Liza stepped into the room wearing a sleek, stylish outfit that immediately drew everyone’s attention. Her tailored formal wear highlighted her slender waist and long legs, giving her an air of effortless elegance. A pair of Dr. Martens boots completed the look, adding a touch of edge to her sophisticated appearance. Her usual loose hair was styled into two neat braids cascading over her shoulders, framing her delicate features. The hairstyle brought attention to her refined eyebrows and added a youthful charm to her already striking look. Leaning casually against the doorframe, her posture was relaxed, but her aura was anything but casual. Even with her laid-back demeanor, she exuded a commanding presence that was impossible to ignore. The moment Serena’s eyes fell on her, she froze. A gasp escaped her lips as disbelief washed over her. Why was Liza dressed like this today?This was not the Liza she was used to—the one who barely put effort into her appearance, always wearing simple sweaters or checkered shirts. Sure, Serena had always known her elder sister was beautiful, but Liza never flaunted it, making it easy to dismiss her. But now? She looked stunning, like someone who belonged on a runway. Was Liza doing this on purpose? Was she deliberately trying to outshine everyone else? Whispers rippled through the crowd as the students sneaked glances at Liza, their curiosity and admiration evident. “She’s incredible! Who is she?” “I love her vibe. She looks so cool and confident! Also, where can I get those clothes?” “I don’t recognize the brand, but honestly, I don’t think just anyone could pull off that outfit. Her aura makes it work. On someone else, it probably wouldn’t look half as good.” The admiration and compliments stung Serena like needles. She clenched her fists, trying to suppress her frustration while forcing a smile to remain on her face. With a cheerful tone that betrayed none of her true feelings, Serena addressed the group. “Oh, that’s my elder sister, Liza! Don’t you all remember her?” “Liza?” someone murmured, eyebrows furrowed in confusion. “You mean the Liza who grew up in the countryside? Has she always been this beautiful? I don’t remember her looking anything like this.” Serena feigned surprise, as though she were processing the same question. “I know, right? I’m just as shocked as you are. She’s always been beside me, but somehow, she’s transformed so much. I’m really happy for her, though—she looks amazing now.” Despite her words, the forced cheer in Serena’s voice couldn’t mask her bitterness. Judith, who had been staring at Liza with a mix of awe and envy, suddenly scoffed. “What’s so amazing about her? She probably had plastic surgery. How else could someone who used to look so plain suddenly become so pretty? I can’t stand women like that—they’re so fake!”“Judith, don’t say that,” Serena said softly, biting her lip as if conflicted. “My sister isn’t like that. She’s just…” She trailed off, looking unsure, as though she didn’t know how to defend Liza. Her hesitation was enough to fuel the flames of Judith’s accusation. The others around them exchanged knowing looks, and the admiration in their gazes quickly turned to skepticism. Serena lowered her head slightly, her expression delicate and conflicted. Meanwhile, the judgmental stares from the group shifted toward Liza. Serena turned to Liza with a seemingly apologetic look, her voice soft and gentle. “Sister, please don’t take it to heart. Judith didn’t mean any harm. Are you here to participate in the competition too? Did you register in advance? If you need help, just let me know.” Liza’s expression remained cold as she flatly replied, “No need.” Judith, standing nearby, couldn’t hold back her anger. “What’s with your attitude?!” she snapped before Serena could respond. Stepping forward, she pointed a finger at Liza and launched into a tirade. “Serena is trying to be kind to you, but you act like this? She’s offering to help you, and you throw it back in her face? Who do you think you are, acting all high and mighty? You don’t even deserve to be the Sinclair family’s eldest daughter! Have you even looked in the mirror lately? “Do you think just because you look good, you can waltz into a competition like this? Do you even know what fashion design is? Can you draw? You’re nothing but a country bumpkin in fancy clothes! Looks can’t hide the fact that you’re utterly useless.” Her voice rose as her anger grew, drawing the attention of those nearby. However, Liza didn’t flinch. She didn’t even glance in Judith’s direction. Instead, she continued walking forward with an icy expression, her complete indifference cutting deeper than any retort. Judith’s embarrassment turned into blind fury. “Liza! I’m talking to you! Are you deaf? What gives you the right to join this competition? Just your presence here is an insult to the other participants! I refuse to compete on the same stage as someone like you!” Liza abruptly stopped and turned her head slightly, her sharp eyes now fixed on Judith. She studied her as if weighing her words carefully. Judith, under the intensity of Liza’s gaze, felt a chill run down her spine. Finally, Liza spoke, her voice calm yet cutting. “Don’t worry. Someone like you doesn’t deserve to share the same stage as me.” The words landed like a slap in the face, and Judith’s face flushed with rage. “What did you just say?!” she screamed, losing all composure. Unable to hold back, she charged toward Liza like a storm. But Liza didn’t back away. Instead, she stepped forward with calculated precision. With a swift motion, her long leg swung up in a graceful arc. Bang! The sound of impact echoed through the room as Judith was sent flying backward. She hit the floor, clutching her chest and crying out in pain.Everyone froze, their eyes darting between Liza and the crumpled figure on the floor. The room fell eerily silent, broken only by Judith’s gasps and groans. Liza calmly lowered her leg, her expression unbothered. The sheer force of her kick left no room for doubt about her strength. No one dared to meet her eyes now. The sound of Judith’s bones cracking was still fresh in their minds. Serena snapped out of her stupor and hurried over to Judith, her face pale with panic. Kneeling down, she helped her friend sit up, her voice trembling. “Judith! Are you okay? Don’t cry, please. I’ll call an ambulance right away.” Her hands shook as she dialed, her distress obvious. Tears welled in her eyes as she turned to Liza with a look of disbelief and accusation. “Sister, Judith may have been impulsive, but her intentions weren’t bad. She didn’t really mean to hurt you… She just got angry and didn’t know how to handle it. But you—how could you do this to her? How could you hurt her so badly?” Her tearful words hung in the air, painting Liza as the aggressor in the eyes of those watching. Serena’s trembling voice and glistening eyes tugged at the onlookers’ hearts, shifting the atmosphere into one of quiet judgment.