At first glance, Niru's words didn't seem out of line, but her tone carried a sharp, passive aggressive edge that was hard to miss.
Cara trowned. She couldn't help feeling a little irritated, even with her calm demeanor. "Ms. Foster, I don't recall ever doing anything to offend you' Nina let out a dramatic gasp, feigning innocence, "offend me? Of course not! I was just saving you and Ryan seem to get along so well.
"I've known him for years, and I've never seen him go out of his way for anyone like this. You've really got a way about you, Ms. Salford-makes the rest of us
new to this kind of behavior. Her beauty, family background, and academic success had always made her stand out, whether she wanted to or not. Add to that Wyen, her tiercely protective "older brother," who treated her like a princess, and it was no surprise that she had dealt with her fair share of envy and petty drama over the years.
faze her anymore. She simply didn't have the energy or desire to stoop to Nina's
But she wasn't some delicate flower living in a bubble Words like these didn't taze
still, she knew better thante stir up unecessary conflict at her new job. It would not reflect well on her or benefit the school.
*think there might be a misunderstanding, Ms. Foster," Clara replied, polite but fin. "Mr. Chase and I just happened to run into each other at the school gate. I didn't know where the attice was, but he lendly offered to show me the way. That's all."noveldrama
She smiled faintly and added, "We're all colleagues here, right? Helping each other out is just part of the job. I hope you won't read too much into it."
Clara's response was graceful, offering Nina a way to backdown without losing face.
Bet Ninu wasn't in the mood to let it go
Before Clara atved, Nina had finally made progress with Ryan. She was so close to becoming his girlfriend. Then Clara showed up and stole all of his attention. How could she accept that?
Nina had sacrificed so much that she even followed Ryan to this rural, underfunded school for voluntary teaching. She hadn't done all that just to watch some
offer swoop in and steal the spotlight.
"Who's to say whether this is some misunderstanding or not? Some people just need to focus on the right things... Nina muttered, her voice dripping with "Ma Foster," Ryan interrupted, cutting her oft before she could go any further.
ad noticed Clara's expression shift ever so slightly, her patience clearly wearing thin. Shooting Nina a sharp glare, he mouthed two words silently, "shut up."
ace flushed with embarrassment, and she reluctantly swallowed the rest of her words. But the humiliation and jealousy bumed deep.
The Moor Ryan defended Clars, the more in twisted Nina's gut. She thought about all the effort she'd put into winning Ryan's favor, the countless times she had Ende but of her way for him. Yet here he was, treating Clara like she was something special Why should Ghata sit back and enjoy Ryan's attention while Nina groveled for even a scrap of recognition? It wasn't fair.
Years of pent-up frustration and bitterness boiled over in Nina's mind, and she blamed it all on Clara.
Cat lowever, teiliated oblivious to the stowing inside Nina. To her, Nina was just another jealous woman over a man's attention. It never crossed her andad that simply exdating could make her a target. Seeing Nina finally quiet down, Ryan's expression softened slightly. "Wasn't the school supposed to have you
set up a desk for Ms. Salford? How's that coming
hina wased dispassively, gesturing toward an empty desk by the window. "That one's hers. She can go to the admin office and request anything herself if she needs anytilatie."
H
Chata platred at the baten desk it didn't even have a prot
Rynowe Wytes Laikato was bitterly cold. Even Jucals found it hard to bear. The conditions would be even harsher for someone like Clara, who had had grown
Gal İntazier to keep the teachers from freding
severely underfunded. The office had no heating or air conditioning, and when it snowed, the best the school could do was provide a small