Locked by the Campus Queen, Heiress in Disguise

Serena's POV

The three minions standing beside Nadine shot me glares that could’ve burned through steel.

“Do you even know where you are?” one of them sneered, her voice dripping with contempt. “This is the Prescott family—the wealthiest, most influential name around. And you? A poor country bumpkin—what makes you think you belong here?”

Another one scoffed. “Good god, look at what she’s wearing! She’s here to seduce Francis and ruin the engagement on purpose.”

“That’s right!” the third added, scoffing. “She even dares to call Nadine's fiancé a ‘good boy.’ Francis is the future head of the Prescotts. Who does she think she is?”

I gritted my teeth and shot back, “You don't know the half of what you're saying. I call him ‘good boy’ to flatter him. He laughs in his sleep every night because of it.”

Francis had always gone out of his way to earn my approval. Whenever I was pleased, I’d kiss his forehead, treating him like a younger brother. He was so overjoyed by it that he couldn’t help but post the moment online for everyone to see.

Naturally, Nadine twisted everything and claimed I was trying to seduce him.

The next two years? A never-ending cycle of bullying.

They ruined my homework, stuffed dead rats into my desk drawer, and spilled red ink all over my chair.

And the rumors?

They went all out, claiming I was seducing middle-aged teachers, even spreading the story that I took time off from school for an abortion.

For two years, my reputation had been dragged through the mud. I reported them to the police repeatedly, but the school just had Nadine apologize and sweep everything under the rug. I never expected her to get bolder, but now, she was bringing her violence straight to my door.

At that moment, I added, "I’m Francis’s fiancée…”

But before I could finish, Nadine grabbed the soup pot in front of me and splashed it over my head.

"Ahh, Nadine!" I cried out in pain.

The scalding soup seared my scalp, sizzling like it was on fire. My skin felt like it was being cooked, and my hair shriveled from the heat.

Before I could even process the agony, Nadine grabbed my ponytail, yanked my head down, and slammed it into the table. My vision blurred, and a sharp, cold shock of pain exploded through my skull.

"Just what you deserve, you slut! Stop getting close to Francis!" Nadine shouted, her voice dripping with venom.

Each time my face collided with the table, the force sent the room spinning. The impact felt like a thunderclap in my head, disorienting me, making it almost impossible to focus. Blood filled my mouth, mingling with the rising bubbles in my throat. The metallic taste was nauseating, and I gasped for air, my chest heaving.

The pain was unbearable, and I screamed, struggling to breathe. "Ahh, stop it! You're hurting me!"

My voice came out strained, weak, but I couldn't stop myself. I was fighting for air, fighting for just a moment of relief, but all I got was another harsh blow to the table.

Nadine’s cruel laugh echoed in my ears. “Look at her! She’s probably loving this. Bet she’s just as easy when she serves men, huh?”

The more she stewed over it, the angrier she got. I could see the malice building in her eyes as she ordered her friends to hold me down, their hands pinning my arms to the table with a suffocating grip.

“Since you dared sneak a bite, I’ll break your hands,” she sneered.

I screamed in horror, my voice trembling. "Nadine, you wouldn’t dare!"

The moment the words left my mouth, she seized the soup pot and brought it crashing down onto my hands. The strikes hit with bone-shattering force, and a searing pain shot through my fingers.

I was immobilized, helpless as the pot pummeled my hands, twisting them at unnatural angles. All I could do was watch in agony as my hands bent and contorted beyond recognition.

Then, out of nowhere, my cat, Buttercup, who had been growling fiercely, leapt at Nadine.

In a flash, it scratched her hand, drawing blood.

“Ugh, you filthy little beast!” Nadine screamed, kicking Buttercup with all her strength. The poor thing flew across the room, tumbling away from me.

“Buttercup!” I cried, panic surging in my chest.

Seeing her focus shift for just a moment, I summoned every ounce of strength I had left. Ignoring the pain coursing through me, I forced myself to push up, positioning myself in front of Buttercup to shield him.

“Don’t you touch my pet!” I shouted, my voice hoarse. “If Francis finds out, he won’t let you get away with this!”

Buttercup wasn’t just a pet. He held deep meaning for my family. He was a gift from my grandfather, and his presence carried more significance than anyone could understand. The previous head of the family had been ousted from the elders' elite four council simply for stepping on Buttercup’s tail.

I couldn’t let Nadine hurt him.

I furrowed my brow, the memories flooding back of how Francis always went above and beyond to please me. He’d walk Buttercup, clean up after him, even when he had diarrhea. He’d do anything just to gain my approval.

One of Nadine’s minions stepped forward, recognition dawning on their face.

“Wait a minute. That’s the famous Prescott cat, right? I’ve seen it in the news before. It looks exactly like this one," she asked.

I thought for a moment that they might back off.

But no, Nadine’s anger only deepened. “A filthy loser dares to threaten me? There are plenty of animals that look alike. Your cat is just as disgusting as you are.”

She exchanged a look with the others, her eyes gleaming with malice, before continuing, “Even if it is the Prescott cat, you really think Francis is going to care about a cat? Let alone blame me?”

A smirk spread across her face, one that made my blood run cold.

"No! Not Buttercup!" I screamed, panic rising in my chest.

But Nadine ignored my plea, her expression turning cruel. With one eyebrow raised, she said, “Alright, then. Kill the damn thing! I’ll take full responsibility.”

Her minions closed in on me, and before I could even react, I was stomped on by several feet. My face hit the ground with a sickening thud, the pressure distorting it beyond recognition, and I could barely breathe, let alone scream.