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  Chapter 139: The Overbearing Transferee

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  In truth, the countenance of css adviser Emmanuel was far from amiable at that moment.

  He believed that the overall atmosphere in Css 3 of the first year was rather pleasant. Ever since the css had excelled in the sports meet and clinched that most prestigious collective honor, their sense of unity had significantly strengthened.

  Moreover, with the departure of the notorious "bad apple," former physical education committee member Kenny, the css felt as if a calm had descended upon them, like a serene river flowing under a clear sky.

  The students had grown thoroughly acquainted with one another, and while minor frictions might still arise, there was little chance of any major conflicts.

  Take, for instance, the dormitory led by Noemi. With a plethora of quirky personalities residing there, tensions had begun to simmer during military training. Even now, nearly half a semester ter, their retionships remained complex and tangled.

  Elena occupied a retively superior position in this dormitory, embodying the noble dy archetype. With her loyal follower, the bold and fierce Yannis, leading the charge and the "Chameleon" Hannah visibly aligning with them, these three formed a distinct faction.

  However, Hannah’s allegiance was tenuous at best, qualifying her as merely a half-member of the group.

  Their primary rival was none other than the odious Sequanni, who had been scornfully dubbed "Dead Fat Pig" by Yannis. Sequanni single-handedly stood against what could be described as two and a half people, relying on sheer grit—quite literally, as she had secured a silver medal in the shot put at the sports meet, albeit without pushing herself to the limit. This allowed Oliver from Css 4 to steal the gold medal right under her nose.

  Interestingly, that very gold medal was snatched back by Noemi, the well-meaning dorm leader who inadvertently exacted a small measure of revenge for Sequanni.

  Noemi, the "Good Gal" dorm leader, publicly maintained close ties with "The Queen of Freebies," as well as "Backstabber" Chica, both of whom could be regarded as part of the same faction. Their interactions notably facilitated economic circution within the dorm.

  Marian La Trimm, a boastful show-off, had struck up a close friendship with a peculiar half-cambodian girl named Phunk Tao aka Pinky, who was equally eccentric. Pinky spent her nights engaged in what she referred to as "cultivating immortality," leaving others puzzled about her activities.

  Moreover, Pinky identified herself as a female “siren,” ciming an attraction to women, despite cking the charm typically associated with that role. Her looks were below average, her voice coarse, and she exuded a quintessential “tomboy” vibe. Such a ck of allure made it unlikely for any beautiful girl to desire close contact with her.

  She also enjoyed masquerading as a male online to flirt with girls, yet even with her female identity, her skills in wooing were dismal. She merely transformed into a more shameless sycophant, showering online friends with incessant greetings—"Good morning," "Good afternoon," "Good night"—dispying an exceedingly submissive demeanor. However, should a female acquaintance hint at financial demands, she would surely refuse to spend a penny.

  In essence, Pinky's “fttery” was confined to written words. It seemed she relished the act of fawning over other women…

  If chaos erupted in this dormitory, it could very well escate to the edges of the universe, obliterating all principles along the way.

  Perhaps due to the abundance of peculiarities, a strange bance had formed among them. Although tensions still brewed beneath the surface, everyone seemed to abide by an unspoken rule of “tolerance for the greater good.”

  Their dormitory had transformed into a veritable "forbidden zone," a realm no genuine powerhouse dared to enter, lest they encounter a “biohazard.” After all, the two heavyweight contenders, Yannis and Sequanni, spent the most time there.

  As for Elena, her visits were fleeting, her movements elusive, leading Sequanni to mock her, saying she was too busy “fishing for men.”

  Yet such jibes did not sway Elena’s resolve; she had amassed her fair share of advantages and would promptly head to offer tributes and atone for her deeds.

  ...

  Emmanuel was ultimately a male css teacher. Throughout his many years in education, he had developed certain stereotypes, habitually believing that boys' dormitories were harder to manage.

  As for girls’ dormitories, well, high school girls at this age tended to be more mature than their male counterparts. Their self-management skills were undoubtedly more reliable, offering him greater peace of mind.

  Though the currents ran deep within Noemi's dormitory, frequently requiring the intervention of the neighboring "big sister" and “heroine” Luciel to mediate disputes.

  Nevertheless, these girls had not stirred enough trouble to attract Emmanuel’s attention. Unbeknownst to him, the dormitory known as Noemi's “forbidden zone” harbored such chaos!

  In summary, to Emmanuel, Css 3 of the first year seemed to flourish in vibrant vitality, a scene unfolding with stability and positive progress.

  At that very moment, however, he was forced to accommodate a newcomer named Matthew Tan, a retion of the school’s old principal, Hercuno.

  Despite having established his authority over Css 3, his sinister and ruthless demeanor evoked dread among the students. Yet, in the face of the principal, he cked the courage to decline.

  As the principal put it, “Since your css already hosts a group of connected individuals who remain well-behaved, what harm could one more, Matthew Tan, possibly bring? The Tan familia's reputation must be acknowledged.”

  Emmanuel mused that the reason those connections behaved themselves was due to Marcus's oversight. How could this newly arrived Matthew Tan possibly show respect to Marcus?

  When Emmanuel caught sight of Matthew Tan’s defiant attitude, he felt a wave of nausea wash over him.

  He could easily tell that Matthew Tan was a troublesome character. Why could rich heirs not be more like Xanthia—intelligent, obedient, and hassle-free, with commendable grades?

  Matthew Tan’s academic performance was evidently abysmal, and it had been previously noted that third-generation scions like him often exhibited more arrogance than their direct lineage counterparts, embodying a spirit akin to "those without shoes fear not those who wear them."

  At that moment, Emmanuel led Matthew to the front of Css 3, addressing the students below, “Let us give a warm welcome to our new cssmate!”

  Scattered appuse arose from the audience, and he instructed Matthew, “You may write your name on the bckboard, followed by a self-introduction.”

  With a sulky expression, Matthew impatiently scrawled his name on the board in a slovenly manner, the illegibility reflecting his character perfectly.

  Once done, he adopted an arrogant tone and decred, “My name is Matthew Tan. I come from a significant background, and my temperament is rather poor. If you’re wise, you won’t provoke me, or I shall demonstrate what it means to be… overbearing!”

  At these words, a ripple of unrest surged through the students below. While they refrained from vocalizing their thoughts, their minds buzzed with compints—

  “Where did this idiot come from? Doesn’t he fear being ostracized by the entire css? He’s far too arrogant!”

  “Where’s Marcus? He needs to step up and confront this guy; the rich kid shouldn’t suppress the local snake!”

  “What a brainless fool! I’ve never encountered anyone so audacious. He deserves a good thrashing…”

  “Does he really think of himself as an overbearing rich kid? Has he looked in the mirror to see if he has the height or looks to match?”

  “Let’s hope the new Physical Education Committee member swiftly puts him in his pce, activating his ‘mysterious superpower’ and showing him the true worth of his innate fws!”

  As Emmanuel listened to the self-introduction of the new transfer student, his expression darkened further.

  What on earth did Matthew understand about integrating into a group? Who walks into an unfamiliar crowd and behaves so brazenly? Such a ck of social intelligence—it was no wonder he had been advised to leave the Foreign Languages High School.

  Yet, being born into a wealthy familia granted one far too many options. Even as a mere branch of the familia tree, someone like him could casually attend prestigious high schools. The world truly was unjust.

  After Matthew had finished speaking, he noticed the silence that enveloped the cssroom, a smirk of satisfaction spreading across his face.

  He suddenly felt that attending Thessaloniki First High School had been a splendid decision! Among the students there, the number of genuinely affluent heirs was considerably fewer than at the Foreign Languages High School. Thessaloniki First appeared to be poputed more by the “exam takers,” while the Foreign Languages High School exuded a distinctly aristocratic air.

  With this thought, Matthew's confidence surged; he believed that in this “fish pond,” he could assert his authority, using his identity to dominate the scene!

  Even someone as notable as Dionysius, who had quite the reputation at Thessaloniki First, didn’t intimidate him. After all, he had acknowledged Youssef El Papadopoulos as his elder brother. With such backing, what was Dionysius, really?

  Moreover, it seemed there was a rift between Dionysius and Youssef. If he leveraged this, perhaps he could teach Dionysius a lesson on behalf of Youssef, which would surely please his older brother.

  Ever since Youssef had lent him his support, Matthew had grown increasingly arrogant. He often indulged in “dominant CEO novels and comics,” deliberately mimicking the male leads’ behaviors, convinced that this would make it easy to attract girls.

  In an audacious move, he had approached Susan La Papadopoulos, the young dy of the Papadopoulos familia, boldly decring, “I’ve never experienced the taste of rejection before! How delightful! Woman, you have successfully caught my attention!”

  Of course, this yielded no results; he was met with Susan’s incredulous gaze, as though she were looking at a fool.

  He was indeed infatuated with Susan’s appearance, and spurred on by Youssef, he felt no reservations at all.

  Later, as he continued to pursue Susan relentlessly, he maintained his “dominant CEO” persona, stating, “Damn it, can’t you feel how I feel about you?”

  “I will personally make you happy; I can’t trust anyone else with that.”

  “Mark my words, only I have the right to make you cry!”

  “Just wait; one day, you’ll be the grandmother of my grandchild!”

  “My pride lies in loving you; how can I boast if I lose you?”

  …

  Yet, in this ongoing self-sabotage, he did not anger the aloof Susan, for her pride and indifference made her see him as nothing more than an insignificant insect. However, his foolish antics did provoke the ire of those who genuinely admired Susan—the sons of the powerful!

  Thus, the gossip spread that he had been expelled from the Foreign Languages High School for offending Susan. In truth, he was merely a clown, unable to affect the ice queen that was Susan; he had merely incurred the wrath of many!

  Consequently, the Tan familia would not stubbornly defend a mere branch familia member.

  Susan had indeed been somewhat deified, giving the impression that she had a stranglehold over the Foreign Languages High School, able to expel anyone at her whim.

  In reality, she was not interested in socializing; she focused more on herself. There was no one capable of melting her icy facade, and few could fathom that beneath her gcier-like exterior, she harbored a twisted, obsessive nature.

  At this moment, Matthew Tan, full of self-importance and self-styled as a “dominant CEO,” raised his chin high and took his seat in front of “Laughter Queen” Hera.

  Directly behind him sat “Thief” Noemi, while former “Pee King” Kenny occupied the aisle seat beside him. His deskmate was Troy.

  Troy, known as the “Passing the Buck Expert,” had once crossed paths with “Reporting Prodigy” Lilim, resulting in him throwing Yannis, a tecomer to evening study, under the bus. Following this, he even went up to the bckboard to dictate with Yannis, marking a peculiar bond.

  Unbeknownst to everyone, Troy, a hardcore pyer of the mobile game “Arknights,” was secretly a “Stinky Feet” level ten enthusiast, fully embracing his peculiar taste. As, there were far too few girls in the world who could provide him with that fragrant delight he sought.

  He was always on the lookout for such a uniquely gifted soulmate!

  A girl like Xanthia, who was impeccably clean and exuded a delightful fragrance, simply wouldn’t fit Troy’s rather niche preference. Her delicate little feet would, to him, be akin to savoring a refreshing and sweet ice cream—far too mild!

  Perverse! Extreme fetish!

  He had no desire to lick ice cream; he craved stinky tofu, the kind of profound foot odor that penetrated the soul—that was the true essence!

  Back in middle school, he had enjoyed stealthily removing girls’ shoes, pretending to be embarrassed as he apologized, helping them with their fallen footwear while using his fingers to slyly swipe the insides, ter bringing them to his nose to assess the level of their foot odor…

  Now, in high school, he had concealed this habit quite well. Yet, as time wore on, he found it increasingly difficult to resist the temptation of indulging in the exquisite smells of sweaty, sour, and stinky feet!

  One could only say, the world is vast, full of wonders. Who would have thought that delightful little feet would g behind in certain peculiarities…?

  As soon as Matthew sat in the chair once occupied by the former “Crying Pee King” Kenny, he attracted a round of ughter from the students seated at the back of the css.

  His earlier dispy of arrogance had indeed intimidated many, even the “Noble Boy” Marcus had managed to restrain himself from mocking him.

  Marcus had to admit that due to a previous encounter with Dionysius, he had somewhat softened his edges.

  What was Matthew’s background, and why did he have the audacity to be so brazen? Not being particurly gossip-inclined, Marcus was unaware of Matthew’s background, so he chose to keep his distance.

  However, as Matthew occupied Kenny’s former seat, the ughter from those around him inevitably reminded Marcus of the scene with Kenny, who had been in tears and urine, causing him to chuckle as well.

  Completely bewildered, Matthew could not help but cast a sharp, disdainful gnce towards the back row, where the troublemakers were ughing, before smming his hand down on the desk and bellowing, “What are you ughing at? Try ughing again, and see what happens!”

  His voice was loud and commanding, and paired with his imposing demeanor, it silenced the students in the back row once more.

  There was no denying that Matthew’s status as a “third-generation wealthy heir” was imposing. Everyone believed he had offended Susan and was subsequently sent here, leading them to conclude that only a true noble dy like Susan could put him in his pce.

  At the same time, the homeroom teacher, Emmanuel, couldn’t help but sigh inwardly. He had hoped Marcus would continue to py the role of the “leader of the underachievers,” as he was, after all, the “local tyrant,” but it appeared that Matthew , was beyond Marcus’s control.

  Suddenly, he found himself envious of Noli El Tangere, the homeroom teacher of Css 1, for at any moment, he could summon the campus crush—Dionysius.

  Unfortunately, Css 3 did not possess such a leader-type student. However, even if they did, without Dionysius’s pedigree, they would likely be unable to keep Matthew in check.

  With this thought in mind, Emmanuel felt a wave of despondency wash over him. He then began to deliver a series of ptitudes, decring that Css 3 was still a cohesive unit, urging everyone to treat the new transfer student with kindness, learn from each other, and progress together.

  After this brief css meeting, there were less than ten minutes left in the morning reading period. Emmanuel instructed the students to continue reading their English and Latin textbooks, leaving the cssroom in a rather despondent state.

  As a result, the remainder of the morning reading session swiftly devolved into a “morning gossip session” and a “tea talk”—

  “That transfer student certainly has a big temper; even Marcus doesn’t dare to provoke him?”

  “After all, he’s a third-generation tycoon; his personality is so domineering that it could escate into something unmanageable.”

  “It’s a pity Dionysius isn’t in our css; if he were here, this guy wouldn’t dare act so recklessly—just summon the lord and crush him!”

  “Our css has always cked a ‘Poop King,’ and so isn’t he a born candidate for that title? Hehe.”

  “I’m just waiting for Dematero to take action; if Matthew dares to provoke Dematero, he’ll surely suffer!”

  “Laughable! There’s no such thing as a mystical powers; it’s all just coincidence. I refuse to believe Dematero can come up with another ‘Poop King!’”

  “Stop your whining! Come on, let’s pce some bets; this ridiculous transfer student has taken over the throne of the Crying Pee King Kenny—surely it’s fate at py!”

  ...

  Many students rather enjoy engaging in idle chatter during morning reading sessions. Unlike the earlier morning reading, which tends to feel dreary, especially after an exhausting run, they find a certain joy in sneaking in a few extra moments of sleep.

  At this hour of the morning reading, however, everyone seems more alert. Simply reciting texts feels tedious, so sneaking in some conversation amidst the backdrop of others reading becomes quite exhirating. After all, no matter how loud the chatter, the chances of getting caught are minimal.

  Today's morning reading was especially delightful, given that Emmanuel hadn’t assigned any tasks. With no texts to recite, it was the perfect opportunity to chat, and the topic was readily avaible: the new transfer student, Matthew Tan.

  Only students like Luciel, with immense self-discipline and positive energy, seemed disinterested in such trifles. Instead, she obediently followed the homeroom teacher's instructions, diligently attending to her morning reading.

  The new transfer student, Matthew Tan, had evidently not made a great first impression. After all, he exuded an air of arrogance and dominance that left little room for admiration.

  Even if he hailed from a renowned wealthy familia, students dared not voice their discontent. At the very least, they could grumble behind his back, and should anyone muster the courage to speak out, others would undoubtedly rally behind them!

  It was merely the high school phase; many students weren’t particurly css-conscious. Take Dionysius, for instance—he commanded respect not because of his affluent background, but due to his reputation and capabilities.

  In contrast, Matthew Tan’s brazen disregard for decorum, funting his considerable background and openly admitting to his foul temper, practically pstered the word "fool" on his forehead. Regardless of his lofty status, he would earn neither heartfelt respect nor genuine friendship; he might even find himself isoted and despised.

  His attempts to emute the archetypal “tyrant CEO” from novels came off as ludicrous. After all, even the most domineering CEOs possess striking good looks, often described as having “chiseled features” and “broad shoulders, narrow waists, and long legs.” Matthew Tan, however, was hardly a sight to behold.

  Standing at an average height, with a below-par appearance, he had chosen a rather ostentatious hairstyle—a cssic perm associated with notorious pyboys, his bangs hanging long, yet such a style did little to enhance his looks.

  His clothing was indeed eye-catching, draped in luxury brands, and he sported a pair of diamond-studded white luxury shoes—each pair costing over ten thousand. Such extravagance starkly contrasted with his peers, who still wore Adidas and Nike.

  As Hera looked at Matthew, her eyes reflected a hint of recognition—he was of the same calibre as her, and perhaps worth befriending.

  Also, despite his fshy attire, whenever he adopted that domineering stance, it often conveyed an impression of insecurity and superficial bravado. His attempts at intimidation were bored, reminiscent of an overzealous amateur actor, but paired with his affluent background, they managed to create an unsettling aura.

  Having experienced the thrill of exhibiting this “dominance” and garnering respect from others, Matthew Tan became enamored with the concept.

  He considered his fondness for “tyrant CEO novels” to be quite remarkable, admiring the authors capable of penning such captivating tales. Without them, he might have struggled to articute his own “dominance.”

  He even maintained a notebook filled with dialogues typical of “tyrant CEO” characters. Every evening after school, he would recite these lines, ready to deploy them in crucial moments, hoping to breach the hearts of girls effortlessly.

  As, after attempting to employ his meticulously crafted “tyrant CEO” pursuit techniques on Susan, he faced an unprecedented setback.

  He felt it wasn’t his fault; rather, Susan’s defenses were simply too formidable. After all, even his so-called elder brother, Youssef, found her a daunting rival—he had no chance of easily winning her over.

  Reflecting on his blunders, he reached a conclusion: he had miscalcuted the order of his pursuits. A formidable opponent like Susan was beyond his current level; he needed to level up first!

  With this thought in mind, he turned to his deskmate, Troy, and inquired, “Who’s the prettiest girl in our css? I’m considering pursuing her and offering her a chance to be my girlfriend.”

  Troy felt a surge of irritation at the question, growing more convinced that this new transfer student was insufferable! Yet, maintaining a smile, he replied, “The most beautiful girl in my eyes is the one sitting behind you—Hera. She’s quite generous and a bit of a ‘little rich girl.’ The boy who previously occupied your seat was completely captivated by her charm…”

  Troy intentionally raised his voice, ensuring Hera could hear, for he was skilled at navigating social circles. Much like his predecessor, Chica, he had enjoyed certain advantages from Hera, so praising her felt effortless.

  Upon hearing “Hera” associated with the term “rich girl,” Matthew Tan’s expression brightened with intrigue. After all, Susan also possessed simir attributes. If they were both “rich girls,” then rounding them up into the same category made perfect sense! It seemed wise to test his skills on Hera before tackling Susan.

  Matthew refrained from turning around hastily. According to his “tyrant CEO” theory, he must leave a profoundly deep first impression. Many of these “tyrant CEOs” often leap before looking, directly entering a woman’s heart through sheer force.

  Sometimes, these ensnared women would even initiate a “surprise pregnancy,” bringing forth offspring before the “tyrant CEO” could enter into the chaos of pursuing them, resulting in a grand, dramatic romance peppered with the trials of elite retionships.

  “Not bad! I’m satisfied with your recommendation. You can consider yourself my little brother! What’s your name? By the way, I’m curious—why did that bunch at the back of the css ugh when I sat down here? Where’s your former deskmate now?”

  “I'm called Troy,” he responded. “As for why they ughed, it’s because my previous deskmate here was so frightened he cried and wet himself, earning the nickname ‘Crying Pee King.’ He couldn’t bear to stay in this css anymore. Speaking of which, since you’ve transferred from the Foreign Language High School, I suppose you’re a bit like him?”

  Troy’s words dripped with sarcasm, revealing his lingering displeasure. Who did this new transfer student think he was, demanding to take him as a little brother?

  Initially, upon hearing the nickname “Crying Pee King,” Matthew struggled to contain his ughter, as he found such bodily humor particurly amusing. He mented missing the opportunity to witness the scene when someone got frightened to the point of tears. It sounded like a rather entertaining sight!

  Yet, as Troy continued, Matthew quickly crified, “I’m nothing like that ‘Crying Pee King.’ Those fools from the Foreign Language High School believed my pursuit of Susan was too threatening. I was so close to winning her heart, only to fall victim to a sneak attack!”

  As he said this, Matthew made an exaggerated gesture that would certainly provoke the ire of south korean men—an iconic “finger-gestured universe.”

  Troy, hearing Matthew Tan’s words, felt even more disdain. Susan’s reputation was known throughout their school, attracting a multitude of suitors, many of whom were truly outstanding individuals. For someone like Matthew to speak so grandiosely was ughable—he clearly cked self-awareness.

  “Well, that’s quite unfortunate,” Troy replied, his tone curt and dismissive.

  Feeling validated, Matthew grinned with satisfaction. “Troy, you’re the most discerning of all my deskmates! Stick with me, and I’ll ensure you live well!”

  Troy forced a smile, the sarcasm dripping from his words. “You’re quite the generous one, Matthew!”

  “By the way, who was it that frightened your former deskmate so much? Such a talent ought to be my little brother!” Matthew Tan pressed.

  Troy shook his head, deliberately creating suspense. “Matthew, you really shouldn’t provoke that person. They possess a peculiar aura—if you annoy them, you might just find yourself in a sticky situation!”

  “Oh, please! It can’t be that bad. Just tell me their name and point them out,” Matthew insisted.

  Troy secretly delighted in Matthew’s recklessness—he had invited trouble upon himself. “Their name is Dematero, and he’s sitting right there,” he said, directing Matthew’s attention.

  As Matthew observed Dematero’s appearance, disappointment washed over him. “This is the person? I expected someone fearsome and imposing—he looks like a mild-mannered schor!”

  “Hey, don’t let his appearance fool you. He can be quite terrifying when provoked…” Troy animatedly recounted the incident when his former deskmate, Kenny, was subjected to a head-banging episode on the desk.

  Matthew feigned indifference. “You don’t need to embellish things so much! If he were really that formidable, how could he possibly get away with hurting someone? Isn’t he merely a cowardly geek? What does he have to offer? Just point him out to me—I’m keen to know the extent of his so-called ‘ferocity’!”

  “Alright, if you want to discover the truth, be my guest! But I must warn you—once you cross paths with him, there’s no turning back!” Troy cautioned, silently relishing the spectacle that would soon unfold.

  “Bring it on! What am I afraid of? Besides, my father’s connections can guarantee my safety!” Matthew decred boldly.

  Thus, Troy urged him on, “Look, he’s just a few desks over—what are you waiting for? Just shout ‘you cowardly geek’ at him!”

  “Alright, you asked for it! I’m going to test my authority here!” Matthew shouted, and the cssroom fell silent.

  The students exchanged gnces, many chuckling at his audacity. In fact, Dematero was the one who always spared them from embarrassment during their te-night homework sessions. In some circumstances, like Jupiter to pnets, he had become their natural protector!

  Matthew’s expression shifted from confidence to bewilderment when he noticed Dematero’s piercing gaze settling on him. “What do you want?” Dematero shot back, clearly irritated by the interruption.

  A shiver ran down Matthew’s spine. “Er, I meant no offense! Just thought I’d give you a shout-out!” he stammered, feeling uneasy under Dematero’s scrutiny.

  “You think you can frighten me? You're far too naive!” Dematero retorted, rolling his eyes dismissively before returning to his book.

  Upon witnessing this unexpected development, Troy suppressed his ughter, quickly covering his mouth. “Matthew, you’ve got your work cut out for you! It appears you’ve just caught the attention of the tiger!”

  As the atmosphere grew thick with tension, Matthew’s bravado evaporated, leaving behind only regret as he return to his seat.

  Trying to change his mood. Matthew swiftly turned around, his eyes gleaming with aggressive intent as they locked onto Hera La Andronikos.

  With what he believed to be a piercing, commanding gaze, he spoke in a low, confident tone, “Miss Hera, I’ve heard you’re the prettiest girl in this css. If you confirm it, I’ll unch the most intense pursuit you’ve ever experienced, and you’ll know what true romance is.”

  Hera’s eyes lit up as she gnced at the newcomer, dressed in clothes that clearly hinted at a wealthy background. A man of taste, she thought. How refreshing to be recognised by someone of her own standing.

  Though her heart belonged to Dionysius, the distance between them made her realistic. She held no naive notions of loyalty, and if another scion pursued her, well, she wouldn’t mind entertaining the idea.

  Of course, her attitude was far less generous towards the likes of Kenny, boys she deemed beneath her.

  Feigning shyness, she responded coquettishly, “Yes, that’s right. I am the prettiest girl in Css 3.”

  Troy nearly burst into ughter. What a ridiculous pair, he thought. One bold enough to ask, the other shameless enough to agree!

  Still, he knew he’d pyed both sides well, and if these two actually got together, he could take some credit as the matchmaker, couldn’t he?

  Though outwardly impressed, inwardly Matthew was disappointed by Hera’s appearance. Even after all her makeup, her looks barely reached a passable five out of ten. Was this truly the best Css 3 had to offer?

  Yet, he reminded himself this was just practice. Hera would serve as his levelling ground, and five out of ten was more than sufficient for now. So, he began executing his well-rehearsed romantic pursuit, eager to cim victory in this small skirmish before preparing for the true battle ahead: conquering the heart of Susan La Papadopoulos.

  ShoujoDirector