chapter 5

Monday, September 7, 2026

6:40 p.m.

The Carter House – Las Vegas

I quietly closed the front door behind me.

The day had felt endless.

I dropped my bag by the entrance before heading upstairs to my bedroom.

My phone vibrated.

Maya:

> Did you make it home safely?

I smiled.

Elina:

> Yes. Thanks for today.

A few seconds later, she replied.

Maya:

> Are you coming to the welcome party on Friday?

I stared at the message.

Immediately, Noah's words echoed in my mind.

"Everything will begin that night."

I didn't know why... but those words unsettled me.

Elina:

> I'm not sure yet.

Maya:

> You have to come! The whole school will be there.

> I promise I'll stay with you.

I finally replied:

> Okay.

The moment I hit send, a strange feeling settled in my stomach.

As if I had just agreed to something that was about to change my life forever.

---

Tuesday, September 8, 2026

7:50 a.m.

Entrance – Las Vegas Elite Academy

The sun was already shining brightly.

Students arrived in small groups.

As I walked through the school gates, I noticed colorful posters hanging on the walls.

WELCOME PARTY

Friday – 8:00 p.m.

Las Vegas Elite Academy Royal Ballroom

Formal attire required.

"Have you seen it?"

Maya suddenly appeared behind me.

"The whole school is talking about the party."

"Is it really that important?"

She burst into laughter.

"Are you kidding?

It's the biggest event of the year!

The rich students show up wearing designer dresses, the guys rent luxury cars... and this year they'll even be crowning the King and Queen of the Night."

I shrugged.

"It's just a party."

Maya shook her head.

"You'll see.

Around here, one single night can change your entire reputation."

---

10:15 a.m.

Literature Classroom

The teacher was writing on the board when a student walked into the room without knocking.

Every head turned toward her.

She was tall.

Her long black hair was perfectly straight.

Her uniform was immaculate.

An elegant perfume filled the classroom.

"Sorry I'm late, Professor."

"Come in, Miss Dawson."

She crossed the room gracefully.

Then...

She stopped in front of my desk.

Her eyes slowly scanned me from head to toe.

A contemptuous smile appeared on her lips.

"So...

You're the new girl."

I remained silent.

"My name is Zoe Dawson."

She folded her arms.

"Remember one thing."

"Girls who attract Noah's attention never stay at this school for very long."

The entire classroom fell silent.

I slowly lifted my head.

"I'm not trying to get anyone's attention."

She let out a mocking laugh.

"Good.

Because Noah belongs to me."

At that moment, a chair scraped loudly across the floor.

Noah had just stood up.

Every student turned to look at him.

He fixed Zoe with an icy stare.

"Stop speaking for me."

Zoe's face turned pale.

"Noah... I was only—"

"I don't need anyone to handle my business."

The silence was so heavy that you could have heard a pin drop.

Zoe clenched her fists, shot Elina a look filled with hatred, and returned to her seat without another word.

I stared at Noah.

Why had he just defended me... when he'd spent the entire time making my life miserable?

Even he seemed surprised by his own reaction.

For a brief second, our eyes met.

Then Noah looked away, as if he refused to admit that he had just come to my defense.

At the back of the classroom, Zoe watched the two of us.

Her nails dug into the palm of her hand.

A silent promise burned in her eyes.

This war had only just begun.