"You're drooling," Matthew said, disgust clear in his voice.
Ria blinked once… then smiled slowly.
"Because you're hot," she said shamelessly. "The way you fight is hot. I want to kiss you."
She pushed herself up, almost throwing her body toward him.
Matthew didn't move.
"Right," he said flatly. "And you're also the one who threw your diamond watch so they could beat me."
Then—he smiled.
Not warm. Not amused.
Predatory.
His lips curled slightly, revealing the sharp edge of a canine, eyes dark and dangerous.
Ria froze.
A chill ran down her spine.
Danger.
Her body reacted before her brain.
She turned to run—
—but a hand caught her collar.
In one smooth motion, Matthew lifted her off the ground as if she weighed nothing.
Ria gasped, legs kicking in the air, glaring at him. "Put me down!"
"I warned you," he said calmly, voice low and cold. "Stay away from me. But you don't understand simple English, do you?"
He carried her toward a tree near the school boundary, walking as if holding a bag, not a person. Leaves rustled softly above them, sunlight breaking through branches in scattered pieces.
Ria struggled, twisting, swinging her legs.
"Matthew! Let me go—!"
He stopped under a low branch.
Without effort, he hooked the back of her vest onto the branch.
Ria froze.
She was hanging.
Not high enough to fall.
Not low enough to stand.
Matthew stepped back… and looked at his work.
Satisfied.
"You're not my type," he said calmly. "So give up."
Ria glared at him, cheeks burning, legs still swinging slightly in the air.
Matthew turned.
As he walked away toward the school grounds, he casually tossed her diamond watch up and down in his hand—catch, drop, catch—like nothing had happened.
Leaves swayed.
Footsteps faded.
And Ria remained hanging on the tree… stunned, furious… and very aware her heart was beating faster than it should.
"Damn, I hate him! Bastard!" Ria snapped, swinging her legs angrily in the air. "How dare he humiliate me like this just because I'm short and he's tall and sexy and hot—"
She paused.
"…Look at the way he carried me by my collar… so manly…"
Her anger melted for exactly three seconds.
"…Made me want to kiss his face."
Dumball, now in the form of a small lazy cat, sat below the tree staring at her like a tired soul questioning life choices.
"Dumball," Ria continued dramatically, swinging left and right, "isn't this how those stories go? The male lead bullies the female lead like this… then later gets jealous when she talks to other boys?"
She formed a tiny heart with her fingers and pouted into the air.
Then froze.
"…Right. I'm not the female lead."
Her face darkened.
"I'm the villainess."
Her eyes twitched.
"DAMN IT! HOW DARE HE PLAY WITH MY EMOTIONS, SEXY BASTARD!"
She started swinging harder, trying to free herself.
The branch creaked.
Nothing happened.
She twisted. Kicked. Wiggled.
Still stuck.
Silence.
"…Dumball."
No response.
"…Dumball."
The cat licked its paw.
"DUMBAAAALL!!"
Still nothing.
Ria's voice broke dramatically, instantly switching tone.
"Someone help me… I'm going to die… I'm too young… too pretty… too rich to die hanging on a tree like laundry…"
She sniffed loudly, fake-sobbing.
"I haven't even bullied the female lead yet… life is so unfair…"
Dumball stared at her with deep disappointment.
What sin did I commit in my past life to be stuck with this host…
He sighed.
Then lazily lifted one paw.
A faint invisible force shook the branch.
Crack.
The branch snapped.
"AHHH—"
Ria fell.
THUD.
Straight on her butt.
Silence.
Wind blew softly.
A bird flew away.
Ria sat frozen on the ground, hair messy, pride shattered, soul questioning existence.
"…My butt…"
"Ouch—damn it, Dumball!" Ria hissed, rubbing her poor, abused backside as she struggled to stand. "Is this how you treat your employees? Ahh… today is NOT going according to plan!"
The cat yawned.
Her tears were already gone, her face calm and bright — as if she hadn't just performed an award-winning crying scene one minute ago.
Dumball, still in cat form, flicked his tail lazily.
"So… what are you going to do now?"
Ria dusted her skirt, straightened her collar, and lifted her chin like a proud little villainess returning to the stage.
"What do you think?" she said. "Right now, according to the script, I still don't know he's the head maid's son. My obsession hasn't turned into hatred yet. I'm still the spoiled, crazy admirer who chases him everywhere."
She smirked.
"So for now… I'll be his worst nightmare disguised as his biggest fan."
Dumball narrowed his eyes. "I'm just afraid someone's love-brain will turn into mashed potatoes and destroy the plot. Especially when it comes to him."
Ria scoffed loudly.
"Is he made of money? Will he give me one million dollars every time I smile? No."
She crossed her arms proudly.
"Why would I throw away two hundred million dollars because of a man?"
She flipped her hair dramatically.
"If I get the money, I can hire ten male models, adopt a sugar baby, even make someone do plastic surgery to look like him. Money solves heart problems. So why would I go broke for love?"
Dumball stared at her silently.
"…You are terrifying."
"Thank you," Ria replied proudly.
Dumball spoke again, softer this time.
"Have you ever thought of staying in this world? You're rich, spoiled, comfortable… no suffering, no hunger."
Ria paused for half a second.
Then waved her hand lazily.
"Too much drama. I'm cannon fodder — born to explode for the female lead."
She sighed dramatically.
"If I try to escape my role, I'll suffer, struggle, cry, grow, become strong… ugh. Too stressful. I'm too delicate for character development."
Dumball: "..."
Hopeless.
"This isn't over."
Her eyes narrowed.
"Matthew… you hung me on a tree today."
A slow, dangerous smile spread across her face.
"I'll make sure one day… you beg me to come down."
Dumball face-palmed with his tiny paw.
This villainess… is hopeless.
And far away, walking back toward school, Matthew suddenly paused for no reason… a strange feeling brushing past his chest like the warning of an incoming storm.
Ria walked out of the alley, sunlight falling softly on her as if nothing chaotic had happened minutes ago. Her Rolls-Royce was already waiting. The driver opened the door respectfully.
She entered like a princess returning from war.
"Back to school," she said coolly. "St. Alderwyn's Ashford Meridian Collegiate."
The car moved.
Inside, Ria leaned against the seat, eyes half-closed… but her mind replayed one scene.
A tall boy.
Cold eyes.
A hand gripping her collar.
A dangerous smile.
Her face warmed slightly.
She slapped her own cheek.
"Focus, Ria. Two hundred million."
Arriving at school, Ria immediately drew attention. Students hustling to classes slowed, glances lingering a little too long.
Not just because of her beauty, though that certainly helped, but because she was a Voss — and Vosses had a way of making the world pause when they walked by. Her heels clicked softly against the tiled floor, the morning sunlight catching strands of her hair, giving her an effortless glow.
Just as she reached the classroom door, Natasha appeared, stepping into her path like she owned the hall.
"Ria… you didn't come yesterday," Natasha said, voice sugar-coated. "Is it because of… you know, the day before? I don't know who's been feeding you ideas that I'm behind everything, or that I want your fiancé. I don't even know him properly." Her smile widened, flawless, pure — but the edge in her tone didn't escape Ria.
"And King… Sandra… never liked them. Especially King. I'm honestly glad you finally broke up with him. You're not going back, right?"
Ria tilted her head slightly, expression soft and calm, almost dreamy. "I'm fine. Let's leave the past where it belongs."
She slid past Natasha, moving to her seat. Natasha, of course, followed, perching gracefully beside her. The classroom buzzed with the usual noise — chairs scraping, lockers clanging, whispers weaving around lessons. Ria leaned back, stretching lazily, textbook in hand, sunlight spilling across the desk.
"There's a party tomorrow," Natasha said with a smile that looked harmless. "Want to come? It'll be fun."
"Sure, why not," Ria replied, flipping a page. "I'll probably go shopping today."
Natasha blinked, carefully smooth. "Thought your senior brother sent you customized clothes and accessories last week?"
Ria's smile deepened, soft and calculating. "And…?"I have the money to buy more," she said lightly. "Everyone keeps praising me — saying I'm too beautiful, calling me the sunshine in their lives. Seeing me at my best apparently heals all their pain, reminds them of what they can't have. "
They live through me, even if only for a moment. Can't be envious of someone like me, right? So, I keep looking good. Not for me — for them. So they can feel a little lighter, a little happier, imagining they might be like me one day. Even if I have to spend a little more."
Natasha's eyes twitched, just a fraction, betraying the thin line between polite and seething.
"Damn," dumball said
"You really know how to play the spoiled-rotten role… acting like all that beauty and money isn't for yourself, but for others. Praising yourself so high… honestly, deserving of a punch" dumbball countinued
"So that's what I always wanted to say," Ria thought, a faint smile tugging at her lips. Now I understand… when others do it, it's annoying. When I do it… it's perfectly fine"
Natasha squeezed Ria's hand, her smile angelic. "You're so beautiful… and sigh, I'd love to go shopping with you, but I've already used half my allowance this week. And the new designer collection drops soon — I want it the moment it's out. If I wait, I'll look like I don't have status. Can you… maybe buy it for me?"
Bitch, Ria thought, eyes narrowing just slightly.
Natasha didn't stop there. "And we can invite our friends! Go shopping together… then a full spa day after." Her grin was radiant, almost convincing.
You can't refuse, Dumbball reminded. According to your "guide," even though your goal is to be the greatest villainess, your character is still a vain, spoiled princess. You like spending money on others, especially your circle, because it makes you feel superior — like you can afford what they can't, even if they're upper class.
"I'm going to be the villainess, if she wants to use my money, she better be prepared to perform — praising me in front, cussing me behind. Who hasn't done that? Tsk. I'm the master of acting" mia thought Her smile never faltered.
"Sure, whatever. Not like I don't have enough money to do charity these days," Ria said aloud, voice soft but loud enough for others to hear. She leaned back, scrolling through her phone like it was nothing, words casual, almost careless.
"But seriously, Natasha… is your family facing trouble? You can't even go shopping?" Her tone sounded worried, "I'm always the one paying anyway. Not like I mind — you're my best friend. I'll support you, no matter how broke, stingy… or leechy you're acting. If you want, I can ask my brother to help."
Nearby, whispers rose like soft wind through the classroom.
"Wow… is Natasha's family facing bankruptcy?" a girl murmured.
"I always heard her allowance is in millions… now she can't even afford shopping?" another said, eyes wide.
"If I had a friend like Ria, who's willing to spend that much on me, I'd act like a leech too," someone else whispered. "She's a true friend… wonder if Natasha is?"
Sighs and murmurs drifted across the room. Things like this make me wonder if Natasha is really Ria's friend… or if she's just eyeing her fiancé, another voice said, quiet but curious.
Natasha slammed her hand on the desk, and the classroom went silent instantly.
"I dare anyone who has something to say to say it in front of me! Those of lower rank? Shut up!" she snapped, eyes flashing as she turned toward Ria.
Ria didn't flinch. She sat perfectly still, expression calm, serene, as if Natasha's outburst was nothing more than the chatter of birds outside the window. The sight made Natasha's jaw tighten, her fingers curling into a fist.
"It's not like that," Natasha continued, her tone softening into a practiced sweetness.
"I've just… spent a lot on shopping and other stuff, so my allowance is almost gone. But next week, they'll give me a new one. If… if you don't want to go shopping with me, I understand." She smiled, but the faint tremor in her voice betrayed the performance.
"What are you talking about?" Ria replied lazily, rolling her eyes. "I never said I wouldn't buy for you. Tsk. It's just money."
So they rank in this class, Ria thought, glancing subtly around the room.
"Of course they do They is always a rank Anyway, here's how it works in this world:
Too poor — those who barely have enough for a house. Average — families that can afford food without stress. Middle class — comfortable, no worries, can spend a bit. Rich — families that can throw around thousands without blinking. Upper class — carefree, spending tens of thousands easily. Big families — family-run businesses, clans really. Vast wealthy families — hundreds of millions, maybe billions, but without much influence. Highborn — noble families, powerful, but not as wealthy as the vast wealthy. And then… the top families. The Voss family, among six others. Cream of the pie if they weren't Blue-blooded, old-money, noble, grey family… all of them untouchable.
In school, the ranking continues. Diamond kids, Golden kids, Sapphire, Crystal, Ruby, Purple, Silver, Black Card, Orange, Red Card, and finally Yellow — the lowest. Among the Diamond Card kids — the elite of the elite — you're untouchable.Diamond Diamond Card gods here in the school Nobody leaves the class without permission. Nobody talks back without permission. Rules bend for you guys
Dumbball's voice echoed in her mind as Ria nodded, eyes sparkling.
Pretty much like one of those movies… and wow, I'm loving this.
Ria leaned back casually, hands folded over her textbook, as the classroom slowly returned to its usual hum around them. Her calm exterior betrayed nothing of the quiet thrill bubbling inside her.