Skip to content
Novel Catalog
Chapter_85
The room fell into an uneasy silence after Simon’s question. All eyes shifted between Ruby and Yvette, the tension palpable. Ruby, still flushed with indignation, was clearly struggling to regain her composure. She had not expected Yvette’s sharp retort, nor the sudden shift in power dynamics. She opened her mouth to speak, but before she could, Andrew intervened.
“Ruby, it’s best to leave it,” Andrew said coolly, his tone firm enough to halt any further confrontation. He shot Yvette a glance, his eyes briefly softening in appreciation for her audacity.
Ruby’s face hardened, but she held her tongue, realizing the situation was slipping out of her control. Simon, on the other hand, raised an eyebrow, intrigued by the exchange.
Yvette, now standing with her arms crossed, refused to show any sign of retreat. Her gaze met Simon’s, steady and unflinching, as if daring him to challenge her too. Simon, sensing the underlying strength in her, simply nodded, a slight smile curling at the corner of his lips.
“Interesting,” Simon mused aloud, scanning the room. “Seems like we’ve got some fire in the mix here. But as much as I enjoy a good show, let’s try to keep the peace, yeah?”
The students, who had been watching the exchange with rapt attention, quickly looked away, a few of them suppressing grins at the unexpected drama. It was clear that Yvette had just marked herself as someone not to be underestimated, not just because of her connection to Zachary but because of her own undeniable presence.
Zachary, who had been observing the scene with a detached expression, finally spoke up. His voice was calm, but there was a trace of something more—something that not everyone in the room could fully interpret.
“Yvette, are you sure you don’t need a seat? You’re welcome to join us if you’d prefer.”
Yvette glanced at him briefly, her eyes narrowing slightly as if evaluating his intentions. After a long moment, she finally shook her head. “I’m good where I am.”
Zachary’s offer hung in the air for a beat longer than necessary. His calm smile betrayed a hint of frustration that no one else seemed to notice. It was clear to him that Yvette, as always, was choosing her own path—one that didn’t align with the expectations set for her by those around her.
Nellie, however, did not take this so gracefully. Her lips tightened, and she leaned closer to Zachary, her voice dripping with a forced sweetness. “Darling, perhaps Yvette should find a spot with the students. After all, that’s where she belongs, isn’t it?”
Zachary shot her a quick, pointed look. His response was measured, almost too calm. “Nellie, let’s not make assumptions.”
Rebecca, sensing the tension between Zachary and Nellie, jumped in with a knowing smile, though her tone was laced with subtle mockery. “It seems like Yvette enjoys making her own decisions. Quite independent, don’t you think?” she remarked, turning her gaze toward the girl still standing by the wall.
Yvette, seemingly unfazed, gave a small, almost imperceptible shrug. “I’ve always been independent. Something you should try sometime.”
The words were soft, but the bite in them was clear. Rebecca’s eyes narrowed, and she forced a smile, though it was evident that she didn’t appreciate the dig. Her connection to Zachary, through Winona and the family name, was something she often relied on to bolster her position, but Yvette’s quiet defiance was something she didn’t know how to handle.
At that moment, the air in the auditorium shifted. The students, sensing the growing tension, looked between the two women, unsure of which side to take. As much as the gossip had circulated, no one had expected Yvette to be so… formidable.
Meanwhile, Andrew, having observed the entire exchange, finally allowed himself a small, impressed smile. “Impressive,” he muttered under his breath, though it was clear he was talking to himself more than anyone else.
Yvette’s reputation as someone untouchable was only growing with every interaction, and Andrew, for one, couldn’t deny that she had his respect. The more he observed her, the more he realized that Yvette was no mere bystander in the drama unfolding at Argrol University. She was a force to be reckoned with.
As Simon moved to settle into his seat, the atmosphere around him seemed to calm, though the undercurrent of tension remained. Yvette, still standing confidently, glanced toward the stage where Bonnie was waiting for her.
“I’ll be back,” she said to no one in particular, her tone casual but with a finality that made it clear she wasn’t in the mood for more interruptions.
With that, she turned and walked toward the back of the auditorium, her steps measured and deliberate. Zachary watched her go, his gaze lingering for just a moment longer than necessary before he turned back to the others.
Nellie, still simmering with frustration, leaned in toward Zachary, her voice low but sharp. “I don’t know why you keep indulging her, Zachary. She’s just a distraction.”
Zachary’s response was slow, deliberate. “It’s not about indulgence, Nellie. It’s about respect. Something I think we all need to learn.”
His words hung in the air, leaving Nellie speechless for a moment. She looked at him, startled by his bluntness, but Zachary had already turned his attention back to the stage, where the Art Festival was just beginning to heat up.
As the competition started and the performances took shape, it became clear that Yvette’s presence at the event wasn’t just about her being a participant—it was about her making a statement. The room was still buzzing with the whispers of her brief exchange, and as the day wore on, those whispers would only grow louder.
