Chapter 36

Clara POV

"I can't believe I'm standing in the cafeteria, confronting a lunatic and a boyfriend snatcher like Laura," I spat, her voice dripping with venom. "Laura, get up and leave the cafeteria. I want to use this space, and I can't do that with you still here."

Her words were laced with anticipation, and I could sense the tension radiating from her body. But I refused to back down, my feet rooted to the spot. I glared at her, my silence a defiant response to her demands.

Laura's eyes blazed with anger, her face reddening as she snarled, "Fine, have it your way." But her voice was laced with a warning. "Stay out of my way and my business, Clara."

She picked up her handbag and took a step to leave, but I quickly grabbed her arm and pulled her back, forcing her to drop back into her seat. The sudden movement sent her sandwich flying, and it landed on the floor with a soft thud.

"Let me go, Clara!" Laura demanded, her voice rising as she tried to shake off my grip. But I held firm, my eyes locked on hers in a fierce stare.

"Don't think you can just walk away from this, Laura," I spat, my voice low and menacing. "We're far from done."

With a defiant gaze, Laura took a deep breath and blew it across my face, her warm breath filling the space between us. But my expression remained unyielding, my eyes blazing with anger.

As I jerked forward, my hand flashed out from the bag I had brought along, revealing a long cane that I had concealed within. With a swift motion, I struck the cane across Laura's back, the sound echoing through the silent cafeteria.

The force of the blow sent Laura's eyes wide with shock, her body arching in pain as she gasped for breath. But I stood unfazed, my grip on the cane tightening as I prepared to strike again.

Valerie and Nora grabbed my arms, trying to wrestle the cane out of my grasp. But I held tight, my fingers refusing to let go. I sneered, raising the cane to strike again. Laura cowered, her eyes scanning the room for an escape route as she begged me to stop.

"What's your problem, Clara?" Laura asked, her voice trembling as tears streamed down her face. Her fear and desperation only fueled my anger, and I felt a twisted sense of satisfaction seeing her cry and beg.

Just as I was about to strike again, Atlas and Frank burst into the cafeteria, his face stern and commanding. "Clara, stop! That's enough!" he boomed, his voice echoing off the walls.

I froze, my cane hovering in mid-air, as I glared at Laura, who was cowering in fear. For a moment, I felt a thrill of defiance, but then my grip on the cane relaxed, and I let it drop to the floor with a clatter.

Frank strode towards me, his hand raised, and struck me with a resounding slap across my face. The force of the blow left my vision blurry, and I stumbled backward, shock and anger coursing through my mind.

"How dare you!" I exclaimed, my hand instinctively rubbing the stinging area. "Frank, you should scold her, not me!" I blurted out, my eyes flashing with indignation.

Laura, still cowering in fear, looked up at Frank with tears in her eyes. "She attacked me, Frank! She's been bullying me for weeks!"

Frank's expression turned stern, his eyes narrowing as he turned to me. "Clara, that's enough. Your behavior is unacceptable. We've never been in a relationship, so why are you stalking her and making life unbearable for Laura?" He asked, his voice firm.

I tried to speak up in my defense, but before I could utter a word, he landed another slap on my face. The sound echoed through the silent cafeteria, causing a commotion throughout the school. The room fell silent, with all eyes fixed on me, their stares piercing through me like daggers. I felt a wave of shame and embarrassment wash over me, my face burning with humiliation.

As the stares from the students burned into my skin, I felt a deep sense of shame and embarrassment. Frank's words hung in the air, a harsh reminder of my own misconduct. I knew I had crossed a line, and now I was facing the consequences.

"Clara, you're coming with me," Frank said, his voice firm but controlled. "We'll discuss this further in the mansion."

I nodded, feeling a lump form in my throat. I knew I had let out a huge disgrace for myself. As I followed Frank out of the cafeteria, I couldn't help but wonder how things had gone so far off track.

"Frank!" Laura's voice echoed through the office, and we both turned to face her. I felt a surge of anger and resentment towards her, my eyes blazing with fury. "She's the one who's been causing all the trouble, Frank," I muttered under my breath, my gaze fixed on Laura with intense hatred. "She's the reason you're punishing me, and now you're humiliating me in public. I hate her."

Frank's expression remained stern, but he released my wrists and walked towards Laura. "Laura, don't worry, Laura. I will take care of Clara, and she won't bother you anymore, he assured her, peeking at her forehead. What audacity! I groaned out, clenching my fist.


Laura's eyes were fixed on me, a triumphant smile spreading across her face. "I don't want you to hurt her; please, I'm begging you," she said, her voice dripping with concern, which I really don't care about. "She's been bullying me for months, Frank, but I don't want you to hurt her. She has been stalking me and even physically attacking me. But please respect my request.

Frank's eyes narrowed, and his gaze fixed on me with a mixture of disappointment and anger. "Clara, you need to apologize to Laura," Frank said in a low, stern tone.

I shook my head defiantly. "Never!" I spat, my voice firm and resolute. "I won't apologize.