After two more lessons that day, combat skills and defense training class had Violet heading to the locker room to change into her sports gear.
Unlike the first time, she and Elsie Lancaster were unfortunately in the locker room at the same time. Hence, the locker room was heavy with tension, the kind that felt very suffocating. And the reason was obvious.
The animosity between her and Elsie Lancaster had become a spectacle, a game the entire academy seemed eager to watch play out.
Elsie was surrounded by her pack of ever-present lackeys. She didn’t even look at Violet at first, but the cold fire in her eyes spoke volumes. Violet could tell that the girl despised her, and while the feeling was mutual, she had no intention of engaging.
Violet had fought her way through too many battles to fall for something as obvious as a public confrontation. Still, the air between them crackled with unspoken hostility.
Moreover to fight over a man? That was not not happening. Violet had her pride.
And it seems Elsie thought the same as well.
And then, there was Natalie Avax, who sat gracefully on the bench, watching it all with keen interest.
She wasn’t surrounded by minions or sycophants like Elsie. Instead, she sat alone, but it was the kind of solitude that commanded respect, not pity. Natalie silently radiated control, and her sharp, observing gaze unnerved Violet.
Natalie caught Violet’s eye and waved, a polite smile gracing her lips. Violet returned the gesture, but not wholeheartedly.
Something about Natalie felt... dangerous. She wasn’t outright malicious like Elsie, but her quiet, calculating nature made Violet uneasy.She was almost like Asher, the kind of person who watched everything, collected secrets, and wielded them like weapons.
Dressed in her West House green sports gear, Violet prepared to leave the locker room. Unfortunately, so did Elsie. They met at the doorway, standing toe-to-toe. Everyone in the room seemed to hold their breath, and waited for the fight to begin.
Elsie’s gaze was daring, as though she expected Violet to step aside like a good little subordinate. But Violet wasn’t about to give her the satisfaction. Instead, she gave a mockingly elaborate bow and gestured to the door.
"After you, Your Highness," Violet said with biting sarcasm.
Elsie’s eyes narrowed, her lips twitching in restrained anger. But rather than rise to the bait, she straightened, lifting her chin with arrogance.
"Next time, hold the door properly, peasant," she said coldly, sauntering out like a queen on a red carpet.
Her lackeys burst into laughter, their giggles grating on Violet’s nerves. But Violet wasn’t done. Just as they tried to pass through, she let go of the door and the heavy wood nearly slammed into the first girl.
"You—!" the girl sputtered, her face red with anger.
Violet smirked. "Sorry. Her Highness should find a proper doorman for her servants."
One of Elsie’s lackeys stepped forward, a scowl on her face. "You bitch! Who do you think you’re calling a servant? Maybe I should teach you a lesson!"
Before the girl could act, Natalie stepped in, her voice cutting through the tensed air like a blade. "Angel."
The girl froze, hesitantly turning toward Natalie with defiance and said. "Don’t interfere, Natalie. This is between me and her."
"Really?" Natalie’s replied, her smile razor-thin. "Are you sure you’re in a position to teach anyone a lesson? Or have you forgotten the rules of the elites?"
"What rules?" Angel demanded, though her voice wavered slightly.
Natalie pulled out her sleek, high-end phone that was far more advanced than Violet’s, and displayed the latest Moonfeed rankings. Violet’s name was right there, nestled in the top three alongside Elsie and Natalie.
Seeing that, Violet’s brows shot up in surprise. She hadn’t been keeping track of her ranking. She honestly didn’t care about that.
"As of now," Natalie announced, her voice carrying authority, "Elsie, I, and dear Violet here are the top three on the leaderboard. You know what that means, don’t you?"
Angel’s face turned pale. The top three had immunity. No one could challenge or harm them without facing severe consequences.
"So," Natalie continued, her voice dripping with faux sweetness, "do you still want to ’teach her a lesson’?"
"N-no," Angel stammered, backing down.
"I didn’t hear you," Natalie said, her tone icy.
"No!" Angel shouted, her cheeks turning red with embarrassment. This was not the way she had planned things to go.
Natalie let out a smile that didn’t reach her eyes as she leaned in closer. "Good girl. Now, remember this moment the next time before you make threats you can’t back up. After all, what if Violet had gotten angry?"
"What’s going on here?" Elsie’s right-hand lackey, Grace, entered, assessing the situation with her sharp gaze.
Violet knew at once that it was Elsie that sent Grace over. She probably was missing her sycophants used to following her about like flies.
Natalie’s demeanor suddenly turned cheerful and she placed her arm around Angel’s shoulder. "Nothing at all. Just a friendly conversation. Right, Angel?"
Angel nodded hurriedly, her earlier bravado completely gone.
"It’s true." She nodded nervously.
Violet watched the interaction, wondering if Angel responded because she was scared of Natalie or she just didn’t want the matter to blow over.
"Let’s go," Grace said curtly, leading the group out. The girls followed quickly, eager to escape Natalie’s unnerving presence.
Once they were gone, Violet turned to Natalie. "Thanks for the help, but I could’ve handled it myself."
Natalie looped her arm through Violet’s, her smile wide and insincere. "Don’t be like that. We’re practically sisters now, being in the top three and all."
Uncomfortable, Violet pulled her arm free and faced her. "What do you really want, Natalie?"
Natalie tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, her expression coy. "Why are you so suspicious of me?"
"Drop the act," Violet said firmly. "What’s your endgame?"
Natalie’s demeanor became unsettling, her voice dropping to a whisper as she leaned in. "An enemy’s enemy is a friend."