Locked by the Campus Queen, Heiress in Disguise

Nadine Jones, the campus queen bee who somehow landed the wealthiest guy in Capital City, Francis Prescott, decided to make a big move by inviting everyone to the group chat.

The twist? She specifically singled me out, telling me I wasn’t welcome.

She announced: [Tomorrow, I’ll be serving tea to the Grandmatriarch of the Prescott family, on Francis's behalf. Some people with ulterior motives should keep their distance. Now, we wouldn’t want to stir up any jealousy, would we?]

That was it. My temper flared instantly.

It all started with a photo.

Someone had taken a picture of me kissing Francis on the forehead, calling him 'a good boy.'

Naturally, Nadine twisted it into yet another opportunity to accuse me of being the 'other woman' in their so-called flawless relationship.

For two long years, she made sure everyone knew it.

Still, I kept my composure. “I won’t be attending, even if invited. Francis is getting engaged, and I need to supervise.”

The next day, as I was enjoying a meal at the party, a group of women surrounded me.

“You can’t even let others live! Showing up here, trying to steal a man!” they shouted in accusation.

Their cruelty was unimaginable. They killed my cat, broke both my arms, and poured hot sauce over my legs. Then, they bound me and locked me in a dog cage.

Meanwhile, Nadine knelt in front of the Grandmatriarch’s empty seat. Her legs had given out from the extended kneeling, but she refused to budge. She cried, begging the madam to appear and drink the tea she had prepared.

I struggled to hold back my pain.

“Sorry, sweetheart,” I said through gritted teeth. “I can’t drink tea with broken hands.”

——

Serena's POV

Francis Prescott, the business magnate, was now kneeling before me, his expensive suit rumpled, his usually sharp eyes downcast and full of pleading.

"My fiancée, Nadine Jones, is a woman of great manners and integrity. I’ve brought her here today to meet you so she can pay her respects, my lady. From now on, she will show you the same respect I’ve always shown you, as the Grandmatriarch of our family."

'Great manners? Integrity?' I bit back a laugh when I thought of Nadine’s smug face in the group chat.

Meanwhile, Francis’s grandfather, Edmund Prescott, who was graying with age, seemed to think he could unilaterally decide whom his grandson should marry.

He quickly dropped to his knees and said, "Your blessing is needed, Aunt. While she’s popular with the younger crowd, she’s not worthy to be a Prescott without it."

The Prescotts weren't to be messed with. Our family’s legacy, built upon strict rules and unwavering traditions, spanned over a century.

Though I was young, I was the rightful heir to the Prescott lineage, entrusted with the family estate and the future of our family's fate.

Outside, Edmund might’ve been a highly respected member of the Prescotts, but in my presence?

He knelt.

I smirked, motioning for him to rise. “It’s fine. Let things be as they are, Edmund.”

You won’t let me attend the engagement party?

Fine.

I’ll wait and see how Nadine tries stepping into our family’s door.

Once they all respectfully backed off, I got a message.

It was from 'Malcolm the Mutt:'

[Babe, when are we going public? If you don’t make this official soon, I might just arrive at your door and demand an explanation!]

The Capital City was ruled by four major families known as 'The Elite Four,' each holding equal power. As they say, 'No rules, no progress.'

Malcolm Kentwood led The Elite Four, which included us, the Prescotts. Despite his imposing presence, his spoiled behavior made the situation feel like a clichéd drama.

I couldn’t resist teasing him. [Then come on over here!]

Just as I sent the message, my stomach growled.

I was hungry. I grabbed an appetizer and aimlessly wandered through the house.

The engagement party was set up in the side hall, with engagement trinkets neatly arranged. Dinner hadn’t started yet, and the guests hadn’t arrived, so everyone in the side hall was busy with their tasks.

I realized it was already past lunchtime when I entered the main hall. The lunch that should have been cleared away was still sitting there, untouched.

Right then, I realized nobody else would feel comfortable doing so if I didn't eat first. So, I sat down and began to eat as if nothing mattered.

But before I could even finish my second bite, someone slammed the back of my head. I barely stopped my face from crashing into the plate.

A sharp, angry scream rang in my ears. "Scram, you disgusting beggar! I haven’t eaten yet, and you dare to sneak a meal, huh?”

I held my throbbing head and looked up, only to meet Nadine’s glare. She had no idea that the high-end custom dress she was wearing was the one I’d personally chosen for her, but her eyes were filled with nothing but contempt.

“My god, Serena, are you that desperate to mess things up? I told you not to come, yet here you are sneaking in and eating like you own the place!”