VIVIAN
Vivian sat quietly, but her eyes kept drifting toward the other side of the room.
Colonel Damson. His gold insignia gleamed against his blue military uniform.
But it wasn’t the insignia that caught her attention. It was the way he looked at Emelianna.
His gaze followed her every movement.
When Emelianna removed her handbag, he took it from her without hesitation.
When she moved, his attention followed. She knew Emelianna was a beautiful woman so men will grovel.
Vivian almost rolled her eyes.
Seriously? Beside Emelianna stood Elena.
Mother and daughter were dressed in matching purple dresses with identical silver patterns.
Vivian stared at them.
She couldn’t remember the last time her mother had worn matching clothes with her.
Not once. Not even when Vivian had still been desperate for her approval.
Her attention returned to the administrator sitting across from her.
He pushed a document toward her.
"Sign here, Miss Vivian. Once you sign, your admission to Haxia Military Academy will be cancelled."
Vivian glanced at the document.
Then she crossed her legs. "What is your name and Rank?"
The administrator blinked.
"Excuse me?"
"Your name."
He hesitated. "I’m Administrator Rowan. B rank."
Vivian nodded. "Administrator Rowan. Ordinary B rank table.soldier."
She tapped the document with one finger.
"What right do you have to make this decision for me?"
Rowan frowned. "Your mother, Princess Emelianna Astronova, has requested your withdrawal."
Vivian slowly stood. She pulled her communicator from her pocket and displayed her identification card.
The name flashed brightly.
VIVIAN LILIAN.
"Look carefully."
Rowan’s expression changed.
"I am Vivian Lilian."
She pointed toward herself. "Not Vivian Astronova."
"And according to Haxia’s laws, I’m an adult female capable of making decisions concerning my education."
Her eyes narrowed. "Are you my guardian?"
"No."
"Are you my husband?"
"No."
"Are you a female administrator appointed to make decisions on behalf of females?"
Rowan’s face became increasingly uncomfortable.
"No."
"Then why are you deciding for me?"
The room went silent. Vivian smiled. "Or should I call the Female Federation and report that a male administrator is forcing a female student to withdraw against her will?"
Rowan’s lips parted. He clearly hadn’t expected her to know the law.
"But your mother...."
"Please shut up."
Everyone froze. Vivian leaned back. "So what you’re saying is that anyone can walk into this academy, claim to be someone’s mother, and drag them out?"
Rowan couldn’t answer. Elena suddenly approached.
She gently took Vivian’s arm.
"Vivian..."
Her voice was soft and sweet. "Please stop behaving like this."
Vivian looked down at Elena’s hand. "You are embarrassing Mother."
Elena lowered her voice. "You are still Mother’s favorite daughter."
Vivian nearly choked. Elena smiled sadly. "I know you’re jealous of me."
She squeezed Vivian’s arm. "But you’re still my elder sister. I love you."
Vivian slowly removed Elena’s hand. "Don’t touch me."
Elena’s eyes immediately became watery.
"Vivian..."
Before she could say more, she turned toward Emelianna.
"Mother..."
Emelianna sighed.
"Vivian."
She walked toward her daughter.
"Stop being mean to your little sister."
Vivian stared at her. I would rather hug a mutated beast than be with these empty brain characters. I need to sleep. I want to throw up!!
Emelianna reached for Vivian’s arm.
Vivian stepped away like she was a plague.
"I have already made my decision," Emelianna said coldly.
"You will leave this filthy academy."
Vivian’s eyebrows lifted.
"I can arrange for you to attend Astral Star University instead. You could study medicine."
Elena added. "Mother, perhaps nursing would suit her better."
Her gaze traveled over Vivian. "After all, you’re only Zero-Class."
Vivian’s fingers curled.
Emelianna continued. "I never approved changing your first name either."
Vivian gave a small laugh. "I don’t need your approval."
Emelianna’s expression darkened.
"You are eighteen."
"I know."
"You think you understand the world."
"I understand enough."
Emelianna stepped closer.
"Only I can give you a good life."
"My family can."
"Your father knows nothing except military life."
Emelianna scoffed. "Who would have married him if not me?"
Vivian’s expression changed. "Please don’t worry about my father’s marriage. "
She bowed slightly. "Princess Emelianna Astronova, I’m begging you."
"Leave me and my father alone."
"I don’t want anything to do with your family anymore."
Emelianna stared at her. "Stop acting like a child."
"Your grandparents want you back."
Vivian laughed. "My grandparents? Or Elena’s grandparents?"
Her voice became bitter.
"The same grandparents who gave me a separate chair during family dinners?"
"The same ones who said my Fox bloodline was too weak for me to sit at their table?"
Emelianna didn’t deny it. "They weren’t entirely wrong."
Vivian’s smile vanished.
"Fox bloodlines are weak and.."
"Stop." Vivian raised her hand. "I don’t want to hear another word."
She turned away.
"I have better things to do."
Then a cold voice came from behind her.
"I’ve been watching you."
Vivian turned. Colonel Damson stood there.
His arms were crossed.
"Why are you so disrespectful toward your mother?"
Vivian stared at him.
"Where is your upbringing?"
His eyes hardened. "Did your father teach you to speak to people like this?"
Vivian slowly looked him up and down.
"And who are you?"
Damson opened his mouth.
"I..."
Vivian raised a finger.
"Before you answer..."
He frowned.
"What?"
Vivian smiled sweetly.
"I have one piece of advice for you."
Damson waited.
"Don’t become a simp for someone who wouldn’t even notice you if you stopped carrying her handbag."
The room went silent. Vivian continued. "An Ordinary NPC like.you acting like a Boss? Who is your mate here?"
Elena’s eyes widened. What is she saying?
Emelianna’s face darkened.
Damson stared at Vivian. "What exactly is that supposed to mean?"
Vivian shrugged.
"Some men spend so much time worshipping a woman that they forget to have a spine."
Damson’s expression turned cold.
Before he could respond..
BOOM!
A violent explosion shook the building.
Vivian’s eyes brightened. Dad!! Finally.
Damson immediately turned toward the door.
"What was that?"
He rushed outside.
Vivian smiled.
But her smile disappeared when Emelianna turned toward her guards.
"Since she’s refusing to listen..."
She raised her hand. "Make her sign."
Two guards immediately grabbed Vivian.
"Let me go!"
They seized her wrists and forced her toward the table.
Vivian struggled. "Don’t touch me!"
One guard forced her hand toward the document.
Emelianna watched calmly.
"Sign it."
Vivian glared at her.
"If you dare force me to sign this, I will report you to the Female Federation."
Emelianna laughed. "I am a Princess from the Astronova family."
She stepped closer. "Do you honestly believe they can touch me?"
Vivian’s eyes burned. "Let me go!"
The guards tightened their grip.
Her hand was almost touching the signature box.
Then...BOOOOM!
Someone screamed from the outside. The door shaked like it was being hit by a weapon.
Then the door exploded inward. The guards were thrown backward.
A figure flew through the doorway like a leaf caught in a storm.
Colonel Damson slammed against the wall.
Everyone froze. His heavy footsteps followed.
A tall man entered.
His military uniform carried a silver insignia that immediately silenced the room.
Vincent Hale, her strict instructor.
His eyes swept across the guards.
Then Emelianna... Then at Vivian.
His voice was cold. "Who gave you the right to play royalty here?"
He stepped forward. "This is a sacred military academy."
His gaze hardened.
"Not a place where you can walk in and act like a queen."