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."