Chapter 26: USB

I returned to my table, feeling the persistent gaze of my mother following me. Her eyes darted immediately towards her wine glass. Even my father was looking at me with confusion. I picked up my wine, toying with it in my hand.

"Is there a problem, my dear?" asked by my father.

"Do you sense any problem, Dad?" I retorted, turning his question back onto him.

My father stared at me in bewilderment. After a moment, he simply shook his head. I stopped swirling my wine glass when a woman suddenly hugged me from behind.

A grimace passed over my face, unseen by her. My father squinted at me, puzzled by my behavior. I quickly conjured up a fake smile.

"You look gorgeous, Yvonne!" exclaimed Yanna.

I simply nodded, and my smile faded from my lips when I saw a red mark on her neck. I touched my own neck and discretely cleared my throat. Only I could hear it. This woman always managed to ruin my mood and drain my energy.

She was nothing but negative energy, sucking the life out of me.

I didn't return the compliment Yanna was clearly fishing for. Truthfully, I had no desire to engage in any form of pleasantries with her tonight. How dare she hug me after what she had done!

These snakes were truly audacious. They would slither around covertly, coil around you, strike, and then leave you with potentially lethal wounds.

But before they even had the chance to do so, I would have them by the neck. No matter how venomous their bite, if I was their opponent, all their plans were futile. They were no match for me.

I was not born to let that happen. My mother did not taught me that when people throw a stone, I must throw them back with bread. Heck, I would throw bigger than bread. I was not accustomed to being treated this way by these two.

Especially them. They truly did not deserve everything that I had given them. I didn't know why, but my hands were trembling with anger because of them.

I raised an eyebrow when this woman had the audacity to sit next to me. I watched as she artfully adjusted her skirt to sit down. I rolled my eyes again. At this point, my mother's eyes were on me, and my father was nuzzling my mother's neck, oblivious to the many cameras and media present. He didn't care about being photographed or filmed while behaving like a love-struck teenager.

I could only shake my head in disbelief.

Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed Kyle emerging. His hair was damp, and he looked as though he had taken another shower and changed his clothes. He walked straight towards me. The anger that had been in his eyes was gone, replaced by calmness. Was he no longer annoyed, or was it due to the woman sitting next to me?

He tried to kiss me, but I subtly turned my head and pretended to be looking at something else. As a result, he ended up kissing my right cheek. Even though it was just a peck on the cheek, I felt a strong urge to wipe it off as I was repulsed by it.

I also ignored the woman who had been babbling next to me for a while now. I grimaced when she praised another man, seemingly trying to tease the man sitting next to me.

Kyle's arm was snaked around my waist, a familiar gesture that was beginning to feel hollow. I couldn't help but notice the furtive glances he kept casting towards the woman seated next to me. I felt the urge to vacate my seat, to distance myself from the awkwardness that they can't feel because they have thick face. But why should I be the one to leave? I was here first, they were the ones who came later, sneaking glances at each other while conveniently using me as a barrier.

The audacity of them was almost comical, matched only by the pitiful size of their conscience. How could they treat me like this when I had always treated them with kindness and respect?

"That man is a Fuentes," Yanna beside me giggled, her voice filled with admiration. "I heard he's wealthy, intelligent, and I heard he is good in bed."

I grimaced subtly at her words, her third compliment about another man tonight. She spoke of their attractiveness, their muscular physique, their towering height, and their apparent endowment. Her true colors were showing more and more with each passing moment.

Such a flirt, I thought, shaking my head.

I remembered the man she was talking about. If I wasn't mistaken, they were the ones I saw in the canteen, it was Zach, Tres friend. and I wondered why they had come to our canteen instead of going in their own cafeteria. Of course, law department have their own canteen same with the engineering department.

He was with a woman who seemed to be his sister or girlfriend? U don't know. I glanced at Yanna. Her smile was wide as she continued to gaze at the man. A slow, knowing smirk pulled at the corners of my lips.

The man maybe already in a relationship, and yet here she was, planning to disrupt another one. How desperate was she? Did she enjoy going after men who were already spoken for?

Did she aspire to be "the mistress of the month"? Maybe tomorrow she would have a different scandal. She was a teacher, but her behavior was nothing but uneducated girl.

My gaze shifted to Kyle. At every compliment Yanna gave to another man, his brows furrowed, his jaw tightened, and he gulped down his wine.

He was clearly jealous. This bastard.

It was nine in the evening, the time when everyone would give a speech for the birthday boy.

My speech for Kyle's father was straightforward. I wasn't close to him, and I didn't care about him, just like how he didn't care about me. If my parents weren't around, he would have treated me differently. He was that kind of person.

My attention was drawn back to Kyle as he stood up and walked towards the man operating the large projector. I saw him hand over a black USB, presumably his surprise for his father.

I glanced at my mom. She was also watching Kyle. I excused myself, saying I needed to go to the restroom.

I would have to walk past the operator of the projector. I almost clapped when I saw he was busy talking to another man.

He noticed me and I gave him a tight smile. I checked our table, my mother was engaged in a conversation with my father. They were unaware of my plans, just like how they were oblivious to what Yanna and Kyle had done to me. My mom only knew that Kyle had cheated on me, she didn't know Yanna was the woman he left me for.

Yanna wasn't paying attention to me, and Kyle was busy talking to the Fuentes at their table.

With utmost secrecy, I skillfully manipulated my hands, ensuring that no one noticed my actions, as I discreetly retrieved the USB that had been earlier presented by Kyle. Swiftly, I executed a seamless swap, replacing it with an indistinguishable USB of matching color, which contained the meticulously crafted surprise I had prepared. As a sense of accomplishment washed over me, I couldn't help but grin with satisfaction, knowing that I had successfully executed the switch.

Now, all that remained was to exercise patience and wait for a few minutes. It was during this time that the grand plan I had meticulously devised would unfold. Tonight, the members of the Quinto and Siran families, who had caused distress to both me and my loved ones, would find themselves engulfed in a profound and deeply humiliating sense of embarrassment.

The anticipation of what was to come filled my thoughts, as I envisioned the scene that would unravel before their eyes. Each individual who had crossed paths with me and my family, causing harm or engaging in deceit, would be caught off guard by the unexpected turn of events. Their faces would contort with confusion, shock, and an overwhelming feeling of humiliation, as the carefully concealed surprise revealed itself.

With every passing moment, my excitement grew, knowing that the tables were about to turn in a spectacular fashion. This act of retribution would serve as a powerful reminder to those who had underestimated my resolve and determination. The evening promised to be a memorable one, as the Quinto and Siran families, unaware of the impending embarrassment, continued their daily routines, blissfully ignorant of the storm that was about to descend upon them.

As I awaited the opportune moment for the surprise to unravel, a sense of justice and satisfaction coursed through my veins. It was a testament to my resourcefulness and cunning that I had managed to outsmart those who had wronged me. Tonight, their misdeeds would be exposed, leaving them to confront the consequences of their actions in front of their peers and loved ones.

In the end, this calculated act of retaliation would not only serve as a lesson to those who had crossed my path but would also provide solace and vindication to my own wounded spirit. The evening would mark a turning point, a moment when the balance of power shifted, and the underdogs emerged victorious. And as I patiently bided my time, I relished the thought of witnessing the downfall of those who had dared to meddle with me and my family.