"Break off the engagement?" Brad stared at Clara in shock, convinced he hadn't heard her right. "What did you just say?"

He couldn't process it at first.

In the past, he'd watched Clara lower herself over and over, always following Robert, swallowing every humiliation but refusing to let go. It had always pained him to see her that way.

And now she was the one choosing to end things?

Clara didn't hesitate; she made her decision perfectly clear.

Suddenly, a huge smile broke out on Brad's face. "Clara, you've finally come to your senses! I always told you Robert wasn't worth it. You deserve someone so much better! This is wonderful. I..."

Before he could finish celebrating, Ramona quickly cut in, wearing a stiff smile that didn't reach her eyes. Her voice, however, left no doubt about her real feelings. "Brad, don't pay attention to Clara's outburst. The Cooper family and us are just about to finalize the western district project. If you break off the engagement now, people might say we're unreliable. If the deal falls through, our losses will be huge!"

She shot Emily a meaningful look as she spoke.

Picking up her cue, Emily jumped in, her eyes rimmed with red, feigning concern for Clara. "That's right. Clara, please don't make a scene! Robert is such a perfect match for you. If you call things off, do you really think you'll find someone better? And after everything you've done for him, wouldn't ending things now just make you look impulsive and capricious?"

Their words sounded like advice, but Clara could tell they were really warnings.

Everyone already knew about Clara's long pursuit of Robert.

If she broke things off now, it would only be the Jones family's reputation that took the hit.

Clara's eyes were cold as she watched Ramona and Emily working together, unable to hide her contempt.

She had seen this exact act in her previous life. Whenever she even thought about stepping away from Robert, Ramona and Emily would corner her, talking endlessly about family obligations, public opinion, and how she'd never get a better match, scaring her with worst-case scenarios until she caved.

But now, Clara found it all ridiculous.

Clara let out a cold laugh. "By ending this engagement, I'm just giving you and Robert what you've always wanted, aren't I? Or is it that you two just crave the rush of sneaking around behind my back?"

Emily stiffened on the spot, her face flaring with panic before shifting into one of hurt innocence. "Clara, how could you accuse me of something so awful? Robert is your fiancé, and I haven't even said a word to him..."

Ramona, drawing on years of experience, didn't flinch. "They always say being a stepmother is difficult, and I'm beginning to see why. Clara, you still refuse to see Emily and me as your family. If that's how it is..."

There was a heavy accusation hidden in her words.

If gossip started, people would say Clara was ungrateful, unwilling to accept her stepmother and stepsister, painting her as spiteful and small-minded.

Brad's expression hardened in response. "If you two can't talk respectfully, then just keep quiet."

Clara almost wanted to laugh.

Brad had always been the kind of father who showed his love by providing, never really getting involved in the arguments at home.

But if his kids were under attack, he wouldn't hesitate to defend them.

That thought brought a genuine warmth to Clara's heart. She looked at Brad and spoke sincerely. "Dad, I'm not breaking off the engagement just to make trouble. I've thought it through. I know this puts our family in a difficult position, and I don't want you to worry about handling the fallout. I'll take responsibility for ending things myself."

Brad felt a mixture of pride at her growth and pain for her struggles. "If you're sure about this, I won't get in your way. But if you run into trouble, come to me and I'll stand behind you."

Clara smiled at him. "Thank you, Dad! You really are the best!" With that, she leaned against Brad's shoulder, feeling a rare sense of comfort.

Ramona and Emily exchanged glances, each one puzzled by how quickly things had shifted, but neither said a word.

A short while later, all five stepped inside the house, and no one dared to mention Emily's possible affair with Robert again.

Exposing Emily and Ramona completely was not part of Clara's plan for today.

She despised them with every fiber of her being, but exposing it all now would be too soon.

What she truly wanted was for Emily and Ramona to pay dearly for what she and her family had suffered in her previous life.

So she intended to peel back their masks slowly, revealing their deceit to everyone.

At dawn the next day, Clara rose earlier than usual.

She pulled out a concealed vial of potion and laid out the tools she needed to wipe off her makeup.

Bit by bit, she washed away the horribly applied cosmetics, unveiling a flawless, breathtaking face beneath.

With her appearance restored, she realized time was slipping away.

After coming downstairs, she greeted Brad as he ate breakfast, then drove off to school.

From inside Jones Manor, Brad watched her leave, stunned by how beautiful she had become.

...

Thirty minutes later at Pehville University, Clara paused at the classroom door.

Her steady gaze swept over the familiar threshold, and a cool smile curved her lips.

This time around, she wasn't the helpless girl everyone could walk all over.

Anyone who had humiliated or bullied her before would now face the consequences.

Holding her spine straight and keeping her composure, Clara walked in with quiet confidence.

Clara walked into Class One and immediately caught the sound of Emily's affected concern. "Robert, when Clara gets here, you should try to cheer her up. She told our dad last night that she wants to break off your engagement..."

Even though Emily made an effort to speak softly, her voice still carried just enough for their classmates to catch every word.

The students crowded around Robert fell silent for a moment, then broke into laughter.

"Can you believe Clara actually wants to end things herself?"

"I bet she's faking it. She probably just wants Robert to chase after her!"

"That's right! It's no secret that Clara's been shamelessly chasing after Robert. He's turned her down 99 times. Just one more and it'll hit a hundred. She won't give up now."

"Yeah, that's right!"

A chorus of laughter filled the air.

For a split second, satisfaction flickered in Emily's eyes, but she quickly masked it with a worried expression. "Please don't talk about Clara like that. She must be upset. She used to do everything for Robert, even bringing him breakfast and making handmade gifts. It's honestly a little sad."

Though she sounded like she was defending Clara, Emily was really dragging up Clara's old embarrassments for everyone to see, admitting how unattractive Clara supposedly was.

Clara's eyebrows lifted in amusement.

She recalled the first day Emily met her after she was brought into the Jones family.

That day, Emily wore flashy clothes and sparkling jewelry, trying her hardest to look better than Clara.

But when she finally saw Clara's face, she was left speechless by how beautiful Clara actually was.

And now, Emily had the nerve to slander her like this.

Clearly, Clara's bad makeup-all a trick by Emily-worked way too well. So well that even Emily had forgotten her earlier jealousy.

At the center of it all, Robert sat with a bored look, his voice sharp and uninterested. "Don't mention her again. She just puts me in a bad mood."

That single comment seemed to fuel the crowd, and their taunts only grew louder.

Emily watched, unable to hide the pleasure on her face.

She wanted the whole class to believe that Clara was just a clingy, unattractive nobody.

By doing so, Robert would never bother to look at Clara again.

"There's nothing pitiful about Clara!"

"She only chases after Robert because he's the best guy she's ever met!"

"Gross!"

People all around them exchanged looks of disgust and disbelief.

Hearing these cruel lies about Clara made Emily feel a sick kind of satisfaction.

This was exactly how things should be.

A girl like Clara deserved nothing but contempt and exclusion.

If everyone hated Clara, then society would only see Emily as the true, elegant heiress of the Jones family.

Just as the rumors hit their most vicious point, a slim figure suddenly stepped in and grabbed Adair Rooker, the student spreading the worst lies.

The entire class instantly fell silent.

Every head turned, eyes wide in shock, as they stared at the girl who had suddenly lashed out.

In that moment, no one moved. Awe and disbelief flickered in their gazes.

Bathed in sunlight, the girl stood out in a bold red dress, its vivid color tracing her graceful curves and making her look like a living flame, fierce, impossible to ignore.

Her hair flowed over her shoulders in glossy waves, drawing even more attention to her striking, almost dazzling features.

Light danced in her expressive eyes, while her crimson lips were as vivid as freshly bloomed roses.

She was so beautiful that it hardly seemed real.

Yet it wasn't just her looks that caught everyone's attention; it was the effortless poise and commanding presence that seemed to radiate from her.

Her sheer confidence and regal air made every so-called "noble" girl in the room feel utterly insignificant.

The classroom fell into a heavy silence, as if time itself had frozen.

The only sounds were soft gasps and whispers.

Every eye was locked on the girl, whose stunning beauty left everyone spellbound.

"Who is she?"

"Wow, she's absolutely gorgeous! She could outshine any celebrity!"

"When did someone like her even come to our school?"

The students were caught between amazement and disbelief.

Only Emily, who immediately recognized the girl, felt her smile falter.

Her hands clenched tightly under the desk.

It was Clara, without a doubt.

A sharp memory from a year ago flashed through Emily's mind—Clara wearing a simple countryside dress, yet outshining her, who stood awkwardly in an extravagant gown.

Jealousy, shock, and bitterness overwhelmed Emily, choking her silently.

And seeing Robert staring at Clara with a look of genuine admiration only fueled Emily's anger further.

Taking a steadying breath, Emily quickly masked her emotions behind a sweet smile and stood up to greet Clara. "Clara, you look absolutely stunning today."

The simple mention of Clara's name rippled through the classroom like a stone skipping across water.

"No way, that's Clara?"

"Are you joking? That fierce, ugly girl with all the makeup?"

"This makeover is unbelievable!"

Even the shyest students whispered in disbelief.

"I always thought Emily was the prettiest here, but next to Clara, she doesn't even compare!"

"Shh! Keep your voice down! If Emily hears that, you're finished!"

Emily caught every harsh whisper, her nails digging into her palms at her sides.

But outwardly, her smile remained sweet and composed.

Meanwhile, Robert stared at Clara, who was standing there elegant and breathtaking, feeling shaken deep inside.

Emily spun around with a sly wink at Robert.

"See? Clara was just blowing off steam last night when she talked about breaking things off with you." She then reached out, lightly taking Clara's hand. "You should say sorry for what you said yesterday. It was over the top. If you do, I'll put in a good word for you, and I'm sure Robert will forgive you."

But the moment Emily's hand touched Clara's, a sharp jolt shot through her wrist.

Clara's eyes narrowed, and before Emily could react, Clara grabbed her hand back and shoved her hard.

Emily screamed, falling backward with a heavy thud, crashing into the corner of a desk.

Dazed and stunned on the floor, Emily struggled to process what had happened.

She had planned yet another act of being bullied by Clara but never expected Clara to actually lay a hand on her, especially in front of everyone.

A flicker of spite crossed Emily's eyes, but she quickly looked up as Robert approached. "Robert, don't get the wrong idea! Clara didn't push me. I just lost my footing..." she said, brushing off his help and struggling to her feet, trying to look innocent and a little shaken. "Besides, Clara's always hated me being near you..."

Her act immediately stirred anger among the crowd.

"Clara may be pretty, but she's cruel to the core!"

"She dares to bully Emily openly—imagine what she does behind closed doors!"

"Robert said she was moody and difficult yesterday. I didn't believe it, but now? She's terrifying!"

Seeing Emily's distress, Robert frowned sharply.

He turned to Clara, and his voice took on its usual commanding tone. "Clara, apologize to Emily."

Clara arched an eyebrow and gave Robert a contemptuous look. "Apologize? For what?"

She scoffed, glancing between him and Emily with pure mockery. "A fool who can't see people for who they are, a liar I'm about to break things off with—what right do you have to defend her?"

Her words hit like thunder, sparking a new wave of uproar throughout the room.

At that moment, Adair, who had been sitting quietly on the floor but clearly holding a grudge, jumped up and shouted, "Clara, what's with the big act? Everyone in Pehville knows you were shamelessly chasing Robert! And now you're threatening to end the engagement just to get his attention!"

He stepped forward, grinning wickedly. "You think you're tough? How about a race on Devil's Track? If I win, you'll kneel before the whole school and apologize. Do you have the guts to accept?"

Clara felt nothing but boredom at the insult.

Yet as she eyed Adair's cocky smirk, a faint smile curled her lips. "Sure. Let's do it."