The Mobster Household's One Good Kid

Zander Lowell looked down at me, a cold smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. "Let me tell you something, Da… What was it again?"

He suddenly drew a blank and fell silent for a few seconds.

I kindly reminded him, "Daphne Quinton."

"What a tacky name," Zander said, furrowing his brows in disgust.

After a pause, he added, "If it weren't for standing up for Sienna, I wouldn't waste a single word on someone like you."

I nodded as if I completely understood.

After all, he was the male lead of a stereotypical romance novel. Why would he bother remembering the name of some random side character? In his eyes, I probably wasn't even worth being a background prop.

I had transmigrated into this world before I was even born, with all my memories intact, only to discover I'd landed in an old-school melodramatic novel. The plot revolved around the toxic, love-hate drama between the scions of the Four Great Families and a poor scholarship student.

And me? I was nothing more than a nameless extra glossed over in a single sentence.

"Ever since Sienna transferred in, the student who used to rank first became the runner-up for years on end."

That's right. I was the permanent runner-up, but I refused to let fate decide my life.

I had spent a solid 20 years studying—ten years in the book and another ten in the real world.

While other people transmigrated into novels to fall in love, I transmigrated to drill through endless SAT preparation. I was determined to seize that top spot no matter what.

So, while the whole school went crazy obsessing over the scions of the Four Great Families, I was studying.

While the girls ganged up to ostracize Sienna, I was studying.

While the four scions fell for Sienna one after another—embracing her on the sports field in the rain, confessing to her on the rooftop under the stars, or secretly holding her hands in the library—I kept grinding through practice problems like clockwork.

Their romance was dramatic and all-consuming. My mind remained as calm as still water while I studied.

On the day the midterm results were announced, my name stood proudly at the very top of the rankings.

Zander's voice turned hostile. "Do you have any idea that Sienna cried all night because you took first place from her?"

He backed me against the wall, radiating the oppressive air of someone used to being on top. "She works so hard and has such a pure heart. Why do you keep targeting her?"

I couldn't help cutting him off.

"Sorry, but if I remember correctly, Sienna only ranked 84th in the grade this time. There were 82 other students ahead of her besides me."

Zander froze for a second before flying into a furious rage.

"First place was supposed to be Sienna's. You stole her spot. That's why she ended up ranking 84th. It's all your fault!"

I couldn't help marveling at what a complete genius he was when it came to logic.

Shortly after, he locked me inside the school's storage room. The heavy iron door shut with a loud thud, followed by the sharp click of the lock.

"You're staying here for three days this time. Maybe you'll finally learn your lesson," Zander said with a sneer. "It's time you learned your place. Who gave you the right to steal first place?"

After Zander left, I looked around the storage room, which was packed with old desks, broken chairs, and dusty sports equipment.

Just as I was figuring out a way to get out, my phone buzzed.

It was an encrypted call from my father, Bastian Quinton. His boisterous voice boomed through the speaker.

"Daphne, you got first place again? Hahahaha! That's my girl! My friends heard the news and were so happy that they set off loads of firecrackers. They're waiting for you to come home for a proper celebration!"

"Oh, by the way," he added cheerfully, "do you want your mom to pick you up? She just got her hands on a rare, limited-edition ride that looks completely badass."