Chapter 13
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Everyone’s heads turned when they saw where Samantha was looking–straight at Kaia.
Even Philip froze, eyes wide, too stunned to speak.
Kaia recognized Samantha right away–it was the girl who had once begged her for boxing lessons. “It’s you. I’m not your coach.”
Samantha clung to Kaia’s arm. “Come on. I’m smart and easy to get along with. Please teach me. I swear I won’t let you down. Please?”
That made everyone’s jaws drop. They could not believe that someone Philip had practically bowed to was now begging Kaia.
“Uh… Miss Crawford, why do you call her your coach?” Philip asked cautiously.
None of your business,” Samantha shot back, then turned to Kaia again. “Coach, please. If you train me, I’ll do whatever you say.”
Philip felt his cheeks burn at the way Samantha was fawning over Kaia while brushing him off.
‘I told you, I’m not teaching anyone,” Kaia said with a frown.
Samantha noticed she was getting annoyed and quickly switched gears. “You here to relax, right? Our room’s huge–why don’t you join us?”
Kaia glanced at Casey. “It’s her birthday. She’s the main one today. Not call.”
my
Samantha quickly gave Casey a look sharp enough to cut glass.
Casey stiffened. “If Miss Crawford says so, then of course, I’m in.”
Samantha smiled at Kaia. “See? She’s fine with it. Please stay.”
“Alright then, Kaia said.
From that moment on, Samantha stuck to Kaia like glue, chatting away.
Casey, who was supposed to be the center of attention, suddenly felt like she’d vanished into the background.
“Casey, you okay?‘ Noelle asked.
Casey’s eyes were red as she looked down and nodded her head, trying to act tougher than she felt. “I’m fine. Really”
But anyone with eyes could see she wasn’t. Her friends started whispering.
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11:54 pm
Chapter 13
“Kaia’s so rude. She knows it’s Casey’s birthday and still hogs the spotlight.”
“Yeah. And how does she even know someone like Miss Crawford?”
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“How else? She must’ve done something shady. We’re just unlucky to have a classmate like her.”
Samantha overheard them and turned on them immediately. “Hey, you guys. If it weren’t for Kaia, you wouldn’t even be in this room right now.
“You’re eating and drinking here because of her, and you’ve got the nerve to badmouth her, huh? Where’s your shame?”
If anyone else had said that, they would’ve fired back. But this was Samantha, so they all stared at the floor and kept quiet.
“You say Kaia’s rude, huh? But you’re the really rude ones. She’s the unlucky one–stuck with classmates like you.” Samantha then turned to Kaia. “I wanna kick them all out. That cool with you?”
Kaia raised an eyebrow. “Sure.”
“Kaia, seriously?” Casey blurted. “We’re classmates. They just said a few things about you–why kick them out? That’s petty.”
Kaia looked at her and smiled. “You done? Then you can leave with them. And Philip. All of you can
- go.
Philip, Casey, and the rest went red with anger and embarrassment.
“Hey, are you deaf? Didn’t you hear her?” Samantha waved, and a few bodyguards stepped forward. “Do you want me to have them toss you out?”
Knowing they couldn’t win, Philip and the others stormed out, humiliated.
Samantha beamed at Kaia. “So? How’d I do?”
“Thanks for getting rid of the noise,” Kaia said. “And you know, I don’t like owing favors.”
“So that means you’ll train me, right?” Samantha asked eagerly.
“I’ll have to ask my coach first,” Kaia said.
“Who’s
your coach? If you’re this good, they must be amazing.”
“He’s from the Stone family and lives way up in the mountains, far from the city,” Kaia said.
Samantha’s eyes went wide. “You mean Myles Stone? The hundred–year–old boxing master?”
“Yeah, that’s him,” Kaia said calmly.
11:54 pm
Chapter 13
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“Oh my God! He is our country’s greatest boxing master. No wonder you’re so good! I heard every one of his students is a top–tier fighter,” said Samantha.
Just then, Kaia’s phone buzzed. It was a message from Myles. [I don’t mind if you take on a student.]
Samantha, peeking at her phone, nearly jumped out of her seat.
Soon, another message followed: [My second student is back in Wustriland. You should meet sometime.]
Kaia had never met his second student, only heard that she was an incredible boxer.
She replied: [Got it. When I’m done with what I’m doing now, I’ll go visit her.]
And just like that, Kaia agreed to train Samantha.
By the 28th, the press conference for the new nanomaterial was about to begin.
Early that morning, Kaia arrived at the venue. She was about to head backstage when Ruth stepped in front of her. “Kaia? What are you doing here? You didn’t sneak in, did you?”
Ruth’s face tightened. “You need to leave. This is Dr. Bennett’s team’s press conference–you can’t cause trouble here.”
“I came in the normal way,” Kaia said.
She had no time to waste; all the key guests had arrived, and reporters were ready with their cameras. As the leader of the research team, she was scheduled to speak.
“Girl, do you have to lie every single day? You-”
Before Ruth could finish, the host interrupted, “The press conference will start soon. Please return to your seats and remain quiet. Thank you.”
Ruth saw the VIPs taking their seats and knew it wasn’t a good look for her family to be standing there. She shot Kaia a glare. “What are you just standing there for? Go sit down.”
“I have something to do,” Kaia said with a frown.
“Why can’t you just behave?” Ruth grabbed her arm, trying to pull her toward the seats.
On stage, the host said into the mic, “The press conference is now starting. Let’s welcome Dr. Bennett for the opening remarks.”
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