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Novel Catalog
Chapter 12
Bonnie’s hand struck Dwayne’s cheek with a sharp, resounding slap. Her eyes were cold as she glared at him.
Dwayne’s face twisted in anger. “What the fuck?” he spat, fury blazing in his eyes.
He lunged at her, but Bonnie was quicker. Her hand moved like lightning, slapping him again and again. Each hit landed with such force that Dwayne staggered, his cheek beginning to swell from the impact.
“Motherf—” Dwayne’s voice cracked with rage.
Bonnie raised her hand as if to deliver another blow. “Yes? Do you want more?” she taunted, her voice laced with scorn.
Dwayne flinched, a look of fear flashing across his face, and he shrank back, his bravado shattered.
Bonnie snorted derisively, then turned and walked away, her heels clicking against the floor. Dwayne stood frozen, grinding his teeth as he seethed. His eyes burned with fury, and he muttered under his breath, “Just you wait, bitch. You’re going to regret this.”
It was the 20th, just a few days before the highly anticipated press conference. Every major news outlet was buzzing with excitement over the new nanomaterial breakthrough.
At the Shepard’s family dinner table, the evening news played in the background.
“Earlier this month, the research team led by Ms. Bonita successfully developed a groundbreaking nanomaterial after a year of relentless experimentation. This breakthrough has sent shockwaves through Arvandor, and the rest of the world is following suit!”
Gresham watched the TV with a look of admiration. “That’s quite an achievement. To develop a new nanomaterial within a year…” He paused, turning to his wife. “I hear she’s young—around Trina’s age?”
“Really?” Trina asked, her voice laced with disbelief.
Vera passed a piece of roast beef to Trina. “Well, honey, you’re already an overachiever. No need to compare yourself to Ms. Bonita. She’s in a league of her own.”
“You’re right,” Gresham added, passing Trina the mashed potatoes. “Just focus on your studies. With your talent, you could join Ms. Bonita’s research team as an intern during your junior year.”
Trina rolled her eyes, her mind already elsewhere. “I’m president of the Scientific Research Club, Dad. Everyone knows I’m good at this stuff. Even my professor said I’ve got talent and offered to recommend me to Ms. Bonita’s team for an internship.” She then cast a calculating glance at Bonnie, a mischievous glint in her eyes. “Bonnie’s doing pretty well too.”
Gresham and Vera exchanged a look, both of them clearly uneasy.
Vera frowned. “What do you mean by that?”
Trina’s lips curled into a sly smile. “She’s so ambitious, don’t you think? You said she’s aiming for Pyralis University, right? She wants to be the top scorer in the entrance exam too. What a goal.”
Trina chuckled to herself, pinching her thigh lightly as if mocking Bonnie’s determination.
Vera’s expression turned grim, and Gresham fell silent.
Trina continued, unfazed, “By the way, haven’t we been invited to the press conference? Maybe we should bring Bonnie along. It’ll be good for her to broaden her horizons.”
Gresham and Vera hesitated. They both knew how Bonnie was—always skipping classes, getting into trouble, and showing off. She’d once shown them a trophy from some international competition and claimed she had won it. The same went for a chess competition medal. They both knew Bonnie could be trouble, and they weren’t sure what would happen if they brought her to such an important event.
Vera shook her head firmly. “The college entrance exam is coming up, Bonnie. Don’t even think about going to the press conference. Just stay home and study.”
Bonnie raised an eyebrow, her gaze saying everything. She didn’t respond but looked at Vera as though the suggestion was ridiculous.
The 25th arrived, and it was Sacha’s birthday. Dwayne had booked the most luxurious VVIP room at Regal Karaoke, the kind of place reserved for the elite.
As they settled in, Eda Howard, holding Bonnie’s hand, spoke softly, “Sorry for dragging you along, Bonnie, but I’d be bored without you here.”
Bonnie smiled warmly. “Hey, what are friends for?”
But just as she said that, Tilda Garraway’s voice cut through the air, dripping with sarcasm. “Stop acting like you’re better than us, Bonnie. So what if you’re pretty? If it weren’t for Sacha, we wouldn’t even be able to get into a fancy place like this.”
Other students chimed in, trying to get on Dwayne’s good side.
“Give her some credit. The guy who picked Bonnie up the other day drove a Maybach, didn’t he?”
“Oh please, we’d know if he was really her boyfriend. Anyone with a brain can tell she hired him to put on a show for us. Where has he been these past few days?”
“Dwayne’s booked the fanciest VVIP room in Pyralis. Bonnie must have done anything to be here.”
Bonnie shot a glance down the corridor, her eyes narrowing at the VVIP room. She’d been there plenty of times before—this was nothing new to her.
Dwayne, however, saw her glance and thought she was longing to enter the room. He grinned, certain she would soon throw herself at him.
At that moment, the manager arrived, his expression apologetic.
“I’m sorry, Mr. Dwayne, but someone else has already booked the VVIP room.”
Sacha, who was nestled in Dwayne’s arms, sighed. “Oh no. I promised my classmates we’d get that room.”
Dwayne waved it off. “Don’t worry, I’ll handle it.” He pinched her waist playfully before glaring at the manager. “I made a reservation in advance. That room is mine!”
“I’m sorry, sir, but a VVIP has already booked it. Would you like to take another room?”
“A VVIP?” Dwayne scoffed. “Aren’t I a VVIP too?”
The others chimed in, backing him up. “Yeah, Dwayne’s dad owns the Caesar Hotel. He’s a VIP!”
“Just get out of our way if you want to keep your job!” one of the students added.
“Ignore him, Dwayne. Let’s just go in,” another student said, nudging Dwayne.
Dwayne’s eyes flickered to Bonnie, his grin widening as he made a decision. With a sneer, he walked around the manager, throwing open the door to the VVIP room.
“I’m taking this room. Get out!” he yelled.
But when he looked inside, his smug expression faltered. The room was already occupied. Several people lounged on the sofas, and an arrogant-looking young woman stood up, staring at him.
“Dwayne Moss? What the fuck are you doing?” she snapped.
Dwayne’s face drained of color. He immediately approached her, all pretense of bravado gone. “I’m sorry, ma’am. I didn’t know you were here.”
“I deserve to be punished, don’t I?” Dwayne muttered, and, in a moment of panic, punched himself in the face.
The room fell into stunned silence as Sacha and the other students lowered their heads in embarrassment. Even Dwayne, brimming with arrogance, knew better than to mess with this woman.
The young woman looked at them and froze. “Is that you?” she asked, surprised.
She rushed over to the girl standing behind them, her eyes wide with admiration. She held out her hands earnestly. “Please, be my mentor, ma’am!”