"Velora, since your father's already handled the paperwork, why don't you just go to Lyceum?" Henry suggested.
The woman was insufferable—fragile, always playing the victim and crying to anyone who would listen, especially Darell, who always took her side. Velora wanted nothing to do with her.
"Oh," Henry said, raising an eyebrow, picking up on the obvious distaste in her voice. "You really hate Leila that much?"
"Hate doesn't even begin to cover it," Velora replied, her voice thick with disgust. "I really can't stand her."
"Oh…" Henry dragged the word out, a teasing glint in his eye. "So, are you afraid of her, then?"
Velora blinked. "Huh? Afraid? What are you talking about?"
"Afraid?" she repeated, outraged. "How could I be afraid of her? Are you insulting me?"
The thought of Leila—fragile, defenseless, utterly harmless—was laughable. Velora could break her with a single thought.
Henry smiled, knowing he had her now. With the skill of an experienced puppeteer, he watched her react.
"Oh, so you're not afraid? I thought you didn't want to go to school because of her. I assumed you were too scared to face her."
"I'm not scared! It's just annoying, okay?"
"Oh, afraid of a little hassle? That's totally understandable. After all, even the best have their weak spots."
"Ugh!" Velora's temper flared, her blood pressure rising. He was totally looking down on her. With a huff, she retorted, "Who said I'm scared? It's just school with Leila. No big deal. I'll go!"
"Really? You sure it's not too much to handle?"
"It's not a big deal!" Velora replied, her voice firm.
"Well then. I'm looking forward to seeing you in action."
It was as if a fog had settled over Velora. She couldn't shake the feeling that she was being manipulated, played like a puppet on someone else's strings.
Poor thing—her emotional intelligence and IQ were inversely proportional.
Growing up in such a distorted environment had left her as naïve as a newborn fawn. Henry, with his heart as black as night, was the perfect predator to exploit her innocence.
The vacation was over. Velora resigned herself to the inevitable—joining Leila for the first day of school. Ace, ever the dutiful brother, volunteered to drive his little sister to her new academic adventure.
When they reached the car, it was clear Ace was driving, but that left the passenger seat in question.
Velora, knowing how Leila loved to compete, assumed she'd be the first to jump in.
But to her surprise, Leila smiled sweetly and walked to the back seat, opening the door.
"Velora, you should sit in front. Ace likes chatting with you more anyway," Leila said, her voice sugary sweet.
As soon as Leila spoke, Ace arched a brow, his deep gaze sweeping over her with an unreadable calm.
Instantly, he saw right through her intentions, thinking, Ha. Can't get her way by force, so now she's trying sweet talk? Leila wouldn't come up with that on her own—this has Susan, that sly fox, written all over it.
Velora, however, was a straightforward kid and didn't catch Leila's insincerity. Her wide, clear eyes lingered on Leila before she spoke up.
"Leila?"
"Yes?" Leila asked, maintaining her perfect smile.
Velora raised an eyebrow, clearly puzzled. "Did you hit your head or something? What's going on with you?"
Leila's carefully constructed smile faltered. She clenched her jaw and hissed through gritted teeth, "The only one with a problem is you, Velora."
She was screaming inside, Damn it, Velora. If you don't know what to say, can't you just keep your mouth shut?
Velora let out a small sigh of relief. "Ah, so no head injury? Good to know. Looks like it's just your acting skills that are off… today."
Leila's face twitched with frustration, practically fuming. Mor wants me to get along with Velora to keep up appearances, but this is impossible! That girl is downright toxic! she thought.
Ace, who had been watching the scene unfold, couldn't help himself. He chuckled under his breath and gave Velora a playful pat on the head.
"Velora, you're just too cute."
"I am not cute!" Velora swatted his hand away, frowning. "I'm going for a cool vibe here."
She was channeling her inner action movie heroine—sunglasses on, heart of stone. Cool.
"You? Cool?" Ace couldn't hold back his laughter as he looked her over. She was definitely cute—small, petite, with soft cheeks and wide eyes. There was nothing cool about her.
Velora tossed her head back defiantly. "What, I'm not cool?"
Ace, who always saw Velora through rose-colored glasses, thought everything she did was charming. But he knew better than to say it out loud. Instead, he smiled and hugged her.
"Okay, okay, Velora's super cool. Happy now?"
Velora pushed him away, feigning a serious expression. "Don't mess with Cool Velora, okay?"
"Yes, ma'am." Ace grinned, playing along.
Velora put on a nonchalant facade, but inside, she was giddy with excitement.
Ace's not so bad after all, she thought. I used to tell everyone in the Special Operations Division that I wanted to be tough, and they'd all laugh. But Henry, with his sharp eye, saw right through me and appreciated my coolness. And now Ace does too. Looks like they have more in common than I thought.
Leila, standing in the background, seethed with frustration. Watching Ace—normally distant and aloof—act like a complete softie in front of Velora was infuriating. If looks could kill, she would've sent them both to the grave right there.
After dropping the two girls off at school, Ace drove off. Leila, now alone with Velora, gave her a sly look.
"Velora, you've hardly been to school. Aren't you nervous about starting here?"
"Nervous? Why would I be nervous?" Velora was genuinely confused.
Leila covered her mouth and giggled. "You, an illiterate, aren't at all nervous about coming to an elite university? I have to say, you've got some thick skin!"
Velora shot her a glance. "You looking for trouble?"
Leila really had a mouth on her.
Leila, seeing Velora's fists clench, felt a familiar ache in her leg—a memory of being flattened by Velora's fury.
She gritted her teeth, trying to keep her composure. Don't get too cocky, Velora. You hit someone here, and they'll kick you out so fast you won't know what hit you.
"Oh!" Velora didn't miss a beat, and before Leila could finish her sentence, she threw a punch straight at her.