Is this destiny?

Some time later…

Corey was happy to see that the crowd around him and Merve is clearing up. Several more handshakes and they can leave. But he didn't want to rush it because Merve was enjoying.

Corey saw her chatting with a few girls, about two steps from him, and he didn't want to interrupt. Corey noticed Merve's posture, her gestures, and the small smile which lingered at the corner of her lips and he concluded that Merve is a natural. Her aura matches someone with power, someone who is at the top… a force to be reckoned with. And he is proud that she is his girlfriend.

Charlie mentioned to Corey that if he works hard and stays on the right path, Corey has a good chance of becoming the next Patriarch of the Smith family. At that time, Corey dismissed the idea. Why bother? Why work hard for the things he does not want? He already has more than he ever dreamed of.

Corey is grateful to Charlie for everything Charlie did for him, and Corey wants to repay him by helping him out. Corey plans to study and be Charlie's right-hand man, someone on whom Charlie can rely on.

But now that he is looking at Merve, Corey's emotions are stirring as well as his motivation. Corey wants to reach the top because that will give him the power to protect people who are dear to him and to make them happy, and other than his mother, Corey has one more person on his mind, and that is Merve. He wants to be the best so that he can give Merve the best.

Corey smiled while drifting off into his thoughts of the future. With Merve.

"Ahh!" A cry came from behind Merve and in the next moment, Merve jolted at the cold sensation on her back, spreading lower.

Merve swiftly turned around and her eyes met Samantha's who was holding now empty glass.

Merve craned her neck and twisted her body and her mouth was open in disbelief when she saw red liquid on her dress. It was the fruit punch, which is pinkish in color, but against her turquoise dress, it stood out as dark red.

The only thing Merve could think of is that the dress is ruined. How can she reuse it for the 1920-ies dance party at the Cliffside Villa? And this was the dress that Corey picked for her. She wanted to keep it for memories.

Merve was startled when Corey's suit jacket landed on her shoulders, covering her back.

Corey didn't see the incident because he was daydreaming, but he is aware that Samantha Long is a malicious girl and that she is not happy that Merve won the title of the prom queen. For some, the prom queen position does not mean anything, but for a girl like Samantha, she might be willing to kill for it.

Corey knows that there is no easy way to deal with such people, his cousin Charlie told him about it. With these people, only ruthless force works, and they need to be weeded out, otherwise, they will return, stronger, and smarter than before.

"Miss Long…" Corey growled. "It seems you forgot how people end up after they spill their drinks on a dress that is associated with the Smith family."

Gasps filled up space. Everyone present knows that several families faced bankruptcy after the incident with Emma's dress (current Mrs. Smith). That was several years ago, but the stories are still circulating as a reminder of what happens when someone dares to act against a Smith.

At this point, even the teachers stepped away and looked to the side, pretending that they have no idea what is going on.

"Oh, I am so sorry… It was an accident. I slipped." Samantha lied.

Samantha could not stand watching everyone sucking up to Corey and Merve. That was her spot and her glory and that damned girl (aka Merve) took it away! Anger boiled inside Samantha and she had to do something… so she decided to ruin Merve's dress. Based on Samantha's logic, if it's an accident, no one will do anything, and she still gets to spoil the celebratory mood for Merve.

Corey narrowed his eyes at Samantha. "Keep that story for my lawyers. They know where to find you."

Samantha blinked a few times rapidly before she regained her composure. "Lawyers? Based on what? The only thing the cameras can show is that I was clumsy. I wanted to congratulate you, but I slipped and… it was an accident. There is nothing you can do about it."

Samantha looked at Corey victoriously. What does Corey think he can do? Everyone knows that he joined this elite school as a sophomore and before that, he was nothing. How can Corey compare with Samantha who was born and raised as a Long?

"I thought so." Samantha said smugly. "Trash will always be trash, no matter who picks him up from the street."

'PAK!'

A heavy slap landed on Samantha's cheek.

Samantha stared at Merve with her mouth wide open.

"How dare you call him trash?" Merve asked angrily.

Corey was stunned. He was thinking about how to deal with this pesky girl (aka Samantha). He was considering taking the high road and ignoring her (for now), and later to ask Charlie for help. Especially because Merve is here and he does not want Merve to be involved in anything nasty. But he didn't expect that the delicate and always composed Merve will be enraged to the point of throwing a slap.

Samantha's face contorted in fury. She got slapped! "How dare…"

'PAK!'

Another slap from Merve landed on Samantha's face, interrupting whatever she wanted to say.

"Apologize!" Merve commanded.

"Me? Never!" Samantha screamed. "Everyone saw that you hit me, there are cameras!"

'PAK!'

"Why are you still hitting me!?" Samantha cried. And why is no one stopping this wild girl?

'PAK!'

Another heavy slap landed on Samantha's face.

Samantha boiled from anger. She glared at Merve. "You worthless bitch!"

Samantha raised her hand to hit Merve, but Merve blocked her with ease and…

'PAK!'

This time, Samantha stumbled backward.

Merve lifted her chin proudly. "You call me worthless? And I say that my every slap is worth one hundred dollars. You ruined my custom dress which is worth more than five thousand dollars, and that means that it's worth fifty slaps. Forty-five more to go!"

Samantha's eyes widened in outrage and she made a step toward Merve. "You would not dare!"

'PAK!'

Merve shook her hand because it was stinging from all the slaps given, but her stern expression didn't crack.

"I dare because I am a White. If you think that you can go against me, feel free to send your lawyers to my Uncle Jeff. But I am in a good mood, so I will give you two choices: forty-four more slaps until you repay the dress, or you can pay the remaining amount with money. Decide now while I'm giving you a chance to use the money to get out of this."

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