The presentation was announced on Wednesday.
Group work.
The moment the teacher said the words, Mira already knew what would happen.
"Ariana," the teacher said, scanning the class list, "you'll lead Group Three."
Ariana smiled brightly. "Of course."
"And Mira," the teacher continued, "you'll be in the same group."
The room reacted instantly.
Whispers. Looks. Smiles that weren't kind.
Ariana's smile stiffened.
---
They met in the library after school.
Ariana arrived late, her friends trailing behind her like shadows. Mira was already there, notes neatly arranged, laptop open.
Ariana dropped her bag loudly onto the table. "Let's make one thing clear."
Mira looked up. "Okay."
"You don't get to outshine me," Ariana said, her voice low but sharp. "Not in my school."
Mira blinked once. "This is a group grade."
Ariana laughed. "You really don't know how things work here, do you?"
She leaned closer. "You'll do the research. I'll present. That way, when we win, everyone knows who deserves it."
Mira studied her for a moment—really studied her.
Then she nodded. "Fine."
Ariana paused, caught off guard. She had expected resistance. Tears. Anger.
Not calm agreement.
"Good," Ariana said quickly, masking her confusion. "At least you know your place."
Mira returned to her screen.
---
On presentation day, the classroom was full.
Parents, teachers, and even a few sponsors sat at the back. Ariana stood at the front, confident, polished, smiling.
Mira sat quietly with the rest of the group.
The presentation began smoothly—until the questions.
A hand rose from the audience.
"This data here," a teacher said, pointing at the screen, "can you explain how you arrived at this conclusion?"
Ariana froze.
Her eyes flicked toward Mira.
Silence stretched.
"I—" Ariana began, then stopped.
The teacher turned. "Mira? You did the research, correct?"
All eyes shifted.
Mira stood.
"Yes," she said calmly. "If you look at the third slide—"
She explained clearly. Confidently. Without hesitation.
Numbers flowed easily. Logic followed. The room listened.
Even Ariana's friends stared.
By the time Mira finished, the teacher nodded in approval.
"Excellent work," she said. "Very impressive."
Applause followed.
Ariana's hands trembled.
---
That evening, Dominic stood at the back of the hall, unnoticed.
He hadn't planned to stay.
He hadn't planned to watch.
But he had seen her stand up without fear. Speak without arrogance. Shine without trying.
People clapped for her.
And for the first time, Dominic realized something that unsettled him deeply.
Mira wasn't using the Blackwood name.
She didn't need it.
---
Ariana rushed out of the hall, tears burning her eyes.
Behind her, Mira packed her things quietly.
She didn't smile.
She didn't celebrate.
She simply walked away—leaving behind a room full of people who would never look at her the same way again.