Chapter 37 — Great Performance

“I heard from Haley, that woman married an old and ugly man. Is she really that obsessed with wealth?”

Right after Thea stepped inside her classroom, someone’s whisper made her ears perk up. The hell? How come her classmates were here gossiping? Why couldn’t they just mind their own business?

“I thought she was innocent, but it turns out she was pretending,” a woman with a cheap ponytail said.

“Looks can be deceiving. Tsk! Good thing I didn’t get attached to her these last few years in school.”

Thea tightly closed her fist while listening to them. Did they think that she was deaf? How could they say those negative things about her?

While all eyes were on her, Thea calmly let her long hair sway as she walked. She approached her desk and chair. One of her classmates named Irish intentionally bumped Thea’s shoulder before looking at her for a reaction.

There were thirty students in each classroom. That means that there were also thirty desks and chairs. Although they were trying to humiliate her, she didn’t care and only wanted to leave as quickly as possible to avoid a fuss.

However, when she was about to reach the door, Irish blocked her way with a pathetic face.

“You’re really brave, huh?” A sarcastic smile appeared on her face. “You’ve got some nerve showing up in school with your issues. You’re such a shameful bitch!” Irish exclaimed with her head held high. Instead of being frightened, Thea didn’t feel threatened at all.

She knew exactly what Irish was really referring to. She may have been pretending that it was the ‘marriage' she was talking about, but she was really talking about her own insecurities. Thea’s cold eyes pierced inside the woman's body.

In front of Ace, she was fragile and weak, but Thea was actually bold and fearless. She was immune to their treatment of her as a scheming poor person. She ignored their judgment and acted as if nothing happened. With the documents in her hand, she passed Irish and walked away calmly with an expressionless face. She stopped after a bit and turned around to them.

She had become much braver and stronger after her parents died. She didn’t want anyone to bully her, and she was certainly not going to be the laughingstock of the campus. That’s why she had become invisible to their eyes. However, because the so-called ‘queen of the campus’ said something stupid, now everyone knew her.

“Irish, please watch your mouth,” Thea mumbled and smirked sarcastically. “I might cut your tongue out and sell it to someone who has good values. Other than being the campus whore, is there anything you’re even proud of? Your name isn’t worth anything.” With that, Thea smiled and waved.

***

“Milady, master wants to see you.” Thea nodded and smiled.

“I’ll be there after a minute,” she replied. The maid bowed her head and walked outside.

Thea took a deep breath and went to the closet. It was already nine in the evening, and she had just finished her bath. After what happened at school, she headed back to Ace’s house. Her friend Kendra was in their condo unit alone now, and she had no idea that Thea was now living with their boss.

She put on onesie pajamas that looked like a dog. It had a cute hoodie with dog ears and a nose. She hurriedly headed downstairs to meet her domineering yet gorgeous boss.

“Master, these are the dishes that are suitable for madam’s health. I'm sure she’ll be able to regain her strength and become healthier.” Ace inspected the dishes displayed in front of him and when he felt they were good, he nodded.

The middle-aged woman left when Ace didn’t utter a word. He was always a scary and merciless boss, but when it came to that young woman, she saw her master change little by little. However, even if she was happy for Thea's existence in his life, she was also sad knowing that they couldn’t be together forever. Indeed, the world was cruel.

“Slow down,” Ace said in a calm voice, but deep inside he was nervous. When he saw Thea running carelessly down the stairs, he felt extremely uncomfortable. He must always be aware of his woman's health, though he didn’t really want Thea to know that.

As she walked toward him with her weird clothes, he couldn’t avoid admiring how she looked. She was so adorable and innocent. If he didn’t know how to restrain himself because of her current health, he might dig his fangs into her flesh and suck her blood.

“Let’s eat,” he said when Thea sat down three chairs away from him. Hmm. Was his little sweetheart afraid that he might do something? Was her body trembling because of his handsome presence?

“Um, my graduation is happening soon,” she said nervously. All the dishes were green, but she didn’t complain. She wasn’t even vegetarian.

“Sure. I’ll be there,” he said. Thea shook her head.

“No! I mean, everyone might be suspicious.” Ace lifted his head and looked at her. Women usually jumped with happiness when he agreed to go somewhere public with them, but this little wild cat in front of him was expecting him not to? Tsk!

“Sure. If you perform well, I might listen to you. Hmm?” Thea shivered. How did his words affect her like that?