Entering her psychology class, Emma was about to sit down on her usual seat beside Daniel when Vanessa hurried over and grabbed her hand.
"Emma," came her sweet and sticky voice. "Are you still mad at me? Look, that day, everyone went a bit far. But we all apologized to you, so can you stop ignoring us? This—"
Before Vanessa could carry on forward, Emma coldly pulled away her hand from her grip and said, "The class is about to start."
Emma noticed the pairs of eyes on her, waiting for the new pieces of gossip, and this brought up discomfort within her.
Vanessa awkwardly took a step back, maintaining her meek behaviour.
"I am sorry. I was too anxious, Emma," Vanessa expressed, "I understand you usually lose your temper at me, and I know I deserve it. But can you go easier on others? Please?"
Emma ignored Vanessa, slipping past her. Once she was seated, Emma took out her book and began to casually go through it. Her attitude made Vanessa release a sigh and go back to her own seat with her head down.
Maintaining her attention on her book, Emma explained in a soft voice to Daniel: "Uncle Gu beat Noah up for his misdeeds. As for the rest, their parents punished them as well. If they bother you again, let me know. Remember I am responsible for it."
Daniel glanced at Emma, perplexed for a second.
Before he could say anything, the professor entered and started on her lecture. Emma maintained her attention through the classroom and made notes when needed.
At the end of the lecture, the professor announced, "There is a new assignment for you to submit at the end of the next week.
You will select the topic for the research paper and conduct a survey before analyzing the information. Further instructions will be uploaded.
As for the groups, I have already assigned them, and two will be working in pairs. You can see your partner's name here."
Emma scanned through the list and found her name.
It wasn't a coincidence her partner turned out to be Daniel. Before her rebirth, she pressurized the professor to let her be in the same group as Daniel for all the future projects.
From the vague memories she had from her last life, Emma wasn't a reliable partner. While her mind was on trying to spend time with Daniel using the excuse of teamwork, Daniel worked hard by himself on the entire assignment.
Emma truly was obnoxiously annoying.
As the class was dismissed, Daniel stood up and walked out the door when Emma had an idea. She ran to catch up to him and stood in front of him.
Knowing Daniel, he would probably work on the assignment on his own again. Therefore, Emma offered, "Why don't I set the survey questions and conduct the survey? You can write the assignment then."
Her writing would never measure up to Daniel's. Therefore, it was the perfect division of labor.
"You don't need to do anything," Daniel said, "I can handle it by myself."
Emma frowned. "This is my assignment as well. You can't just do it alone."
This made Daniel look bothered. Although he didn't understand what Emma was planning, he believed it would be more efficient to do it on his own.
Emma added, "You can trust me on it. I won't slack off. My dad— he wants me to pull off good grades this time."
Daniel silently stared at her for few seconds before saying, "Set the survey questions by two days."
Emma nodded.
°°°
After she was done with the classes for the day, Emma settled in the library. With her laptop open in front of her, she skimmed through the research papers done previously on the topic to set the survey questions.
In her previous life, Emma was probably painted as a good-for-nothing loser in Daniel's life. Even when she lost everything, instead of working hard to get back on her feet, she grumbled about her life.
Therefore, the idea of being acknowledged by Daniel made her feel enthusiastic.
Soft music played on her headphones. Subtle frown settled on her forehead as she read through the dense words. She made notes on what seemed suitable.
Emma did not notice the time pass by until she was distracted by the hand patting on her shoulder. Finding Vanessa standing beside her, Emma removed her headphones.
Pulling the chair beside her, Vanessa seemed surprised as she asked, "You're studying?"
"Working on the assignment," Emma replied.
Vanessa voiced out in discontentment: "Why are you working on it? Isn't Daniel there? He is the top student. You don't need to stress over it. Could it be that he asked you to do it?"
"I am working on it because I want to. Is there anything else?" Emma sounded bored.
"What's the matter with you, Emma? You have become so strange these days, especially after dating Daniel. Could it be that he said something to you?
You're ignoring your friends, and now, you're studying? I also heard from Aunt Lin you're planning to change majors. Emma, did Daniel ask you to get serious? You were brought up to be pampered. How could he force you to be like this?"
Vanessa's distress might have convinced her foolish self in her previous life. However, now she couldn't ignore the undertones of jealousy in her voice.
"If you talked to my mom, you should know that I am planning to take over my family's business," Emma vocalized.
Vanessa's eyes widened. "You're serious about it? Why all of a sudden? Isn't it good like this? You have all the money in the world without having to work for it.
If you take over your father's business, Emma, you will have no time for yourself. You have seen how busy Uncle Lin is. And what if you mess up?"
The smile that made on to her face didn't reach her eyes. It chilled Vanessa.
"I used to think it was good," Emma stated, "But why should I give what's mine to others? I would rather ruin it."
Vanessa blinked her eyes.
"Aunt Lin," Vanessa brought up in a shaky voice. "She was asking for you to come home. She couldn't reach you."