Vanessa's scandal tore through campus like wildfire, fueled by forum posts and official photos plastered online. The school had no choice but to act. She became the "infamous star" overnight.
The verdict was harsh: a year's suspension and demotion. Lila had seen it coming. But the storm didn't die down—it raged hotter. Jo An tore into Vanessa at home, ordering her to lay low. Fuming, she complied, but her resentment simmered.
What Lila didn't expect was the media frenzy. Paparazzi, sniffing out rumors, camped at the Jo house, hounding both "parties." Lila shut them down, but they clung like leeches. Jo An, desperate, shelled out cash to bury the story, buying up headlines and trending searches.
In time, the scandal would fade. But Vanessa seethed in the shadows. "Lila, you're heartless. Don't blame me for playing dirty!" A chilling thought took root: If Lila were gone… problem solved.
Worse, Vanessa couldn't stomach Lu Zhe's shift. His warmth toward her had cooled, while his eyes lingered on Lila with subtle care.
"No way. Once this blows over, Lila's finished!"
Meanwhile, Lu Zhe lounged across from Lila, his tone casual but sharp. "That 'duel' with Vanessa? Quite the performance."
Lila froze, unsure if he was praising or poking fun.
"Didn't peg you for a fighter," he said, picturing her cool-headed takedown in the gym, an image he couldn't shake. "Not one to just take hits."
Lila gave an awkward smile. "Should I thank you for the compliment?"
Lu Zhe had felt the ripples. Vanessa's engagement banquet flop and now this public disgrace had soured his view of her. He saw the ticking bomb between Lila and Vanessa—and himself as the spark.
But his idea of their "love-hate" clash wasn't Lila's. He thought Lila's fire came from loving him too much, leaving no room for Vanessa. Lila, though, burned with vengeance, forged from betrayals and a past life's death.
Silence fell.
Then, out of nowhere, Lu Zhe asked, "What if I hadn't said 'I trust you' that day?"
Lila blinked, caught off guard by the question.
She grinned. "You'd have been eating crow with Vanessa."
Lila's mood soared in the days that followed. Her team clinched a top-three spot in the contest, with prize money rolling in. She dodged the spotlight, wary of lingering reporters, but kept tabs on the news. Vanessa's coverage was fading.
"Guess she's finally learned," Lila told Wendy. "Should've been harsher—sent her to jail."
"Work tonight? Then grab some good food?" Wendy texted.
"Count me in!" Lila replied.
That evening, Lila powered through her restaurant shift, her skills sharper from practice. Then—crash! Glass shattered.
She spun around. A drunk was berating Wendy, flipping a tray of food to the floor. Wendy trembled, tears streaming, a red handprint stark on her cheek. Lila rushed over, steadying her.
"Lila…" Wendy sobbed, collapsing into her arms.
The drunk had ordered a mountain of dishes, then claimed they got it wrong. Wendy, ever gentle, showed him his signed menu, but he slapped her, ignoring reason.
Lila's blood boiled. She sent Wendy to the break room. "I'll handle this."
The manager arrived, and Lila flashed a professional smile. "Sir, you said the order was wrong?"
The drunk, reeking of booze, roared, "Rip-off joint! Get lost!"
Lila held up the menu, his signature clear. "Can you confirm this is your order?"
The manager stepped in. "What's going on?"
Lila briefed him, and he addressed the man. "Sir, please calm down."
"Calm down my ass! Fancy places like this hate poor folks, huh?"
Lila's instincts pinged. High-end restaurants had faced similar disruptions lately. She whispered to the manager, "No cops. I've got this."
Facing the drunk, her voice softened. "We don't judge here. We're students, working hard, not rich. Being poor's no shame, but acting low is. Your behavior? That's what makes people sneer."
The drunk blinked, her words sinking in.
"What do I do?" he mumbled.
"Apologize to my friend and the manager. We'll waive today's damages."
He did, mumbling apologies. The manager let it slide, eyeing Lila with new respect.
"Thanks, Lila," Wendy said later, treating her to dessert.
Lila studied Wendy's bruised cheek. "Ice it. Don't let that pretty face scar."
Wendy grinned. "What's with you today? Going soft with words? Not your usual Vanessa-smacking style."
Lila shrugged. "Different folks, different strokes. Vanessa only gets the slap."
Wendy nodded. "True. She's been quiet lately—campus feels cleaner."
"Stay sharp," Lila warned. "Vanessa's after me, but she might target you."
Wendy smirked. "I'm not scared! If I can't be your knight, who says two princesses can't guard each other?"
Lila tapped her nose. "You'll find your knight. But this time, I've got your back."
They laughed, heading home. Wendy texted to confirm she was safe.
Past 11 p.m., Lila, fresh from a shower, saw Lu Zhe wasn't back. Irritated, she sat on her bed, mulling over Grandma's birthday plans when a friend request popped up.
You there, Miss Lila?
She laughed at the username. Lu Zhe, your side account's working overtime.
He didn't deny it. Swamped lately, might crash at the office. Can you whip me up some soup?
He sent his schedule. Lila's heart warmed, unbidden.
Fine.
Next morning, she rose early, simmering lamb-corn soup and light porridge. At Lu Enterprises, security waved her through. At the elevator, a flashy employee in a tight skirt and heavy makeup blocked her, sneering.
"Dressed like that for work? Intern, no badge? Bringing breakfast—who taught you that?"
Lila opened her mouth, but the woman ranted on. Fed up, Lila snapped, "Mediocre folks, endless drama. Trashy ones, endless noise."
The woman exploded, threatening to "teach her." A crowd gathered, the manager rushing over.
"Manager, this intern's late and mouthy!" the woman whined.
A lazy, deep voice cut through. "Who's calling my fiancée mouthy?"
Heads turned. Lu Zhe strolled in, suit crisp, aura commanding.
The woman paled.
Lila shoved the soup into his hands. He grinned, fox-like. "Who said they're firing my fiancée?"
The woman backpedaled. "I didn't know she was the boss's wife! Sis, what department you interning in? I've got you!"
Lila smirked. "I don't work here. Firing me? You don't have the clout."
She shot Lu Zhe a look. "Rein in your staff. Their vibe's too tacky—gross."
Lu Zhe's lips twitched, amused. Feisty today. He glanced at the woman. "We don't keep troublemakers with bad conduct. Clear?"
She nodded, slinking off.
In his office, Lu Zhe took the soup, sipping. "Corn? Thought it'd be fish."
Lila rolled her eyes. "Want fish soup? Ask your childhood sweetheart. I don't do that."
"Need a ride back to school?" he asked, eyebrow raised.
"Nah, rest up," she said, her tone sharp but laced with care.
He watched her leave, chuckling. Lila, you're a damn surprise.
He sipped the soup, his earlier stress melting away.