SERAPHINA
"Save your pathetic excuses."
My voice sliced through the air, cold enough to freeze hell.
Roman's chair scraped loud behind me. The whole room held its breath, practically vibrating with excitement for the bloodbath.
Noah fumbled for napkins, hands shaking like a damn leaf. "Please, let me help—I'll pay for it, I swear—"
"Pay?" I stepped right up to him, voice low and venomous. "You think money fixes this, scholarship trash? Do you have any idea how much this uniform costs? More than your entire sad little life probably."
Roman loomed beside me, muscles tight. "Five seconds to get your filthy hands off my girlfriend before I smash your face in."
I laid one finger on Roman's chest. "Back off. This one's mine."
Noah looked like a cornered rat, eyes darting for any escape. There wasn't one.
Bits of pasta stuck to his cheap shoes. The floor around us was a total mess.
I stared him down slowly, letting the silence stretch until it was painful. Everyone was watching. Phones already recording.
"You know," I said casually, like we were chatting about the weather, "at my father's companies, when worthless little mistakes like you screw up… there are consequences. Painful ones."
His face went chalk-white.
"But lucky for you, I'm in a generous mood today."
I nodded at Ethan and Liam. They grabbed Noah's shoulders and slammed him down hard onto his knees. His uniform scraped through weeks of spilled food and dirt on the filthy floor.
I lifted my foot slowly, pointing my expensive leather boot right at his face. Marinara sauce smeared across the toe like a target.
"Lick. It. Clean."
Gasps rippled through the cafeteria.
A few people laughed—nervous, thrilled, hungry for more.
"Or I'll make sure Westfield becomes your personal hell. Every teacher, every club, every scholarship penny you're clinging to? Gone. I'll have you crawling out of here crying by next week."
Noah's lips trembled. Tears were already gathering behind those stupid glasses. "Please… I can't… don't make me—"
"Can't?" I laughed softly, no warmth at all. "Oh, you can. People like you are good for one thing—cleaning up after your betters. Now stick out your tongue and start licking, or I swear I'll ruin whatever's left of your worthless future right here."
I pushed the toe of my boot closer, almost touching his mouth.
"Tick. Tock, scholarship boy. The longer you wait, the worse it gets."
Noah squeezed his eyes shut, shoulders shaking as his head started to lower toward my boot, humiliation written all over his face—
"Stop!"
Marcus Lin shoved through Ethan and Liam with real force, stepping in front of Noah like some hero. His calm face was twisted with anger.
"Let him go. Right now."
Roman snarled, "Mind your own business, Lin."
Marcus ignored him and locked eyes with me.
"Seraphina. He's new. Your dad would be furious if this video goes viral. Think about the Voss name."
He said it quiet, just for me.
Damn him. He was right. Dad hated scandals more than anything.
And half the cafeteria was still filming.
I stepped back, keeping my voice loud and steady for the crowd. "Fine. Today's your lucky day, scholarship trash."
But I wasn't done with him.
I crouched down close, lips right next to Noah's ear so only he could hear my whisper.
"Listen close, you pathetic little worm," I breathed, voice pure venom. "This isn't mercy. This is me being nice. Next time i won't stop at licking shoes. I'll break you. I'll make sure you regret the day you ever stepped foot in this school. You're nothing. And I'll make sure you never forget it."
I stood up gracefully, chin high, expression ice-cold and perfect.
Turned to Roman. "Don't follow me."
I walked out.
The crowd parted fast, like they knew touching me would get them destroyed too.
I was still Seraphina Voss.
And that scholarship nobody had just made the biggest mistake of his pathetic life.
He was mine to destroy now.