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Chapter_56
The atmosphere in the cafeteria shifted dramatically, and all eyes were on Vivienne and Arabella. The students from Class Eighteen, who had been quietly observing the exchange, now found themselves watching the two sisters with a mixture of awe and disbelief.
Vivienne’s words were as sharp as a blade, and the intensity of her stare was enough to make even the bravest of students from Class Eighteen uneasy. Arabella, clearly taken aback, blinked a few times as if trying to process Vivienne’s response. For a brief moment, it seemed like she had no idea how to react to being called out so publicly.
But then, true to her nature, Arabella quickly regained her composure, putting on her best innocent face, the one she’d perfected over the years. “I—I didn’t mean anything by it, Vivienne,” she stammered, though her voice was laced with subtle sarcasm. “I just thought you might need some help adjusting. You know, you are new here, and—”
Before Arabella could finish her sentence, Vivienne cut her off with a cold laugh. “Help? Is that what you call it?” she asked, taking a step closer. The cafeteria seemed to hold its breath. “You were trying to play the good Samaritan while throwing me under the bus. You know exactly what you were doing.”
Arabella’s smug expression faltered for a split second, but she quickly masked it with a forced smile. “Sis, you’re being so cruel,” she said, her voice dripping with fake sweetness. “I was just worried about you, that’s all.”
Vivienne, however, wasn’t buying it. She stood tall, her eyes flashing with defiance. “You think you’re the only one who can manipulate people, huh? Let me remind you that you’re not the only one who knows how to play the game.” Her voice was steady, but there was an unmistakable edge to it. “I haven’t even begun to settle the score with you for what you did to me. But don’t worry, I will.”
The students from Class Eighteen, who had been silently watching the drama unfold, couldn’t help but exchange impressed looks. This teacher wasn’t just handling the situation with grace; she was also standing her ground and not backing down.
Arabella’s face reddened slightly, but she quickly composed herself. She put on a pout, trying to regain the upper hand. “Vivienne, you’re always so hard on me,” she said with a fake sniffle, her voice thick with feigned emotion. “I was just trying to be nice, but if you’re going to treat me like this, then fine. I’ll leave you alone.”
Vivienne shook her head, a small smirk tugging at her lips. “Don’t worry, Arabella. I don’t need your help. And as for your little games—” She paused, her eyes narrowing. “If you ever try to play the victim again, I won’t let it slide.”
Arabella was clearly taken aback by Vivienne’s unrelenting attitude, and for a moment, the facade of the perfect, pampered rich girl cracked. But then, in a last-ditch effort to salvage her dignity, she stepped back, huffing indignantly. “Fine, I’ll leave. But just so you know, I was only trying to protect you. Don’t say I didn’t try to help when things go wrong.”
Vivienne watched Arabella leave, her footsteps echoing through the cafeteria. For a moment, there was silence—except for the students of Class Eighteen, who, despite themselves, began to chuckle.
“Ms. Vivienne sure knows how to handle things,” Logan whispered, grinning ear to ear.
“Yeah, she really put that rich girl in her place,” one of the other students agreed, a quiet sense of admiration growing for their new teacher.
Vivienne turned her attention back to the group, her gaze softening a little. “Alright, that’s enough. Let’s finish lunch, and then we’ll get back to the real work,” she said, her tone shifting back to businesslike. “No more distractions.”
As she sat back down to finish her meal, she noticed that the students from Class Eighteen weren’t just quietly eating; they were talking amongst themselves, more engaged than she’d ever seen them. They seemed… different somehow. Respectful. Even the ones who had been the most rebellious just a few days ago were now listening to her.
She allowed herself a small smile. Maybe, just maybe, there was hope for this class after all.
