The skies over Shen Bay were veiled in thin clouds as the new week began. Yet ever since the incident in front of the school gates a few days ago, something had changed—not in Serena, but in the people around her. The change was so subtle it was nearly impossible to notice. But Felicia noticed it.
"Serena!" The cheerful voice echoed through the main corridor.
Felicia had just come out of economics class when a first-year student came hurrying toward Serena with a pink folder in her arms.
"I finished designing the poster!"
"Really?"
Serena accepted the folder with both hands. Her eyes widened, and then a warm smile spread across her face. "This is really good."
The girl's face immediately turned red. "Seriously?"
"Of course."
Serena pointed to one part of the design. "This is my favorite part."
It was only one sentence. Yet the girl looked as if she'd just won a national award. Her friends joined in the cheering.
"Awesome!"
"I told you so!"
"Serena's seriously the best!"
At the end of the corridor, Felicia watched everything in silence. She didn't react at all, but the longer she watched, the clearer the pattern became.
Serena never gave anyone too much attention. She only gave them enough. Enough to make someone feel special, enough to make them remember her, and enough to make them defend her later.
Two days later, Serena sat in the middle of the school festival committee's circle in the student organization room. Sponsor lists, several proposal sheets, budget notes, and a few elite students who were usually difficult to work with lay in front of her.
"I can talk to my father."
"My family's company might be willing to sponsor us."
"We can help, too."
Serena looked surprised. "You don't have to force yourselves."
"We're not forcing anything."
"Yeah."
"We really want to help."
Their gazes were filled with admiration, while Serena merely smiled faintly and lowered her head. Her manner made it seem as though she wasn't used to receiving so much attention, even though Felicia knew Serena was savoring every second of it.
That night, at the Lee residence, Serena came down the main staircase carrying a black leather bag.
The bag that should have been in Felicia's closet.
"Serena." Maya Lim's voice made the girl stop.
"Yes?"
"That's the young miss's bag, right?"
Serena's smile didn't change. "I'm just borrowing it."
"Oh."
"Feya doesn't mind." Her answer was so light and natural that it sounded as though there were no problem at all.
Maya nodded with a pleased smile as she watched Serena's eyes flick briefly toward the mirror, studying her reflection and making sure the bag looked exactly right on her arm—precisely the way she wanted it.
The next morning, at Saint Aurelia Academy—
"Serena!"
"I love your bracelet!"
"It's so cute!"
"So elegant!"
Serena lowered her head to look at the white-gold bracelet around her wrist, a birthday gift from Felicia the previous year. "Isn't it a little too much?"
"No!"
"It suits you perfectly!"
"Elegant!"
Serena let out a soft laugh. She neither confirmed nor denied it, and she didn't explain anything either, so once again, other people drew their own conclusions.
It had to be a gift from the Lee family. It had to be from Felix Lee. It had to belong to Serena, because who else would give Serena a gift if not Felix Lee?
From the third-floor balcony, Felicia watched it all. The morning wind sent a few strands of Felicia's hair flying as she stared at Serena without the slightest expression on her face.
Beside her, Evelyn held two canned coffees. She handed one to Felicia and kept the other for herself. "I'm starting to hate looking at her face."