Chapter 297
After finishing her meal, Rylie took a short break, then returned to her research and system upgrades.
At school, Zaylee — who had been warm and friendly toward Melany just the day before — completely ignored her.
But since Melany had tutoring lessons with Rylie at the Morgan residence, she knew she needed to ride with Zaylee and decided to approach her during the break.
“Zaylee, after dinner, I’ll ride with you to the Morgan residence for tutoring, okay?” Melany offered her a small bag of candy with a hopeful smile.
Zaylee scoffed, swiping the candy out of her hand. “Where did you sneak off to last night? Letting Brad drive you home?”
Melany froze in shock, not even able to respond before Zaylee grabbed her by the collar and shoved her against the wall. Melany gasped, clutching her arm as the scattered candy fell to the floor. “Zaylee! What are you doing?”
Still gripping Melany’s clothes, Zaylee narrowed her eyes, her voice dripping with venom. “Trying to seduce Brad, are you? Keep dreaming. I’ll be his wife someday. You? Just a nobody from a backwater town.”
Melany’s heart cracked. She shot back, her voice trembling with both hurt and anger. “You said we were friends because we shared the same roots. But now I’m a country bumpkin? Then what does that make you?”
“Shut up!” Zaylee snapped, yanking Melany’s arm harder. “I’m a lady now — I have a chauffeur, nice clothes, and a future! I’m not like you or Rylie! You two think you can plot against me? Don’t make me laugh. We’re not friends. You can’t even compare to me!”
She then turned to the other students. “Let’s go! I’m done with her. And kick her out of the tutoring sessions too. Whatever she scores, she’s bound to rot in some third-rate college anyway!”
With that, Zaylee spun on her heel and stormed off with her two friends, leaving Melany behind — her hair messy, her candy crushed on the floor, and tears shimmering in her eyes. But beneath that hurt, a fierce determination ignited. She was determined to study harder than ever. She would rise above them all.
After school, Zaylee and her two friends were ready to head to the Morgan residence for tutoring again. But when they opened the car door and saw Melany already inside, all three girls were taken aback.
“What is this, Zaylee? Had a change of heart and decided to let her tag along?”
“Weren’t you the one who said hanging out with country bumpkins would make you one of them?”
Zaylee scowled, glaring at Melany. “You’ve got some nerve. I didn’t invite you. Who told you to get in the car? Get out! Even if you begged, I wouldn’t let you come with us.”
“It was Mr. Brad Morgan and Rylie who invited me, not you.” Melany stayed sitting, her eyes hard. “Why should I beg you?”
“What were you saying? You were invited by Rylie and Brad?” Stunned, Zaylee denied it out of instinct. “You must be lying. To receive an invitation, who do you think you are? I am the only reason you are here.”
Both of Zaylee’s friends hurried to the opposite side, aiming to drag Melany out of the car.
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