Chapter 7 A Tortured Newbie?

• Heather Gibson
• Back at the Snyder residence, Amelia locked herself in the room after greeting Heather. The latter was clearly irritated by the girl's attitude, as she sighed every time she looked at her room upstairs. Her mood visibly lightened when Angelica returned home.
• "I'm home, Mom!" Angelica said merrily.
• Heather smiled and asked warmly, "Are you hungry, Angelica? Shall I get the servants to whip up some dishes for you?"
• Angelica shook her head and asked, "I'm not hungry. Are you tired, Mom? Shall I give you a massage?"
• Heather nodded her head and smiled brightly. She thought, my blood daughter treats me like an enemy, while my adoptive daughter treats me so well. Even though Amelia has only been attending school for a few days, she has already caused so much trouble. Her teacher called to complain about her not paying attention in class and seducing her classmates. Amelia is going to destroy the Snyder family's reputation.
• "Is Amelia home, Mom?" Angelica asked.
• Heather pursed her lips and glanced at the second floor. "She's upstairs. Please talk some sense into her, Angelica."
• Angelica comforted Heather with a pat on the shoulder. "Don't worry, Mom. I know that Amelia isn't interested in her studies. I'll help to monitor her development."
• Heather nodded in agreement, as there seemed to be no other option but to rely on Angelica.
• Amelia Snyder
• Once again, I thought that the villa was too small. Everything Amelia and Heather were saying in the living room was audible.
• I was reading a magazine when I noticed Angelica standing next to my window. I was aware that she was watching everything I did. However, I could not be bothered by her, so I continued to read my magazine while texting on the phone.
• I was speaking with Zanella Smith, my subordinate.
• Zanella texted, we have handed the bronze bull's head to the authorities.
• I replied, you have never disappointed me.
• Zanella texted, the reporter from Sudbury City wants to interview you about returning the artifact. The mayor would like to meet you as well.
• I replied, I'm busy. Turn it down.
• Zanella texted, are you sure you want to turn down such an important event? What have you been up to, Amelia?
• I replied, busy preparing for exams.
• I guessed Zanella must be surprised that I had to take examinations. After all, I received many certifications, including recreational ones like driving and scuba diving. Unfortunately, I had to finish my education like any normal twelfth-grader. The unique thing about me was that I was a village girl who jumped straight to twelfth grade without completing the rest of high school.
• After I set my phone down, Angelica knocked on the door and asked, "May I come in, Amelia?"
• I could not bear rejecting her after hearing her pitiful tone. Hence, I probed, "What's the matter?"
• "Mom is worried about you. She asked me to see if you're all right," Angelica explained.
• "I'm fine. Is there anything else you want?" I responded casually.
• Angelica bit her lip and spoke in a quavering voice, "Do you hate me, Amelia? Do you hate me for stealing Mom's love? Do you hate me for refusing to leave the Snyder family?"
• Angelica's eyes welled up with tears. "But I'm innocent! Can you please stop being so cold to me, Amelia?"
• Her pitiful expression did not fool me easily. I gave a half-smile as I watched her put on an act.
• "Stop crying!" I got up to leave my room as I could no longer be bothered to amuse her. Feeling irritated by her cries, I turned around just before stepping out of the room. "It's not worth my time to hate you."
• At that moment, the servant announced, "Ms. Amelia and Ms. Angelica, it's time for dinner."
• My parents were unusually quiet in the dining room. I knew that Yelena must have called to complain about my behavior at school. However, they appeared to want to avoid discussing the subject.
• "Dad, Mom, our exams are on Friday," Angelica shared.
• Heather smiled encouragingly. "All the best, Angelica. I'm sure you'll ace it."
• Her words stunned me for a moment, but I quickly regained my composure and resumed eating. Perhaps I was destined to never feel loved and cared for by my family.
• After giving me a longing look, my father cleared his throat and said, “Angelica, you need to help Amelia to keep up with her studies."
• Angelica gracefully wiped her mouth before responding, "I understand, Dad. Amelia couldn't answer a question today, so I helped her with it."
• Unsure how to respond to the situation, Victor nodded and said, "Great."
• I spent the entire morning at school the next day playing video games. It was fantastic to be seated at the back of the class. The teachers had no way of knowing if I was paying attention. When it was time for lunch, Castor insisted on buying it for me.
• Luna appeared after Castor left. "Someone's looking for you, Amelia."
• I scoffed internally, I managed to invite trouble after two days in school.
• "I… I don't think you should go," Luna whispered.
• I gave her a quick glance and then patted her shoulder to reassure her. "Don't worry."
• I then exited the classroom and was immediately surrounded by a crowd.
• The gang's leader was a girl with thick smokey makeup. Her exaggerated earrings and rings made her appear intimidating. She said, “You're out."
• I replied coldly, "Who are you?"
• "I'm Trisha Meadow from Class B. I have something to discuss with you. Follow me," the girl hissed, her eyes narrowed with rage.
• I overheard my classmates talking to one another.
• "The newbie is going to get hurt. Poor thing!"
• "She should have seen it coming since she was talking to Castor the whole day."
• "She deserves it! She has no right to keep talking to Castor."
• "That's enough. Let's take a look at what's happening."
• Trisha glared at me with disdain as she trapped me in a corridor corner. She pointed at my nose and warned, "Remember this, village bumpkin. Don't you dare speak another word to Castor, or else…"
• "Haha!" I could not stop myself from laughing. I lifted my head and challenged, "Or else what?"
• Trisha scoffed, "Or else... I'll show you what it's like to be punched in the face by my fist."