How was it her fault if some guy randomly saw her and decided to break up with his girlfriend? Shouldn't the blame go to that man, not her?
Back in the day, Yeri used to think the trio was just picking on her because the school and teachers were considerate of her due to her health.
But this? This had gone way beyond that. They clearly just hated her looks. It was no longer logical.
"Yeri, are you seriously going to deny knowing Marco Fabian?" Backup Mouth #1 said, puffing up like she just name-dropped a celebrity. "He's super famous...not just from a prominent family, but also good-looking and popular. Everyone in our high school and the business department knows him!"
Marco Fabian? Who the hell is that?
SC University has countless famous and good looking guys from prominent and upper-class families.
Yeri racked her brain, but the name didn't even ring a bell. She couldn't recall seeing or speaking to anyone named Marco Fabian.
Business department, was he from college? That would explain it. She barely interacted with people outside her circle.
"I don't know him," Yeri replied coolly. "Even if he did want to chase me, is he even worthy? A man who uses another woman as an excuse to break up, what does that make him? A scumbag and a coward. Tiffany, if you're going to simp over someone, at least choose a decent man. Otherwise, you'll only end up hurting yourself and ruining your future."
Instead of appreciating the unsolicited advice, Tiffany's rage only deepened. Her nostrils flared as if Yeri's words personally assaulted her and insulted the man she loves.
"You don't have to be jealous," Backup Mouth #1 said, voice dripping with mock pity. "Maybe you don't know, but Tiffany and Marco have been dating for a while. They're super in love, but suddenly he changed. And it just so happens…"
Her eyes narrowed at Yeri, full of unjust blame and obvious prejudice.
Yeri "..." Not maybe, she really doesn't know nor she cares.
"There are lots of girls who tried to steal him, but he never paid them any attention," Tiffany snarled. "He's always been caring and devoted to me! Then suddenly, he changed. I looked into it. You've been acting shady lately...pulling your 'sick' card again and even skipping lunch. Where did you sneak off to, huh? The college campus isn't far. I don't know what you said to him, or what tricks you used, but you're going to confess everything right now, or you're not leaving this place!"
"Yeah!" Backup Mouth #2 added, pointing accusingly. "Senior Marco often drops by around here. That must be when Yeri saw him. She always excuses herself to go to the clinic, who knows if she actually goes? She probably sneaks off to seduce guys!"
Yeri stared at them, then exhaled through her nose. She wasn't even angry anymore, just exhausted.
These girls weren't interested in the truth.
There was no point in reasoning with people whose common sense had clearly left the building.
No matter what she said, they wouldn't listen. To them, logic was optional, and paranoia was a full-time job.
If they had this much time and energy to throw mud at her, they could've invested it in studying or building a future. But no, they were obsessed with boys and romance drama.
Tiffany lifted her chin with a mix of superiority and viciousness. "Since you rely on your face so much… what do you think will happen if you're disfigured?"
The other two burst into cruel laughter like they'd been waiting for this moment.
"Just because we tolerated her all these years out of pity for her illness, look what she did," Backup Mouth #2 sneered. "Ungrateful bitch actually seduced Brother Marco."
"No wonder I've always disliked her. Isn't that intuition or what?" the other one chimed in, grinning.
It was her mistake to reason with lovestruck fools, Yeri thought coldly.
Even if they smash face-first into the wall, they won't take advice. Instead, they'll drag others into their mess.
"Hold her down!" Tiffany snapped, eyes gleaming with malice. Her expression had completely unhinged.
The two lackeys immediately obeyed, grabbing Yeri's arms from both sides.
To be honest, even without their help, Tiffany believed she could handle Yeri. After all, Yeri looked like a delicate flower. A sickly, breakable doll.
"What, scared now?" Tiffany taunted. "That dog of yours, Nina, isn't here to protect you?"
All this time, the only reason Tiffany hadn't escalated things was because of Nina. To her, Nina was like a rabid mad dog, ready to bite anyone who dared to lay a finger on Yeri.
Everyone at school knew Nina's reputation. She had the look and energy of a delinquent queen, and her fighting skills were admired by both boys and girls alike.
But the moment Tiffany called Nina a dog, something in Yeri snapped.
Her expression changed instantly, voice cold and sharp. "Who did you just call a dog?"
Tiffany snorted, amused by the reaction. "What, feeling hurt on your dog's behalf? Am I wrong though? She follows you around like a loyal mutt. Honestly, what did you feed her? I also want a dog like that."
Bang!
A solid kick struck Tiffany's face. Yeri's leg moved fast and clean, like she'd rehearsed it. Since the two minions were only holding her arms, no one expected her to use her legs.
Tiffany shrieked, stumbling to her knees. "AHHH—YERI ZHI, YOU DARE KICK MY FACE?!"
Her two lackeys immediately let go of Yeri and rushed to help their wounded queen.
Yeri straightened her sleeves with a calm sneer. "I thought you hated my face. Why are you suddenly kneeling? Did you change your mind and want to worship me now?"
"You bitch! I'm going to kill you!" Tiffany screamed, furious beyond reason.
Like Yeri, Tiffany was from a rich family, she had zero skill when it came to actual fighting. Her threats usually came running her mouth and relying on her loyal shadows.
"Tiffany, did she destroy your nose? Let me see," Backup Mouth #1 muttered, squinting and inspecting her face. After a few seconds, she sighed in relief. "I thought it got crooked again. Good thing it's still in place. You won't need another nose job."
"Yeah, it held on well," Backup Mouth #2 nodded seriously, completely unaware of the awkward silence that followed.
Yeri: "..."
Tiffany: "..."
Held on well?
Was Tiffany's nose glued on with double-sided tape?
Yeri let out a short, dry chuckle. "You have good friends. Really."
Tiffany's face flushed in pure horror. She hadn't expected her plastic surgery secret to be thrown out like trash in front of her sworn enemy. Especially after years of parading herself around as a natural beauty.
She glared at her two companions, but they were too preoccupied checking for blood and bruises to notice.
"Oh my god, there's a little swelling," one said.
"But no bleeding! Maybe it's just the lighting. Her skin's a bit thin now...probably from the last procedure."
Tiffany covered her face and stood up with trembling rage, humiliated beyond words.
"Enough! Stop spouting nonsense!" she snapped. "Didn't I tell you to hold her down? I'm going to disfigure this vixen and see if she can still seduce anyone after that!"
But before the two could reach Yeri again, she grabbed the nearby dirty mop like a weapon, swinging it with the grace of someone who had absolutely nothing to lose. Then, without hesitation, she kicked the plastic bucket full of filthy mop water right at them.
Splash!
The grimy water flew like a tidal wave, drenching all three.
The effect was instant. The trio screamed as if they'd been doused in acid.
"AHHHHHH—my uniform!"
"My shoes! Disgusting!!"
"Ewwww what is this smell?!"
They stumbled back, flailing and shrieking, refusing to step on the now-wet floor as if they could see all types of bacteria squirming with their naked eye.
Yeri almost rolled her eyes. Of course.
With 90% of the students here from wealthy families, it wasn't surprising that something as mundane as a dirty mop and murky water was nightmare fuel to them.
It was after school and the janitor must've left it behind after cleaning up earlier, and now it was her greatest ally.
"So scared already?" Yeri said, twirling the mop in her hands. "I thought you were going to disfigure me?"
Tiffany, her shoes soaking wet and seething, pointed furiously at her. "Why are you two so useless?! It's just Yeri! Grab her already!"
"But she got the mop first!" Backup Mouth #1 whined, pushing her wet bangs out of her face.
"Yeri, if you have guts, fight us without underhanded tricks!" Backup Mouth #2 shouted, stomping her foot.
Yeri almost laughed in disbelief.
Three versus one… and she's the one using underhanded methods?
She wasn't even the one who started this mess.
Then, a sudden thought flickered across her mind.
What if...?
Ever since her awakening, her health had improved dramatically. Her once-pale complexion returned to a soft glow, and her frail body gained strength she never had before. It had been a blessing, and she hadn't questioned it much beyond that.
But now… What if her succubus abilities have awakened too?
She had no clear way to test it, and for the longest time, she didn't care to. Her life was peaceful. There was no need to stir unnecessary trouble or explore risky powers.
But this wasn't just harmless bullying anymore. These girls were talking about disfiguring her like it was some harmless prank.
Were they really that blind to the gravity of their actions?
Tiffany and her lackeys were still screeching like wild birds, calling her crazy, accusing her of everything under the sun.
Yeri's voice cut through the noise. "Tiffany," she said calmly, eyes locking onto hers, "do you really mean it? Do you actually intend to ruin my face?"
The room fell still. The two minions froze, unsure how to respond.
Tiffany's eyes narrowed. She gave a nonchalant shrug, but her tone dripped with venom. "Why? Afraid now? It's too late. Just a few scratches here and there. With a good dermatologist and some plastic surgery, maybe you'll still have half a decent face left."