and gave Austin a good kicking in the butt.   “Ouch!” Austin screamed and fell facedown to the floor.   “Austin!” His two companions pulled him up quickly. One of them looked up and scolded Nicole, “You brat! How dare you hit him!”   Nicole glared at him. “Do you want to try, too?”   At this point, both of Austin’s companions were too frightened to speak.   She was obviously only an eleventh-grade student and looked younger than the others. But she possessed a powerful persona.   “She-She can fight?” Samuel looked back at Spencer in surprise.   Spencer also looked at Nicole, his jaw dropping to the ground upon seeing her move. “I am afraid she can.”   Seeing Nicole’s swift move, the two brothers did not dare to go up to help. They were afraid that they would make things worse.   “You, brat! How dare you hit me! Do you know who my father is?” Everyone knew that Austin’s father was the trustee of the school. Offending his son risked being expelled from the school.   “This newcomer is in big trouble.” Raine shook her head and said with a look of regret.   Snow silently continued to watch how things unfolded.   “You should have asked your mom, not me, who your dad is.” Nicole snapped as she haughtily dusted her hands.   Someone in the cafeteria laughed out loud. And then everyone else did the same.   Austin had never been treated like this. He immediately roared, “You brat! You have a death wish!”   While speaking, he raised his hand to hit Nicole. But the next second, he suddenly felt someone grab his hand. The next thing he felt was the world spinning around him before he was thrown to the ground.   “Aah!” Following a painful scream, Austin passed out completely.   The laughter in the cafeteria instantly stopped because everyone saw the perfect over-the-shoulder move Nicole had just pulled off.