Chapter 30: Sofia’s News

Chapter 30: Sofia’s NewsCamilia had been feeling uneasy since the call with Jayden. She sat on a velvet chair at the side of the large, luxurious living room of the house, a glass of wine standing on a small table beside her, nearly empty as it was already below half.

Camilia wasn’t quite sure what to make of it, but it was clear that she had heard a female voice address him as babe.

Of course, the first thought that came to her mind was that she was his girlfriend, but she wasn’t entirely sure. She didn’t know why, but something made her doubt it.

While she was contemplating it, she was also considering the fact that she wasn’t officially his girlfriend yet, which didn’t really give her the right to question Jayden—or maybe... feel jealous.

But she really couldn’t help it.

The issue of marrying the Prince of Nortasia was also troubling her deeply, as her father had been relentless in pressuring her. Sёarch* The Nôvelƒire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

All her life, she had always lived under the forced direction of her father.

Going to Sky High University to study business when she clearly preferred being a music artist...

Not being able to keep friends while growing up and raised as a lonesome little princess in their luxurious fort.

Most times being handed burdensome assignments by her father to carry out some of his company’s strategic operations.

Now...



It was something bigger.

Something that would actually define the rest of her life.

Marrying Prince Kael of Nortasia.

Camilia had insisted she wouldn’t marry him, but to her father, her words were mere mutters he could brush away with a sharp, commanding statement.

He was her father, and even though she disapproved of his decisions, he always managed to talk her into compliance, every single time.

Heston had clearly stated that this time wouldn’t be different.

Soon, Heston approached where she sat.

He was a tall, middle-aged man with a bald head and a mix of black and gray beard. Unlike his daughter, he was a little darker-skinned but fair. His gaze was sharp.

He noticed his daughter’s mood and sighed, taking a seat beside her.

Camilia didn’t spare him a glance. She just stared down... It almost seemed like his presence disgusted her, but that cold demeanor stemmed from her anger.

"The Prince of Nortasia sent another letter today. His intentions remain... unwavering. Camilia, this match will bring great honor to our name," Heston said.

Camilia suddenly raised her head, her jaw slightly clenched as she folded her arms.

"Honor? Or leverage, Father? You mean to say you’ll be a much bigger man nationally, your seat at the Senate secured, and I’ll be locked in a gilded cage. Is that what you call honor?" Camilia asked, her eyes burning with anger.

"You speak like a child. This is not just about politics. Nortasia is rising, and aligning with them ensures our house remains relevant in the new world order," Heston replied, staring at her wearily.

Camilia shook her head, glaring.

"I won’t be traded like a chess piece, Father. I’m not an asset to be exchanged for political safety. I have a life here. I have dreams. I have someone..."

She suddenly stopped, biting her lips.

"You... have someone?" Heston’s eyes narrowed.

Camilia remained silent, but her expression gave her away.

"Well. That’s not a problem, daughter. You’ll leave whoever that person is. Soon, Prince Kael and his father, the King, will be here," Heston revealed with a shrug.

He placed a hand on her shoulder.

"I know it feels unfair, child. Believe me, I’ve seen what duty can do to people. But the world we live in... it doesn’t care about your feelings. It demands sacrifice," he said with a sigh.

Camilia swiftly pulled away, her eyes burning with defiance.

"And when will you sacrifice something, Father? Or is it always your daughter who has to bleed for the family’s name?"

That statement struck him hard. His expression changed. The softness disappeared. His voice dropped, now low and commanding.

"This is not a request, Camilia. The engagement will be announced at the Midsummer Banquet. You will attend. You will smile. And you will do what must be done."

Camilia flinched. Her face darkened.

"You want obedience, not a daughter. But I swear to you... I will not belong to anyone unless I choose it," she said, her voice trembling, not with fear, but with fury and disappointment.

And yet, she couldn’t even feel disappointment anymore.

Her father had always been the dominant force in her life, and it seemed it would remain so.

However, Camilia had had enough.

She wouldn’t let anyone dictate the course of her life, not even her father.

"This time, it will be different," she muttered with quiet determination.



******

After a sweet night with Temi, there was a lot to do the next day.

Jayden had to attend an important lecture before heading to the office. He also had a meeting with Kurtis Vane later that day, so he needed to be time-sensitive with every activity.

Skipping the lecture might have been optional, but this wasn’t just any lecture. It was one of the most important subjects: Operational and Strategic Management.

Now that final exams were approaching, no one wanted to miss key lectures. A good result in Sky High University played a crucial role in one’s career reputation and success and every student knew it.

"Are you leaving already?"

Jayden turned to Temi, who had approached him as he walked toward his car.

"Yes, love. I’ll be home as early as I can," Jayden said with a smile, kissing her on the lips.

He entered his car and drove off, while the caretaker, Mr. Collins, watched them from his balcony with a blank expression.

As soon as Jayden got to campus, he rushed into class as he was already one minute late.

Thankfully, the professor hadn’t arrived yet, so he wouldn’t be penalized for tardiness, as the professor often did with others.

While they waited, side conversations broke out around the classroom, surprisingly all about the same topic.

"Didn’t you hear? Sofia caught Royce making out with her best friend Mia, and guess what?" a chubby girl exclaimed.

"What?" another asked eagerly.

"He slapped her and embarrassed her in front of Mia!"

"AHH, damn. What the hell!" a guy reacted with a curse.

"I don’t know why I feel so happy about it. Is it just me?" the chubby girl asked.

"No, you’re not alone, Clara. Sofia was acting like queen of the campus for a week just because she was dating Gregory Kingsley’s son. Serves her right," another girl replied.

"Girls like her get used like wet wipes. He just wanted to screw her senseless, and now he’s done, he dumped her," a guy said, laughing.

"I heard he had sex with her five times a day. That’s why he always wanted her to stay over," another voice chimed in.

"Crazy! Bro just needed someone to satisfy his insane lust. Now he’s moving on to her best friend. Money really blinds people," Cassandra added from the back.

Mmm, interesting...

Jayden just sat there quietly, not joining the gossip. He hadn’t expected them to break up this quickly, but who cared?

She wasn’t even coming to lecture today, even though it was a very important one.

She must have been ashamed.

Jayden smiled again.

It felt good in his heart.

And with Sofia’s mother listed on the application form for his company...

He could already smell a bit of revenge coming.

The class continued their chatter until suddenly, Royce stepped in with Richy.

The room fell silent. Most of the class feared Royce in one way or another.

Luka wasn’t with them today, but Jayden didn’t notice. He was indifferent about anything that concerned Royce and his pathetic friends.

However, when Luka finally arrived five minutes later...

He walked in with a cold expression, ignoring everyone.



"Hey, Luka. Over here. I’ve been calling you. Where’ve you been?" Royce called out.

However, before the eyes of everyone in the hall, Luka only gave a short, distasteful stare and snubbed Royce, causing the entire class a high raise in murmurs and stunned gasps.

There, whole everyone was watching him, he slowly approached Jayden who was sitting in a free row of many seats.

He confidently sat close to Jayden, and it was then that Luka happened to smile.

A wide, friendly smile... at his enemy.

As if that weren’t enough, he extended his hand to Jayden, the very same Jayden he and his friends had bullied for years at Sky High University.

"Hi."

Jayden froze, stunned.

Even the class noticed his astonishment.

> [Kurtis Vane.]

> [Luka Vane.]

> [Hmm, host. There’s definitely something going on...]