Chapter 10

"Ugh, what bad luck," Lyla muttered as soon as she saw Leah, making her dislike clear. She turned to drag me out of the store. "Eve, there are too many flies here. Let's shop somewhere else." I glanced at Leah. Knowing her, she'd definitely cause some trouble, but I wasn't in the mood to waste any time and energy on them. I nodded to Lyla. "Alright. Let's go." As we started to leave, one of Leah's followers exchanged a look with her before snidely commenting, "Who does she think she is? Everyone knows she's about to go broke, yet she still struts around like she's better than everyone else." Leah pretended to stop her follower, "Don't say that." "What did you say?" Lyla spun around, storming up to the girl with anger in her eyes. She shoved Leah aside, who yelped as she stumbled into a nearby clothing rack. Another one of Leah's followers quickly helped her up. "Leah, are you okay? Lyla, how could you hit her?" "So what if I did? You should keep your filthy mouth shut unless you want me to turn your face into a punching bag!" Lyla moved so quickly that, before I could react, she was already raising her hand to strike the girl. They outnumbered us three to two, and Lyla and I, who were used to a pampered life, couldn't even lift a small water jug, much less win in a fight. Plus, we were the ones who started it. With the college entrance exam just around the corner, I didn't want Lyla to get into any trouble because of me. I quickly grabbed her hand before she could hit anyone and shook my head, but my actions only made them think I was scared. The girl sneered, giving Lyla a sarcastic thumbs-down. "Look at that. Even your master knows better than you. Why are you barking like a stray dog?" In the next instant, a loud slap rang out as my hand connected with the girl's face. Living a second life taught me that one didn't always need to be confrontational and that it was not worth wasting time on people who didn't matter. That was why I had ignored all of Leah's petty schemes lately. But my tolerance seemed to have made them think I was some pushover, weak enough that even my friends could be bullied and humiliated. That slap was sharp and decisive, and almost as soon as it landed, a red handprint appeared on the girl's cheek. No one expected me to strike first. Leah was the first to react. She stared at me in disbelief as she shielded her follower. "Evelyn, why did you hit her?" Lyla instinctively stepped in front of me. "Anyone with a brain knows who started this. Don't play dumb." I ignored Leah and pulled Lyla behind me, locking eyes with the girl I'd just slapped. "You're Agnes, right? I remember you were almost expelled after the last midterm exams because of a fight. Your parents had to beg the principal to let you stay, didn't they?" Silverwood High School was the best in Yardville, attracting students from all walks of life. There were those like Lyla and me, who got in by making hefty donations, and then there were those like Leah and Agnes, who came from modest backgrounds but had excellent grades and got in on merit. The difference between the rich and the poor was that we had more choices and more confidence to back us up. Agnes's face turned pale at my words, but I simply gave her a cold look. "The college entrance exam is tomorrow. I suggest you keep your nose clean, or we can see if you're ready to face the consequences of your actions." Then I turned my gaze to Leah, giving her a pointed warning. She froze for a moment under my stare, but quickly snapped out of it, her eyes filling with tears. "Evelyn, are you threatening us?" "Leah…" I sighed and felt my patience slip away. But I still tried to speak calmly. "You really don't need to keep playing these little games with me. "I've told you many times that I don't like Ethan anymore. You don't need to be hostile toward me, and you don't need to focus all your attention on me. "If you're wise enough, you'll focus on your studies and work on improving yourself. Ethan's grandfather may not care about social status, but his mother certainly does." I finished speaking slowly, and for some reason, none of them said a word. I glanced at Lyla with confusion. She looked at me, her lips moving as if she wanted to say something, but then she just swallowed hard. What were they looking at... Before I could finish the thought, I heard a cold voice behind me, followed by a sarcastic laugh. "Evelyn, if you're so good at predicting the future, can you tell whether you'll get into St. Nicholas University?" Cold sweat broke out on my back. Why was Ethan here? How much of what I said did he hear? Even though I no longer had feelings for Ethan, that didn't mean I could just casually talk about his family affairs. I felt a bit guilty, but mostly I was embarrassed. "Why aren't you talking anymore? You always have so much to say, don't you, Evelyn?" I could hear Ethan's footsteps getting closer, each step echoing in my mind. I swallowed nervously, trying to keep my expression neutral, and turned to face him. "What else would you like to hear, Mr. Grayson? Just tell me, and I'll say it however you want." Even though I knew it was wrong to talk about others behind their backs, and I felt guilty for being overheard, I wasn't about to back down. I knew I was in the wrong, but I couldn't just admit defeat. After all, what I said was for the sake of Leah and Ethan. With a loud crash, Ethan kicked over a row of clothes. Everyone in the store froze, trembling in fear. Even the employees, seeing the damage to their merchandise, didn't dare to say a word. Leah, who had never seen Ethan so angry before, looked at him with tear-filled eyes and whispered, "Ethan..." "Get out!" "Ethan..." Leah tried again. Ethan had no patience left. He kicked over another row of clothes, his voice icy and menacing. "Get out of here! All of you!" Leah and her followers quickly fled, and Ethan tossed a black credit card onto the counter, prompting the employees to quietly leave the store as well. Now, it was just Ethan, Lyla, and me in the shop. Lyla clung to my hand, as if afraid Ethan might harm me, but in truth, she didn't dare provoke him either. I knew his anger was directed at me, so I said to Lyla, "You should wait for me outside. I'll be out in a minute." "No, I..." I glanced at Ethan. He was clearly at the end of his patience. "It's okay," I interrupted Lyla, smiling at her to show that I wasn't worried. "I'll be fine. Just wait for me outside. I'll be out soon." Lyla hesitated and looked at Ethan before reluctantly nodding and leaving the store.