Reborn as the Villainess

Chapter

13

Eleanor was deep in thought, nearly done memorizing her note But then, like a badly-timed commercial break, Gloria appeared out of nowhere, shattering her concentration. Eleanor's expression darkened instantly, her calm replaced with icy

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"Move," she said, her voice low and cold, the kind of cold that could make anyone shiver.

Gloria flinched under the weight of Eleanor's icy gaze. Her instinct was to back off, but then something flickered in her eyes a mixture of stubborn pride and barely hidden jealousy. How could this country bumpkin suddenly be good enough to get into Aloria High School

With a flutter of her lashes, Gloria masked the jealousy flashing in her eyes, replacing it with a sweet, insincere smile. She sidled closer, hooking her arm through Eleanor's in a sickeningly sweet gesture.

"Eleanor, I was just so shocked earlier. Don't take it to heart," Gloria coord. "But seriously, Eleanor, weren't your grades.... well, not great? How on earth did you manage to get into Aloria High You didn't sneak in, did you?"

Her shrill, overdone tone grated on Eleanor's nerves, nearly giving her a headache. Eleanor yanked her arm away from Gloria's stepping back to create some much-needed space between them. "And how exactly is that any of your business?" Eleanor shot back, her voice laced with sarcasm,

How on earth did Gloria score six hundred on her exams? Does she think the security guards here are blind or something? That I could just waltz into this school and stroll out?' she scoffed inwardly.

But Gloria, of course, seemed utterly convinced of her theory Watching Eleanor turn to walk away only solidified Gloria's belief that she had uncovered the truth. The frustration that had been building in her chest suddenly dissolved, replaced by a smug sense of triumph. Her lips curled into a self-satisfied smile as she quickened her pare, hurrying after Eleanor with newfound confidence. "Eleanor, wait. I get it, you want to make Mom and Dad proud by getting into Aloria High, but sneaking in like this isn't the answer. Look, all you have to do is admit your mistake to the teachers. I'm sure they won't hold it against you.

"Trust me, vanity gets you nowhere. If you really want to get better grades, I could tutor you. I mean, I could totally help you get into one of those... well, second-rate universities, you know, where you'd fit in

Second-rate universities? Eleanor stifled a laugh. She stopped walking and turned to face Gloria, her expression calm but her eyes gleaming with amusement. "Oh? You'd help me, wouldn't you? Tell me, what are your scores? seven-fifty?" Eleanor asked, her voice dripping with mockery,This content © Nôv/elDr(a)m/a.Org.

Gloria's face turned a deep shade of red, especially when she noticed the amused looks of the students nearby. She forced a tight smile, clenching her teeth as she spoke, "Eleanor, you love to joke. The max score is only seven-fifty

"This bitch," Gloria bellowed internally, furious at being cornered "She's doing this on purpose. No one scores a perfect seven-fifty in the university admissions test,

Eleanor's smirk widened. "Can't even hit seven-fifty, and you think you're qualified to tutor me?"

The eavesdropping students couldn't help but laugh.

"How could you say that?" Cloria was so humiliated that tears welled up in her eyes. She looked on the verge of crying as if she'd suffered some great injustice. Then Felix appeared.

He stepped forward, his gaze locking on the scene. Gloria, her eyes brimming with tears, looked heartbreakingly fragile, while Eleanor stood there, unbothered, like she was enjoying the whole thing.

Without thinking, Felix placed himself between them, glaring down at Eleanor even though she was only half a head shorter. His voice was dripping with hostility. "You bullied Gloria, didn't you?" Chapter 13

Eleanor was deep in thought, nearly done memorizing her notes. But then, like a badly-timed commercial break. Gloria appeared out of nowhere, shattering her concentration. Eleanors expression darkened instantly, her calm replaced with icy irritation

"Move," she said, her voice low and cold, the kind of cold that could make anyone shiver.

Gloria flinched under the weight of Eleanor's icy gaze. Her instinct was to back off, but then something flickered in her eyes a mixture of stubborn pride and barely hidden jealousy. How could this country bumpkin suddenly be good enough to get into Aloria High School?

With a flutter of her lashes, Gloria masked the jealousy flashing in her eyes, replacing it with a sweet, insincere smile. She sidled closer, hooking her arm through Eleanor's in a sickeningly sweet gesture.

"Eleanor, I was just so shocked earlier. Don't take it to heart, Gloria cooed. "But seriously, Eleanor, weren't your grades....well, not great? How on earth did you manage to get into Aloria High You didn't sneak in, did you?"

Her shrill, overdone tone grated on Eleanor's nerves, nearly giving her a headache. Eleanor yanked her arm away from Gloria's, stepping back to create some much-needed space between them. "And how exactly is that any of your business?" Eleanor shot back, her voice laced with sarcasmi.

'How on earth did Gloria score six hundred on her exams? Does she think the security guards here are blind or something? That I could just waltz into this school and stroll out?' she scoffed inwardly.

But Gloria, of course, seemed utterly convinced of her theory. Watching Eleanor turn to walk away only solidified Gloria's belief that she had uncovered the truth. The frustration that had been building in her chest suddenly dissolved, replaced by a smug sense of triumph. Her lips curled into a self-satisfied smile as she quickened her pace, hurrying after Eleanor with newfound confidence. "Eleanor, wait. I get it, you want to make Mom and Dad proud by getting into Aloria High, but sneaking in like this isn't the answer. Look, all you have to do is admit your mistake to the teachers. I'm sure they won't hold it against you.

"Trust me, vanity gets you nowhere. If you really want to get better grades, I could tutor you. I mean, I could totally help you get into one of those... well, second-rate universities, you know, where you'd fit in

'Second-rate universities? Eleanor stifled a laugh. She stopped walking and turned to face Gloria, her expression calm but her eyes gleaming with amusement. "Oh? You'd help me, wouldn't you? Tell me, what are your scores? seven-fifty?" Eleanor asked, her voice dripping with mockery.

Gloria's face turned a deep shade of red, especially when she noticed the amused looks of the students nearby. She forced a tight smile, clenching her teeth as she spoke, "Eleanor, you love to joke. The max score is only seven-fifty."

This bitch, Gloria bellowed internally, furious at being cornered She's doing this on purpose. No one scores a perfect seven-fifty in the university admissions test.

Eleanor's smirk widened, "Can't even hit seven-fifty, and you think you're qualified to tutor me?"

The eavesdropping students couldn't help but laugh

"How could you say that?" Gloria was so humiliated that tears welled up in her eyes. She looked on the verge of crying as if she'd suffered some great injustice. Then Felix appeared..

He stepped forward, his gaze locking on the scene. Gloria, her eyes brimming with tears, looked heartbreakingly fragile, while Eleanor stood there, unbothered, like she was enjoying the whole thing

Without thinking, Felix placed himself between them, glaring down at Eleanor even though she was only half a head shorter. His voice was dripping with hostility. "You bullied Gloria, didn't you?"

At the sight of him, Eleanor raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. "Which of your eyes saw me bully her?"

Felix clenched his fists. "She's crying and you still have the nerve to deny it?"

Gloria's eyes were red and teary as she clutched Felix's sleeve, her voice trembling with well-practiced innocence. "Felix, don't blame Eleanor. She didn't mean it, really...

Hearing this. Eleanor clicked her tongue, thinking to herself, "What a manipulative, conniving little witch.

Gloria had grown up around her brothers and knew them like the back of her hand, learning exactly how to play them like a violin. She knew what buttons to press and how to manipulate the situation to her advantage.

And, as expected, her carefully chosen words had Felix fuming in an instant. "Eleanor, apologize to Gloria. Now"

Eleanor let out a dry laugh. "And why should 1?

Felix hated the way she looked at him, that cold, detached gaze. In the daylight, she could charm the socks off anyone with her warmth, but now, it was like she didn't even give a crap about him.

The more he thought about it, the angrier he became. Before he could stop himself, the words flew out of his mouth, sharp and cutting. "If you don't apologize, you're not my sister anymore. Felix snapped,

For a moment, it felt like the world froze around them. The tension hung thick in the air as Eleanor slowly lifted her eyes to meet his. The spark that had once shone in her eyes was gone, replaced by an icy, lifeless stare, colder than the frost of winter. It was like staring into a bottomless pit of indifference.

At that moment. Eleanor stood perfectly still, but Felix felt an invisible chasm open between them, a divide he couldn't cross, no matter how hard he tried.

After what felt like an eternity. Eleanor's lips parted, her voice sharp and chilly. "Oh? Well, if that's the case, then fine. From now on, stay away from me. I don't ever want to see any of you again"

With that, she turned on her heel and walked away, leaving Felix there with a tight knot of anger and regret lodged in his chest. The cold stare she had given him pierced his heart and twisted it painfully. He couldn't shake the sensation, like he'd lost something important. Meanwhile, Gloria, hiding behind Felix, was practically glowing with smug satisfaction. Seeing him come to her defense, and even better, watching him clash with Eleanor, made it hard for her to keep her grin in check.

She thought to herself, 'See? Even if the Vanderbilt family's true heiress returns, so what? I'm still their precious darling, the one they all love and cherish. My place in this family is untouchable!

Wiping at her dry eyes for the show, Gloria forced her smile away and tugged at Felix's sleeve again, adopting her best pitiful expression. "Felix, don't fight with Eleanor because of me. She didn't mean to upset me."

Felix shook off his uneasy thoughts, looking down at Gloria's tearful face. His heart softened immediately. Whatever pain he had felt just moments ago melted away. He reached out and ruffled her hair, offering a comforting smile. "Don't worry. You're my sister. I won't let anyone hurt you."

Tears welled up in Gloria's eyes, her expression pure and full of gratitude. "Thank you, Felix"

As she blinked innocently, she cast a quick glance in the direction Eleanor had gone, before casually asking, "Should we wait for Eleanor to ride home with us?"

Their family driver usually picked them up after school, and it would've been natural to offer Eleanor a ride.

But Felix's face darkened. He thought back to Eleanor's icy words-telling them to stay away from her-and a fresh wave of anger surged through him. "She doesn't want to see us, right? Then let her figure out her own way honte," he growled.

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Chapter 13

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Eleanor, on the other hand, had no intention of getting into the family car. The thought of sitting there with Gloria, who'd play the innocent victim the entire ride, made her stomach churn. She'd rather walk. At least then she could focus on memorizing her English Language Arts notes.

"An antagonist is a character or group of characters that stand inopposition to the protagonist or the main character..." she muttered to herself as she walked.

She had barely gotten two sentences in when a figure stepped in front of her, blocking her path. "Eleanor Vanderbilt," a voice drawled. Long time no see. Eleanor sighed internally, Great, just great. Aloria High School really is cursed. How else would I keep running into people I absolutely don't want to see?