Chapter 98 Refusing To Be Intimindated

Everyone looked at me like I was a lunatic. Like, I was losing my mind over the issue. I saw the shift in the onlookers’ eyes—the confusion, the judgment, the quiet amusement of those who expected me to fail—and I felt a sharp wave of shame sweep over me. I should not have screamed. I should not have let myself fall into my enemy’s trap. But I had. And now, I was standing before them, exposed. My eyes darted to the spot where I had last seen that ugly, mocking face—and there she was. Still there. Still watching. She had the audacity to smile at me, as though proud of her handiwork. As if she had successfully scripted this entire moment and I was simply a performer in her twisted play. She even had the nerve to give me a thumbs-up. A mocking gesture, as though to say, You are doing great, my little puppet.