Chapter 3-Conflict

As Mika ramped up the theatrics of her dramatic display,Emily continued to ignore her every move. It wasn't that she didn't notice—she noticed everything—but she refused to feed into Mika's antics. Instead, she maintained an air of calm indifference. Yet beneath her composed exterior, frustration was beginning to stir. Her jaw clenched, and her fingers fidgeted slightly, the only outward signs of her rising anger.

Emily had finally had enough. She climbed down from the stage, her footsteps sharp and deliberate, ready to leave the event entirely. But before she could make her exit, a swarm of reporters blocked her path. Microphones and cameras were thrust into her face as questions came flying.

"Miss Emily, what's your relationship with Mika Donalds?" one reporter asked, his tone laced with curiosity.

The crowd of onlookers leaned in closer, eager for Emily's response. She opened her mouth, her emotions threatening to spill out, but before she could speak, Rachel stepped forward and gently grabbed her arm.

"Please, Emily, don't do this. Let's just walk away," Rachel whispered, her voice low and pleading.

For a moment, Emily hesitated. She glanced at Rachel, seeing the worry in her friend's eyes, but the anger bubbling inside her couldn't be contained. Mika had played her game well, and now it was time for Emily to respond.

Taking a deep breath, Emily turned to face the reporters. Her gaze flickered briefly to Mika, who stood a few feet away with a smug expression. Emily's voice was steady, but her words carried an unmistakable edge.

"Well," she began, her lips curling into a polite but sharp smile, "Mika Donalds was my best friend—until she betrayed me."

The crowd erupted into murmurs and gasps, and Emily's eyes locked onto Mika's. Her gaze burned with anger, but she masked it with a composed smile. Mika met her gaze, her expression faltering for just a second before she recovered, her face hardening into defiance.

"Miss Emily, do you mind telling us how Mika betrayed you?" another reporter asked, seizing the moment.

Emily froze. The question hit harder than she expected, and she could feel her heart pounding in her chest. Memories of the betrayal flashed through her mind, vivid and raw. She was on the verge of spiraling, drowning in the emotions she had tried so hard to suppress.

Sensing her distress, Rachel stepped in. She placed a comforting hand on Emily's arm and whispered, "Emily, calm down. Don't let them get to you."

Emily took a deep breath, grounding herself. She nodded at Rachel before turning back to the reporters. "That is a personal matter," she said, her tone measured. "And that will be all for tonight. Thank you."

With that, Emily turned and walked away, her steps firm and unwavering despite the crowd's desperate attempts to grab her attention. Reporters hurled more questions her way, their voices growing louder, but she didn't falter. She walked out of the event with her head held high, refusing to give them any more of herself.

---

On the other side of the venue, Mika basked in the chaos she had created. Reporters surrounded her, their cameras flashing and their voices blending into a chaotic symphony of questions. She maintained a calm, almost regal demeanor, but inside, she was elated. This was exactly what she wanted—the spotlight, the attention, and most importantly, the upper hand over Emily.

"Miss Mika Donalds," a reporter's voice cut through the noise, "why do you think you're better than Miss Emily Petals?"

The question caught Mika off guard. She froze, her confident façade cracking for a brief moment. She opened her mouth to respond, but no words came out. Instead, she stood there, staring blankly as the reporters' questions piled on.

Jaden, who had been watching the scene unfold from a distance, felt a wave of embarrassment wash over him. Mika had always been impulsive, but this was a new low. He knew she wouldn't be able to handle the pressure on her own, so he pushed through the crowd to reach her.

When he finally got to her, he placed a protective arm around her shoulders, shielding her from the reporters. "Okay, that's enough," he said firmly. "Miss Mika didn't mean anything she said tonight. She just had a lot to drink."

His words were meant to diffuse the situation, but they only seemed to make things worse. The reporters pressed in closer, their questions growing more insistent.

Mika, infuriated, swung her purse at Jaden, hitting him squarely on the shoulder. "I'm not drunk or tipsy, you moron!" she snapped, her voice dripping with anger.

Jaden grabbed her arm, his patience wearing thin. "Let's get out of here, Mika. You've caused enough trouble for one night," he said through gritted teeth. His tone was sharp, but there was an undercurrent of concern.

Mika glared at him but didn't resist as he led her through the crowd. He opened the car door for her and ushered her inside before climbing into the driver's seat.

As he started the car, Mika turned to him, her voice defiant. "Why did you say I was drunk? I wasn't—"

"Hey!" Jaden cut her off, his voice firm. "I know you want revenge on Emily, but this isn't the way to do it. You're just embarrassing yourself."

Mika crossed her arms and stared out the window, refusing to respond.

"Is that clear?" Jaden asked, his tone softening.

"Yes," Mika muttered stubbornly, though her tone lacked conviction.

Jaden sighed, leaning over to plant a gentle kiss on her forehead. "You need to be smarter about this," he said quietly before pulling the car onto the road.

---

Meanwhile, Emily and Rachel stood outside, waiting for their car. The cool night air was a welcome relief after the heat and chaos of the event.

"You handled everything perfectly," Rachel said, her voice filled with pride.

Emily smiled faintly, though her thoughts were elsewhere. She couldn't shake the feeling that this was far from over. Mika wouldn't let things end here, and Emily knew she had to be prepared for whatever was coming next.

When their car arrived, Emily climbed into the backseat, her expression thoughtful. As they drove away, she glanced out the window, the city lights blurring together. She was determined to rise above the drama, no matter how difficult it became.

Back at the venue, Mr.Richard stood on the curb, watching Emily's car disappear into the distance. His fists clenched at his sides, and his expression was a mixture of anger and frustration. He has forgotten the way Emily responded to him.His mind was already racing with plans and he saw his pawn.

As the night stretched on, two women stood on opposite sides of the city, each plotting their next move in a battle that was far from over