Chapter 2

2

The atmosphere in the dorm was freezing.

Lianna stared at me with a look that could kill.

Skylar and Maddie didn't dare to speak. They shrunk into the corner, trying to be invisible.

I didn't care about them. I changed into my custom black lace gown.

With the makeup, I looked like a vengeful bride rising from the grave.

I glanced back at Lianna.

She was still wearing that white tulle dress she bought to match the mermaid look. Standing there with her angry face, she looked like a cheap joke.

"Lianna," I said, my voice full of mock pity. "Actually... that mermaid makeup really suits that dress. Cheap things always belong together, don't they?"

"You!" Lianna trembled with rage, her teeth practically grinding together.

I didn't give her a chance to explode. I gave her a winner's smile and walked out.

The masquerade was held in the grand hall.

The moment I stepped in wearing my black lace mask, I became the center of attention.

My "Corpse Bride" look was too shocking to ignore. Gasping and the sound of camera shutters filled the air.

"Wait, is that Jade? That's so cool!"

"That makeup is a work of art! How did she think of that?"

"She really can pull off anything. Even a death look!"

While I was enjoying the spotlight, an angry voice shouted from behind me.

"Jade! You've gone way too far!"

I turned slowly and saw my "dear boyfriend," Reid Lancaster.

He was protecting Lianna, looking furious, as if I had committed a crime.

Lianna had finished her mermaid makeup anyway. But it was sloppy. Compared to my look, she looked pale and ridiculous.

She hid behind Reid, crying like a victim.

"How have I gone too far?" I tilted my head, mocking him.

"You know how long Lianna prepared for this!" Reid's voice rose, attracting everyone's attention. "She just wanted to match with you, but you changed it to humiliate her! Why are you so cruel?"

Looking at Reid's self-righteous face made me want to gag.

In my last life, he was exactly like this.

He always accused me of being "jealous" and "malicious."

I used to think he was just fooled by her acting.

After my death, I realized the truth.

He wasn't blind. He was just a bad person.

"Reid," I said coldly. My voice wasn't loud, but it cut through the music. "First, my makeup is my choice. You're not my mother, so stop nagging like a gossip. Second, she chose to copy me and ended up looking like a clown. That's on her. Third, and most importantly..."

I paused, my eyes turning sharp as ice.

"In what capacity are you questioning me?"

Reid blinked. He puffed out his chest. "I... I'm your boyfriend!"

"Oh?" I laughed. "Consider this your notice. As of right now, you're dumped."

I pulled out my phone and started a livestream. I pointed the camera right at their shocked faces.

"Hey everyone! I'm giving you a front-row seat to a breakup. Let's call this: Dumping the Gold Digger and His Snake."

The live room exploded. The viewer count skyrocketed.

"Holy crap! Is she serious? A live breakup?"

"Gold digger? The tea is piping hot!"

Reid's face turned ugly. He panicked. "Jade, have you lost your mind? Turn that off!"

"Turn it off?" I smiled wider. "Why? I want everyone to see what kind of trash I'm throwing away."

I turned the camera to myself.

"Attention everyone. I am officially announcing my breakup with Reid Lancaster. The reason is simple: he's filthy."

I flipped the camera to the trembling girl behind him.

"As for Miss Lianna Snow, since you love picking up my trash, you can have him. I hope you two rot together forever."

Then, my gaze snapped back to Reid, sharp as a blade.

"By the way, Reid. You always said you hated my family's money, right? Fine. Before we end this, let's settle the bill."

I opened my banking app for the world to see. I pulled up a prepared list of expenses.

"We've been together for two years. That Porsche 911 you drive? A birthday gift from my dad. Three hundred thousand dollars. The downtown condo you live in? My mom pays the five-thousand-dollar monthly rent. That's a hundred and twenty grand. That designer suit? Eight thousand. That watch? Thirty thousand. Not to mention your twenty-thousand-dollar monthly allowance..."

With every word, Reid's face got paler.

"Over these years, I've spent exactly five point six million dollars on you. Since we're over, I expect it all back within a week. Also, bring back the car keys―and make sure it's clean!"

The crowd gasped.

Everyone thought Reid was a rich kid. No one knew he was a total leech living off his girlfriend!

Reid's pride was being crushed under my heels in front of the entire school.

He clenched his jaw, glaring at me. "Jade, don't test me!"

"I'm testing you?" I laughed. "You spent my money to flirt with my roommate in the apartment I paid for. Who's the one testing who?"

"That's a lie!" Reid and Lianna shouted together.

I smiled, and the room went silent.

"Whether it's a lie or not doesn't depend on what I say."

I held up the phone again. I had hundreds of thousands of viewers now. I opened a video folder labeled: "Cheating Scandal: My Trash Ex."

My finger hovered over a thumbnail. Even though it was small, you could clearly see two people tangled in bed.

The live chat went feral. The guests in the hall gasped.

Reid and Lianna looked like they had seen a ghost.

My voice was low, but it felt like a cold needle in their ears.

"Reid, Lianna. I've always been a generous person."

I smiled a bloodthirsty smile.

"So, I'll give you one chance. Get on your knees right now and apologize to me in front of everyone."

"Or else..."

My thumb hovered just millimeters above the play button.

"The whole world is going to see your 'spectacular performance' in my bed. It'll be the highlight of the night."

The room was deathly quiet.

Nobody breathed. Everyone's eyes were fixed on my thumb and the two terrified faces in front of me.

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