Is this destiny?

Samantha watched Corey and Merve kiss and hold each other lovingly like no one else exists in the world, and she balled her hands into fists. She was so angry and humiliated that her face turned ugly. How dare that girl act so boldly with Corey? Just because she is a White? And who are the foolish 82 people who cast their votes for Merve?!

"Hehehe… It seems that Miss Long found her match. Actually, you discovered that you are NOT a match for Miss White." Anabella said teasingly.

Samantha turned to Anabella and narrowed her eyes. "It was you! Because of you, I lost the title of the prom queen!"

Anabella blinked innocently. "Even if you can prove that one of those anonymous votes was mine, don't forget that there are 81 others. Are you going to catch and punish all of us?" Anabella's innocent expression turned into a mocking one. "Don't forget, Samantha, no one likes you. They tolerate you because they are afraid. But now there is a bigger player in the game, and you are about to find out how many people are loyal to you. I remember from the leadership workshop that in order to establish loyalty, you need to treat people well and to care about them, which leaves you with… no one."

"How dare you!" Cassie hissed.

Anabella glanced at Cassie. "Pft! Don't pretend that you are loyal to a lonely Long when there is a Smith-White pair on the stage. Just that girl alone has the power to crush us all. Even if you don't like her, you should know that she is not someone you can go against. And I don't remember Samantha treating you well, because you were never her equal."

"What do you know about our relationship?" Cassie half-screamed, angry that Anabella's words are hitting a sore spot.

Anabella stifled a laugh. "Look at you barking at me… That explains why Samantha treats you like a dog. Why don't you go and fetch something for her? Maybe she will reward you with a treat, if she has any treats left to give..."

Anabella snorted and walked away. Cassie and Samantha watched as Anabella joined a group of girls who burst into laughter when she told them something.

"They are mocking us." Samantha said angrily.

"They will suck up to the one who is at the top." Cassie said dejectedly. "We need to stay focused and look for an opportunity to strike back."

Samantha nodded in agreement. "Thanks for not abandoning me."

"No problem. That's what friends do." Cassie responded with a forced smile.

If it's up to Cassie, she would leave this place, but she has nowhere to go. In this circle, she is labeled as someone who goes with Samantha, her dog. Unfortunately, Anabella is right. And that means that no one here will accept her no matter what she does. The only strategy to get out of this predicament is for Cassie to slowly distance herself from Samantha, and then to wait for an opportunity to latch onto someone more… promising.

Cassie was never a leader, but she can be loyal… as long as she can get enough benefits, and no one can give more benefits than the people who are at the top. Cassie's gaze moved to the dancefloor. Yes, her future will be secured if Corey and Merve take her under their wing. Now she only needs to be patient…

…

When the king-queen dance ended, the spotlight from Merve and Corey faded away.

The next song started and Corey and Merve were holding each other and kissing without noticing that a teacher stood by their side.

The sound of the teacher clearing his throat made Merve break the kiss. She looked at Corey and it was obvious that she is embarrassed.

"Please… behave withing the borders of decency…" The teacher reminded them.

"Sure… We apologize." Corey said and his smile betrayed that he is not sorry at all. But Corey was happy that the teacher left them alone.

"Can we leave now?" Corey asked Merve when the teacher was out of the earshot.

Merve looked at him reluctantly. "Leaving means that the evening will end."

Corey understood that Merve wants them to stay together longer. Well, he was thinking on the same lines. "Do you want to go to my apartment?"

Merve inhaled sharply, unsure what is hidden behind Corey's invitation, but she knew that she is not ready to part from him. "OK."

Corey wanted to kiss Merve again, but he reminded himself that they are going to his apartment. Now.

Corey led the way off the dancefloor with an intention to reach the nearest exit, and to his horror, they were surrounded by his classmates who lined up to congratulate them. What the heck is this?! Corey was looking forward to some sweet time with his girlfriend, and now he needs to shake hands with these flies? But he can't get out of this without causing a scene, and he does not want to make Merve uncomfortable.

Corey exhaled while resigning himself to his fate while trying to make the process of handshaking as fast as possible.

Merve understood that these kids came to suck up to them. It reminded her of Ron's birthday, how everyone lined up to congratulate Ron when Jeff announced that he is the CEO of Heinelurgy and then the second time after Ron's engagement with Zula. At that time, Merve wondered how it would feel to be the center of attention… well, now she knows. And it's definitely not as glamorous as she imagined. Smiling and shaking hands with people she does not know while pretending that she is enjoying, is mentally exhausting.

Merve felt Corey's hold on her shoulder and she smiled, knowing that he is by her side.

Corey's classmates took turns congratulating Corey and Merve on their coronation, and they used this opportunity to add a few pleasantries with the hope to leave a good impression. Everyone shared an understanding that Corey and Merve have significant influence and how that influence will only get stronger as time passes by.

"How come you are not a student here?" One boy asked.

"I am homeschooled." Merve responded.

"Aaahhh…" A few kids said in unison as they nodded in understanding. Someone coming from the White family probably has a learning environment that is unreachable for mortals.

"What do you do in your free time?" One girl asked Merve.

"I paint."

"Are you any good?" Another girl continued probing.

"Uhm… I'm not sure…" Merve said awkwardly.

"She is brilliant. And if you want to see for yourself, head out to this art gallery…" Corey proudly told them about the location and work hours. He also mentioned that they can buy her works. "If you are in a selected circle, on the fifteenth of every month there is a party where people gather." Corey leaned closer to the crowd and spoke in half-whisper: "If anyone asks, you didn't hear this from me, but it's not rare to see big shots like Jeffrey White and Charles Smith attending those parties…"

Corey's classmates exchanged looks. They can meet Jeff and Charlie!

Merve looked at Corey and smiled. She knows that he is doing this for her. He is amazing.

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