Chapter 158
“Well?” I pressed, my tone firm. “You seemed so eager to question me earlier. Let’s hear it.”
Nova’s cheeks turned a faint shade of red, and her gaze darted nervously around the room. “I… I don’t see why I should have to ask you anything,” she stammered. “This isn’t about me.”
“Oh, but it is,” I said, my voice ringing out clearly. “You’ve spent the entire morning trying to discredit me, claiming I don’t deserve to be here. Yet when it’s your turn to ask a question, you can’t come up with anything?”
The noblewomen began whispering among themselves, some of them casting skeptical glances at Nova. Her bravado was quickly unraveling.
“You’re just trying to put me on the spot,” Nova said, frustrated. “That’s not fair!”
“Fair?” I arched my brow, “Was it fair when you questioned my competence in front of everyone? When you tried to humiliate me without cause?”
Well?” I pressed, folding my arms. “You wanted to challenge me, didn’t you? Now’s your
chance.”
She stammered, her frustration morphing into outright embarrassment. “I…I don’t need to prove anything to you. Everyone here knows you’re an outsider.”
“An outsider who’s willing to stand her ground,” I shot back. “Unlike you, who hides behind insults when faced with a real challenge.”
I took a step forward, “If you’re so confident I don’t belong here, prove it. Ask me something,
anything and let’s see if your claims hold weight.”
Nova’s cheeks flushed, a vivid contrast against her pale complexion. She opened her mouth, then closed it again, grasping for words.
I continued, “It’s quite funny that you’re here criticizing me when you, of all people, should know what it’s like to answer some basic business questions. I mean, aren’t you the Beta’s
“Giving Up My First Love For Secret Research: Second Chance at Happiness
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Chapter 158
daughter?
“Aren’t you in charge of royal finances?” “Or is managing the royal finances not part of your
skill set?”
A murmur rippled through the room. I could see some of the noble girls exchanging uncertain glances, unsure of how to react. Nova’s face flushed with a mix of anger and
frustration.
“You think you can embarrass me with your sarcasm?” Nova snapped, her voice trembling with rage as she took a step toward me. Her entire body radiated fury.
“Embarrass you?” I replied with mock innocence, “I’d never dream of it. But it is strange,
isn’t it?
A Beta’s daughter, in charge of royal finances, struggling to formulate even the most basic business questions.”
I added with a smirk, “Makes one wonder what exactly you do all day.”
A gasp swept through the room, followed by the buzz of hushed whispers. Nova’s face turned scarlet, her anger flaring like a wildfire.
“You don’t know anything about me!” she hissed, her voice trembling as she took another step forward. “You’re nothing but an arrogant outsider trying to act like you belong here!”
“Maybe,” I said with a shrug, “but at least I’m willing to back my words with action. You? You hide behind your title and hope no one asks you to prove yourself. It’s almost… pitiful.
Nova’s composure shattered, her hand twitching as if she was debating whether to strike me. Her lips curled in a sneer, and she spat, “You’re going to regret this, Doris. I’ll make sure you do!”
“Or what?” I pressed, my smirk sharpening. “You’re going to throw a tantrum, Beta’s daughter? Or are you actually going to prove that you’re good for something other than empty threats?”
She lunged toward me, her rage erupting in an instant. But before she could do anything
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Chapter 158
more, a sharp, authoritative voice sliced through the room.
Enough!”
The room fell into stunned silence as all heads turned toward the grand doors, which had swung open to reveal King Luǹa.
She stepped into the room, her regal presence silencing even the faintest murmurs. Her piercing gaze swept across the crowd before landing on Nova, then me.
“What is the meaning of this disgraceful display?” her voice boomed, heavy with disappointment.
Nova froze mid–step, her fury dissolving into sheer panic. She straightened herself hurriedly, her eyes darting anywhere but to the Queen’s imposing figure.
“Bickering in such an undignified manner?” King Luna continued, her tone colder now. “Do you all think this is the way to conduct yourselves here? Squabbling like children over petty
matters?”
*No one dared to answer. Even I, who had stood my ground moments before, felt the sting of her words.
“Nova,” the Queen said sharply, her gaze locking onto the Beta’s daughter. “You are the Beta’s child, expected to set an example for others. Instead, you lower yourself to this?”
Nova opened her mouth to speak but faltered. “And you,” the Queen turned her attention to me, “Outsider or not, I expect decorum from everyone who steps in here. There are ways to handle disagreements, and this is not one of them.”
~
