The harsh fluorescent lights of the restroom became even harsher as Emily splashed cold water on her face. Her mascara had smudged into dark tracks, and the tear streaks stained her cheeks. Anne's parting words echoed in her head. She had never been called ugly before, and especially not by some girl that she was now fighting over Ellis with. Emily bubbled with fury that was hotter than the tears rolling down her cheeks. She could not even believe that she was crying because of that good for nothing Anne. Anne, with her perfectly coiffed hair and that annoyingly condescending laugh, had put her in her place. So much for a confrontation!She had really hoped to be the one putting someone in place as it regarded her and Anne, but here she was sobbing like a middle school girl just because she had been called ugly. She straightened her back after wiping the last streak of tears from her left cheek and looked at herself in the mirror. She was done crying. Now was time for some confidenc
Anne was feeling satisfied with herself. She felt like had conquered Emily and whatever confidence it was that Emily had left. Now, she had to do something that Emily could never bring herself to do. Anne decided to go look for Ellis at the Royale mansion that evening after school, since he had not been in school that day. She wondered why he did not come. She would feign concern for Ellis's absence at school, and do what she had ultimately come for. To tell a lie against Emily. Anne knew that Emily was dead to Ellis and she decided to use this to her own advantage. She wanted to play the smart, quick game.And so, that evening, Anne made her way to the Royale mansion in her expensive car. She had dressed up in what she considered beautiful — a very short leather skirt that exposed her thighs and a crop top that exposed her belly. She was looking provocative, which was another of her aims. To seduce Ellis. The Royale gates swung open, to reveal a manicured expanse of lawn and a spraw
“Hello sir.” Anne greeted cheerfully. She was so sure that Mr Cyrus liked her, after all, he was the one who arranged for her and Ellis to be dates to the event a while back. He had no idea that Mr Cyrus didn’t like her father, and that dislike extended to her and her whole family. They were known for using underhanded tactics to achieve their aim. Just like how her father used blackmail to ensure that Mr Cyrus would make Ellis go with Anne. Mr Cyrus wasn’t stupid, he knew that the man’s aim was to make Ellis like Anne so Anne would become the next Mrs Royale. And from the look of things, Anne was also in on her father’s plan. "How is your father? How is he recovering from the financial scandal He got himself into recently?" Mr Cyrus replied without smiling back at her or being polite.Anne's heart plummeted. Shame washed over her, a hot flush creeping up her neck. The scandal was a dark stain on her family, a constant reminderthat they may soon fall from grace."He is doing well," s
After a while, Mr Cyrus spoke again, directing his attention to Lisa. "Lisa?""Yes, sir," Lisa answered. "What is your educational background like? For some reason, a discussion like that never came up all the times that George talked about you. I guess you both were too busy rolling around in bed to actually have a conversation like normal people."Lisa made to speak, but before she could answer the question directed at her, George had picked it up. "She's a high school drop out, dad," George said, rolling his eyes. What good were these questions? It was not like Mr Cyrus did not know that Lisa was not the woman that George wanted to get married to. Why was his father suddenly interested in her life? Was he planning on actually welcoming Lisa?Mr Cyrus looked at Lisa. He was a little disappointed to hear that she didn’t finish high school. Not because he was looking down on her, but because he was a firm advocate for education. He had several charities to help people who couldn’t
George's eyes began to plead. "No, dad. Please, I beg you. I don't want to go to jail." "Lisa," Mr Cyrus called, "why did you take a drunk stranger to your apartment? What if he had died there?" "Like I told you, sir, I will not put all the blame on your son. That is why I’m also not accusing him of rape. We were both drunk to an extent, even if it’s not really an excuse for bad behaviour. I know it was a stupid thing to do, sir, but I did it out of pity. He had already started getting very touchy in the car, but I ignored it, thinking he would stop once I laid him down, but it only got worse. I just didn’t want to leave him out in the parking lot." Lisa said. "That is why it was a very stupid thing to do! You do not take strangers in just like that. For all you knew, he could have been a criminal! A murderer, a thief, a sought-after vandalizer! Despite the fact that he’s my son, he could have harmed you.”"I am not a criminal, dad," George pleaded. He knew his father. He knew Mr C
“Do I look like I’m joking, George? I have no time for silly games.” Mr Cyrus replied with a stern expression.George took a deep breath as he tried to calm himself down. He knew that getting angry wouldn’t work out in his favour. The ownership of the assets hadn’t been transferred to Lisa’s name yet, so if he played his cards right, he could still get it transferred to him. He already planned to run away as soon as the ownership was handed to him. There was no way his plan would work if his father gave the ownership to Lisa. Why was his father even considering trusting Lisa with all that money? Even though it was only a part of his own share of the Royale wealth, it was still in millions. “Father, there’s no need to make such a rash decision. I’ve married her already, right? I’ve taken responsibility for getting her pregnant. I promise to be more accountable in future, so there’s no need for you to be so cautious. You’ve already punished me, and I’m beginning to learn my lesson, alr
After George left, Ellis came into his father’s office. They had spent the day attending a meeting with the mage council, that was why Ellis hadn’t gone to school. “Now that we’ve settled the issue with George, tell me Ellis, how are you taking the news we got from the council?’ Mr VCyrus asked and Ellis sighed.“Honestly, I don’t know what to feel. We only decided to involve them because the true story of the battle between Araghel and Kraevehd was never documented, and we weren’t able to get anything tangible from the books they lent you. They deliberately gave you the books knowing we would come back to them looking for answers, instead of being truthful from the beginning. I don’t know if we should trust them. Kai Khan warned me to be careful of who I trust.”“We have no choice but to rely on the council now. At least we were able to find out the true history of Kraevehd, and why just the mention of the name instils so much fear among those who know of Cultivation.” He said to El
Emily stared at her reflection in the mirror, smiling at what she saw. A genius. If she was not a genius, she would not have come up with the plan she came up with just a few minutes ago. She straightened her dress and smiled more, a hint of pride playing her lips. Just a few weeks ago, she had been reduced from her state of the Royale College queen to an ordinary, regular face in the school. But all that was all about to change now. Emily's gaze shifted to the object sitting on her dresser - a sleek black compact containing her foundation and concealer. She picked it up slowly and opened it. Dabbing in her brush, she applied some of the makeup on her face. She knew that she was running late for school, but she did not care. To get the attention she wanted, she had to be unusual, to be late. She applied the makeup and proceeded to work on her hair. She had seen a new style on YouTube and decided to try it today, being a Monday. At first, the process of the hair styling was not going