A scholarship girl wasn’t going to change how Haneul High worked—not on Jo-Anna’s watch. Her next plan was simple: dig up every dark secret from Jhenna’s past in Nigeria and bury her with them. If it was the last thing she did, Jo-Anna would see Jhenna destroyed.

It was the weekend, which meant lights, loud bass, and alcohol. Jo-Anna sat at the bar of an exclusive club, knocking back shots. Her mind was a hive of venom, plotting Jhenna’s collapse.

A guy, clearly looking to flirt, noticed her alone and slid into the stool next to her. “Hey, pretty. You look tired. You alone?” He flashed a charming, practiced smile.

Jo-Anna ignored him, staring at her reflection in the glass. Triggered by her silence, the guy moved closer, dropping a possessive arm around her shoulder.

SPARK.

Jo-Anna jerked away, her eyes flashing with pure rage. She slapped him so hard the sound echoed over the music. “Who do you think you’re touching? Get out of my face!”

The guy stumbled back, clutching his cheek, and retreated into the crowd. “Asshole,” she muttered, signaled for another shot.

From a VIP booth across the room, Soo Ji-Hoon watched the entire exchange. As the heir to Korea’s most influential hospital group and the "Second King" of Haneul High, he was used to theater. He knew Jo-Anna was unraveling because of the new threat, and honestly? He was enjoying the show. He had always hated how Jo-Anna’s power went to her head. A rebel who couldn't be bothered by family business or school politics, Ji-Hoon sipped his wine with a satisfying smirk. He truly hoped the scholarship girl would crush her.

Meanwhile, at the grocery store, the bell rang as a customer entered.

“Hello, welcome,” Jhenna greeted in a tone that was half-cold, half-chill, her head down as she organized the register.

“So, you work here after school?”

Jhenna’s heart didn't skip a beat, but her mind sharpened. She raised her head slowly, meeting the playful eyes of Lee Seo-Jun.

“What are you doing here?” she asked indifferently.

“Came to get groceries,” Seo-Jun shrugged, looking around the humble aisles as if he were in a museum.

“We’re closed.”

“Oh, that’s good then,” he said excitedly, sliding his hands into his pockets. He stepped behind the counter, ignoring the 'Staff Only' boundary.

“Let’s go on a date,” he blurted out, nonchalant as if asking for the time.

Jhenna scoffed, looking at him like he had lost his mind. “You think I’d want to go on a date with you? Even Jo-Anna would beg for this,” he boasted, leaning in.

“Get out,” Jhenna stated, turning back to the register.

“That’s not working for me today.” Seo-Jun grinned from ear to ear, reaching out and grabbing her hand. “We’re going.”

“What do you think you're doing? I haven't even closed the store!” Jhenna protested as he pulled her toward the exit.

“Don’t worry about it. Your boss is already locking up,” he noted. Jhenna looked back, stunned to see her manager actually bowing to Seo-Jun and pulling the shutters down.

So, this was the K-Drama fantasy—the "Prince Charming" dragging the girl away. Deep down, Jhenna couldn't deny it felt different, but she reminded herself: this boy wasn't a prince. He was a tool. For once, though, she decided to let herself enjoy Korea without calculating the cost.

He led her to a blood-red Lamborghini. After buckling her in, he turned to her. “Ever ridden in a racing car?”

VROOM.

The engine roared, and they flew into the night. Jhenna let the cool breeze brush against her skin, stretching her hand out the window. For the first time, the stress of survival stayed behind in the exhaust fumes.

Seo-Jun glanced at her, a genuine smile forming. She was breathtaking. Who said Black was ugly? He realized then that she wasn't just smart; she was a masterpiece. And he was going to make her his.

They spent the night at an arcade—bouncing on trampolines, winning teddy bears, and eating street snacks. Seo-Jun saw her soft side, the girl beneath the armor who just wanted to live.

When he finally dropped her off at her apartment, the armor snapped back into place. “Don’t take me on a date again,” she said coolly, stepping out.

Seo-Jun only chuckled. “We’ll see.”

Monday morning. Haneul High.

Jo-Anna arrived with a cunning smile. She had found her loophole. She was ready to strike at Jhenna’s housing, her scholarship, and her growing connection to Seo-Jun.

The cafeteria was packed when the "Royal Court" made their entrance. Jo-Anna stood in the center, heels tapping like a drumroll on the tiles.

“Some people think it’s impressive to study abroad on a scholarship,” Jo-Anna’s voice boomed, silencing the room. “Let’s see what happens when a commoner pretends to be a princess.”

She raised her phone. Instantly, the large monitors in the cafeteria flickered to life.

It was Jhenna. Images from her first weeks in Korea—walking alone through dark, unfamiliar streets, her shoes caked in mud, her uniform drenched and oversized. The caption read: Scholarship girl thinks she’s a princess. Look at her reality.

Laughter rippled through the room. Some students pointed; others sneered.

Seo-Jun’s eyes narrowed, his jaw tightening as he looked from the screen to Jhenna.

Jhenna didn’t flinch. She closed her eyes for one long, deep breath. When she opened them, they were shards of ice. She walked toward the garbage can, dumped her tray with a deliberate clatter, and then turned to Jo-Anna.

“You enjoy hurting people because you can’t achieve anything yourself,” Jhenna’s voice carried through the silence with terrifying precision. “You aren't a Queen, Jo-Anna. You’re just a girl who’s terrified of being ignored.”

The cafeteria froze. Jo-Anna’s crew hesitated. For a moment, a flicker of genuine fear crossed Jo-Anna’s face.

Jhenna didn’t stop. She walked straight past Jo-Anna and stopped next to Seo-Jun. With a slow, ownership-taking grace, she rested her fingers on his shoulder. It was a silent declaration: He is mine now. Seo-Jun didn't pull away. He looked up at her with pure fascination.

“This isn’t over!” Jo-Anna hissed through clenched teeth.

Jhenna allowed a small, dangerous smile to curl at the corner of her mouth. Exactly as planned. Reckless opponents were always the easiest to trap.