the country bumpkin

The next morning, Lilian and Isadora were ready to leave. Their bags were packed, and the bodyguards stood at attention by the door. Vivienne and Matteo watched from the side, their faces hard with disapproval. Still, neither dared to object—Matteo valued his mother’s word too much to cross her openly.

Lilian and Isadora hugged Isabella tightly at the doorway. “Take care of yourself,” Lilian whispered.

“I will,” Isabella replied, forcing a smile. “You two stay safe.”

They kissed her goodbye before following Grandma and her guards to the waiting cars.

As soon as the vehicles pulled away, Sophia stepped closer, a smug smile tugging her lips. “A country bumpkin thinks she can control this house,” she sneered, giggling as her eyes roved over Isabella. “Let’s see how long you’ll last here.”

Isabella said nothing. Without a word, she turned on her heel and went to her room. Sitting on the edge of her bed, she pulled out her phone, searching for the best high schools around. After scrolling through several, one caught her attention—Rosemont Academy of Excellence. It was prestigious, well-ranked, and demanding.

She applied immediately, exhaling in relief once the confirmation email was sent. Lying back on the bed, her thoughts drifted darkly. Something in her gut whispered that her uncle and aunt had more to do with her parents’ deaths than they admitted. One day, she would uncover the truth.

Her eyes grew heavy, and she drifted to sleep.

Hours later, the sharp bip-bip of her phone jolted her awake. She blinked at the screen and gasped—the application had been accepted.

“Rosemont Academy,” Isabella whispered, joy bubbling up in her chest.

Just as she swung her legs off the bed, the door creaked open. Grandma stepped inside. Isabella leapt to her feet and rushed into her arms. “Grandma! You’re back. Have Lilian and Isadora left?”

Grandma nodded, stroking her hair. “They’re on their way. And listen, child, if you ever feel unsafe here, you’re welcome to come live with me in my other house.”

Isabella smiled, touched. “Thank you, Grandma. But I’ll be fine.”

Grandma nodded, ready to leave, when Isabella suddenly blurted out, “Grandma—I’ve been accepted into Rosemont Academy.”

Grandma froze mid-step. “Rosemont?” Her brows knit. “Isn’t that the same school Sophia applied to before she returned home?”

Isabella blinked. “Wait—what? Sophia is still in high school?”

Grandma sighed. “Yes. She’s not the brightest child, so she’s still there.”

Laying her hands on Isabella’s shoulders, Grandma smiled gently. “Don’t worry. I’ll have everything prepared for you. When do you start?”

“Tomorrow,” Isabella said proudly.

Grandma beamed and kissed her forehead. “Congratulations, my dear.” She left the room, and Isabella flopped back onto her bed, a small smirk playing on her lips.

“So… I’ll be going to the same school as Sophia.”

The next morning, Isabella was dressed and ready. As she stepped out of her room, Sophia emerged from hers, school bag slung over her shoulder. Isabella ignored her completely and walked straight downstairs.

Grandma was already outside, waiting beside the car. “Hurry up, child, or you’ll be late,” she called. Isabella slid into the back seat, moments before Sophia came clattering down the steps.

“Walk faster, Sophia!” Grandma barked. With an annoyed huff, Sophia climbed into the car, and the driver sped them away.

When they arrived at Rosemont Academy, Isabella stepped out first. Students in crisp uniforms glanced her way, whispering among themselves.

“Isn’t that Matteo Sinclair’s daughter?” one girl whispered.

“I heard their family’s worth billions,” another replied in awe.

Before Isabella could adjust her bag, two squealing voices cried out. “Sophia! You’re back!”

Two girls ran to Sophia, hugging her tightly. “We missed you, Soph!”

Sophia basked in their attention, then pointed at Isabella with a smirk. “That’s the country bumpkin I told you about.”

The girls’ eyes narrowed. Leaving Sophia’s side, they stalked toward Isabella.

“So you’re the one trying to act smart?” one of them sneered, grabbing a fistful of Isabella’s hair and yanking her head back. “Don’t mess with our Sophia, or you’ll regret it.”

In a flash, Isabella twisted free, yanking her own hair from the girl’s grip. She shoved the girl hard, sending her sprawling onto the ground. Gasps echoed across the courtyard.

Standing over her, Isabella grabbed the girl by the collar and glared down coldly. “Do I look like someone you can bully? Or do I look scared of your Sophia?”

The girl whimpered, eyes wide.

“Better not cross me,” Isabella warned, jabbing a finger at her face. “You won’t like what happens.”

Straightening, Isabella added, voice sharp, “She told you I’m the country bumpkin? Did she also tell you she’s living off my properties?”

Gasps rippled through the crowd. Isabella released the girl’s shirt, dusted her hands, and walked into the school building without a backward glance leaving stunned silence and wide-eyed stares behind her.