Maria woke up to the relentless buzzing of her phone. Notifications poured in nonstop, each ding like a stab to her nerves. She rubbed her eyes and unlocked the screen, only to be met with a flood of hateful comments.
[Who is this girl?]
[She should stick to singing, at least then she might be tolerable.]
How did she even get that role? Total scam.]
[She doesn't deserve to be on screen.]
[How did she even get that role?]
[She doesn't deserve it.]
[I heard she's the girl who got popular from that variety singing show — people only supported her because they felt sorry for her.]
[She should just stick to singing, not acting.]
[She's going to be like a vase — pretty but useless.]
[She'll be so stiff and robotic, my dog could act better.]
[Did she seduce the director to get this role?]
[It's possible. I heard rumors she slept with that director during the first show. People said it wasn't true, but this just proves it.]
[Disgusting. She's a fame-hungry attention seeker.]
[She's a disgrace to real actors.]
[She's going to ruin the whole show.]
[She's a joke. The industry is a joke for casting her.]
[She looks like a lifeless vase. Is this what casting has come to?]
[She's disgusting. I feel sorry for the real actors. Just go die.]
[Get lost. Don't ruin this film for us with your stiff, awkward face.]
The comments grew darker, more vicious. Then, the video appeared — the one showing Maria bullying Kira. Except it wasn't real. The video was forged by James, humiliated and desperate for revenge. He had paid hackers to doctor the footage, making it look like Maria was the aggressor while they pretended to help Kira.And some of those same classmates? They went online and confirmed the fake story. Whether out of guilt, fear, or hatred—they helped ruin her.
The backlash was immediate and brutal.
[You should just go die.]
[Disgusting. She should be arrested.]
[Leave this industry. Get lost.]
[Gross. Pretty on the outside, rotten inside.]
[She should just kill herself already.]
[I hope someone hurts her.]
[She deserves everything bad coming her way.]
[Disgusting, manipulative, evil.]
[She's a parasite on this industry.]
[She should be arrested for harassment.]
[Go back to where you came from, nobody wants you here.]
[She's ruining the lives of others for her own gain.]
[She's a liar and a cheat.]
[She's a disgrace to women everywhere.]
[She's toxic and should be banned from acting singing and all entertainment industry.]
[I hope she loses every role she ever gets.]
[She's a manipulative snake. So much for that innocent act.]
[She bullied a girl and still has the guts to smile on camera? What a monster.]
[Imagine disgracing your whole family just for clout. Shameless trash.]
[This girl is evil. Evil runs in her blood. Just disappear already.]
[Leave the industry. You're not welcome.]
[Jump off a bridge. No one will miss you.
Death threats flooded her inbox. Paparazzi camped outside her house, snapping photos relentlessly. They camped outside the building like vultures, snapping photos every time her curtain shifted. One even tried to follow a delivery guy into the building.
A group of angry fans gathered, pelting her front door with raw eggs and shouting insults.
Her name began to trend alongside words like "bully," "liar," and "scandal queen."
Stones clattered against her apartment windows that morning
Someone even spray-painted GET LOST on her door.
And still, the notifications wouldn't stop.
> [#MariaOutOfDrama]
[#FakeGoddess]
[#DisgustingBully]
[#RotInHellMaria]
Maria stared at her screen, expression unreadable. Not a tear fell.
She turned off her phone.
Then, slowly, a faint smile curved her lips—cold, knowing, dangerous.
---
Maria's phone buzzed on the table. A message from her class teacher lit up the screen.
> "Don't come to school today. The front gate is packed with paparazzi and haters. Are you safe?"
She stared at the message, then calmly replied:
> "I'm fine."
Unbothered, she continued eating her breakfast, casually watching a film with her legs stretched out and a calm expression on her face. With a sigh, she turned off her phone and stood. She walked over to her window and pulled it open.
Click. Click. FLASH.
The crowd outside erupted. Cameras pointed like rifles. People began shouting her name with insults and curses laced between their words. A bottle flew and hit the wall beside her. Someone hurled a spoiled tomato. Another yelled, "Come out, coward!"
Maria blinked lazily at the chaos.
Then she disappeared back into her apartment.
Seconds later, she returned—with a large bucket in her hands.
With zero hesitation, she tilted it and poured it out the window.
SPLASH!
Screams erupted as dirty water mixed with crushed pepper and rotten food drenched the nearest group.
"Ack! My eyes!!"
"Is that chili?! It burns!!"
She smirked and walked out of her apartment. Calmly. Elegantly. Carrying a thick wooden stick like a queen dragging her scepter.
Some fans and "keyboard warriors" who had come thinking she'd cry and beg got bold and tried to charge at her.
They were met with swift smacks.
"You want to attack a high school girl? Come on then. Let me teach you what my PE teacher failed to."
Screams turned into yelps of pain as she swung with precision.
The others backed off in fear, watching the girl they had mocked command the entire scene.
She stopped in front of the pile of funeral flowers someone had mockingly placed at her door. She picked one up, held it, and addressed the stunned crowd:
> "To all of you who came here giving me headaches and wishing for my death… you're wasting your time. Take your flowers back."
"These flowers suit you and your households better—after all, evil doesn't die quickly. And what you're doing here? This is bullying. The highest form of it."
"You're all here, proud and loud, excited to ruin a high school student's life. Does it make you feel strong? Famous? Powerful? I hope your parents are proud of the garbage they raised."
"And all of this... because of a fake video. Not one of you even questioned it. You just barked like rabid dogs."
She paused, staring them down with sharp, cold eyes.
> "But don't worry. I've already called the police. So please, since you're so brave, wait and prove your righteousness. I'll be watching your 'strong hearts' tremble."
"Unlike you—people with nothing to do—I have real work. I have a life. So… bye."
With a flip of her hair and the funeral flowers still in her hand, Maria turned and walked away.
A black car pulled up smoothly to the curb.
As she approached, the tinted window rolled down, revealing Jake, resting his cheek on his hand with a soft smile. He raised his hand and waved slightly.
Maria met his eyes.
And smiled.
She opened the door and slid into the car with the grace of a girl who had just crushed an entire mob with her bare hands—and didn't break a sweat.
The car pulled away, leaving behind a silent, stunned crowd—and the lingering scent of pepper water and shame.
---
Social Media Erupts After Maria's Shocking Response and Truth Video Drop
The moment Maria threw pepper water on haters and paparazzi, then gave a savage speech, the internet exploded. The clip went viral within minutes. Some cheered, some were disgusted. The comment sections across platforms turned into a war zone.
> [Lol I burst out laughing I'm still laughing 😭😭😭]
[Jesus Christ I should feel bad—who gave Maria the right—but F* my chest 💀💀]**
[The way she handed them funeral flowers and told them they suit evil… I'm choking 😭]
[She just proved she's human and can fight back. Respect.]
[This is the first time I've seen a celeb do this. She really said "not today."]
[This is when the bully met the KING of bullies 💀]
[Hacker vs Developer 😂🔥 someone get popcorn.]
[Not gonna lie… the paparazzi face when that pepper water hit? ICONIC.]
[Still wrong tho. Why is she acting like a gangster? Who gave her the guy?]
[So we just throwing stuff at people now and calling it justice? Girl, chill.]
[Lmao but didn't she just get exposed as the bully like yesterday? Now she wants to play victim?]
[Here but you heard her… maybe it was fake. Y'all believe anything these days.]
[You people bullied a high school girl based on a FAKE VIDEO and now you're crying because she fought back? Lol.]
[Okay but still… throwing water? What if someone had an allergic reaction?]
[She was provoked! You expect someone to be calm when a mob shows up outside their house??]
---
Headlines Flood the Internet
> 🔹 "Maria Throws Pepper Water at Paparazzi: Madness or Justice?"
🔹 "Real Video Clears Maria, But Internet Remains Divided"
🔹 "Rising Star or Public Menace? Maria's Image in Crisis"
🔹 "Funeral Flowers and Fury: Maria's Viral Clapback"
🔹 "Haters Turned Heroes? Paparazzi Claim Maria Bullied Them First" (Debunked)
🔹 "From Idol to Outcast and Back Again? Maria's Online War"
Some fans showed support by changing their profile pics to Maria's angry pepper-throwing moment. Others made memes. Some demanded the school investigate. But the haters still screamed louder in many spaces.
---
The private lounge shimmered under warm, gold ambient lights, velvet curtains drawn tight to shut out the world. The air carried the subtle scent of aged whiskey, crushed mint, and luxury leather.
Seated on the black suede couch, Mike looked like sin carved in marble. His phoenix eyes flickered up from the novel he held—sharp, alluring, and calm, as if nothing could truly provoke him. The soft curl of his red lips teased the edge of a smirk, unreadable and dangerous. In a black silk shirt with the top buttons undone, his silver chain gleamed faintly against his golden skin, collarbones exposed like the handle of a dagger beneath velvet. His aura coiled around him like slow-moving poison—seductive, calm, and lethal. A god of war in repose.
Across from him, Neo popped open a bottle of aged liquor with a flourish. He was beauty in chaos—silver-black hair tousled perfectly, a few strands kissing his moonlit eyes that sparkled with amusement. He wore a sleeveless shirt under a loose designer jacket, layered chains bouncing as he moved with feline ease.
"I stole this from my dad's collection," Neo announced proudly, grinning. "Brother Mike, see how far I've gone for your sake—you should appreciate me letting myself turn criminal for you."
He poured the drink with ceremony, then offered it like an offering to a king. Mike took it without looking up, his lips curving slightly as he murmured, "I'll consider it."
Near the window, Jay sat with one leg crossed over the other, a white Persian cat draped over his lap like a living accessory. His angelic face wore that gentle smile that could melt steel—fake and flawless. His pale skin seemed to glow beneath the warm lights, a porcelain illusion of warmth. But his eyes—those hunter eyes—glinted cold behind his lashes.
He stroked the cat gently. "So you're done with all the mess, Mike? How are you going to handle your dad?"
Mike's gaze didn't lift from the book. "I've not thought about it yet. Let them bark. I have more important things to do—like getting my woman—than babysitting a grown man."
Jordan sat beside the mini-bar, glass in hand. His hazel eyes were steady, observant, his every move deliberate. He was dressed in muted tones, calm and composed like the silent weight of judgment. He took a sip and didn't comment—he didn't need to.
In the far shadowed corner, partially hidden, Marvin leaned against the wall, peeling an apple with a small silver knife. His green cat-like eyes shimmered in the dim light, cold and slightly bored, like a lion tamed by its own will. His aura was chilling, emotionless, and heavy like snowfall. He hadn't spoken a word until Neo brought up the name that shifted the air.
"So, what are you going to do about Chloe? There must be a reason she decided to attend school again, right?" Neo asked as he leaned in, mischief dancing in his eyes.
A crunch echoed.
"Chloe is attending school again?" Marvin finally spoke, his gaze flickering toward Neo.
Neo blinked at the unexpected response. "Hmm… and she's close to Maria," he added, sliding back slightly into his chair.
Jay tilted his head, his voice smooth. "I investigated. She has no reason to be there—except Maria. But that's all."
He scratched the cat's chin thoughtfully, the smile still lingering on his lips like a razor hidden in velvet. "It's fun, really. Since she graduated university, she's been a ghost. Hard to see her. But now? She's back. Looks like things are about to get exciting."
Mike chuckled under his breath, swirling the drink Neo handed him, firelight dancing on the surface.
"You're not staying?" he asked Marvin casually, not even turning.
"No," Marvin replied, wiping the blade on his sleeve before tucking it away. "I have unfinished business. The Cleric family is back—someone died at Sun Park. And Blackwood is considering accepting Chris back."
Mike finally looked up. Their gazes locked—bored ice meeting simmering fire.
Mike chuckled and lifted his glass. "Hmph."
Neo raised his glass dramatically, pouting. "You guys know how to kill the mood. Lighting the atmosphere, remember? Five of God's best creations gathered and the air's thick enough to cut. You should try to have fun."
Marvin raised an eyebrow lazily, gesturing toward Neo.
Jay glanced at his phone and frowned slightly as it lit up. Without a word, he turned the screen toward Mike, interrupting him mid-sip. "You need to see this."
Mike's eyes narrowed as he read the screen. His calm shattered—just for a breath.
"Don't break my phone," Jay said, reclaiming it. "This is why I don't get involved. Look, you've cracked it." He sighed, gently placing the phone back on the table. "Tsk."
Marvin looked toward Mike. His expression didn't change, but the tension in his jaw said enough.
"Jordan," Mike said without turning, "fix it. Make everyone involved pay."
Jordan, already typing, nodded once. He didn't need instructions. He just executed them.
Neo, curious as ever, leaned over his shoulder—read the screen—then choked, coughing hard as he spat his drink.
"Is that a death threat? For Maria?!" he gasped.
Jay calmly raised his cat to block the spit, then wiped it with a napkin.
Neo sat back, pulling out his phone. "Tsk. You don't go online for a day and miss the good stuff. Oh…" His fingers paused mid-scroll as he spotted a name on a headline.
"Kira?" he murmured, then chuckled darkly. "Looks like even rabbits know how to bite sometimes. Cute."
---
In the cafe
"Tsk, tsk... how many days have I been gone, and you're already tangled in another mess?" Jake teased, sipping his tea with deliberate calm.
"You're interesting, though—bullying your bullies? That's a first."
"Well, there's a first time for everything, haven't you heard?" Maria tilted her head, voice sugar-sweet and deadly. "Anyway, let's hit the shooting range today. Oh—and Jake…" she leaned in slightly, eyes narrowing, "do you have a sister?"
Jake paused mid-sip, blinked once… then casually turned and bolted.
"Hey! Don't you dare run!" Maria yelled, eyes flashing as she sprinted after him.
"I'm not running—I'm strategically retreating!" Jake shouted over his shoulder, laughing.
"Strategically my foot!" Maria picked up speed. "Only guilty people run when asked a simple question."
"Or smart people who don't want to be framed for having a psychotic twin!" he called back, zigzagging between pillars like an Olympic sprinter.
"Aw, so you do have a sister!" Maria smirked. "What's her name? 'Delusional'? 'Delicate'? 'Demonic'?"
Jake slowed just enough to turn around, jogging backward as he grinned. "You'd get along. You both have the same gift: mouth first, logic later."
"Says the guy who talks like a villain in a soap opera and runs like one too!" Maria shot back, closing the gap.
Jake laughed. "Better than looking like the misunderstood FL in a revenge drama. All you're missing is dramatic lightning and a monologue!"
Maria lunged for his coat.
Jake dodged. "Touch me and I'll sue for harassment—!"
"Touch you? Please. I'd rather adopt a cactus."
Jake finally stopped, breathless but smug, leaning against a wall as Maria caught up. He raised both hands in surrender.
"Alright, alright—you got me. But no, I don't have a sister."
Maria squinted suspiciously. "Mmhm. You sure? You run like someone hiding deep, dark family secrets."
"What can I say?" he grinned, standing upright. "My whole existence is a spoiler alert."
.....