Chapter 18
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Narissa didn’t respond or stop her spiel–she started appraising the treasures on the spot.
Whether someone’s item was real or fake, she could tell at a single glance.
“Shut up! You’re spouting bull and you know it! Since when does your word make facts? Who died and made you king? Even professional appraisers wouldn’t dare be this arrogant!” Shanna snapped.
She would choke on her latte before believing some newly found Miss Everton was actually a pro appraiser.
Just then, Narissa caught sight of the bracelet on Shanna’s wrist. “Oh? Isn’t this the legendary Lucky Seven?”
Shanna immediately puffed up with pride. “Hmph! At least you’ve got some eyes. This is the Lucky Seven bracelet–the one said to grant people’s wishes.”
Instantly, the crowd gasped in envy, even Cressida looking on with admiration.
This was a rare treasure, something one couldn’t just buy with money.
“Too bad it’s fake,” Narissa dropped casually.
Silence reigned for a short while.
“Stop talking nonsense! What do you know? This is the real deal!” Shanna snapped.
“Really? Then you must not know the Lucky Seven was stolen by a thief at an exhibition two years ago?” Narissa raised an eyebrow.
Because that thief was none other than herself.
She’d personally carried out that mission. The real bracelet should now be with its rightful owner.
Narissa smirked. “But hey, no biggie. This is common knowledge internationally. If you insist yours isn’t a fake, then I guess you’re admitting it’s… questionably sourced.”
The room froze–a collective gasp slicing the air as Narissa spoke. Every eye locked on Shanna with carnival stares, like vultures circling roadkill at a blood sport.
Under the scrutiny of so many eyes, Shanna’s mental defenses completely collapsed. Her face flushed red, and she was stuck between admitting and denying.
“Shanna’s not saying anything. Could it be true? Is it really a fake?”
“I’ve heard about this. The Lucky Seven was indeed stolen and is still missing.”
“OMG, so Shanna’s been faking it all along?”
Hearing everyone around her gossiping, Shanna, as a wealthy socialite, had never endured such humiliation. She couldn’t take it anymore and was practically dying of shame.
Meanwhile, Dario and Cressida were both stunned.
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Chapter 18
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The old man hadn’t expected Narissa to actually have some skills.
Shanna’s guilt was obvious, proving Narissa was right.
Turned out she was not completely useless–she even knew things only high–society girls should know.
Cressida’s feelings were even more complicated.
She and Shanna had always been at odds, and the Harper family was a rival to the Everton family. She disliked Shanna and initially thought Narissa’s debut would torch her rep.
But plot twist: that backup–daughter just smackdowned the Harpers for her whole damn family. Now she was stuck between pleased and disgusted.
Pleased because the Everton family had finally humiliated the Harper family. Disgusted because if Narissa was so articulate and knowledgeable, why did she resort to those dirty, body–selling jobs?
Was making an honest living really that hard? This made Cressida’s hatred for Narissa outweigh any gratitude.
“Grandpa, Narissa only knows this stuff because she picked it up from all those rich guys while being their mistress. It’s just dumb luck.
“Hmph! Who knew she’d actually pull it off? Never thought she’d get so lucky today!” In Cressida’s mind, Narissa’s smooth sailing today was just pure luck.
Dario agreed.
A cleaner shouldn’t have that kind of knowledge.
So her being kept by some rich guy abroad was pretty much confirmed.
That shredded the old man’s pride to confetti–just doubled down on hating Narissa with pure venom.
Because Narissa clapped back at Shanna and ended up embarrassing the Harper family with every word she said being logical and well–founded, Vivienne and Shanna had no choice but to leave in shame.
But before leaving, Shanna threw a vicious threat at Cressida in front of everyone. “Cressida, don’t think just because your sister can talk a big game, she’s actually capable.
“Hmph, soon it’ll be the annual sparring match between Lunaris Academy and Regality Academy.
“By then, with your sister, who’s all talk and no skill, messing things up, our academy will absolutely crush you.
“Get ready to get wrecked!”
Besides, this time, their Lunaris Academy had a secret weapon.
“You” Cressida was so mad she almost cursed.
But Shanna just smirked and left with her mom.
With no outlet for her anger, Cressida turned on Narissa and snapped, “This is all your fault! Why did you have to come back right before the big match between the two top academies?
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Chapter 18
“Do you even know that Lunaris Academy and Regality Academy–the two strongest in Sinney–hold an annual sparring competition where every member has to participate?
“You… you’re gonna ruin Regality Academy.
“I suggest you tell the dean you’re voluntarily quitting Regality Academy. Otherwise, we’re doomed to lose.”
To Cressida, someone like Narissa—even if she somehow beat Miranda with some shady tricks–was still just relying on cheap tactics.
The annual Lunaris vs. Regality sparring match was the real deal. The actual fights were brutal and terrifying, way beyond someone of Narissa’s level.
But since every Regality student represented the academy’s reputation, participation was mandatory.
That was why Cressida wanted Narissa to quit.
But guess what?
“Who died and made you boss?” Narissa shot back, her smile sweet as poisoned honey.
She was born rebellious. The more someone tried to stop her from doing something, the more determined she was to do it, and do it better than anyone else.
“Because you don’t know the first thing about real combat. You’re just deadweight,” Cressida shouted, not caring who heard.
She absolutely refused to let her academy lose to Shanna’s–that would be beyond humiliating.
Plenty of people were watching the drama unfold. From the way Narissa and Cressida were talking, it was clear the twin sisters didn’t get along.
It looked like Narissa, the newly returned second daughter of the Everton family, was in for a rough time ahead.
Amanda saw the gossip volcano erupting around them and was about to remind them to keep it civil.
But before she could, Narissa shot Cressida a sharp, icy glare and declared in a dead–serious tone, “Not only am I competing. I’m gonna win.”
“You’re insane!” Cressida roared.
‘Win? This is a team combat tournament, not some solo show. Does she really think it’s that easy?
“Even the top fighters from Regality and Lunaris wouldn’t dare say something like that.
‘Yet here’s Narissa, straight–up claiming she’ll take the crown. Who even gave her the audacity?‘ she mocked inwardly.
“You heard me right. I said I’m gonna win,” Narissa repeated firmly.
That was just how she rolled. Whatever she did, she never admitted defeat. If she were in, she was gunning for the throne; no way she’d settle for second place.
“Narissa, you’ve officially lost it. Like, terminally delusional. What makes you think you can win?
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Chapter 18
“Either way, I won’t let you compete. I won’t let you embarrass Regality,” Cressida retorted.
Narissa smirked, brushing off Cressida’s words like they were nothing.
When she set her mind to a game, losing wasn’t even in the cards.
“Look! The Harlow family’s here!” someone suddenly shouted.
At those words, the defiant smirk on Narissa’s lips froze for a split second.
Somehow, the moment she heard those two words, her eyelids twitched. A bad feeling hit her instantly–she thought of that man, Bastien.
And of course, like clockwork, the worst–case scenario played out.
Within three seconds, the crowd instinctively parted to make way.
Tap, tap, tap… The steady, rhythmic sound of military boots striking the ground echoed.
Narissa’s breath hitched.
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AD
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