CHAPTER 16 — "Rejection Is a Lesson, Not a Disaster."
Navira's POV
School was buzzing louder than usual.
Apparently, whispers traveled faster than my footsteps — and I walked very slowly today, savoring every reaction.
Agnes, on the other hand, was vibrating like a human metronome of desperation.
Her face was red, hands clenched, every breath a hiss of frustration.
I almost felt bad. Almost.
Jasver, the Unintentional Assassin
So, Jasver… bless him.
He'd been following me around all week like a very polite, confused puppy.
He wanted answers.
I didn't give him any.
Meanwhile, Agnes, in her final stage of meltdown, decided today was the day.
She cornered him in the hallway, practically vibrating with teen melodrama.
"Jasver!" she squealed, voice sharp and desperate. "I've liked you since… forever! Why don't you ever notice me properly?!"
I'd been passing by, just far enough to watch the impending nuclear reaction unfold.
The way I see it, no one should ever waste effort on petty teenage theatrics — except when it's extremely entertaining.
Jasver blinked.
"Uh… Agnes… I… I like… someone else."
It was like a bomb went off inside her skull.
Her hands flew to her face.
Her knees buckled slightly.
Her entire aura deflated faster than a punctured balloon.
It was obvious who he was talking about.
Her words came out in a strangled squeak:
"What?! That's not—she's—ugh!"
Perfect. Absolute perfection.
I casually adjusted my backpack and strolled past them.
"Morning," I said sweetly to Jasver, like nothing had happened.
He smiled awkwardly.
"I… um… morning, Navira."
Agnes didn't notice I didn't even glance at him.
Because I'm not here for love.
I'm here for power.
And watching her combust emotionally? Even more satisfying.
Agnes at School — The Spiral Continues
The rest of the day was a lesson in dramatic irony.
Agnes tried to act normal in class.
She tried to speak to her friends.
She even attempted a fake smile.
None of it worked.
Everyone was subtly whispering about the morning's hallway incident.
Her "crush" had publicly ignored her — and everyone saw it.
She slumped in her seat like a wilted flower.
Her friends were too busy gossiping to help.
I, on the other hand, sat upright, calm, and slightly amused.
I had my notebook open, notes neat, my perfect mock exam strategy forming in my mind for the next level of competitions.
The Brothers' Reaction
Alden and Alastair were sitting on opposite sides of the cafeteria, clearly observing everything.
Alastair , "she's still calm. Completely untouchable."
Exactly.
I smiled inwardly.
Their worry was delicious. They were finally beginning to understand that I wasn't a normal teen, I wasn't Agnes, and I wasn't here to play small games.
Chaos
Lunch that day was… interesting.
Agnes arrived late, hair slightly disheveled, makeup half-melted, and attitude in shambles.
She tried to sit across from Jasver.
He looked at her.
He looked at me.
Then… he politely refused to sit near her.
"Um… Agnes, I'll sit over here with my friends," he said.
The blow was so direct, so perfectly timed, it was almost poetic.
Agnes froze.
Her fork dropped.
She opened her mouth, shut it, opened again, and then sat down like a sulking toddler.
I just smiled gently.
A little tilt of the head.
Nothing more.
Navira's Secret Advantage
As usual, I kept my mock exam score a secret.
Why ruin a perfectly good emotional rollercoaster for everyone else?
The score was my weapon, my leverage, my hidden sword.
Every time Agnes tried to dominate conversations, manipulate the family, or complain about Jasver ignoring her, I silently reminded myself:
"Patience. The moment to reveal power is not now. The moment to strike is when it hurts most."
Vivienne fussed over Agnes's meltdown.
Victor tried to mediate.
Alden and Alastair hovered like hawks.
And me?
I calmly ate my dinner, thinking three moves ahead.
Nighttime — Reflection and Planning
Later, in my room, I reviewed the day mentally.
Agnes: Humiliated by Jasver, still trying to act superior, utterly distracted.
Brothers: Watching me constantly, not on my side, unsure how to handle me.
Parents: Obsessing over their favorite child (Agnes), blind to my real potential.
School: The mock exam score still unrevealed, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.
I smiled.
Perfection.
Because in this game, power is better than attention.
Knowledge is better than love.
And the best revenge is patience.
I tucked the mock exam sheet back under my mattress.
Not yet.
Not until I want everyone to feel the full weight of my capabilities.
Agnes thinks she's winning.
Jasver thinks he's made a safe choice.
The brothers think they're in control.
I, however, know the truth:
I'm not here to be loved. I'm here to dominate. And today was just the appetizer.