Mission: Revenge – The Heiress's Second Life novel Chapter 16

Serena put on a flawless act of a victim trying to hide the truth. "N-No... it's not like that..."

"I knew it!" Lillian declared righteously. "Her mother was a homewrecker who stole what was meant to be yours! She belongs in the mud. I can't believe she has the nerve to show her face here!"

"Serena is way too sweet to deal with a feral girl like that. We have to protect her!"

"Homewrecker's daughter! Let's completely freeze her out!"

The crowd of students rallied behind her, their voices rising in anger.

A faint, triumphant smirk touched Serena's lips.

She had spent three years manipulating this class. A few carefully placed words, and they would act as her personal army.

She was going to make Clara's life such a living hell that she would beg to drop out.

The class president frowned. "Guys, that's taking it too far. She's our new classmate..."

"I agree, it's not right," Serena added, her eyes welling with tears. "Even if she's illegitimate, she's still my sister..."

Clara, stepping onto the third floor, caught the end of the sentence perfectly.

A mocking smile curved her lips.

In her past life, the first time she had been introduced to the local elite, Serena had aggressively spread rumors that Clara was the illegitimate child.

Back then, Clara had desperately stumbled over her words, trying to defend herself. But no one believed her.

She had learned the hard way that explaining yourself was a waste of breath.

Those who trusted you needed no explanation. Those who didn't would twist the truth no matter what you said.

"What's everyone doing in the hallway?" Tobias barked, marching forward. "Three minutes until the bell! Get inside!"

Clara's smile deepened. "Serena, let's go in together."

"Why doesn't she have a single strand of hair?!"

"That is just... wild."

Serena's world imploded.

She locked eyes with Clara, who was watching her with raw amusement.

"Just a minor penalty," Clara whispered into her ear. "Keep my name out of your mouth, or next time it'll be worse."

Serena wanted to rip Clara's face to shreds.

But the cool breeze against her exposed scalp grounded her in sheer humiliation. She couldn't endure another second.

She refused to become the school's biggest joke.

Tears spilling over, she covered her face and sprinted away.