Chapter 7

The next morning, sunlight streamed through the huge floor-to-ceiling windows, washing over me in a golden glow.

I hadn't slept at all last night.

The walk-in closet was packed with brand-new school uniforms.

Gone were the faded old ones from before. Now, I had custom uniforms from St. Edmund Academy, the city's most elite private high school.

The tailoring was flawless, the fabric so luxurious it almost shimmered.

Charles had them delivered overnight, making sure everything was perfect for me.

He had said that the Wellington family's heiress would not be returning to that run-down public school.

I slipped into my St. Edmund Academy uniform and stood in front of the mirror.

The girl staring back at me was pale, but her eyes were shockingly bright.

They looked like blades that had been tempered in fire.

Victoria pushed open the door, carrying a beautifully arranged breakfast tray in her hands.

She smiled at me and said, "Anna, you should eat something.

"The driver's already waiting downstairs."

Even though I had no appetite, I forced myself to drink a glass of milk.

I needed to keep my strength up.

I was about to fight a battle that was all mine.

On the way to school, Victoria couldn't hide her worry. She kept glancing at me, her brows furrowed with concern.

"Anna, maybe you should stay home today," Victoria said, her voice soft but anxious.

"I'm just afraid..." she added, hesitating as she looked at me.

I said, interrupting her, "I'm fine.

"Some things I just can't run from.

"I have to face this myself."

Victoria looked at the determined set of my jaw and sighed softly.

She said, her voice gentle but full of concern, "Alright.

"But remember, you're not alone.

"If anything happens, call me right away.

"Charles has already spoken to the principal.

"If anyone tries to bully you, they'll be expelled from St. Edmund Academy."

I nodded.

A wave of warmth filled my heart.

St. Edmund Academy was the most elite private high school in the city.

Everyone who attended this school was either filthy rich or highly aristocratic.

This place was basically a mini high society, where status was everything.

It was also the school that Emily attended.

I knew Margaret had transferred me there for a reason.

She wanted me to be humiliated and left out, right on Emily's turf.

She wanted me to see the worlds apart between a true heiress and an outsider like me, just so I knew exactly where I stood.

The car rolled up to the lavish gates of St. Edmund Academy, so grand they looked like the entrance to a palace.

I took a moment to steady myself, then pushed open the door.

The moment I stepped out of the car, I could feel every gaze locking onto me.

The boys and girls in matching school uniforms clustered in small groups, whispering and glancing my way.

They gossiped about me and didn't even bother hiding it.

One of them said, "Look, that's her!

"Richard Wellington's illegitimate daughter!"

Another guy said, "She doesn't look that great, honestly. Just has that broken vibe all over her face."

Someone added, "I heard her mom's a homewrecker, always seducing rich men."

Someone even cursed, "Shameless. How does she even dare show up at school?"

The whispers closing in felt sharp enough to cut right through me.

If it were the old me, I probably would've run away in tears.

But I refused to run this time.

I straightened my back and walked toward the school building, eyes forward, refusing to look at anyone.

My face was completely blank.

Indifference was my best armor.

As I walked forward, the crowd parted for me, making way as if I were some kind of plague.

It was just like Moses parting the Red Sea, only I was the unwelcome miracle.

Their eyes followed me, brimming with disdain and a twisted sense of amusement, like they couldn't wait to see me crash and burn.

I stepped into the honors class.

This was the top class in the whole school, where all the best and brightest gathered.

Emily was here too.

As soon as I walked in, the classroom fell silent.

Dozens of eyes snapped to me, all at once.

Emily was sitting right in the front row.

She wore the same school uniform as everyone else, but hers had that unmistakable designer touch. Every detail screamed money.

On her wrist was a limited-edition Cartier bracelet, and her ears sparkled with diamond studs.

A group of girls clustered around her.

They were her loyal followers, the core clique of the class, orbiting Emily like she was the sun.

When Emily spotted me, she flashed a triumphant, mean little smirk.

She got up, swaggering over like she owned the place.

Emily said, "Well, look who finally showed up.

"Isn't this the Wellington family's new Ms. Wellington?"

She practically spat out Ms. Wellington, making sure the whole room caught the sneer in her voice.

Emily's words oozed with mockery.

Everyone in the class cracked up.

I stared at Emily, refusing to say a word.

Emily strutted right up to me, like she was queen of the world.

Emily sneered, "Cat got your tongue?

"You sure had a lot to say at the funeral, didn't you?

"Trying to snatch the inheritance, wow, your mom must be so proud of you."

One of Emily's followers piped up, backing her up.

She sneered, "Yeah, you're just some unwanted brat. Nobody ever cared enough to raise you.

"Just like your mom, both of you are nothing but trash."

Then a sharp crack rang out!

The sharp sound of a slap echoed through the silent classroom.

Everyone froze, stunned.

Even Emily was caught off guard.

I had made my move.

With all the strength I could muster, I slapped that girl hard across the face.

The girl was completely stunned by the slap.

She clutched her cheek, staring at me in disbelief.

"You... You actually hit me?" she sputtered, her voice trembling.

I locked eyes with her, my voice low but clear enough for everyone to hear.

I said, "I'll say it one more time.

"Don't ever talk about my mom again."

My gaze turned icy cold, sharp enough to cut through the room.

She couldn't help but shiver under my stare.

Emily finally snapped out of her shock.

She let out a shrill scream.

She shouted, "Anna! Are you out of your mind? How dare you hit her!"

Emily lunged at me, her fury barely contained.

Her hand, with those bright red nails, reached out, aiming to yank my hair.

I twisted to the side, dodging Emily's grab with ease.

At the same time, I stuck out my foot, just enough to trip her.

Emily let out a screech as she went down, landing face-first on the floor in a mess that looked nothing short of humiliating.

Her fancy designer uniform skirt ripped straight down the seam as she flailed wildly.

The whole class gasped in shock.

No one saw this coming. They never guessed the quiet, unacknowledged Wellington would be this fierce.

I looked down at Emily sprawled on the floor with a cold, unbothered gaze.

Imitating Emily's earlier mocking tone, I spoke slowly, "Well, look who we have here.

"Isn't this the Wellington family's noble heiress?

"What's the matter? How come you're eating dirt down there?

"Or are you just so eager to show me some real respect?"

"You!" Emily spat, her whole body shaking with rage.

Her face turned a dark, livid red.

"Anna! You're dead! Just wait. I'll make you pay for this!" Emily snarled, her voice trembling with fury.

"Alright," I said, my tone cool and unbothered.

I nodded.

"I'll be waiting," I replied, icy calm in my voice.

I didn't bother with Emily anymore.

I walked straight to the very last row, found an empty seat, and sat down.

From my backpack, I pulled out the workbook Edward had given me.

I started working on the exercises.

It was as if everything that just happened had nothing to do with me at all.

The classroom was so quiet anyone could hear a pin drop.

From that moment on, nobody dared to underestimate me.

I knew this was just the beginning.

Emily's revenge was coming, and fast.

But I wasn't scared.

Because I wasn't that Anna anymore, the girl who let everyone walk all over her.