Chapter 14
“Nina, since your father’s already handled the paperwork, why don’t you just go to Lyceum? Clifford suggested.
The woman was insufferable–fragile, always playing the victim and crying to anyone who would listen, especially Darell, who always took her side. Nina wanted nothing to do with her
Oh Cliffend said, raising an eyebrow, picking up on the obvious distaste in her voice. “You really hate Jessica that much?”
“Hate doesn’t even begin to cover it, Nina replied, her voice thick with disgust. I really can’t stand her
“Oh…” Clifford dragged the word out, a teasing glint in his eye. So, are you afraid of her, then?”
Nina blinked. “Huh? Afraid? What are you talking about?”
“Afraid?” she repeated, outraged. How could I be afraid of her? Are you insulting tre
The thought of Jessica–fragile, defenseless, utterly harmless–was laughable, Nina could break her with a single thought. Clifford smiled, knowing he had her now. With the skill of an experienced puppeteer, he watched her react. “Oh So you’re not afraid? [thought you didn’t want to go to school because of her. I assumed you were too scared to face her.”
Tm not scared! It’s just annoying, okay?”
“Olu afraid of a little hassle? That’s totally understandable. After all, even the best have their weak spots.”
Ugh!” Nina’s temper flared, her blood pressure rising. He was totally looking down on her. With a huff, she retorted. “Who said I’m scared? It’s just school with Jessica. No big deal. I’ll go!”
“Really? You sure it’s not too much to handle
“It’s not a big deal!” Nina replied, her voice firm.
ll, then. I’m looking forward to seeing you in action.”
It was as if a fog had settled over Nina. She couldn’t shake the feeling that she was being manipulated, played like a puppet on someone else’s strings.
Poor thing, her emotional intelligence and IQ were inversely proportional,
Growing up in such a distorted environment had left her as naive as a newborn fawn, Clifford, with his heart as black as night, was the perfect predator to exploit her innocence.
The vacation was over. Nina resigned herself to the inevitable, joining Jessica for the first day of school. Humphrey, ever the dutiful brother, volunteered to drive his little sister to her new academic adventure.
When they reached the car, it was clear Humphrey was driving, but that left the passenger seat in question.
Nina, knowing how Jessica loved to compete, assumed she’d be the first to jump in.
But to her surprise, Jessica smiled sweetly and walked to the back seat, opening the door.
“Nina, you should sit in front. Humphrey likes chatting with you more, anyway, Jessica said, her voice sugary sweet.
As soon as Jessica spoke, Humphrey arched a brow, his deep gaze sweeping over her with an unreadable calm.
Chapter 14
Instantly, he saw right through her intentions, thinking. Ha. Con’t get her way by force, so now she’s trying sweet talk? Jessica wouldn’t come up with that on her own–this has Rachel that sly fox, written all over it
Nina, however, was a straightforward kid and didn’t catch Jessica’s insincerity. Her wide, clear eyes lingered on Jessica before she spoke up. “Jessica”
Yes?” Jessica asked, maintaining her perfect smile.
Nina raised an eyebrow, clearly puzzled. “Did you hit your head or something? What’s going on with you?”
Jessica’s carefully constructed smile faltered. She clenched her jaw and hissed through gritted teeth, “The only one with a problem is you, Nina”
She was screaming inside, Damn it, Nina. If you don’t know what to say, can’t you just keep your mouth shut?”
Nina let out a small sigh of relief. ‘Ah, so no head injury? Good to know, Looks like it’s just your acting skills that are off
today.”
Jessica’s face twitched with frustration, practically fuming. ‘Mor wants me to get along with Nina to keep up appearances, but this is impossible! That girl is downright toxic! she thought,
Humphrey, who had been watching the scene unfold, couldn’t help himself. He chuckled under his breath and gave Nina a playful pat on the head “Nina, you’re just too cute.”
“Tam not cute!” Nina swatted his hand away, frowning. T’m going for a cool vibe here.”
She was channeling her inner action movie heroine–sunglasses on, heart of stone. Cool.
“You? Cool?” Humphrey couldn’t hold back his laughter as he looked her over. She was definitely cute–small, petite, with soft cheeks and wide eyes. There was nothing cool about her.
hat Nina tossed her head back, defiantly. “What, I’m not cool?”
Humphrey, who always saw Nina through rose–colored glasses, thought everything she did was charming. But he knew better than to say it out loud. Instead, he smiled and hugged her “Okay, okay, Nina’s super cool. Happy now?”
Nina pushed him away, feigning a serious expression. “Don’t mess with Cool Nina, okay?”
“Yes, ma’am.” Humphrey grinned, playing along.
Nina put on a nonchalant facade, but inside, she was giddy with excitement.
Humphrey’s not so bad after all, she thought. I used to tell everyone in the Special Operations Division that I wanted to be tough, and they’d all laugh. But Clifford, with his sharp eye, saw right through me and appreciated my coolness. And now Humphrey does too. Looks like they have more in common than I thought.
Jessica, standing in the background, seethed with frustration. Watching Humphrey, normally distant and aloof, act like a complete softie in front of Nina was infuriating. If looks could kill, she would’ve sent them both to the grave right there.
After dropping the two girls off at school, Humphrey drove off. Jessica, now alone with Nina, gave her a sly look. “Nina. you’ve hardly been to school. Aren’t you nervous about starting here?”
“Nervous? Why would I be nervous?” Nina was genuinely confused.
Jessica covered her mouth and giggled, “You, an illiterate, aren’t at all nervous about coming to an elite university? I have to say, you’ve got some thick skin!”
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Chapter 14
Nina shot her a glance. “You looking for trouble?”
Jessica really had a mouth on her.
Jessica, seeing Nina’s fists clench, tell a familiar ache in her legmemory of being flattened by Nina’s fury.
She gritted her teeth, trying to keep her composure. Don’t get to corky, Nina. You hit someone here, and they’ll kick you out so fast you won’t know what hit you
“Oh! Nina didn’t miss a beat, and before Jessica could finish he sentence, she threw a punch straight at her.
