CHAPTER 17 — "Dinner, Drama, and a Perfect Score"
Navira's POV
Dinner at the Aurline mansion was supposed to be a "pleasant time" between our family and Jasver's.
Instead, it quickly turned into a battlefield of hidden agendas, misplaced expectations, and emotional landmines.
Vivienne fussed over the table settings, stacking cutlery like a perfectionist Jenga player.
Victor checked his watch twice and cleared his throat, clearly trying to prevent an all-out war before it even began.
Alden and Alastair, the ever-watchful twins, were hovering like hawks on the ceiling.
Agnes… well, Agnes was practically vibrating in her seat.
Why?
Because her crush, Jasver, was here.
The Engagement Suggestion
The dinner started politely enough, until Mr. Whitlock — Jasver's father — decided to mention the obvious.
"So," he said casually, swirling his wine, "we've been hearing a lot about how close Agnes and Jasver are. Surely, they've considered the future…"
My eyes flicked to Agnes.
She practically melted into her chair, starry-eyed.
Then Jasver leaned back, sipping his drink, and said casually:
"Actually… I don't like her that way."
Pause.
The table froze.
Vivienne blinked rapidly.
Victor choked on his water.
Alden and Alastair almost simultaneously leaned forward like they were about to wrestle the boy to the ground.
Agnes, meanwhile, sputtered.
"Wh-what? But… we… we've known each other since—"
Jasver cut her off, calm and polite:
"I just don't feel that way. I like someone else… I think she's very interesting."
That "she's very interesting" part? Yeah. That was directed at me.
Agnes's entire soul combusted.
I sat back, utterly serene, as the room collectively processed the trauma.
Twins on High Alert
Alden leaned toward Alastair, whispering,
"She's doing something… she's always doing something."
Alastair's voice was low, tense:
"And she's calm about it. Too calm."
I smirked internally.
Yes. That's the point.
The twins weren't my allies.
They weren't on Agnes's side either.
They were the neutral observers — which meant they were useful pieces on the board if I played them right.
Dinner Continues… With Subtle Warzones
Mr.Whitlock, oblivious to the silent tension radiating from the Aurline twins, tried to steer the conversation back to polite topics:
"So… how have the students been performing this year? Any standouts?"
Alden and Alastair glanced at me.
Vivienne and Victor smiled at me like I was a delicate snowflake.
Agnes tried to puff her chest like she was the star pupil.
"You know," Agnes said, grinning, "Navira just started at our school. She's… uh… still adjusting. She's cute but… well… she's new, so her grades aren't—"
I tilted my head at her, voice soft, sweet, and ice-cold all at once.
"Actually," I said, lifting my glass casually, "I received my mock exam results last week. I ranked first in all subjects."
"Yeah, Agnes It's all over the school. Why are you lying?" I heard Jasver say.
The cutlery paused mid-air.
Vivienne's spoon froze.
Victor's jaw tightened.
Alden and Alastair went rigid, and even the Aurline parents blinked twice in stunned silence.
Agnes's face drained of color.
The Reveal
I smiled faintly, letting the moment linger.
"Every subject. Almost perfect scores."
Silence.
Absolute, suffocating silence.
Agnes opened her mouth.
Nothing came out.
Her jaw moved like a malfunctioning robot.
I continued, soft and polite, letting the words hit where they would:
"I've been working very hard since I came back. I wanted to ensure I could contribute to my family's pride… academically, at least."
Alden finally let out a sharp breath.
Alastair blinked rapidly, as if the numbers themselves had knocked him over.
Victor leaned back in his chair, stunned.
Vivienne's hand flew to her mouth.
Agnes?
She slumped into her chair like a deflated balloon, glaring daggers at me.
"You… you got PERFECT SCORES?!" she finally squeaked.
"Yes," I said calmly, smiling faintly.
"And yes, I have been studying while everyone assumed I was struggling."
The room went quiet. Even the Aurline parents seemed to reconsider everything they thought they knew.
Agnes Completely Deflates
She opened her mouth again, trying to recover her narrative,
"I—well… I mean… that's… not fair!"
I gave her a small tilt of my head, the tiniest shrug.
"Life isn't always fair, Agnes. But hard work pays off."
Her fingers dug into the edge of the table.
Her lips quivered.
She looked like she was about to cry — but too proud to do so.
Family Dynamics After the Reveal
Alden whispered under his breath, "She really is something else."
Alastair nodded, expression tight, "And she didn't even try to impress anyone."
Vivienne finally exhaled.
"Navira… I… I'm so proud of you."
Victor added, almost reluctantly,
"Yes… congratulations, pumpkin."
I smiled gently.
Sweet, harmless, innocent smile.
Agnes fumed silently, seething.
I could almost hear the internal scream echoing in her brain.
Dinner Ends
The rest of the meal was subdued.
Jasver glanced at me once, then pretended to sip his water, clearly processing the chaos.
Agnes poked her food with unnecessary force, muttering under her breath.
The twins remained tense, plotting something, I was sure.
I leaned back, serene, snow-pale hair catching the chandelier light.
Power, influence, control… all quietly, carefully, invisibly mine.
And the best part?
No one suspected the full depth of my advantage.
Because while everyone assumed I was a delicate albino girl, struggling to fit in…
I already controlled the board.
Checkmate, quietly served at dinner.