Chapter 6 :Diana

Diana sat in her car, her fingers swiping furiously at her phone screen, her lips pressed into a thin line. Whatever she was reading had set her off. With an exasperated sigh, she jabbed at her phone, calling someone, her voice sharp and edged with anger. Slamming her foot on the accelerator, she sped through the streets, her mind racing as fast as the car.

She pulled up in front of a sleek, modern house with gray fencing. A few minutes later, Tasya stepped outside, her face tense, and climbed into the passenger seat.

"I'm sorry, Diana," Tasya said in a pleading tone.

Diana's glare could have cut glass. "How the hell did she find out? How did she even get access to the CCTV?"

Tasya shook her head helplessly. "I don't know. All I know is, I can't let this get back to Miss Ann. If it does, things will spiral even more out of control."

Diana scoffed. "So now you're planning to play nice? Don't forget—you still owe me. You want to stay in on this? Pay me back that 20 million first."

"I've done everything for you, Diana," Tasya said, her voice trembling. "I trashed her reputation, influence her to bully you at school. Everything you told me to do, I did. This is the first time something slipped."

Diana leaned back, her eyes cold. "And yet, all that work didn't do a thing. She's still the teachers' favorite, everyone still likes her—especially Miko. And don't you forget, Jason dumped you just to date Claire."

"Diana, please don't bring that up," Tasya whispered, her face flushing with shame. "I don't even like Jason anymore."

"You feel it too, don't you? She's stolen everything that should've been ours."

Tasya's voice wavered. "Is Miko really the only guy you can go after? There are others—why does it have to be him?"

"Because I love him," Diana hissed. "You know I grew up with him. We've been together since kindergarten—same schools, every step of the way."

Tasya looked away. "Last I heard, he's been keeping his distance from Claire."

"Distance?" Diana laughed bitterly. "I saw them at a coffee shop together yesterday. Just the two of them."

"Maybe it was nothing, Diana. Claire told me she's focusing on school, not relationships."

"You actually believe that?"

"In class, all she does is study. I haven't seen anything suspicious." Tasya added calmly.

Diana leaned in, her voice low and dangerous. "I don't care. You're going to come up with a new plan. Ruin her image. I want everyone to turn against her."

Tasya swallowed hard. "Diana... are you really going to keep doing this? Forever?"

"Just do what I say," Diana snapped.

With a heavy heart, Tasya stepped out of the car and walked away, her face clouded with worry. Diana barely spared her a glance as she answered another call, her anger still simmering. Slamming her phone down, she revved the engine and drove home.

When she pulled into the garage, the house was already buzzing with family members.

"Where have you been? Your uncles and aunts have been looking for you," someone chided her as she stepped inside.

"I had stuff to take care of," Diana muttered. "Has the event started?"

"Not yet, but everyone's waiting on you."

Diana rolled her eyes. "Like I'm the guest of honor or something."

Downstairs, relatives were bustling about, arranging food and chatting. Diana offered a few polite greetings before heading upstairs. She wanted to shower and change before joining the gathering. The house, with its sleek modern design and lively atmosphere, was filled with laughter and conversation, but Diana was too distracted to enjoy it.

She flung open her wardrobe, rifling through dress after dress, her face growing darker by the second.

"Maya! Maya! Where are you?" she called out, her patience fraying.

Storming down the hallway, she nearly collided with her mother on the second floor.

"What's wrong, Diana?" her mother asked, eyeing her daughter's scowl.

"My blue dress! It's missing!" Diana fumed.

"Can't you wear something else? Maybe it's still at the laundry—you only wore it two days ago."

"But I want that one, Mom," Diana whined.

Her mother sighed. "Fine, ask Maya. Maybe she misplaced it."

A few moments later, Diana found Maya and immediately unleashed her fury. The maid cowered under her sharp words, explaining that the dress was still at the cleaners.

"Diana, that's enough!" her mother cut in firmly. "If you keep yelling, the guests downstairs will hear."

"But Mom—" Diana pouted, still fuming.

"It's just one dress. You can buy a new one tomorrow," her mother said, softening her tone. "I promise."

Diana crossed her arms, still sulking. "Promise?"

"Yes, dear. I promise."

Grudgingly, Diana stomped back to her room, rummaging through her expansive collection of clothes. With as many dresses as she had, finding a replacement wasn't hard. Her mother had always indulged her every whim, after all.

Finally, dressed and made up, Diana descended the staircase, her heels clicking against the polished floor. Below, her uncles and aunts gathered, laughing and chatting.

"There she is—my beautiful niece!" Uncle Smith greeted her warmly.

"How's school, Diana?"

"It's fine, Uncle," she replied, flashing a practiced smile.

"No trouble, I hope?"

"Nothing big. Just that mess with Claire last time, though it's a shame you took her side," Diana said, her tone barbed.

Uncle Smith chuckled awkwardly. "Come on now, Diana. That's all water under the bridge. She apologized, didn't she?"

"Yeah, of course you'd side with Randy," Diana muttered.

"Hush, don't say that so loud. He's right there."

Sure enough, Randy appeared, looking as irritated as Diana felt.

"Dad, can I just go home?" he asked flatly.

"What are you talking about? The party isn't over. Your grandpa's still talking with your mom. Just wait thirty more minutes, okay?"

"Fine," Randy sighed.

His father gave him a light pat. "Go chat with Diana for a while. I'll be back in a bit."

Clearly annoyed, Randy grabbed a drink from the table and took a long sip.

"So, how've you been, Randy?" Diana ventured, forcing a smile.

"As you can see," he replied coolly.

"You're still stalking her, aren't you?"

Randy's eyes narrowed. "Who I stalk is none of your business. Stay out of it."

Diana's smile vanished, her face hardening. She snatched a cookie from the table, her mood darkening further.

"Why do you even like her? You barely know her," she sneered.

Randy shot her a glare. "Why don't you worry about it, just focus on your precious Miko instead?"

That was the last straw. Diana spun on her heel and stormed off, leaving Randy standing there, completely unbothered by her fury.

Diana was still fuming over what Randy had said downstairs. Who did he think he was, anyway? Compared to Miko, he wasn't even in the same league. She let out a long, heavy sigh, her chest tight with frustration.

Her father, noticing the storm cloud on her face, walked over and placed a gentle hand on her shoulder.

"Why were you so harsh with Randy just now? He's your cousin, Diana. Don't be so sharp with him," he said softly.

Diana crossed her arms, her jaw set. "Dad, I just can't stand the way he talks—so full of himself, just because his dad owns Green Mint School."

Her father sighed, a hint of weariness in his eyes. "Diana, you're not a little girl anymore. You're growing up now, sweetheart. Try to be wiser, more patient."

But Diana only huffed, turning away. "You just don't understand how I feel, Dad."

Her mother appeared then, stepping in to break the rising tension. "That's enough, both of you. The event is over, and so is this debate." She turned to Diana, her tone firm but gentle. "Go upstairs and rest now, honey. Come on, I'll help you take these gifts from your uncles and aunts."

As she gathered the brightly wrapped packages, Diana's father let out a low grumble. "You're always spoiling her. And now, look—this is what we get."

Her mother paused, her gaze softening. "Please, dear. Remember, Diana's all we have. I just want her to be happy, that's all."

Her father shook his head with a sigh. "Fine. Whatever you say."