“Tessa, don’t push it. We’re all classmates. There’s no need to take things so far,” one of Queenie’s teammates tried to reason.
“Yeah, let it go.”
Tessa raised an eyebrow. “Integrity matters. Queenie, you made the terms yourself. Or are you saying you’re the kind of person who doesn’t honor their word?”
Ysabel scoffed, stepping in. “Funny how they only talk about ‘letting it go’ now. If Tessie had lost, do you think they’d show the same mercy?”
Queenie bit her lip hard, tears stinging her eyes. The thought of kneeling and begging for forgiveness in front of everyone was unbearable.
“What’s the problem, Queenie? Weren’t you full of confidence just a moment ago?” Tessa’s voice remained detached, but her piercing gaze demanded compliance.
Queenie’s pride crumbled under the weight of the crowd’s judgment. Slowly, she sank to her knees.
“I’m sorry,” she muttered, her voice barely audible.
“Speak up. I can’t hear you,” Ysabel demanded, her tone cutting.
“I’m sorry!” Queenie shouted, her voice cracking as tears rolled down her cheeks.
At that moment, Winona appeared, her expression cold and disapproving. She rushed to Queenie’s side, pulling her to her feet.
“Tessa, you’ve gone too far.”
Queenie clung to Winona, sobbing uncontrollably.
“I’ll take care of this, Queenie. Let’s get you back to class,” Winona said, her voice soothing as she escorted the humiliated girl away.
Tessa, unfazed, watched them leave, her indifference unwavering.
As the scene unfolded, York approached the court, having witnessed everything.
Queenie saw him and, in a burst of desperation, ran to him.
“Yorkie, you saw it! Tessa – she’s a monster! She humiliated me in front of everyone!”
York looked at her coldly, stepping back to create distance.
“Queenie, I already told you. This has nothing to do with Tessa. I like her. Stop bothering her, or I won’t hold back next time.”
The words hit Queenie like a slap, her sobs turning into a choking silence as York walked away, his eyes focused solely on Tessa.
York left without sparing Queenie a glance.
“Winnie, why is he treating me like this? How could he abandon me after I gave him my everything? And now, just because of Tessa!” Queenie sobbed uncontrollably, her eyes red and swollen from crying.
Winona draped an arm around her shoulder, feigning concern.
“Tessa’s always been that way. Even if she doesn’t like someone, she’ll still take them from others – especially if she knows it’ll hurt. It’s because she looks so stunning, isn’t it?”
“That wretched Tessa! I’ll never forgive her!” Queenie’s face twisted with hatred. Then, as if realizing something, she turned to Winona. “But Winnie, she’s your sister. You’re not on her side, are you?”
“She’s never treated me like a sister. Queenie, you’re my best friend. I’ll always stand by you. Whatever you decide to do, I’ll support you.”
“Winnie…” Queenie was moved to tears, but Winona’s unseen smile was filled with disdain.
Queenie is such a fool. She wants me to deal with Tessa? Pathetic. She couldn’t even hold her own against her.
Tessa wasn’t the same girl she was five years ago. But no matter how much she had changed, Winona was determined to destroy her.
“Tessie, you’re amazing! If you were a guy, I’d totally marry you!” Ysabel chirped, still giddy from the basketball showdown.
“Don’t do that again,” Tessa said flatly, referring to Ysabel stepping in to block the basketball for her.
“But you’re my best friend! Of course I’d protect you!”
Tessa felt a pang of warmth.
In Falindale, she had only been able to rely on herself. It wasn’t until she awakened her wolf and discovered her latent strength that no one dared to bully her anymore.
But Ysabel was the first person who ever stepped up to protect her without hesitation.
While Tessa was lost in thought, Ysabel had already edited a video of the basketball match and posted it on Facebook.
Caption: My Tessie is so cool. I want to marry her so badly!
After liking her own post, Ysabel tucked her phone away, satisfied, and turned her attention back to class.
The first period was physics. Mr. Hamilton walked in and immediately noticed Tessa resting her head on the desk. He marched over and rapped on her table.
“Tessa, I understand you’re not planning on going to college. You’re a delinquent; I don’t expect much from you. But I have one request – don’t sleep in my class. If the principal sees this, it makes me look bad.”
Mr. Hamilton, already in a foul mood from a lunchtime argument with another teacher, had no patience left.
“Yes, Mr. Hamilton.” Tessa straightened up, deciding it wasn’t worth arguing.
But her calm demeanor only fanned his irritation.
“Get out!” he snapped.
Tessa raised an eyebrow. What’s his problem today?
“Are you deaf? I said, get out!”
With a resigned sigh, Tessa grabbed her bag and left the classroom.
Watching her leave, Queenie smirked.
Looks like I’m not the only one who can’t stand her. Staying at Navoris High won’t be easy for you, Tessa.
“Tessie – ” Ysabel started to follow her, but Tessa shook her head.
“I’m fine. Stay and focus on class.”
Tessa exited the building, her mood unbothered.
Meanwhile, at Thorne Corp, Nathaniel had come to discuss a business deal with Landon.
When he noticed a Facebook post from Ysabel, he couldn’t suppress a laugh.
Landon glanced up, then returned to his documents.
“Alpha, what is it about Tessa? Even your little niece is gushing about wanting to marry her!” Nathaniel teased, chuckling.
“What?” The mention of Tessa caught Landon’s attention.
“Check Facebook.”
Landon opened the app, finding Ysabel’s post and video of Tessa’s one-versus-five basketball game.
“She’s incredible! Taking on five people by herself – that’s the kind of energy I had back in the day,” Nathaniel said, impressed.
In the video, Tessa’s cool demeanor and skillful dominance were captivating. Her precise throws, especially the ball hitting Queenie, carried an unflinching ferocity that made her seem untouchable.
Watching her, Landon felt his chest tighten.
She just had surgery yesterday. And today, she’s playing such an intense game? Does she even care about her health?
“I need to go,” Landon said abruptly, standing up and heading for the door.
“What? Seriously? You’re just leaving me here?” Nathaniel called out, but Landon didn’t bother responding.
What could be so urgent that it makes him ditch a meeting? Nathaniel wondered, though he had a pretty good idea of the answer.
As Tessa stepped out of the school gates, her phone buzzed with a call from Lina.
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