The Inescapable Celibate Heir Chapter 12: Another Plan

Victoria headed to the door to grab the dress, casually picking it from a room full of haute couture that Diana had selected for her. The dress was a stunning sea blue, covered in starry sequins, making her look like a constellation in the deep sea on stage.

After changing into the dress, Victoria walked backstage, passing by people who couldn't help but stare in amazement. 

"Wow, look at her dress! Where did she get it? It's gorgeous! So elegant! Absolutely breathtaking!"

"Can you tell which brand it is? Can you ask?"

"It kinda looks like the one we saw at the fashion show this year."

Ella turned her head and saw Victoria standing out, surrounded by classmates who were all praising her. Jealousy flared up inside her. 'That bitch! How did she afford such a high-quality dress? No way, she must have rented it! Maybe it's even a fake rental! Her family is so poor, how can it compare to my genuine one? These tasteless people can't even tell Victoria's wearing a fake. It's infuriating! If this keeps up, Victoria will outshine me on stage later. No way! All eyes should be on me tonight. I'm reborn and I should be the star!'

Suddenly, an idea popped into her head.

Ella quickly made a phone call. "Ember, order a hundred cups of coffee for me and have them delivered to the school auditorium, ASAP! Also, buy a strong laxative, and do it discreetly."

"Ms. Scott, got it!" Although Ember was a bit puzzled, she didn't question it and just did as Ella instructed.

Soon, the urgent coffee order arrived.

Ella stood up. "I got coffee for everyone! Ordered a hundred cups. There are all kinds of flavors, so pick your favorite."

"Ella is so generous!"

"Thank you, Ella, you're so thoughtful! Truly the daughter of a wealthy family!"

"Ella is both beautiful and generous, unlike some others!"

"Stop it, you're making me blush. I saw everyone working hard on rehearsals, and many didn't even have dinner, so I thought this could help." Ella smiled, but there was a hint of malice in her eyes. 

She thought, 'You brought this on yourself. Who told you to refuse the shoes I specially prepared for you? You wasted all my effort!'

Ella used her skirt to cover as she took the medicine Ember handed over.

She took two cups of latte, one with half sugar and one with seven parts sugar. She found an empty dressing room, opened the coffee, carefully mixed in a packet of laxatives, stirred it well, and it didn't smell any different.

Carrying the two cups of coffee, she went to find Victoria. "Victoria! Have some coffee! I heard from Mom that you like lattes, so I specially chose this for you!"

Victoria stopped. What trick was Ella playing now? Ella didn't do this in the previous life.

Victoria said, "Stop, how many times do I have to tell you we're not that close? Don't you understand plain English?"

Ella pretended to look pitiful. "But we are sisters, Victoria..."

"Call my name again, and I'll slap you so you can experience some real sisterly love." Victoria raised her hand, looking like she would really hit Ella.

Ella finally bit her lip and stopped calling. "This is coffee I bought for everyone. Everyone gets one, so you can't refuse."

"Some people are so pretentious, acting like they don't want this or that to seem noble," a girl sipping coffee chimed in. "Ella, thanks for the coffee!"

Victoria's eyes flicked to the two cups of coffee in Ella's hand, straws already inserted.

Seeing her gaze, Ella quickly handed over the one with seven parts sugar. "I heard you like sweet things. This one is seven parts sugar, and you'll love it! Knowing we get along well, Mom will be happy too."

She was trying to use Joan to pressure her.

In her previous life, Victoria would have thought that refusing would disappoint Joan and make her sad. With that in mind, she accepted all of Ella's "goodwill," even if it was malicious, and continuously forgave her mistakes.

"I'm not thirsty," Victoria replied coldly. She thought, 'This trick won't work now, and who knows what's been added to the opened coffee. Girls should be careful with drinks and food out of sight; one mistake might be irreversible.'

"Just have a taste!" Ella insisted, pushing the coffee towards her. "Just a sip, it's my heartfelt gesture. Are you still mad at me?"

The more Ella insisted, the more Victoria was sure something was added to the coffee. This was a common trick of Ella's.

It seemed the bad shoes didn't work, so Ella immediately had a backup plan.

Victoria thought, 'Ella, since you're so persistent, I'll play along! In my previous life, the grudge of almost falling and exposing myself hasn't been avenged yet. As girls, there's no need to target another girl in this way, but since you are relentless, I can't be blamed.'

"Fine." Victoria took the coffee expressionlessly.

"Vic... drink it quickly." Ella started to call Victoria but was stopped by Victoria's cold gaze.

Ella thought, 'Strange, how could I be scared by this bitch Victoria? She stole my life, so she should be the one feeling guilty; why would I feel guilty? Forget it, as long as she drinks the coffee.'

"I'll drink it later." Victoria took the coffee and walked to the makeup mirror to check her makeup.

Ella also went to the makeup table next to her, needing to touch up her lipstick after drinking the coffee.

A girl said, "Ella, why are you trying to please her? She's not worth it! Look at her, she doesn't even know how to be grateful. Can't even say thank you!" remarked a classmate nearby.

Ella replied, "No, Victoria just has a misunderstanding about me; she'll realize I'm good to her."

"Ella, is Ella here?" Someone was looking for her outside the door.

Ella lifted her skirt and went over. "It's me; what's up?"

The stage manager said, "I'm the stage manager for tonight's event, and there's a duplicate in the program. You see, you signed up for 'Moonlight Sonata,' and this Victoria signed up for 'Piano Sonata No. 14 in C-sharp minor.' It's the same piece. The student who registered didn't notice, and since you signed up later, you'll either need to change it quickly or your performance will be canceled."

Ella's face changed. She didn't know that the C-sharp minor was Moonlight Sonata.

She only prepared this one piece! "No, I won't change it!"

Arranging the event was already troublesome, and with Ella not cooperating, the stage manager thought, 'Does she think she's a big shot?' 

"What's with you freshmen? It's not up to you to say no. In that case, I'll cancel it."

Ella said, "I... I didn't mean that. Victoria's very close to me. I'll discuss it with her and let you know later, okay?"