Liana River's POV
"What about the case in Lyra Vane's possession?" I asked my father during lunch.
"The case originally belongs to the Vane's family. I had called them to get it back from their daughter," he answered back, stood up, and then begged me never to step out of his mansion till he returned.
It was a joyous moment when I saw my father and my mother walking with fingers intertwined into my room later in the day, and for the first time in several years, my mother walked without staggering, or reeking of alcohol.
My life had suddenly changed from nobody to the daughter of the richest man in Cornwall City. I now had a room to myself, a wardrobe filled with beautiful clothes, and a driver to drive me anywhere I wanted.
Today at the school cafeteria, I sat alone at a corner and had a steady, unflinching, almost daring gaze plastered on my face. My uniform was crisp and freshly ironed, and my new designer shoes caught the reflection of the polished marble floor. I casually placed a brand-new iPhone 17 promax beside a tray of food and picked up chips with a fork.
The air suddenly shifted, and I could hear students murmuring as they turned their heads towards the cafeteria entrance.
Lyra's lips curled into a smile as she stepped inside and was followed by her entourage.
"Well...well. Look at you, River. All dressed up like you owned this place. I heard the Anderson family had employed you and your mother as their maids."
Her entourage giggled on cue, I didn't flinch but leaned back on my chair, and then said in a sharp but calm tone, "Funny. I didn't realize that maids wore shoes that were more costly than your entire wardrobe."
The laughter that followed was not from Liana's circle but from nearby tables. They all craned their head, enjoying the sight of someone standing up to Lyra Vane for the first time.
Lyra's cheek flushed. "You now think you can talk back to me, huh!"
"Go away, Lyra. I am here for my lunch and not to exchange words with unpleasant people."
"Stand up," Lyra said. "You are sitting at my favourite place."
"Find another seat. Your name is not written on any chair here," I responded in a steel-like tone.
Lyra's hand suddenly shot forward. She gripped my arm and tried to yank me off my seat, but I shoved her back with sudden force. Lyra stumbled backwards, lost her balance, and then fell face-first into a tray of smashed potatoes and gravy. The cafeteria erupted with gasp and then with laughter when Lyra scrambled to her feet. Her hair dripped with sauce, and her face was filled with potatoes. But I noticed it was her pride that hurt most. Suddenly, Lyra picked up a plate of half-eaten spaghetti and then hurled it at me. The tray spins through the air like a fiery comet and then lands squarely on Principal Mortimer's face as he steps through the cafeteria door.
The cafeteria fell silent as the principal peeled noodles from his glasses. He then looked at me thunderously. "Liana River and Lyra Vane, meet me in my office now."
Principal Mortimer paced behind his desk and then said in a sharp voice. "This is the second time you will be disrupting the peace of this school, Lillian River."
"Lyra started it first, Sir. She -."
"I don't care who started it first, Miss. You will have to call your mother now."
My stomach twisted as I reached into my bag for my phone. My mother's phone was picked up after ringing thrice.
"Hello, Liana. " My father's voice boomed over the phone speaker.
"My principal wanted to see you in school immediately."
"On my way, dear ."
The principal excused himself and left for the restroom, while Lyra Vane kept looking murderously at me.
A few minutes later, the sound of the car's engine roared close by.
I stood up and then pressed my face against the window. Fleets of cars rolled into the school's parking spot in front of the principal's office, and men in tailored suits stepped out to form a protective line. The door of the car in the middle opened, and Brook Anderson stepped out. I heard the door of the principal's restroom creak, and I was back in my seat before the principal emerged into his office. A moment later, my father strode into the principal's office.
"You asked to see me?" Brook Anderson asked in a cool but authoritative voice.
Principal Mortimer's jaw dropped at the sight of Brook Anderson. And his face became pale. "Mr. Anderson. I- Well, I wasn't expecting to see..." His voice faltered. " I requested to see Miss River's mother."
"Liana is my ward. You can tell me what happened. "
"Miss River had been disruptive lately. She posted an inappropriate message on the school's blog two days ago, lied about a student yesterday, and then attacked another student in the cafeteria today."
Brook Anderson leaned over the principal's desk. His voice was low but carried danger. "Is that what really happened? Do you verify? Ask questions, or you choose to blame her because she is an easy target."
"I...I asked -."
"Enough, Principal Mortimer. " Brook Anderson cut into the principal's stuttering. "Sliverclaw Academy prides itself on discipline and fairness, yet you allow certain students to terrorise others unchecked. This will end today."
Principal Mortimer looks like someone struck him on the jaw. "Mr. Anderson. I assure you - ."
"You assure me nothing." Brook snapped. "Liana River is now under my protection henceforth. Any unjust treatment will have legal and financial consequences. Do I make myself clear?"
Principal Mortimer nodded stiffly. "Crystal clear, Sir."
Brook Anderson smiled and then turned to me. "Come on, girl. The principal won't bother you anymore."
My legs trembled as I rose from the chair. For the first time, I wasn't walking out of the principal's office with shame. As the door closed behind us, I saw Lyra Vane's frozen gaze. The cafeteria clash had been humiliating enough, and the revelation that I was more than a maid to the Anderson family was a blow she hadn't anticipated.