---
"Tsk. What a drama. I think you all owe me an apology," Maria said.
Ella's dad glared at Maria and rushed toward her. Mike grabbed his arm and twisted it, forcing the older man to his knees with a scream.
Ella's mom lunged at Mike, trying to make him release her husband, but Maria caught her by the wrist and shoved her away from him. Mike's lackeys then dragged the couple out.
"So," Maria asked again, "when will you all apologize?"
"Well, we've taken care of things. I don't think we should make this a bigger issue than it already is," the principal said, his tone laced with threat. "And Maria, I'm sure you don't want to put the school's reputation—or its leader—at risk, right?"
Maria looked at him and sneered. "We'll see in court."
With that, she turned and walked out of the office.
"Miss Oliver, I know you'll make the right decision for your sister," the principal said.
Oliver didn't respond—she simply turned and followed Maria out.
Mike stood up, brushing off imaginary dust. He ignored the principal's words and walked to the door. He paused.
"I hope you're all ready for the storm," he said softly, then left.
---
In the hallway, Oliver reached out and held Maria's hand.
"Why did you come?" Maria asked.
"The principal called the house line. I answered. Don't worry—I didn't tell Mom, Dad, or Grandma. I know you don't want to deal with their drama," Oliver said gently. "And Maria... I'm here for you. Always. I'll support everything you do. Also... I love the change in you. Keep it up."
"Thanks," Maria replied.
"Oh stop that—we're family," Oliver said, smiling. "I have to go now."
At the end of the hallway, Mike was standing. Oliver nodded at him as she walked past.
---
"How was abroad? You clearly had a reason for coming back," Mike said without turning. "You didn't take that offer overseas. I'm guessing your family doesn't know—or they wouldn't be this quiet."
Oliver stopped, smiling as she turned to face him.
"Seems you've investigated me thoroughly, Mike. I wonder what else you've looked into. But my choices have nothing to do with you. Maybe you should focus more on making Maria fall in love with you instead of investigating me."
Mike smiled faintly.
"What's meant to be mine will always be mine. And I have to investigate anyone around Maria. Who knows who might harm her. Will you?"
Oliver chuckled. "Maria loves Chris. She might've changed, but whether she'll love you is another story. You act like a bodyguard—don't you get tired?"
Her expression softened slightly.
"For your information, I would never hurt my sister. Don't be paranoid, Mike."
She walked away, leaving Mike alone in the hallway.
---
After school, Maria stopped at a materials shop and bought a few items, including a new sewing machine. She went home—silent, empty.
In her room, she opened her laptop and paused. A notification popped up: the variety show she auditioned for was starting tomorrow.
She pulled on her mask. This time, instead of singing or dancing, she filmed herself drawing a gown.
A beautiful designer gown, bold and elegant.
She showed the camera her sketch, then took out the materials. Her hands moved fast, hypnotic.
The sketchbook lay open, pages filled with swift pencil strokes—bold, fluid, alive.
Her eyes locked onto the design: an elegant, unapologetically daring dinner gown.
Midnight navy and smoky champagne satin shimmered like secrets under the moonlight.
She laid the fabric out reverently.
The bodice came first—clean lines, off-the-shoulder sleeves. Along the neckline: gold thread trim, like sunlight on snow.
Then came the skirt—gently flaring from the hips, a high slit revealing sheer lace embroidered with roses blooming in shadows.
And then… she stopped.
Not from fatigue, but something inside her paused. She stepped back and stared at the half-finished gown.
One side sculpted. The other loose.
A dream caught halfway between creation and rebellion.
She posted the video online and carefully stored the gown in her closet.
Then, she went to bed.
---
The next morning, she was awakened by her buzzing phone—notifications exploding from the school group.
The topic? Her gift to Chris: panties.
She rolled her eyes and turned off her phone.
She got dressed in a modest, sleeveless A-line gown with a cinched waist and petal-layered hem. The gown was a soft red, threaded with gold. A chiffon and satin blend gave it a graceful, flowing movement.
She wore pearl earrings, black heels, and styled her hair into soft waves.
The red of the gown contrasted beautifully with her fair skin, bringing out her delicate features.
She looked like a fairy—ethereal, elegant—and the gown didn't hide her figure.
She went downstairs calmly, stunning her family.
"Where are you going? Don't you have classes, young lady? You're always trying to get attention—not fit to be called a proper lady," her grandmother stated with distaste.
Maria ignored her and walked to the door.
"Stop there, young lady! The principal called and said they want you to come to school to meet with the school council. What did you do again, you brat?!" her father roared.
Maria stopped walking and looked at him. "I'm not going. I'm going to the singing competition," she said calmly.
"You brat! I told you not to participate in that show, and you dare go against me?!" her father yelled.
"I didn't attend when they announced the participants. That doesn't mean I won't show up for the competition," she replied, then walked out, ignoring her father's shouting and her grandmother's insults.
---
In a private room:
A tall, handsome guy with black hair—Neo, one of Mike's friends and the school playboy—entered.
"Hey Mike, you're so busy handling your family issues so you can go back to school and chase after Maria. But do you know people are gossiping about her?" Neo said as he sat down across from Mike.
Mike stopped playing with his phone and looked at him.
Neo sipped his drink and glanced at the two men kneeling in front of them, bruised and dressed in only boxers. These two held powerful positions in the Night Empire, men even politicians would bow to—yet here they were, on their knees, beaten for trying to outsmart Mike.
"You're staring at them. Do you want to be in their position too?" Mike said, his voice calm—chillingly calm.
"Of course not! Why would I want that?" Neo said, scratching the back of his neck.
"Then continue. I don't have time," Mike said.
Neo looked confused for a second, then realized Mike was still waiting for him to finish his earlier thought and quickly nodded.
"Maria gave Chris a gift. And it had a panty in it—looked like a used one. People are talking about it, calling her a whore. The school wants to expel her. The vice principal called the school council, and the principal has agreed. I mean, I don't blame them. Who gives a boy panties? Maria is bad news," Neo said while rubbing his chin.
The two men kneeling in front of them gave Neo pleading looks, as if begging him to shut up. Mike's gaze had turned ice cold, a killing intent leaking from his presence. The two men teared up, knowing they'd suffer the full force of Mike's wrath. They had tried to steal from his company and frame him. They were already marked.
"You seem to have too much energy," Mike said. "I'll ask your father to send you to the army—make better use of it."
Neo froze. "B-Brother, I'm sorry! Maria doesn't deserve any of this. Please don't tell my father. I'll go delete the posts myself. I—I should go," Neo stammered.
Mike ignored him and made a call. "Investigate the matter. And send my regards to the vice principal," he said calmly. Then he stood up and left the room.
Neo wiped the sweat from his forehead. "Mike is very angry. Poor vice principal. He's going to regret it."
The bodyguards entered and dragged the two beaten men away.
---
At the competition venue:
Maria arrived at the building where the show was set to take place. She walked in confidently, all eyes turning to her as she joined the group of participants.
After a while, the show began.
"Today's episode will be different!" the host announced with a bright smile. "Each of you will have your own live stream platform. The judges? The audience! You'll each draw a paper from this bowl. It will tell you what kind of performance you must do—either sing, play an instrument, or both. Oh, and here's the twist: two of you will receive the same instructions."
"Tsk, this is so simple," a red-haired girl scoffed.
Maria glanced at her. She was pretty, but the way she raised her shoulders and acted like she was the center of the world knocked points off her charm.
"Of course, Sister Tessa is the best," another girl chirped. "She's multi-talented, popular, and beautiful. You've already got first place in the bag. We're just here to make you shine more!"
Her voice was so fake it made people want to gag.
The host a beautiful middle age actress very popular even though she in her thirties she signaled that they were live, and fans began flooding the livestream chat:
[Wow! Season 5 is gonna be a hit. Look at all these beauties!]
[Tessa's here?! It's over—she's already the winner.]
[Mama, I'm licking the screen!]
[Who's that beauty in red? God, I've seen my soulmate.]
[Tsk I thought this will be fun but after seeing Tessa I'm bored I already know who is going to win they should just end the show]
Maria's appearance drew stunned admiration—but also jealousy.
Then, the participants took turns drawing slips of paper.
"Now, each paper will guide your performance and will till you what to do either you sing ,or play the instrument,or you do bought at the same time and it also tell you the name the instrument you'll use," the host continued. "and the twist is — two people each will be performing the same task!"
[Tsk. This show means business.]
[This is going to be brutal]
[ They are not going to compete against themselves they are also going to have to perform to those given the same task as them tsk]
[No matter what, Tessa's going to win. She can sing, dance, and play instruments. She's won awards.]
[I hope the girl in red wins!]
Tessa's fans, however, were quick to attack:
[The girl in red is just a pretty face , No talent.]
[Even if she has talent, Tessa will still win.]
[Some people should think before commenting Tessa as won a lot of awards from singing playing the instrument she even participated in a song video with a popular singer now tell me who that red girl is and what have she achieved]
The performances began. One by one, participants went on stage. Then it was Tessa's turn. She stepped on stage with a violin, introduced herself, and began playing a pleasant, cheerful melody. It was beautiful—light, calming, and technically solid. She finished with a bow and flashed a confident smile.
Backstage, she walked off smugly, satisfied with the admiring and envious looks she received.
Then came Maria's turn.
She walked on stage, also holding a violin. The crowd went silent. Some participants cast her pitying or mocking glances. Tessa frowned when she saw Maria's beauty. The girl beside her noticed.
"She's pretty, but she can't match Tessa. Tessa's both beautiful and talented—unlike some people," she sneered.
Tessa's frown turned into a smirk as she threw Maria a disdainful glance.
Maria stood calmly, introduced herself, and raised the violin.
[Tsk. Her voice is smooth.]
[She won't beat Tessa.]
[She's doomed. Tessa just played a perfect piece. Maria's next—with the same instrument.]
[Is there even a point in her playing? She's going to fail.]
Then… a single sound.
And silence swept across the livestream, the venue, and the stage.
---