The Returned Heiress Who Had It All (Cassia) novel Chapter 8

Chapter 8 A Stunning Entrance

Chapter 8 A Stunning Entrance

+10 Free Coins

Lilian walked in first, followed by a slim girl whose presence immediately caught everyone’s attention. What stood out most were her legs–long and even.

Those legs looked so attractive that they couldn’t look away.

The classroom fell silent. Every pair of eyes turned toward the girl. Her skin was smooth. Her eyes were as blue as the lake. Long lashes framed them like tiny fans. Her face showed little emotion, cool and innocent. There was something defiant in the way she carried herself, like she didn’t care what anyone thought.

For a moment, everyone just stared in shock.

T–that’s the new transfer student?

Isn’t she supposed to be some backwater bumpkin? She looked nothing like that!

Seriously? Since when are girls from backwater towns this stunning?

Gosh! I can’t believe my eyes!

Whispers rippled through the room. Hearts raced.

Oh my God, she’s gorgeous. She’s no bumpkin! She’s a goddess.

No one could find fault with a beauty like her, especially the boys. They were stretching their necks, afraid to miss a second of her entrance.

The students started whispering again, their voices rising with excitement.

Lilian glanced around the noisy classroom and pressed her hand down. “Quiet, everyone. Let me introduce your new classmate. I hope you’ll all help and look out for one another.”

But the moment she finished, a few students shouted jokingly, “Don’t worry, Ms. Reed, we’ll make sure to take good care of the new girl!”

Laughter filled the room. Everyone was amused–except for Danica and her desk mate.

“Dammit! This is so unfair,” Tyne muttered, clearly annoyed. “Danica, that bumpkin’s actually pretty. She’s even hotter than our campus belle! Look at her. She just walked in and now everyone’s staring at her.”

Danica didn’t move a muscle. Her face was blank, eyes wide in disbelief.

She hadn’t expected it. It really was that bumpkin.

Her dad was the worst. He knew she didn’t like Danica, but he still had to put them in the same class. He was doing it on purpose just to annoy her.

No way. I couldn’t let anyone find out we’re related. If people find out, they’d laugh their heads off.

1/4

12:15 Wed, Dec 31 G !!!

Chapter 8 A Stunning Entrance

Cassia was the definition of a slacker. She’d definitely drag down the class average.

Danica sat with a calm expression, pretending Cassia was just another stranger.

+10 Free Coins

At the front of the room, Lilian cleared her throat. “All right, new student,” she said, “introduce yourself to the class.”

Cassia nodded. Her tone was flat and simple. “Hi, I’m Cassia Wood.”

That was it. One sentence. The room fell silent.

Lilian frowned. Seriously? Could this girl be any duller? Not even one extra word? She felt her patience cracking.

Inwardly, she had already broken down.

Great. What a weirdo! This semester is going to be a nightmare.

“That’s it?” Lilian couldn’t help asking.

Cassia nodded again, expression unchanged.

Someone whispered from the back, “She’s kinda cool.”

Tyne elbowed Danica playfully and told her excitedly, “Hey, Danica! You two have the same surname. Come on, tell me. Are you two related?”

Danica rolled her eyes at her. “Shut up.”

Bingo. That guess hit too close to home.

Tyne saw her grim face. She realized she might’ve just stepped on a landmine.

Okay–new rule: never bring up the new girl again.

Lillian sighed inwardly and decided to move things along. “Alright, Cassia, find an empty seat.”

In this class, seats were arranged by grades. The top students sat in the front, and the slackers sat in the back.

Cassia didn’t care where she sat. She just wanted somewhere quiet where no one would bother her, maybe even a spot to take a nap.

She spotted an empty seat by the window in the last row and walked over.

Lilian watched her settle in, then left the classroom.

Cassia tossed her backpack onto the desk and sat down.

Instantly, curious eyes turned her way. Everyone stared as if she’d just grown an extra head.

“Wow, her skin is so smooth! It looks like it’s glowing,” a girl whispered from the side.

2/4

12:15 Wed, Dec 31 G •

Chapter 8 A Stunning Entrance

+10 Free Coins

“I know, right? Looks like Brie might lose her title as the campus belle,” another girl said with a gloating grin. Life in senior year was dull enough; a little drama was always welcome entertainment.

Danica glanced at Cassia, who had chosen a seat in the very back row. She let out a quiet, smug snort. At least she knows her place. That bumpkin probably realizes she’s not smart enough to sit up front.

Cassia rested her chin in her hand. She gazed out the window, feeling a little sleepy.

Then, the girl sitting in front of her suddenly turned around, smiling shyly. “Hi, new girl. I’m Sacha Castillo.”

Cassia wasn’t the type to talk much. Since the girl had taken the initiative, she lifted her gaze from the window and gave a small nod. “Hi.”

Sacha’s smile brightened. “Nice to meet you! If you need help with anything, just ask me, okay? You’re new here, so I know it might be confusing.”

“Thanks,” Cassia replied softly. She didn’t think she’d need much help.

Cassia rarely bothered anyone unless they bothered her first. That was just her way.

After that, she turned back to the window again. She propped her chin up, her mind drifting somewhere far away.

It was a self–study period, but no one in class was focused on books. Every glance, every whisper, every small giggle seemed to revolve around Cassia. She didn’t notice, or maybe she just didn’t care.

Finally, the bell rang. Danica walked over, pretending to look casual. When no one was paying attention, she leaned down beside Cassia and hissed quietly, “When school’s over, don’t walk with me. Don’t ride in the same car either. Take your own ride home.”

If people ever found out they were related, Danica would never hear the end of it.

Cassia lifted her head and glanced at her coldly.

“Relax. That’ll never happen,” she said flatly, her tone icy and final.

The bell finally rang. The hallway outside the advanced class was packed with curious students.

Everyone had heard the rumor. There was a new girl in the senior advanced class. She was supposedly even prettier than the school’s reigning campus belle.

Of course, curiosity spread fast. Everyone likes someone who is pleasing to the eyes.

People just wanted to see Cassia with their own eyes.

Word was, she was an ice queen–quiet, distant, and impossible to approach.

Fuming, Danica stormed into the next classroom and yanked Brie out of her seat. “Brie! I can’t believe this! Cassia ended up in my class. What was Dad thinking?”

3/4

12:15 Wed, Dec 31 G J

Chapter 8 A Stunning Entrance

+10 Free Coins

Brie widened her eyes in surprise, though deep down she wasn’t shocked at all. Of course Cassia’s in your class. What, did you think she’d end up in mine? Not a chance.

“Don’t be mad,” Brie said gently, playing the role of the kind older sister. “We’re all family. Dad probably just wants to give her a chance to study. Try not to take it personally.”

“Hmph. She’s such an eyesore,” Danica chattered away. “Those people are probably blind. Can you believe people actually said she’s prettier than you? That your title as campus belle might be in danger? Isn’t that ridiculous?”

A/A