"Seraphina, come have breakfast. I've been waiting for you so we can head to school together," Linara said with a sweet smile. Seraphina wasn't sure what Linara was plotting, but she had to admit she was impressed by her resilience. Bloomington School's campus forum had exploded with humiliating photos of Linara cleaning toilets, including one where she was crouched over a toilet bowl. Someone had even turned it into a meme with the caption, "I am eating." Most people in Linara's shoes would have faked an illness like Kelly and stayed home until the gossip died down. But Linara? She was determined to show up the very next day. That kind of boldness didn't match the fragile persona she often portrayed. In the car, the two sat on opposite sides, the distance between them clear and deliberate. "Seraphina, I know you hate me and don't want to see me at home. I've already decided to talk to Mom and Dad. Once I graduate, I'll move out and won't bother you anymore," Linara began, her tone low and full of remorse. "I know this is my fault—I caused you to suffer outside. Whatever you do to me, I'll accept it because it's what I deserve. I just hope you won't blame Mom and Dad for this. And more importantly, I don't want you to be unhappy because of me." Her heartfelt, self-deprecating speech didn't move Seraphina in the slightest, but it did seem to tug at Kai, the chauffeur. Miss Linara was once so bold and spirited—when had she ever lowered herself like this? Sigh, fate has been cruel to her, but even so, isn't Miss Seraphina being a bit too harsh? Seraphina glanced at Kai from the corner of her eye, her lips curling in a cold smile. Did she care about her reputation? Life was too short to compromise herself for the opinions of others. The moment they entered school, whispers and mocking laughter greeted Linara. "Every time I see her, all I can think of is that 'I am eating' meme," a girl sneered."Same here. She used to be a goddess, and now? Ha!" "Let's see if she still dares to flirt with Skyler or Theron now." "For a shameless woman, she's utterly done for now. My dream guy is finally safe from her clutches." "I can't believe she still has the nerve to show her face in school. I'm cringing on her behalf." "I honestly can't believe how thick-skinned she is." The cruel comments filled the air, reaching Linara's ears. Though her face remained calm, her clenched fists betrayed her true feelings. "Enough! Shut up!" A sharp, commanding voice silenced the crowd. Linara turned her head, her wide eyes shimmering with gratitude and admiration as she gazed at Theron, her delicate demeanor all but begging for his protection.Theron started to step toward her, but suddenly, the infamous "I am eating" meme flashed through his mind. The image overlapped with the real Linara standing before him, shattering any romantic notions he might have had. "Take care of yourself," he said stiffly, turning away. "I've got to go." Linara's wounded gaze followed Theron as he walked away, and a deep bitterness began to take root in her heart. Since the collapse of her goddess image, Linara had started attaching herself to Seraphina, following her to and from school every day. The students who once delighted in her downfall now saw her humbled and deferential, always bowing her head and "appeasing" Seraphina. Over time, the ridicule faded, replaced by pity for Linara's tragic plight. Evelyn looped an arm through Seraphina's as they walked. "Linara's been clinging to you every day. She's definitely up to something. Watch your back."