A group of girls, all in student council uniforms, marched assertively toward Yvette and her friends. Their leader, a girl with short, ear-length hair, possessed a face seemingly sculpted by numerous cosmetic procedures; in the sunlight, a translucent nasal prosthetic was almost visible.
Bonnie quickly tugged Yvette’s sleeve, whispering, “Yve, they’re from the student council. That’s Ruby Scott, our president.”
Yvette hummed in response.
Bonnie, flustered, murmured, “Yve, Ruby used to date Ethan. After their breakup, she swore she’d win him back. Everyone’s wary of her; the student council is a tight-knit group, and they’re not easy to handle.”
Yvette replied nonchalantly, “What does that have to do with me?”
Bonnie and John, accustomed to Yvette’s calm demeanor, remained unfazed. Even if the student council meant trouble, the outcome was uncertain. John recalled Ethan begging for mercy—Yvette’s strength was not to be underestimated.
Bonnie offered a strained smile. “Hello, Ruby. Hello, everyone.” John echoed the greeting.
Ruby ignored them. She was there to cause trouble for Yvette. That morning, Ruby learned Daniel was detained and Ethan was leaving the country. She tried contacting Ethan, unsuccessfully, then called his grandfather using a memorized number from their dating days, learning Ethan was departing from Seacrity the next morning and she shouldn't contact him again.
She spent the morning crying, her eyes swollen. She genuinely liked Ethan, not for his wealth or status, but for who he was. They'd had a major fight and broken up after she discovered his infidelity with a model. She'd regretted the breakup and sought reconciliation, but Ethan remained distant.
Ruby watched Ethan's relationships unfold, never losing hope. Even if he wasn't ready to reconcile, she believed persistence would win him back. But learning of his impending departure fueled her frustration.
Encountering Winona, a fellow student council member, who praised Yvette's rising popularity, piqued Ruby's curiosity. Yvette had only been at Argrol University for two weeks, yet seemed to dominate the campus.
“Are you Yvette?” Ruby asked, approaching the trio with sarcastic arrogance.
Yvette raised an eyebrow, calmly meeting her gaze. “Let’s go!”
Bonnie, under the other girls' intense stares, stiffened and prepared to leave with Yvette.
Ruby wouldn't let them escape so easily. A glance at her companions sufficed; they quickly surrounded Yvette, Bonnie, and John.
Ruby strutted forward, brimming with attitude. “Yvette, a senior, is asking you a question. Isn’t that rude?”
Yvette calmly replied, “Who are you?”
Ruby’s anger flared; she believed Yvette was feigning ignorance to humiliate her. However, Bonnie and John knew Yvette genuinely didn't recognize her; Yvette wasn't one to lie.
“Yvette, you’re quite the actress. No wonder you’ve caused such a stir,” Ruby sneered.
Ruby’s friends echoed her accusations, demanding an apology. Ruby waited expectantly, arms crossed.
John intervened. Under Ruby's leadership, the student council was a mess; complaints to the dean were dismissed.
“Ruby, if there’s nothing else, we’re leaving. The teacher awaits Yvette’s assignment,” John stated firmly.
Ruby's expression shifted. Such a sly fox; even John is defending her, she thought, recognizing John as a favorite student of Professor Sunderland. While she wanted to torment Yvette, she wouldn’t risk the teachers' intervention. I'll handle her later, she thought. Today's plan was different.
Yvette remained unfazed, and Ruby lacked the audacity to escalate the confrontation at school. Internally simmering, she maintained a facade of generosity.
“Fine. If Yvette doesn’t want to apologize, I won’t force her. I’m here to invite you to the school’s Art Festival. The physics department has one open spot. I think you’d be perfect for it, Yvette. I’m personally inviting you.”
Ruby anticipated Yvette's acceptance. However, Yvette replied coldly, “I’m not interested.”
Ruby’s face darkened, silencing her companions. “Yvette, don’t push your luck. I’m informing you. The student council can assign a spot to any student.”
Bonnie whispered to Yvette, “Yve, Ruby’s right. This rule exists, though it's generally a consensus. Ruby’s forcing you.”
Ruby felt secure in the rule's legitimacy. If questioned, she'd claim she chose Yvette for her talent. If Yvette refused, she’d spread rumors to discredit her.
A sly smile played on Yvette’s lips. “All right, I’ll join.”