The Inescapable Celibate Heir Chapter 9: Old Friends Meet

When Victoria showed up, Ella was busy handing out snacks and little gifts.

Joan, worried that Ella might get the cold shoulder since she got in through a donation, had prepped a bunch of welcome gifts. For the girls, it was fancy cosmetics, and for the guys, it was cool gadgets.

She even brought along a driver and a servant to help pass out the gifts, making sure to remind everyone, "These are all from Ella. No need to be formal, she's super chill and friendly."

Lately, the Scott family seemed to be on a lucky streak, catching the eye of the Hamilton family, a big deal in Sunhaven.

The Hamiltons had showered the Scotts with expensive gifts and business opportunities. Other families in Silvervale were sucking up to the Scotts, and even their drivers and servants were walking around with a bit of a swagger.

Ella stood at the front of the class, looking all shy. "Oh, come on, guys. Sure, my family has some money, but we're all classmates here. Let's look out for each other."

She stuck out her tongue playfully.

"Ella's so sweet and adorable, a real rich kid with class."

"Totally, these chips are so fancy; they must be imported."

"Her family must be loaded, giving out gifts worth thousands. So generous!"

The classroom buzzed with excitement.

Victoria rolled her eyes. They were just sucking up to Ella because of the gifts, pretending to be all buddy-buddy.

The servant spotted Victoria at the door. She'd been with the Scott family long enough to recognize her and stammered, "Ms. Victoria Scott..."

Ella noticed Victoria too. She thought, 'Why does she look so good? Her clothes aren't branded, but they look high-end. This doesn't make sense. Victoria left the Scott family; she should be broke and miserable.'

Ella knew the Bakers couldn't afford such nice clothes. Even if they were knock-offs, it was still out of their league.

Since Jerry and Rainey always spoiled Ella, they never told her she was adopted. Ella and the Scotts thought it was a hospital mix-up, and Victoria was the Bakers' kid.

Ella had convinced Joan and Brian to cut off Victoria's credit cards. When Victoria left, she didn't take anything with her. So where did she get the money? Did she steal from the Scotts?

But Ella was good at faking it. She quickly put on her sweet smile. "Victoria, why are you so late? You could've taken my car. The bus must've been exhausting."

She reached out to touch Victoria.

Victoria swatted her hand away, knocking back Ella's manicured nails.

Ella let out an exaggerated yelp, clutching her finger. "Victoria, you hurt me."

Victoria replied, "Are we really that close?"

A classmate jumped in to defend Ella. "That's so rude. Ella was just being nice!"

Another chimed in, "Yeah, who do you think you are? Not a single branded item on you, yet acting all high and mighty!"

Ella whimpered, still playing the sisterly role. "Victoria, our parents raised you, so you're my sister. Even if we're not blood-related, we can still get along. Why do you hate me so much? Is it because you think I took our parents from you? But they're my real parents!"

Victoria pulled out an alcohol spray and spritzed it around.

Ella stepped back, looking scared.

Victoria said, "You're sick, disinfecting. Ella, your last name is Scott; mine is Hamilton. I don't acknowledge you as my sister. You don't deserve it. How can someone be so eager to establish a family relationship? It's shameless! If you're sick, get treated, or else I fear you'll be chasing stray dogs on the street tomorrow, calling them dad."

Ella's face darkened. She wondered, 'How did Victoria become so sharp-tongued? In her previous life, she wouldn't have retorted! And she thinks I'm dirty? She's the one with viruses, being so poor!'

Ella was too angry to speak, but someone else spoke up for her.

"Ms. Hamilton, how can you be so rude to Ella? Mr. and Mrs. Scott raised you for so many years, and Ella is their biological daughter. Shouldn't you be more polite to her? Besides, it's only right for her to return to her own home. You shouldn't resent her! I didn't expect you to be so ungrateful!" 

The servant had watched Victoria grow up, and they used to share some affection. However, her current employer was Ella, so naturally, she sided with whoever paid her.

"It was her parents who raised me, not her. Do I have to bow and scrape to her, serving water? Does she even have the status for that?" Victoria said.

Moreover, the Hamilton family had repaid the Scott family many times over for raising Victoria. She had even lost her life in her previous life. Wasn't that enough?

Ella started to cry. "Victoria, do you have some misunderstanding about me? Why are you talking like this? Mom and Dad would be heartbroken if they heard."

The students were all talking excitedly. "Oh my, this is too much; the false heiress bullying the true heiress!"

"How can she be so self-righteous!"

"If it were me, I'd feel so guilty for taking the true heiress's life, I'd be eager to make amends..."

"She has such a bad temper!"

At this moment, the counselor walked in from outside. "Everyone, sit down. I have an announcement."

The chatter gradually subsided, and Victoria casually found a seat.

The counselor said, "Tonight, there will be a welcome party. Anyone with talents can sign up. However, due to limited rehearsal time, only those who are skilled should sign up, or it will be embarrassing instead of impressive. Report to me by 3 PM."

The classroom became lively again. "Ella, your family is so rich, so you must have many talents."

"Yes." Ella admitted without any guilt. In reality, she had no talents. Even after being found by the Scott family, she couldn't endure hardships and didn't learn anything.

But it didn't matter. She had a plan to shine at the welcome party!

The counselor continued. "Alright, everyone think about it. For now, let's introduce ourselves and get to know each other."

After the class meeting, everyone was free to move around. Victoria wandered around the campus.

She was very familiar with every plant and tree here. After all, she had lived through so many significant events here in her previous life. It was hard to forget.

She had to seize the opportunity at tonight's welcome party.

In her previous life, it was today that Ella met the famous director John Moore. She got a role as the young lead in his new movie, using it to market her superb acting skills and innocent image, gaining a wave of fans and paving her way in the entertainment industry.

Victoria used to think Ella was just lucky. Later, she realized that Ella had stolen her opportunities by being reborn!

Ella liked to steal, didn't she?

This time, it was Victoria's turn to know in advance and snatch all of Ella's opportunities.

Thinking of this, Victoria smiled with relief, not noticing a basketball heading straight for her head!