Chapter 48
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“Narissa, let me take that for you,” Jaylen offered smoothly, reaching for her luggage.
“Yeah, no way a lady carries her own bags. We’ve got it,” another in their circle chimed in.
They almost fought over the chance to carry Narissa’s luggage. “Careful with that,” Narissa said. ‘Mom packed it herself. It holds her deep love. I don’t want it to get broken,‘ she thought.
Surrounded by them, Narissa boarded the cruise ship. Although those around didn’t understand what attracted Jaylen and the others to Narissa, it was time for them to get on the ship too.
Cressida watched, her stomach churning, as Narissa’s shoulder brushed Jaylen’s in the press of bodies. ‘Liar! You said you weren’t interested. Damn bitch!‘ she seethed inwardly.
“Cressida,” Miranda sidled up, her voice dripping with false concern, “she plays a high–stakes game. New to the academy and already snagged your crush. Give her time; shell take everything–even your inheritance.”
“Shut up!” Cressida snapped, Miranda’s words hitting a raw nerve. She blinked back furious tears, glaring at Narissa’s back. “She’s just good at faking it. Jaylen will see through her eventually.”
“Exactly,” Miranda pressed, fanning the flames. “We need to expose her true colors. Make Jaylen see the truth fast. You and Jaylen are the perfect match.”
Cressida clung to this belief. Unclenching her fists, she hissed, “Come on. Let’s catch up. Time to put her in her place.”
“Yeah, Let’s go,” Miranda agreed eagerly. She thought, ‘Perfect. Watch the mighty Evertons tear each other apart. The whole school will laugh.‘ Cressida remained oblivious to Miranda’s true intentions.
*****
Once on the cruise ship, everyone settled into their rooms as arranged by the school. Just as Narissa came out after putting away her luggage, she ran into Cressida and Miranda.
They were having their bodyguards and drivers unload their excessive luggage while they waited imperiously in the corridor to move in.
Spotting Narissa, Cressida and Miranda immediately blocked her path. “Move,” Narissa commanded, her voice icy.
“Oh my, funny, huh?” Miranda mocked. “Own this ship, do you? Who are you to tell us to move?”
“You’re visually offensive. Get out of my sight.” Narissa’s blunt retort left Miranda momentarily speechless.
More and more young ladies from wealthy families arrived. Seeing that there was going to be some drama, they didn’t rush back to their rooms and stayed in the corridor to watch.
“You bitch!” Miranda finally spat, face flushing. “Clean up your mouth. Even if I’m not some supermodel, I’m leagues prettier than you. God knows what filth hides behind your cheap face.”
“Blind self–confidence is a flaw. You should change that.” Narissa’s tone remained disturbingly calm.
“You!” Miranda sputtered, turning to Cressida. “Cressida. She insults me like this, and you just stand there?” Realizing she
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Chapter 48
couldn’t match Narissa in a war of words, Miranda turned to Cressida for help.
Cressida drew herself up. “Apologize, Narissa! Miranda is my friend. Are you this vile to everyone? Show some respect! You disgrace the Everton name with your lack of breeding.”
Narissa merely offered a chilling smile. “Respect? Since you’re the model of manners, why don’t you apologize to your foul- mouthed friend here on behalf of me and the entire Everton family? Sound fair?”
With that, Narissa shouldered past Cressida. She walked away with a deliberate, unhurried grace, radiating a feline weariness. Her words hung in the air, leaving Cressida and Miranda visibly shaken.
Humiliated publicly and mocked by the onlookers, Miranda’s rage boiled over. “Cressida! Was this your plan? To let her humiliate me? You said you’d deal with her!”
“I didn’t mean-” Cressida began.
“Didn’t mean?” Miranda shrieked. “Then do something. Look what she did. If she doesn’t pay for this, we’re done. Finished!”
Miranda was Cressida’s best friend. Cressida always hung Gritting her teeth, Cressida lunged after Narissa.
ut with her, and being proud, she didn’t have many other friends.
“Narissa, wait!‘ she yelled, grabbing Narissa’s shoulder from behind.
The instant Cressida’s hand made contact, Narissa’s eyes narrowed. Pure reflex took over. She seized Cressida’s wrist, twisted sharply, and shoved. Cressida stumbled forward, her face scraping painfully against the wall.
Peals of laughter erupted from the onlookers. Cressida burned with humiliation.
Narissa released her grip, then, with mocking concern, gently patted Cressida’s reddened cheek. “Oh, Cressida. It’s you. Luckily, face still intact.”
Cressida shoved her hand away, furiously contorting her features. “Don’t be smug, Narissa. You’ll regret it later.”
As she spoke, Cressida, still close, aimed a vicious kick at the back of Narissa’s knee. It was point–blank. If Narissa reacted even a fraction slower, she’d buckle.
The crowd held its breath, anticipating Narissa’s humiliating fall. Miranda even raised her phone, ready to capture the
moment.
Instead, Narissa placed her hands lightly on Cressida’s shoulders and pushed down, using leverage to launch herself effortlessly into the air.
Her full weight bore down on Cressida, who, unbalanced with one leg still raised for the kick, was brutally forced into a full, painful split.
A gasp tore from Cressida. Only her combat training prevented serious muscle tears or fractures. “Narissa Everton!” she screamed in pain and fury.
Narissa, meanwhile, landed on the ground like a dancer. Lightly, silently. Then, with astonishing fluidity, she arched backward in a seamless spin, her body bending with boneless grace.
It looked less like evading an attack and more like a breathtaking performance piece.
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“H–how is that possible?” someone said.
“My God, her flexibility is amazing!” another echoed.
“If I had that body, I’d be a prima ballerina by now!” someone else chimed in.
In an instant, the gathered heiresses were utterly captivated, their derision replaced by awe at Narissa’s impossibly fluid, dangerous elegance.
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