Kaia slapped Philip hard across the face, her eyes cold.
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Philip’s eyes bulged as he stared at Kaia in shock. “You hit me, huh?” he growled, burning with rage as he reached out to grab her collar.
Before he could touch her, Kaia slapped him again–then again and again. Each hit landed with a loud smack, jerking his head to the side. His cheek swelled
up
“Kaia!” Philip shouted, his voice shaking with fury.
fast.
“What?” Kaia snapped. “Want a few more?” She raised her hand again, and Philip instinctively ducked.
Kaia scoffed and turned to leave, not even sparing him a glance.
Philip stood there, teeth clenched, eyes bloodshot. He wanted nothing more than to wring her neck.
You bitch, just wait!‘ he thought. ‘I’ll make you pay. I’ll make you beg for
my
attention.‘
*******
It was the 20th–just a few days left until the 28th.
Lately, the news had been buzzing about a breakthrough in nanomaterial research.
That night, the Bennett family members were eating dinner together while watching TV.
[Earlier this month, the research team led by Dr. Bennett at the National Research Institute finally developed a brand–new nanomaterial after a year of nonstop work. The discovery has shaken not only Wustriland but the entire scientific community.]
“Wow!” Lincoln said, “Only a year to develop something that major, huh? I heard the lead scientist, Dr. Bennett, is really young–around Andrea’s age.”
“For real? That young?” Andrea looked genuinely surprised.
Ruth scooped some beef stew onto Andrea’s plate. “Don’t go comparing yourself. You’re smart too, Dr. Bennett’s just one of those once–in–a–generation types.”
“She’s right,” Lincoln added, topping off Andrea’s plate. “Just focus on your studies. If you play your cards right, you might land an internship at Dr. Bennett’s lab in your junior year.”
“Don’t worry.” Andrea said proudly, “I’m president of the science club now, and everyone knows I’m the best. My professor says I’ve got a real gift for research. He’s already planning to recommend me for an internship at Dr. Bennett’s institute.”
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Then she glanced over at Kaia, who was quietly eating her dinner. A sly glint flickered in her eyes. “Actually, Kaia’s not bad either.”
The moment she said Kaia’s name, Lincoln and Ruth’s expressions shifted. The room fell quiet.
After a beat, Ruth frowned. “What’s so great about her?”
“She’s got big dreams,” Andrea said sweetly. “Didn’t you hear? She wants to get into Morganburg University and become the top student in the city. Honestly, I admire her confidence. I barely scraped my way into that school, remember?”
Andrea pinched her leg under the table to keep from laughing.
Ruth’s face darkened even more. Lincoln stayed silent.
But Andrea didn’t let up. “Hey, Mom, Dad–we got invites to the press conference, right? Since Kaia’s so driven, why not bring her along? It might open her eyes a little.”
Lincoln and Ruth exchanged a hesitant look.
Kaia was their daughter–they knew exactly what she was like. She was reckless, impulsive, always skipping class or getting into fights. Half the time, she was lying or bragging about something that couldn’t possibly be true.
Sometimes she’d come home waving around a trophy, saying she won some big international competition. Or she’d suddenly have a medal from some chess tournament no one had ever heard
- of.
There were too many of those stunts to count. Taking her to the press conference was a risk. They didn’t know what kind of scene she’d cause.
With that in mind, Ruth’s face turned stern. “Kaia, your SAT is coming up. You should stay home and study that day. Don’t go.”
Kaia looked up at her, one brow slightly raised. She stared at Ruth like she was an idiot and didn’t even bother to respond.
***
On the 25th, it was Casey’s birthday.
Philip had booked the fanciest private room at the Hart Club.
Lucy held Kaia’s hand, looking a little guilty. “Sorry, Kaia. I was the one who talked you into coming. You’re my best friend–I’d be bored out of my mind without you.”
“It’s fine. We’re friends. No need to make it a big deal,” Kaia said.
Before she could say more, Noelle’s mocking voice cut in. “Oh, please, Kaia. Don’t act like you’re all
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that. So what if you’re pretty? If it weren’t for Casey, do you think you’d be setting foot in a place like this with Mr. Snyder, her boyfriend?”
A few classmates, eager to suck up to Philip, chimed in.
“Don’t be so sure. The other day, someone picked Kaia up in a Maybach,” one of them said.
Another laughed dryly. “Oh, come on. If she really had a boyfriend like that, the whole school would know by now. Anybody with half a brain can see that was just her putting on a show. Otherwise, where’s that guy been these last few days?”
Mr. Snyder booked the most expensive room in the Hart Club. This place is already crazy pricey, and that’s the priciest one. Don’t tell me Kaia isn’t curious to see it,” another teased.
Kaia listened to their jabs, then glanced toward the lavish private room at the end of the hall. Actually, she’d been to plenty of places like that before.
Philip noticed her look and assumed she was impressed. Feeling smug, he decided this was the perfect chance to flaunt his wealth and make her fall for him.
ust then, the club manager walked up. “I’m sorry, Mr. Snyder, but our most expensive room has lready been booked by someone else.”
Casey clung to Philip’s arm. “What do we do, Mr. Snyder? I told everyone we’d be in that room.”
Don’t worry. I’ll handle it,” Philip said, giving her waist a squeeze. Then he turned to the manager, his face dark. “I booked this room in advance. We’re using it today.”
I’m very sorry, Mr. Snyder,” the manager said with a bow. “But there are some important guests nside. I can arrange another luxury room for you instead.”
Philip scoffed, “Important guests? And what am I?”
His classmates quickly backed him up.
That’s right. Isn’t Mr. Snyder important? His dad owns the Snyder Hotel.”
Better watch yourself. If you tick off Mr. Snyder, you might not even be allowed in the Hart Club anymore.”
‘Don’t bother talking–just go in, Mr. Snyder.”
Philip’s gaze swept over the group, pausing on Kaia for a couple of seconds.
Then, gritting his teeth, he shoved past the manager and threw the door open. “We’re taking this room today. You’d better-”
He froze mid–sentence. The moment he saw who was inside, the words died in his throat.
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Confused, the rest of the students peeked inside.
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Several men and women were lounging on the sofas. One girl, with an air of arrogance, stood up and said coldly, “Philip? Trying to take my room, huh? You’ve got guts.”
Philip’s face drained of color. He looked like he might drop to his knees.
He hurried over to the girl, head down. “Miss Crawford, I would never dare take your room. I… I didn’t know you were here.”
Then, without hesitation, he slapped himself across the face.
Casey and the others all stared at the floor, silent as statues.
If even a rich kid like Philip was this scared, they could only imagine how powerful this girl’s background must be.
While everyone stood frozen, the girl on the sofa suddenly glanced at their group and looked stunned.
She jumped up, hurried over, and bowed slightly. “Coach! I can’t believe it’s you!”
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