[Child, the time has changed from tomorrow to today. You should hurry.]
The message forced Naomi out of her bed.
With a cold face, she combed her tousled hair, straightening the tangled mess as if that could sort the mess of her life.
There was no need to think twice. Emily must have changed her plans on the spot. Who could stop her impulses anyway?
The fact that Naomi had been informed meant Emily was willing to meet her. That was already half the battle won.
The other half depended on her attitude while apologizing.
If she wanted to clear any misunderstanding, she had to be there on time.
It was already five in the evening. Reaching Fiala Ground would take at least an hour.
After choosing a simple, cream-colored long skirt, she stood before the mirror.
What stared back was her expressionless face. Thick lashes framed her dark eyes, and her long hair cascaded down to her waist.
Her lips were pursed, her cheeks slightly sunken.
This was the face celebrated by the fashion circle as a 'world-weary beauty'.
There was no shortage of artists approaching her. They wanted to paint her as if her face was something to be stared at.
However, to her, it was merely her mother's shadow—cold, gloomy, and sad.
She averted her gaze. Not likable at all.
Calling her driver, she reached her destination.
The vast green expanse was crowded with many familiar and unfamiliar faces. Leaders from various sectors were frequent here.
Fiala Ground, owned by the Kings, was the perfect place to make connections.
Here, deals worth millions were sealed over golf swings and expensive wine.
I've only been here with my father, she mused. She wasn't allowed to wander alone, so she stayed in the golf hall.
This was the first time she was moving to another side.
Soon, she reached the entrance of the top floor.
After being beaten, she still had to bow her head and apologize. A faint, mocking smile tugged at her lips as she stared at her thin wrist.
The red fingerprints had turned a deep purple, forcing her to wrap a silk scarf around them to hide the marks.
Her phone screen lit up with a room number—007.
Even though Emily had agreed to the meeting, Naomi's heart was heavy with reluctance.
She didn't want to see Emily or anyone from the Rhodes family.
But she had to.
The male receptionist gestured to follow and led her to the designated room.
When they reached the black door, he pressed the bell. With a polite bow, he smiled, "I'll take my leave."
The door swung open within seconds, and Naomi found herself struggling to take another step.
Let's just get this done with.
To her, this entrance didn't open to a luxurious room—it opened to her disgrace.
Still, she gritted her teeth and stepped inside.
The door shut behind her with a dull thud, and she was greeted by the same blond guard.
This young man was also one of her academy mates.
In her dreams, this man had been the leader of the lackeys, following the Rhodes twins—doing whatever they wanted without question.
Ethen. That was his name.
"Miss Vale is quite punctual. I expected you to limp your way here. Considering your injuries, you know."
His voice was as unpleasant as his face. Dull yellow hair and pale, murky eyes that always had a glint of wickedness.
Naomi didn't reply, instead searching the huge room for the familiar figure with a high ponytail.
"Who are you looking for?"
That voice made Naomi's body go rigid. Despite her best effort to hide it, her eyes widened ever so slightly.
Why? Why was Damien here?
Gulping down the bout of nerves, she replied in her usual calm voice. "I am looking for Miss Emily."
An amused chuckle came from Damien, which was soon followed by Ethen's loud laughter.
"Looking for my sister... For what?"
Naomi's grip on her handbag tightened.
Calm down, Naomi, calm down. Get a hold of yourself!
As long as she was studying in St. Michael Academy, she would have to face the twins. And if her family wanted to do business, they were bound to meet Rhodes as well.
She had to put an end to this matter before it escalated further.
"Cat got your tongue? Or do you only want to talk to my sister? Fine, I'll fulfill your little wish."
"Yo." Ethen crossed his arms and leaned against the pool table. "Our young master is so generous, see? He didn't let your efforts go in vain."
Her efforts... They were openly mocking her for bribing the vice-principal to set this meeting.
Of course, Damien knew. His family was one of the sponsors of the academy.
If Emily hadn't agreed, there was no way the Vice-principal would send Naomi the location.
That led to another conclusion that made Naomi sick to her stomach.
From the beginning, it was just a staged play, waiting for her to take her place.
Damien didn't go back on his word. He promptly video-called Emily, lounging in her princess-like room.
"Someone is desperate to talk to you," he said before turning the camera toward Naomi.
[Oh, it's you.]
The dismissal in her tone pricked Naomi's chest.
[Here to apologize? Then... you drink a glass of that whisky and we forget your arrogance.]
Arrogance? When had she ever shown arrogance?
Before she could even respond, Ethen had already filled a large glass to the brim.
"Here you go."
Damien placed the phone on the table and casually stood there as if watching a good show.
"Alright," Naomi said, taking the glossy yellow liquid with both hands. Yet she couldn't fully encircle the glass.
If she consumed all that, she was bound to get drunk and make a fool of herself. That too, in front of many leaders playing downstairs.
Luckily, she had brought her driver.
The first sip burned her throat with bitterness, forcing her to cough.
Enduring the urge to puke, she gulped down the drink.
Halfway through, Emily's voice echoed in her ears. [Well, you finish it. I am busy, brother. Bye.]
"Hmm. Bye."
A wave of relief washed over Naomi. Finally, this disgusting web of bullying was over.
Taking a deep breath, she swallowed again.
In the next second, a tiny, white golf ball hit the glass.
Leftover whisky and shards of glass splattered across the floor.
Stunned, Naomi stared at the wet patch that reflected her shadow. A crimson streak on her cheek stood out against her pale skin like a glaring truth.
She had just failed to finish her drink.
"I never go back on my word," Damien smirked as he swung the golf club again.
The next ball slammed into Naomi's left shoulder. A sickening crack echoed as another struck the same spot and bounced off toward the wall.
"Ack!"
She doubled over in pain. Her fingers clutched her shoulder as her eyes, involuntarily, found the culprit.
Damien's smirk and those blue eyes showed what was inside his heart. Cruelty, worse than a beast.
Naomi blinked to get rid of the blurriness in her vision.
"You didn't bring that bitch here, Miss Vale." Damien tilted his head to the side, a cocky smirk on his lips.
Ultimately, it all came down to Anya's arrival, Naomi thought.
Is this what people call fate?
Even without betraying Anya, she still ended up hurt by the same damned golf club.
"I am here to apologize." Her low voice was void of any ups and downs. One wouldn't even know she was hurt so badly if they only listened to her voice.
However, the crimson patch swelling on her shoulder gave away what little dignity she was trying to hold.
"If you are still angry, then I can drink another glass, or you can hit me two more times."
Her words even stunned Ethen. Which delicate young lady went around asking to be beaten?
Naomi Vale was indeed one of a kind, wasn't she? Ethen thought, his gaze flicking toward Damien. That was also why she ended up on the receiving end of the twins.
Sure enough, the young master's smirk faltered, and his eyes narrowed.
"Your audacity is something else. Interesting... very interesting, indeed."
Naomi's heart gave a loud thud.
"I don't know how I have offended you two. Can you tell me the reason?"
Even before Anya's arrival, Emily had started targeting her.
But why?
"Why? Hm.... I don't know either. Maybe Emily just doesn't like your face—and I don't like what my sister despises."
The slight flicker of hope in Naomi's eyes dimmed after those words.
"You didn't keep your side of the bargain, so forget it. Scram."
Of course, Damien's 'forget it' didn't mean the end of it. He was only letting Naomi go because he found her presence useless.
The next morning, the news that Naomi Vale had offended the Rhodes twins spread throughout the entire academy.