Chapter 9
I pushed through the crowd, strode up to Celeste, and without saying a word, reached out and grabbed the necklace around her neck, yanking it with all my strength.
“Snap!” The clasp broke instantly.
The violent force sent Celeste stumbling forward, and she crashed to the ground.[]
“Ahhhh! What the hell are you doing?!“]
I clutched the necklace in my palm, the cold metal digging painfully into
my
skin.
“What am I doing? I’m here to deal with you!“[]
I looked down at her condescendingly, enunciating each word:
What are you to demand my friends come boost your party?”
What
Seeing me in full attack mode, Victoria and the others immediately stepped forward in perfect coordination, casually positioning themselves between Archer and Celeste to separate them.[]
Deal with one first, then the other.]
No rush.
Celeste was stunned by my aggression. When she recovered, her eyes immediately reddened as she looked toward the blocked Archer, sending out a distress signal.
“Archer…”
Archer immediately panicked.]
“Daphne! What are you trying to do now?! Are you bullying Celeste again?!”
He tried to rush over but was firmly blocked by my tall friends.]
“Celeste said she was just wearing it for a photo and would return it! Do you have to be so petty?“]]
I laughed coldly and pointed at the trampled gift boxes on the floor.
“You mean, after she’s opened them, used them, and played with them enough, she’ll wrap them back up in this trash packaging and return them to me?”
Archer followed my gesture to the mess of boxes and looked somewhat guilty, but still argued stubbornly.
“It’s just a gift box, what’s the big deal? As long as the gift itself is fine, right? When did you become so vain?”
I didn’t answer, just turned toward Celeste and curved my lips into a cold smile
“A gift? I happen to have a gift here too–a special present for Miss Sterling.”
The moment I finished speaking, I raised my hand and delivered a crisp, loud slap across Celeste’s face.
SLAP!
The sharp sound instantly silenced the entire room.
Everyone was stunned by this sudden turn of events.
Archer’s pupils dilated: “Daphne!“[]
શ
Celeste covered her instantly swelling face, tears streaming down, as if she’d suffered the greatest injustice.
“Daphne! My family isn’t as rich as yours, and my friends aren’t as wealthy as your friends!”
“But I have dignity too! I was just taking a photo with your gifts–I didn’t steal or rob anything! I just wanted to look beautiful on my birthday for once! What’s wrong with that?!“]
“Why do you keep targeting me like this? What did I do wrong?“]
Looking at her performance, I let out a cold laugh.[]
“Your mistake was not knowing your place. Does that answer satisfy you?“[]
“Is it yours to wear? Yours to photograph? Were you planning to post it with the caption “Thanks for the necklace, babe,‘ then turn around and accuse me of stealing your birthday gift?!“[]
Having her true intentions exposed, Celeste’s face went pale and her eyes darted away, but she continued sobbing as if I were the evil bully.[]
In the corner, Celeste’s friends saw how ugly the situation had become. The secondhand embarrassment was killing them as they exchanged glances, grabbed their things, and slunk out of the room.[]
Seeing her friends abandon her, Celeste became even more furious, pointing at me and shouting:
“You’ruined my coming–of–age ceremony! Are you satisfied now? Daphne, are you satisfied now?!”
With that, she pushed past me and tried to run out crying.]
Trying to run?
Not a chance.]]
If you run, who’s going to pay the bill?
I’m still waiting for the big show!]
I gave Victoria and the others a look, and my friends immediately blocked her path.]
