I am the only daughter of the Blanchett family, raised since birth to be its heir. If the students of Northwood Academy are the elite of society, then I am the apex of that pyramid. Before the school started admitting scholarship students, there was a delicate balance. No discrimination, no mockery—just pure, unadulterated ambition in everyone’s eyes. Until the first scholarship girl arrived. And just like that, I knew the plot had begun to turn. You see, I was reborn into this world. In the original story, my character was the villainess. The heroine was the new scholarship student, a resilient little flower who endured a year of torment from the villainess’s friends without ever breaking. The funny thing is, the villainess never directly participated. Yet the heroine blamed her for everything, convinced that without the villainess’s tacit approval, no one would have dared to touch her. Later, the villainess’s parents died in a car crash. Spurred on by the heroine’s "encouragement," the villainess's brother schemed to usurp the family inheritance. Her supposed friends, moved by the heroine’s "unbreakable spirit," all turned against her. Ultimately, the villainess was cast out by her family and died a miserable death on the streets. 1 It was the kind of cliché, tropey story that was so full of melodrama it made you sick. And if you ask me, the original villainess was far too kind. I strode into the classroom, arms crossed. The air was buzzing with chatter about the new scholarship student. I kicked a desk, hard, and the noise died instantly. If we’re talking about being a villain, I’m a hell of a lot better at it than she ever was. I scanned the room, my irritation simmering, and dropped into my seat. I never liked school to begin with. I’d finally graduated, only to die on my way to work when a rogue plastic bag flew into my face, blinding me just long enough to get into a fatal car accident. Then I was reborn, only to end up as a villainess in a cheap novel. The one silver lining was that fate had finally answered my prayers: this time, I was rich. So, as a sort of repayment, I would protect everything the original villainess had lost. I would save her parents from that car crash. With that thought, I let out a heavy sigh. The boy behind me tapped my shoulder. "Aria, the new girl is coming soon. Should we give her a proper Northwood welcome?" I was already in a foul mood. The thought of someone stirring up trouble for me, for no reason, made me whip my head around to glare at Mason. He and the original Aria were childhood friends. In the story, he was the first to betray her. A dog that can’t be tamed. The most disgusting kind. The more I thought about it, the more pissed off I got. I clicked my tongue in annoyance. "If you mess with her, you can get the hell out of Northwood." The classroom was silent. Everyone heard me. Mason stared for a second, then gave a helpless shrug. "Whoa, what’s with you, princess? I was just asking. Didn’t want you to be unhappy." I twisted the cap off a bottle of water on my desk and poured it over his head. "Keep your bright ideas to yourself. Don’t pin them on me." Mason shot to his feet, roaring, "Aria! What the hell is wrong with you? Are you insane?" I crossed my legs, my eyes raking over him. "Do you have the right to yell at me? Are we that close?" I wasn’t the original Aria, that bleeding-heart who would help her friends unconditionally. In my eyes, they were worse than dogs. For years, the Thorne family had been mired in internal conflict. Though Mason and I grew up together, I never once lifted a finger to help him. Compared to his two older brothers, Mason was painfully incompetent and on the verge of being disowned. About a year ago, it must have dawned on him that if I put in a good word, the position of head of the Thorne family would be his. But why should I help him? Still, I did need a dog. I could string Mason along with a few scraps, and he’d do anything for me. But now, the heroine was here. It was time to defuse this ticking time bomb before it blew up in my face. 2 I stood up and grabbed him by the collar. "Who the hell do you think you are, screaming at me? From now on, stay out of my sight. You’re an eyesore." Mason’s face froze, then he quickly stammered, "Aria, I was just joking." I stared at him, my voice flat. "I wasn’t. Get lost." Stanley, sitting nearby, had been enjoying the show. Realizing I was serious, he tugged at my arm. "Princess, come on. Mason didn't mean it." I smirked and slapped him across the face with my left hand. "Then you can get lost with him." Stanley touched his cheek in disbelief. "You hit me?" I met his gaze, and my right hand followed, striking his other cheek. "And? What are you going to do about it?" Seeing him just stand there like a statue, clutching his face, I rolled my eyes and walked out of the classroom. "When I get back, I don't want to see either of you." Did Stanley really think he was any better than Mason? They were both pathetic. One took everything Aria gave him, then led the charge to isolate her. The other had a lifelong crush on her, but let the heroine’s whispers turn him against her, even handing her over to a pervert. If it weren’t for Stanley, the original Aria might not have died on the streets. If I wasn't worried about derailing the plot too soon, I would have dealt with them long ago. The fresh air improved my mood considerably. Before I could even make it down the stairs, a girl's voice called out from behind me. "Excuse me, could you tell me where Class A is?" I turned to face her. One look was all it took. This was the heroine, Stella Chad. Stella clenched her fists, a smile plastered on her face as she asked again. "Hi, I'm a new transfer student, so I'm a little lost. Your pin says Class A. Could you show me the way?" I couldn't be bothered. I looked away. A frown creased Stella's brow, and her eyes flashed with anger. "Hey! Did you hear me? We're both students here. You can't just bully me because I'm new, can you? Getting into this school means I'm on the same level as you. Can't you help with something so simple?" I had to laugh. "If you're blind, go see a doctor. You just threw a massive accusation at me without a second thought. What, are you right just because you're poor?" Stella's eyes widened in fury. She stormed over and grabbed my uniform. "What's that supposed to mean? What's wrong with being poor? I got into Northwood on my own merit. How dare you, who rely on your parents for everything, say that to me?" 3 I glanced down at her hand, my voice dripping with disdain. "I was just going to tell you to get lost. But now, I’m not letting you go." I looked at her still-dry hair, grabbed a handful, and yanked. Stella screamed, trying to break free. I let go, then immediately kicked her to the ground. The commotion brought everyone from the classroom rushing out. Stella was on her knees, looking pathetic, but her mouth was as sharp as ever. "Don't think you're so great just because you have money! Without your parents, you're nothing! I earned my place here with my grades! I'm going to the principal! You just wait!" Mason, despite the humiliation I’d just put him through, had benefited greatly from being my dog this past year. Hearing someone talk to me like that, he kicked Stella, sending her sprawling. Her head hit the wall, and blood started to trickle down. Stanley, seeing this, quickly stepped in to stop Mason from doing anything further. I didn't even bother giving them a second glance. I went straight to the headmaster's office. "Old man! Move Mason Thorne and Stanley Armitage to Class D." Headmaster Phillips sighed, looking weary. "My dear girl, what did they do to upset you this time?" I collapsed onto the sofa and picked at my nails. "They're disgusting to look at." I was always polite with Headmaster Phillips. First, he was my father's good friend. Second, he always indulged me. He'd never refused any of my requests. He nodded, indicating he understood. Satisfied, I grabbed a bottle of water, took a sip, and put it back. "Aria, the common folk have a right to climb the ladder too, don't you think?" I looked at him, my expression unreadable. Was this old fool trying to lecture me? I smiled and pulled out my phone to make the choice for him. "Stella Chad is Northwood's first scholarship student, and she will be its last. Old man, you know I'm already giving you face by not doing more." Headmaster Phillips eyed me, then quietly opened a drawer by his leg. I rolled my eyes and walked out. Hearing the sound of him using his personal oxygen tank, I scoffed. Climb the ladder? With what? Grades? Thinking of Stella, I leaned against the wall, my gaze turning cold. After a moment, I went back in and grabbed the half-finished bottle of water. "Aria, dear, remember to close the door on your way out." I chuckled. I didn't listen. Close the door for him? Who did he think he was? Water bottle in hand, I sauntered to the nurse's office. Stella was lying on a cot. When she saw me, her eyes burned with hatred. "What are you doing here? If it's to apologize, don't bother. I don't accept!" 4 Seeing the look in her eyes, I couldn't help but laugh. The school nurse, sitting beside her, trembled and scooted his chair away. Stella seemed to realize I wasn't there to apologize, and her expression hardened with anger. "Hey! Do you really think you're all that? Let me tell you, I'm injured. You're going to have to pay for my medical bills and for emotional distress. If you don't, I'll sue you!" Before I could even speak, the nurse couldn't take the pressure anymore. He scurried over to me and whispered, "Miss Blanchett, I have a few small things to attend to, could I possibly..." I nodded. He fled without a backward glance. As the door clicked shut, I twisted the cap off the bottle and poured the remaining water over Stella's head. "I don't think I'm all that. I am." Stella shrieked, trying to fight back, but even uninjured she was no match for me, let alone now. I slapped her hard across the face. "Stella Chad, you've made an enemy of me at Northwood. You're in for a world of pain. But I'll give you one chance. Kneel, apologize, and get the hell out of this school." Stella's face was a mask of disbelief. She glared at me, her teeth gritted. "You think I'll surrender? I'm telling you, it's impossible! Go ahead, kill me if you have the guts! You think you're an empress? The students at Northwood are all from noble families. They've had a proper upbringing. They won't just stand by and watch you bully me!" All things considered, I genuinely believed Stella had a future in comedy. How else could she make me want to laugh every time she opened her mouth? A proper upbringing? Did she mean being taught how to backstab your siblings to come out on top? I clicked my tongue. I didn't slap her again. Instead, I patted her cheek lightly. "Stella, my dear, I truly look forward to our next meeting. I hope you'll have a noble knight by your side to protect you then. Promise me, okay?" I had to bite my lip to keep from laughing. If someone was actually willing to stand up to me for Stella, I would have to admire their courage. An egg trying to smash a rock. The thought was exhilarating. School was already a bore. If someone was going to offer up their face for me to slap, I certainly wouldn't refuse. 5 Stella’s hands were trembling with rage. "Do you dare tell me your name? I will not let you get away with this!" I covered my mouth, feigning fear. "Really? You promise you won't let me go? My name is Aria Blanchett. I hope you'll remember it. Maybe get it tattooed." Stella spat at me in disgust. "You pretentious bitch! Without your parents, you wouldn't even be able to get into Northwood! I got in with my own two hands, with my grades! When we graduate, I will grind you into the dirt!" My eyes darkened. Disgusted, I took off my soiled jacket and threw it on the floor. "Fine. I'll be waiting." Seeing her disdainful expression, I looked away and left. Boring. It was always the same line. Her own two hands? Her grades? Let's see how those "grades" of hers hold up at Northwood. At Northwood, exams determined class rankings. Students in lower-ranked classes fought tooth and nail to get into Class A. The only reason Stella was placed in Class A right away was because it was the only class with an empty seat. And as luck would have it, the placement exams were tomorrow. Her precious grades wouldn't mean a thing here. The next day, I arrived at the classroom just as the bell rang. The teacher, seeing me take my seat, began to hand out the exam papers. Mason and Stanley were gone. I twirled my pen, my gaze falling on Stella. "Good luck, everyone. I hope to see you all in Class A again." Stella was fired up. The moment she got the paper, she started poring over it. I rested my chin on my hand and watched her for a while. She chewed on her pen, then on her nails. I raised an eyebrow and glanced at my own blank paper. With two seconds left on the clock, I finally wrote my name on the sheet. Stella had been watching me throughout the exam, so she knew I hadn't written a single word. She shot to her feet, pointing at me righteously. "Teacher, Aria Blanchett didn't write anything! Isn't that a form of deliberate provocation? Even if her family is rich, she should still have a proper attitude towards school exams! I demand that you punish her severely." The entire class turned to look at her. Stella lifted her chin. "Being rich doesn't give you the right to disrespect school rules! She's a terrible example for other students. The school should issue a strict reprimand to curb this kind of behavior!" She expected her righteous speech to be met with approval. Instead, she was met with laughter. "Who let this charity case in?" "Is she declaring war on Miss Blanchett? Does she even have the right?" "Everyone knows the rules at Northwood. Aria Blanchett is the rules."
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