Her Hidden Hero from the Unwritten Page novel Chapter 21

He quickly withdrew his hand, his hair falling over his forehead, contrasting with his luminous complexion and thin, reddish lips, making him look exceptionally striking.

Zoe flushed and murmured, "Thank you."

"Don't thank me," Jupiter Ximenez replied coldly. "I just didn't want you falling on me."

He was standing right behind her in line.

Zoe's face turned even redder, this time out of embarrassment rather than shyness.

Rhea tugged at Zoe's sleeve, signaling her not to make a fuss. Her stepbrother didn't act like a normal person at all.

"Why did you provoke him?" Rhea whispered breathlessly.

Zoe's eyes welled up with tears. "He's so mean."

Jupiter only felt annoyed; he put in his other earbud, his gaze sweeping briefly over Winona standing ahead.

Then, he quickly lowered his eyes.

-

At the front of the line.

Herbert Xavier was silent for a full minute before asking, "What did you say?"

The knuckles of the hand gripping his pen were still white.

Winona stared at him evenly. "This cake isn't for you. Stop flattering yourself."

Dropping those words, she couldn't even be bothered to look at him again, turning her head toward a student council member standing nearby. "Are there any other questions? If not, I'm leaving."

The member scratched his head awkwardly and said, "No, that's all."

Winona gave a slight nod and didn't linger, deliberately walking around the rigidly standing Herbert and heading straight into the school.

The wind caught the ends of her hair, carrying the faint scent of jasmine straight to Herbert's nose. He subconsciously turned his head.

But she walked with absolute resolve, never once looking back.

The girl waited for half a minute, and seeing her stay silent, curled her lips in self-deprecating boredom. "Oh, I forgot. An heiress like you looks down on me just like the rest of them."

She flipped her hair, about to leave.

Winona called out to her, "Melody Sterling."

Melody stopped in her tracks. Her backpack was shaped like a cute, pink Hello Kitty, and her long, burgundy curls cascaded down her sides. Twirling a strand of hair around one finger, she asked unhappily, "What?"

Winona pursed her lips. "I don't look down on you."

Feeling a bit awkward, she came up with a flimsy excuse, "I just zoned out for a second."

Melody froze, completely buying it, and happily leaned in closer. "Really?"

"Really." Winona offered a genuine smile.

Melody had originally been a girl from the countryside. When she was thirteen, her family's land was bought out for development. Her father used the buyout money to invest, struck gold with incredible luck, and within a few years, established a foothold in the city.

But maintaining that foothold was another matter entirely. Among all the wealthy socialites in the city's elite circles, Melody was seen as nothing more than the daughter of newly rich money.