Chapter 88: Collision

Nora’s lingering questions were answered that very afternoon.

Iris Cinder, now serving as the main instructor for the fourth-year class, interrupted their afternoon lecture with a grim expression.

"Nora Clay, come with me," she commanded with a chilling gaze.

Nora’s heart hammered against her ribs. As Orin offered her an encouraging nod, she could no longer force a smile, sheer dread was etched plainly across her face.

Nora followed Iris, who maintained a heavy silence as they left Panther Building and made their way to Lion Building.

Upon reaching the lobby of Lion Building, a group of uniformed police officers stepped forward.

"Miss Nora Clay, you are under arrest for criminal solicitation."

...

Vivienne could barely force down the food in her mouth. She could feel the lingering stares and hear the hushed whispers of the students all around her. Her hand trembled as she gripped her glass tightly.

Watching her, Gideon, who had been forced to tag along, kept his head lowered and chewed his food in silence, taking utmost care not to make a single sound.

Born into one of the top ten prestigious families, Vivienne had been raised with the knowledge that she would one day become the head of her house.

She had spent her entire life praised, revered, and granted her every whim. Even if the Ashbournes’ fortunes had declined slightly in recent years, the worst consequence she had ever suffered was being unable to buy a new designer bag every month.

She had never experienced a situation like this, where people whispered insults behind her back and picked apart her flaws.

"That wretched girl is definitely dodging me," Vivienne muttered under her breath, irritated that Nora had vanished ever since stepping out with Iris earlier that afternoon.

Gideon flinched, ducking even lower until his face was nearly buried in his plate.

Vivienne’s gaze drifted over to Shani’s table, which was bursting with laughter and lively chatter. A mixture of rage and envy boiled inside her chest.

’I should be the one sitting there, conversing comfortably with Prince Jeryon, Noella, Sonny, and Kiran. I am the one they should be rallying behind.’

She had been raised in absolute luxury, possessed natural nobility, and didn’t reek of poverty like Shani.

"Just you wait. Once you’re inside the mansion, it’ll just be the two of us. I’ll make sure you learn your place," Vivienne muttered, her glare sinister.

Her attention was broken by a message from Emilia, informing her that Nora had indeed been arrested by the police earlier that afternoon.

Vivienne’s eyes gleamed with cruel satisfaction.

She pictured herself tormenting Shani while Nora was out of the picture, and once Nora was released, she would teach that maid a proper lesson as well.

Glancing around at the students who were still sneaking glances at her, Vivienne abruptly stood up. The onlookers immediately ducked their heads and pretended to focus on their meals.

Gideon bit his lip, filled with dread over what Vivienne might do next. His panic spiked as he watched her march straight toward Shani’s table.

’If you hate Shani Rowan so much, at least don’t pick a fight when she’s surrounded by her powerful friends,’ Gideon grumbled internally, making no move to get up and follow her.

Vivienne’s approach did not go unnoticed by Shani and her group. None of them offered her a warm welcome.

Noella merely glanced her way before returning to her conversation, acting as though Vivienne were invisible, while the rest shot a hostile glares.

Vivienne secretly dug her fingernails into her palms, her anger burning so hot she nearly broke the skin.

Aside from Kiran, Vivienne was well-acquainted with Shani’s companions from various high-society banquets. While they had never been close, they would normally at least offer a polite nod of acknowledgment.

"You didn’t come over here to cause Shani more trouble right after Nora got arrested, did you?" Sonny jabbed, blurted out with his usual lack of tact.

Vivienne’s eyebrows twitched upwards in slight surprise, word traveled fast. She cleared her throat and resumed her haughty posture. "Actually, I came to address that exact matter."

Raising her voice so the surrounding students could hear every word, she declared, "House Ashbourne has no involvement whatsoever with Nora’s actions, nor do we have any intention of bailing her out."

She offered a condescending smirk, looking down at Shani. "There’s no need to thank me."

Kiran literally choked on her own spit. "Cough, cough!" she wheezed, utterly flabbergasted by the audacity.

Vivienne threw Kiran a look of sheer disgust, then shot Gideon a sharp, commanding glare to follow her as she turned on her heel and strode toward the exit.

"I swear, I want to claw that girl’s face off," Kiran muttered, beating her chest to clear her throat.

Shani let out a quiet chuckle at Kiran’s reaction, though her expression turned solemn as her eyes followed Vivienne’s retreating back.

She knew it wouldn’t be long before the Ashbournes confirmed her true identity.

Shani’s intuition was spot on. That very night, Dominic Ashbourne, the Head of House Ashbourne, finally managed to uncover official records regarding Shani’s beast gene:

Night Panther.

...

Vivienne was in the middle of seething over negative comments about her on the academy forum when her smartwatch rang with an incoming call from Emilia.

"Your father has secured confirmation that Shani’s beast gene is the Night Panther," Emilia reported. "Extend an invitation to bring her home to the mansion this week."

Vivienne clicked her tongue. She certainly had no desire to extend a polite invitation to Shani, but as she realized how easily she could control the situation once the girl was on Ashbourne turf, a scheme began to take shape.

A cunning smirk crept onto her face.

The following day, Vivienne sat with her arms folded and legs crossed in an attitude of haughty arrogance, watching Gideon take timid steps toward Shani’s table.

Before long, Gideon returned with a cautious expression, shaking his head side to side.

Vivienne raised her hand to slam the table in frustration before checking herself, suddenly mindful of the fact that they were in the cafeteria and eyes were glued to her every move.

Inhaling deeply, she demanded in an icy whisper, "Did you fail to mention that I was the one summoning her?"

...