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Novel Catalog
Chapter_24
Winona smiled to herself as she stepped out of the car, basking in the attention she so craved. Argrol University, with its prestigious reputation, was the perfect backdrop for her to make a dramatic entrance. Her heels clicked sharply on the pavement as students stopped in their tracks to watch her. She had always known how to make an impression, and today, she intended to make sure everyone remembered her.
Her phone buzzed in her pocket, and she quickly answered, “Dad, you wouldn’t believe what happened at home. Yvette—she actually—” Winona didn’t need to finish her sentence. Zachary’s voice on the other end cut her off, already aware of what had happened.
“I heard,” Zachary said, his voice cold. “You don’t need to embellish the story. Just keep your head down and focus on your studies. We’ll handle it.”
Winona bit her lip. She hadn’t expected her father’s response to be so dismissive. She wanted to stir up more chaos, more drama. She wanted to be the center of attention, but her father’s tone told her everything she needed to know. He was far more concerned with his image than with dealing with the aftermath of what had just happened.
Despite the tension at home, Winona knew how to play the game. She wasn’t about to let the scandal ruin her moment. She smoothed down her outfit, adjusted her bag, and continued walking toward the university’s entrance with her head held high. She had an audience to captivate.
As she walked through the bustling campus, she noticed a few familiar faces—fellow students who couldn’t help but steal glances at her, whispering among themselves. Winona thrived on this attention. She lived for these moments when all eyes were on her, and today, she was going to ensure that she was the talk of the campus.
In the middle of her quiet triumph, she spotted someone who caught her eye. Standing by the main entrance, leaning against a pillar, was a tall, handsome man with an air of confidence that seemed to make him stand out even in a crowd. He wasn’t someone Winona recognized immediately, but his presence intrigued her. She instinctively adjusted her posture, making sure every inch of her was poised and perfect.
As if sensing her gaze, the man looked up. His eyes met hers for a brief moment before he smiled slightly and nodded in acknowledgment. Winona felt a flicker of interest, something that went beyond the usual attention she sought. There was something about him—something different. It wasn’t just the way he looked at her; it was the way he didn’t seem impressed.
Curious, Winona approached him, making sure to maintain her composed yet seductive air. “I don’t believe we’ve met,” she said with a smile that could melt the coldest of hearts. “I’m Winona Chambers.”
The man’s smile widened ever so slightly, but he didn’t immediately respond. Instead, he studied her for a moment, his gaze calculating. “I know who you are,” he replied, his voice low and smooth. “And I’m not impressed.”
Winona’s smile faltered for a fraction of a second, but she quickly regained her confidence. No one ever spoke to her like this—at least, no one who wasn’t already captivated by her charm. She leaned in slightly, maintaining the air of confidence, though a spark of curiosity had ignited within her.
“I’m sorry,” she said, raising an eyebrow, “but you don’t know who you’re dealing with. I could make your time at Argrol University very interesting. Maybe you’d like that.”
The man chuckled softly, his eyes gleaming with a hint of amusement. “I don’t think you could,” he said, his tone still calm but tinged with something almost imperceptible—disdain, perhaps. “But feel free to prove me wrong.”
Winona, taken aback by his response, stood there for a moment, her mind racing. Most people would have immediately fallen into her trap, eager to be part of her world. But this man—this mysterious stranger—had seen through her act in a way that no one else had. It intrigued her, more than she cared to admit.
Before she could respond, he turned and walked away, leaving Winona standing there, a little more rattled than she cared to acknowledge. She watched him disappear into the crowd, a feeling of frustration settling in her stomach. This encounter had not gone as she had expected.
As she headed toward her first class of the day, Winona couldn’t shake the feeling that her carefully crafted image might not be enough to win over everyone. She was used to being adored, worshipped even, but this man—this stranger—had dismissed her without hesitation, and that stung.
Meanwhile, back at the Chambers residence, the aftermath of Yvette’s actions was still reverberating through the household. Nellie, still in shock from the cut, had retreated to her room to tend to the wound, though the psychological scars were far deeper. Zeke, though angry at Yvette’s boldness, was also beginning to question what was really going on with his family. The tension was mounting, and with Yvette’s defiant attitude, it was only a matter of time before more sparks flew.
The stage was set for what would be a series of confrontations that could change the balance of power in Seacrity forever. Both Yvette and Winona were playing their own games—each of them seeking to manipulate the people around them, but both would soon learn that not everyone was as easily controlled as they thought.
