FEW HOURS LATER…
WILLOW
School was finally over for the day.
I leaned back slightly, letting out a quiet breath.
Concentrating in class today had been nearly impossible.
Today… was a disaster.
Sometimes, I wished my life could be perfect—just like everyone else's.
But unfortunately…
I was just a high school student who had been abandoned… and when found again, my identity was stripped away like it meant nothing.
How ironic…
My thoughts were cut short as the car finally arrived.
The driver had arrived.
I stepped forward, about to enter—
But suddenly, a hand stretched out and shoved me back.
I stumbled, nearly losing my balance, shock flashing across my face.
"Miss Olivia must enter first," the driver said coldly, glaring at me.
Moments later, Olivia walked past me as if I didn't exist.
She didn't even spare me a glance.
I swallowed quietly and tried to step into the car after her—
But this time, the driver pushed me harder.
I fell to the ground with a dull thud.
A wave of silence… then whispers.
I looked up, my face burning with embarrassment as students stared. Some giggled. Others had already taken out their phones.
"What…?" I whispered, my voice shaking.
"Why can't I go in?"
"Mrs. Blackwood has ordered that you are not to use the same car as Miss Olivia," the driver replied without emotion.
My eyes widened.
"What? Then how am I supposed to get home?"
He didn't respond.
Instead, he got into the car and drove off.
Through the tinted window, I caught a glimpse of Olivia—
That smug look on her face.
I lowered my head, covering part of my face as I slowly stood up.
The whispers around me grew louder.
"Tch… look at her. Who does she think she is?"
"Did you see that? She tried to get into the car with Olivia…"
"Right? The Blackwood's just adopted her and she's already causing trouble, stirring up drama's."
"Poor thing…"
I squeezed my eyes shut, forcing the tears back as I turned and ran.
"Willow… your life is really something…, life is sure fair to you"
My thoughts spiraled—
Until—
SPLASH!
"What the heck?!" I screamed as a speeding car drove through a puddle, splashing muddy water all over me.
I froze for a second… then looked down at my clothes.
Mud. Everywhere.
My fingers curled tightly into fists.
Without thinking, I grabbed a stone from the ground and ran after the car as fast as I could.
_____________________________________________
"How much longer until we arrive?" the man asked, his brows furrowed in impatience.
"About an hour, sir," his assistant replied before urging the driver to increase speed.
Suddenly—
BANG!
A loud noise echoed from the back of the car, causing the driver to slam on the brakes.
The car came to an abrupt stop.
"Malcolm, go check what that was," Theodore ordered calmly.
OUTSIDE THE CAR…
Malcolm stepped out, slightly annoyed—
Only to freeze when he saw a girl standing there.
She looked furious.
Her uniform was soaked in mud, her hair messy, and she was breathing heavily like she had just run a marathon.
"Little girl, what's wrong with you? What did you throw at the car?" Malcolm asked, frowning.
Willow crossed her arms, glaring at him.
"I should be asking you that question," she shot back.
Malcolm blinked, taken aback.
"Excuse me? Don't you have manners?" he asked, clearly shocked.
"I do," Willow replied coldly, "but maybe you don't."
Malcolm's expression darkened.
"You ill-mannered child!" he snapped.
"Are you the driver?" Willow cut in sharply.
Malcolm paused.
"Call your boss. I deserve an apology."
Silence fell for a moment as Malcolm stared at her in disbelief.
This girl…
Had just stopped their car…
And was now demanding an apology....
"What gives you the right?" Malcolm snapped.
"In what delusional world do you live to make such demands? Are you one of those attention-seeking girls?"
He scoffed.
"Let me tell you something—you're just a high school student. Focus on your studies. My boss doesn't have time for useless nonsense like this."
Willow's eyes narrowed.
She hissed under her breath—
Then suddenly dashed past him.
"Hey—!" Malcolm lunged forward, trying to grab her, but missed.
He tried again—
And again— falling at every attempt...
But somehow, she slipped past him every time.
At last, Willow skillfully dodged his final attempt, leaving Malcolm stumbling to a stop.
He lowered his head in frustration and shame when he noticed people staring.
INSIDE THE CAR…
The driver watched through the mirror, slightly amused—yet nervous.
Theodore was not someone who tolerated delays.
Inside the car, Theodore sat still, his fingers tapping lightly against the seat.
His eyes were closed, but the tension around him was unmistakable.
He was angry.
Very angry.
Suddenly—
The car door opened.
There she was.
Willow.
Standing there.
Breathing slightly hard… her uniform stained with mud, clinging faintly to her frame.
Theodore slowly opened his eyes, his sharp gaze settling on her as he quietly stared at the girl staring at him with wide eyes.
Willow froze.
Her eyes widened slightly.
He's…
For a moment, she was completely stunned.
This man was… incredibly handsome.
His presence alone felt overwhelming.
Those piercing eyes—
"Little girl," Theodore's voice cut through her thoughts.
He raised a brow, a faint look of displeasure on his face.
"Weren't you the one asking to see me?"
Willow snapped out of it instantly.
Her expression hardened as she noticed the disgust in his gaze.
And just like that—
Her anger returned.
"Don't look at me like that!" Willow snapped.
"I deserve an apology. If you had chosen your driver properly, this wouldn't have happened. You splashed dirty water all over me and still dare to look at me like that?!"
The driver's face paled as he slowly turned toward Theodore.
Malcolm, standing behind Willow, was completely stunned.
No woman has ever spoken to the boss like this…doesn't she know who he is....
"Little girl, do you even know who you're talking to?" the driver asked cautiously.
Willow scoffed.
"Do I look like I care? All I know is that you did something wrong, and I deserve an apology. You can't just do this and drive away like nothing happened. Why do rich people always act like this?"
Her gaze shifted back to Theodore.
He was watching her.
Amused.
Theodore glanced briefly at Malcolm.
Without a word, Malcolm understood. He reached into his pocket, pulled out some money, and tossed it toward Willow.
"Take this as compensation and leave," Malcolm said firmly.
But before the money could even settle—
Willow picked it up and threw it right back at him.
"I don't need your money," she said coldly.
"I want an apology. And if you don't give me one… I hope someone ruins your clothes the same way you ruined mine."
Her eyes locked with Theodore's.
Fearless.
For a brief moment, silence filled the air.
"Handle this before I lose my temper," Theodore said quietly.
Willow scoffed.
Then, without hesitation, she picked up the same stone—
And dragged it hard across the side of the car.
SCRRRTCH!
A long, ugly scratch appeared on the polished surface.
"Are you mad?!" Malcolm shouted.
"No," Willow replied calmly.
"I'm just getting my revenge."
She tossed the stone aside and turned to leave.
But before she walked away completely—
She glanced back at Theodore one last time.
Her eyes still burning with anger.
Then she left.
"Let's go," Theodore said suddenly.
Malcolm froze.
"Boss, you're just going to let her go? She—"
"Let's go," Theodore repeated.
This time, his tone left no room for argument.
Malcolm swallowed his words and got into the car.
The door shut.
The engine started.
For a moment, Theodore said nothing.
Then—
"Get me every single piece of information on that girl."
Malcolm nodded immediately.
"Yes, boss."