Pretty Lies, Perfect Revenge

I pushed open the door of the classroom and stepped inside. The moment I did, the whispers started again. They were louder this time. Even the teacher stopped writing on the board and gave me a dirty look. His eyes were full of disgust, like I was something dirty on the floor.I couldn’t take it anymore.I turned around and walked straight out of the class. I didn’t know where to go. I had no one left. I was an orphan now. My relatives had refused to let me see my parents’ bodies. They said I brought shame to the family. They didn’t even want me at the funeral.Tears blurred my eyes as I walked through the school compound. My legs carried me without thinking. Before I knew it, I was standing in front of Cassian’s playhouse. Everyone knew this building. It was like his private kingdom inside the school. He never attended normal classes. He and his friends stayed here all day, doing whatever they wanted.I didn’t knock. I just pushed the door open.Inside, Cassian was sitting on a big c

Hazel’s POVThe bright white lights hurt my eyes. I squeezed them shut twice before I could open them properly. Everything felt fuzzy at first. My head throbbed, and my body ached like I had been in a fight. When my vision cleared, I saw him.The man who saved me was still in the room.He sat perfectly still in a chair beside my bed, holding a file in his hands. His face was cold and handsome, like it was carved from stone. A woman in a nurse’s uniform stood quietly near the door. Behind him, another man — probably his assistant — waited without moving.I slowly pushed myself up and sat properly on the hospital bed. The sheets were soft and clean. Machines beeped softly beside me. I was really in a hospital.My eyes went back to the man. Blood stains marked his expensive white shirt — my blood. He must have carried me here.“Thank you so much, sir,” I said, my voice weak but sincere. “You saved my life. I don’t know what would have happened if you hadn’t been there. I promise I will s

**BLUE STAR'S HOTEL**I slipped in through the back door of the hotel, keeping my head low. My body still hurt, but I couldn’t miss another shift. The staff quarters were small and smelled of cheap perfume and sweat. I sat down on the old wooden bench and started to change my clothes when the door swung open.The manager, Mrs. Keller, stormed in. Her face was red and angry. She didn’t even look at me properly before she started shouting.“Where the hell were you last night, Hazel? You left in the middle of your shift without telling anyone! Do you think this is a charity? I had to cover your tables myself. Customers were complaining!”She kept going, throwing insults at me one after another. “You’re always causing problems. Lazy, irresponsible girl. If you don’t want this job, there are a hundred others waiting to take it. I should just fire you right now!”I kept my head down and said nothing. The small bandage on my forehead was still there, but she didn’t even notice it. She was to

The Maybach slowed down and honked twice. The massive iron gate swung open smoothly, and my jaw nearly hit the ground.The estate was huge. Tall, perfectly trimmed hedges lined the long driveway. Soft golden lights glowed along the path, making everything look like a dream. There were beautiful fountains with water sparkling under the lights, marble statues of angels and lions, and large flower beds filled with white roses and lavender. In the middle of the courtyard stood a tall modern sculpture that looked like it cost more than my entire life. The main house rose ahead like a palace — white walls, huge glass windows, and elegant pillars that made it look like something from a fairy tale or those heavenly realms you see in Chinese movies. Luxury cars were parked neatly on one side, and I could see a large swimming pool glowing blue in the distance. What else did you expect from a billionaire?I got down from the car in a daze, my old shoes touching the smooth stone driveway. The coo

**Marie’s Apartment**The car dropped me off in a quiet, ordinary neighborhood in Berlin. The house wasn’t fancy — just a simple two-story building with plain white walls and a small garden in front. But it was completely paid for and belonged to my mom. No landlord, no debts, no one asking questions. That was what mattered.I rang the doorbell twice, then pressed my fingerprint on the hidden scanner beside the door. It clicked open softly. I stepped inside and called out, “Mom? I’m here.”No answer.I smiled to myself. I knew exactly where she would be. I closed the door behind me, locked it, and walked through the simple living room toward the basement stairs. The house looked normal upstairs — old furniture, family photos that were all fake, and a kitchen that smelled of herbal tea. But downstairs was where the real Marie Gretel lived.I opened the heavy basement door and stepped into the dark room. The only light came from multiple computer screens glowing on a long desk. Marie sa