THE BEGINNING THAT HAS NO END
A sharp slap cracked through the classroom, echoing like a gunshot. Elena's perfectly manicured hand connected with Prisca's cheek, sending her stumbling back in shock.
"How dare you!" Elena hissed, her voice sharp and venomous, cutting through the heavy silence that instantly fell.
Every head turned. Dozens of eyes fixed on the two girls at the center of the storm. Yet no one dared move. Fear rooted them in place, the tension pressing down like a weight.
With a vicious shove, Elena knocked Prisca to the floor. Before she could gather herself, Elena straddled her and unleashed a rain of blows. Prisca threw up her arms in a desperate attempt to shield her face, but Elena's fury was merciless.
Gasps rippled through the room. Murmurs darted from desk to desk—some horrified, others secretly entertained. But no one reached for a phone. Not when it involved Elena. Recording her was the same as signing your own death warrant.
The classroom door slammed open.
"What is this ruckus?!"
Mrs. Sam, head of discipline, stormed in, her heels clicking like gunfire against the tile. Her eyes swept the chaos, freezing when they landed on Elena beating Prisca into the ground. Then, without a word, her expression hardened into indifference. She simply turned on her heel and walked out.
Because at Nova Academy… this was normal.
YEARS AGO
When Justice Perkins lived, Nova Academy was a fortress of privilege. His fortune and influence built an empire where only the children of politicians, businessmen, and royalty could step foot. For the poor, Nova was nothing but a dream admired from beyond its iron gates.
But Justice's sudden death shattered that empire.
His first wife, Chairwoman Hanny, seized the throne. Beautiful, ruthless, and dangerously ambitious, she ruled the academy with an iron fist. Whispers spread that she had orchestrated her husband's death after he refused to adopt a child for her, exploiting her inability to bear one. Others murmured that she had even tried to eliminate Justice's second wife and their child, who only narrowly escaped into exile. Still more claimed that, after Justice's death, she miraculously conceived.
And so the question no one dared speak aloud emerged: Was Elena Perkins truly Justice's daughter… or merely adopted? The shadow of doubt never left her side.
But it didn't matter. Elena Perkins was the chairwoman's daughter—that was final. Stunning, elegant, but cold-hearted, she erased anyone who dared stand in her way, especially if it concerned her man. Shielded by wealth and influence, Elena cared little for the lives crushed beneath her.
PRESENT DAY
Chairwoman Hanny, the reigning force of Nova Academy, shocked the world by opening its gates to scholarship students from poor, working-class homes. Yet the whispers never ceased—why the sudden change? What was her true motive? Surely, it wasn't out of kindness.
At Nova, the rules were brutally clear:
Red ties for the elites.
Blue ties for the low-class.
Their classes were divided. Their seats, segregated. Their worlds, untouchable.
No teacher dared punish an elite, no matter the crime. If you were bullied, humiliated, or destroyed, that was your f*cking problem. No one would save you. Teachers had no power over the wealthy—it was either elimination or a lifetime of suffering beneath their boots.
Scholarships may have cracked the gates open, but one truth remained unshakable: the wealthy ruled Nova, and the rest were better off minding their damn business.
Among the scholarship students was Prisca Jux—the bastard. That was the name the school branded her with.
Her mother, Zee, was her only family and the sole breadwinner. Yet, shockingly, Zee had no idea her daughter even attended Nova Academy. She had never approved of Prisca going there, and every time Prisca asked why, her mother dodged the question with no real answer.
Through the scholarship, Prisca clawed her way into her dream school—but dreams quickly soured. Regret weighed heavy as she endured endless torment at the hands of Elena and her clique.
In the bathroom, Prisca leaned over the sink, splashing cold water onto her face. The sting of Elena's slap lingered, but the humiliation cut deeper than any physical wound. She dabbed a tissue against her bleeding nose, her reflection in the mirror blurred by tears.
She sank to the floor, her shoulders shaking. The weight of the day pressed down on her chest until breathing felt impossible.
Suddenly—splash!
A bucket of dirty water cascaded over her head, soaking her completely. She gasped, scrambling to her knees as laughter echoed against the tiled walls.
"Ooh, look at you, fearless!" Rose mocked, smirking as she tossed the empty bucket aside.
Jade stood by, recording on her phone, her laughter cruel and piercing. "What a strong girl you are, Prisca!" she jeered.
The torment didn't stop. The girls overturned a trash bin onto her, garbage spilling across her lap. Rotten food, crumpled wrappers, and foul-smelling scraps clung to her uniform.
Prisca gagged as they shoved bits of leftover food toward her mouth.
"That's enough for now, girls," Elena's commanding voice cut in. She stepped forward, taking Jade's phone with an air of authority. Her smirk was cold, her eyes glinting with amusement.
"You look so helpless," she sneered, crouching to Prisca's level. "I don't know where you lowlifes get your guts from but you're just a little gutter rat who stumbled into a palace."
"You're disgusting," Jade chimed in, her lip curling in disdain.
Their laughter filled the bathroom like poison.
"Imagine this video trending on social media," Elena taunted, her finger hovering over the screen. "The whole school will see just how pathetic you bastard really are."
"Please! Don't post it," Prisca cried, grabbing at Elena's leg in desperation. "Whatever you tell me to do, I'll do it. Please, I'm begging you!"
Elena's face twisted with disgust. "How dare you touch me with your filthy hands!" She kicked Prisca aside. "Oh, now you're begging? But wasn't it just today someone tried to challenge me in the classroom—and got the beating of her life?"
Prisca froze, horror flashing in her eyes.
"What exactly is my crime? What did I do to deserve this? Why do you keep hurting me?" Her voice trembled, frustration and fear twisting together, yet she knew deep down that nothing she said could change a thing.
Elena and her girls were utterly stunned by Prisca's sudden reaction. Elena stepped closer, smirking, her eyes locking onto Prisca's. But Prisca bowed her head, trembling.
"You want to know? Fine," Elena hissed. "You're being punished because you refuse to know your place. The moment you came into this school, you tried to mingle with everyone. Other lowlifes warned you how it works here, but you turned a deaf ear. Did you really think this school was anything like those miserable ones you came from?"
As she spoke, Rose and Jade burst into laughter.
"You brought this on yourself," Elena continued coldly. "So now you'll suffer for as long as you're here at Nova Academy."
With a vicious pinch to Prisca's ear, Elena rose gracefully, a smug smile curling on her lips, satisfied with the terror carved into her victim's eyes. But she wasn't finished yet. With a flick of her wrist, she signaled her girls. Together, they dragged Prisca toward the toilet, their laughter echoing like a cruel anthem against the tiled walls.
"No, please! Don't do this!" Prisca begged, panic clawing up her throat.
"Let's see how you like it down here, poor girl," Jade sneered, forcing her head down.
Prisca's face plunged into the cold, grimy water. She thrashed, choking as the foul taste filled her mouth. Darkness and muffled laughter surrounded her.
Finally, they yanked her up, coughing and gasping, her soaked hair plastered to her face.
"How does it feel at the bottom?" Elena laughed, triumphant.
Prisca's tears mingled with the toilet water dripping down her face.
"You'd better learn your place," Elena said with cruel finality. "The next time you try to challenge me, I promise you won't last long on this earth." She stood, spitting on Prisca's uniform before turning to leave, with Jade and Rose trailing behind her like obedient dogs.
Meanwhile, across campus, Mr. Kai, the history teacher, continued his lesson, his voice rich with enthusiasm. His classes were never dull—students leaned in, engaged, laughing at his witty remarks. His tall frame and striking looks only added to his charm, earning him the respect of both students and staff.
The door creaked open. Elena strolled in, her face transformed into a mask of sweetness, her earlier fury buried beneath layers of practiced charm.
Mr. Kai noticed her but dared not question her, continuing his lesson as if she weren't there.
"I'm so sorry, Mr. Kai," Elena said softly, her voice dripping with honey. "I just stepped out for some fresh air and lost track of time. Please don't be upset with me."
Unbothered, Mr. Kai simply shook his head and offered a slight smile.
Elena's eyes sparkled mischievously as she flashed him her most innocent smile. No one dared speak it aloud, but everyone knew—Elena had a dangerous crush on Mr. Kai.
The bell rang, signaling the end of the day's lesson. Students hurried to pack up, while Mr. Kai dismissed them with his usual warmth. "That's all for today. See you tomorrow." As he made his way back to his office, he sank into his chair, reaching for the remaining coffee when a soft knock interrupted him. The door creaked open, and Elena stepped in, moving with her usual graceful confidence.
He smiled warmly, spreading his arms for her. Elena leaned in, embracing him as she perched lightly on his lap, placing the coffee aside.
"You know it's been a while since we spent time together," she murmured, her voice low and soft.
"I'm sorry, my princess," he replied gently, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "You know how busy I've been."
Elena's eyes locked onto his. "Well, now that I'm here, maybe we can make the most of our time together," she said, a tender smile curving her lips.
Their lips met in a slow, deep kiss, the kind that spoke of longing, comfort, and connection, filling the room with a quiet warmth.