Chapter 3

Dash was about to say something, but the teacher walked in right as the bell rang, cutting him off.

Everyone quickly pulled themselves together, grabbed their textbooks, and started paying attention.

In a school like this, there were two kinds of students. Some, like Stella, were here to change their fate by studying hard.

Others, like me, were under crazy pressure from our families to be the best at everything, just to earn the right to take over the family business.

No matter which group we belonged to, we all had to work our asses off to get what we wanted.

Honestly, Stella got into this school as the top student. She had both talent and determination, no doubt about it.

Her real mistake was treating Dash like he was some kind of treasure and staking everything she had on him.

In my previous life, my hopelessly lovesick brain gave them an opening to exploit me. But this time, they'll be forced back onto their own paths.

As soon as the last bell rang, everyone scrambled to pack up their books and bolted out of the classroom. But Dash and Stella just sat there, completely still.

I knew Dash was waiting for me to coax him into coming home with me. And Stella was guarding Dash, making sure I didn't get a ride home in Dash's car.

I was fed up with their drama, so I grabbed my stuff in a flash and headed straight out of the classroom.

Seeing me totally ignore them, Dash panicked and hurried after me.

The car was parked at the curb. Dash hurried over and grabbed the door handle before I could.

"Margot, just take a cab home today. I'm not riding with you," he said.

He had a proud look on his thin face, and while talking to me, his eyes were fixed on Stella, who stood not far away, biting her lip, her face pale.

Clearly, he felt bad for her after what happened today and wanted to take her side.

Watching Dash boss me around like he was king of the world, I couldn't help but laugh at myself. How could I have been so dumb in my previous life, letting the maid's kid trample all over me after everything I'd done for him?

I wasn't about to waste my breath on him and gave Dash a push.

He was totally unprepared. He staggered back a couple of steps, his hand falling away from the door handle.

I yanked the door open, ready to leave, but Dash, furious and embarrassed, rushed over and blocked my way, his teeth clenched as he hissed, "Margot, everyone's watching. What are you doing? Are you crazy? Get out of my way now."

I laughed, "Dash, you know everyone's watching. You're scared of looking bad, so you just have to make me look bad instead, huh? But this is my family's car. What right do you have to stop me from getting in?"

All these years, whenever Dash wanted something, I'd give it to him before he even opened his mouth, always lowering myself, practically begging him to accept whatever I offered.

But now, with my attitude flipped completely, he was caught totally off guard. He just stood there, staring at me, unable to say a word.

Seeing Dash hesitate, Stella hurried over.

At that moment, the students nearby who'd been itching for some drama finally gave in and crowded around.

Stella grabbed Dash's hand, staking her claim, her voice shaky but determined. "I don't want you hitching a ride in Margot's car anymore."

She started crying all over again as she spoke. "If you weren't so shameless, always clinging to Dash, would I have been pushed to do something so crazy?

"Dash really doesn't like you, Margot. Do yourself a favor and just give up already."

People started whispering all around us.

"Margot has no shame. Dash already told her to leave, but she's still clinging to the car door as if she owns it."

"Yeah, the maid's daughter won't let go of Dash or his car. It's honestly embarrassing to watch."

"She probably thinks latching onto him means a lifetime of riches, so losing a little dignity doesn't matter. I can't stand girls like her. total gold-diggers."

"Margot, you're disgusting. Just let go and get lost already."

With someone else stepping in for him, Dash shut his mouth again, putting on that icy, high-class vibe.

He never bothered to explain, never said no to anything I gave him. He just took it all, while he didn't even care or appreciate it.

I was seriously fed up with that deadpan look of his. Ignoring all the mocking and jeering outside, I got into the car and told the driver, Samuel, "Drive."

Samuel glanced at Dash, who was standing outside the car with an angry look on his face, and said awkwardly. "But Mr. Hollis hasn't gotten in yet."

I spelled it out for him. "Remember, from today on, Mr. Hollis is nothing to the Ellington family. Drive."

Just then, Dash finally lost his cool.

With everyone watching, he shouted at Samuel for the first time. "Don't you dare, Samuel. Drag Margot out of that car. That's an order. Otherwise, you're fired."

Unlike when he heard my order, Samuel stiffened at Dash's command. Without hesitation, he hurried out of the car and swung open the back door. "Apologies, Ms. Ellington."

Samuel grabbed me and dragged me out, leaving me sprawled awkwardly on the ground.

My ankle got twisted, and I yelped from the pain, stuck on the ground and unable to get up for a while.

Stella was practically glowing with triumph. She strutted over and stomped hard on my left hand, grinding her heel back and forth.

"Margot, know your place," she sneered. "I'm firing your mom. Unless you drag her over here right now, make her beg for forgiveness, and swear she'll keep you in check so you stop clinging to Dash.

"Otherwise, you and your mom can get out of the Hollis mansion and go freeze and starve for all I care."

All our classmates were smirking, whipping out their phones to take pictures.

"Hey, look at this. The maid's daughter, trying to worm her way into high society, just got totally owned by the rich guy's actual girlfriend. This is pure gold," someone said.