Pearl couldn't shake the feeling that Estrella might be the author of the memoir due to its realistic portrayal.
She tried to call Estrella. Her attempts to reach her proved futile as she couldn't get through to her. Left with no other option, she settled down to read
the memoir attentively.
Written in a third-person perspective, it recounted a brief but memorable high school romance.
Estrella’s first encounter with Silas at sixteen was highlighted, set against the backdrop of a scorching summer day. During a stamina test at school,
exhaustion overcmany, including Estrella, who was frail and prone to sickness since childhood. Her delicate appearance earned her the
nicknof a charming but fragile goddess, although envy and disdain lingered among speers.
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After collapsing from exhaustion, Estrella suffered further when a fellow student callously stepped on her wrists, causing her immense pain.
"Why did you suddenly scream? | just walked beside you and did nothing. Don't frme." The aggressor, feigning innocence, mocked Estrella's
reaction, attracting laughter from onlookers.
"Alas, the sick lady must be putting on an act again. You just brushed past her, but she made it sound like you've stepped on her," another girl said,
mocking Estrella as well.
The other girls in the class were not close with Estrella because the latter was charming and had snatched away everyone's limelight. At that time,
they watched her misfortune, using the incident as a distraction from their own post-test stress.
"You stepped on my hand. Say sorry." Estrella demanded an apology, only to be met with denial and ridicule.
"What do you mean? When did | step on you? Do you have evidence?" Then, she glanced at the surrounding people and challenged them, "What do
you think? Did | step on her?"
Naturally, the surrounding people didn't dare to say anything because they were her lackeys.
"Don't frme if you don't have any evidence." She crossed her arms confidently.
Estrella clenched her fists. She had no evidence that the girl had stepped on her; the only proof was the redness on her wrist.
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Defeated, she decided to get smedicine from the school nurse and turned to leave.
"Don't go in a hurry. It's not settled yet."
Enter Silas, who had observed the altercation. When he noticed that Estrella's strong facade had only lasted for three seconds, he shook his head
helplessly and stepped forward.
The fierce and arrogant girl turned pale. Silas never meddled in this kind of thing, but he seemed interested in wanting to help Estrella today. She
smiled and apologized, "I might have done something wrong. Letsay sorry to Esti."
Despite her initial defiance, Silas's involvement compelled her to offer a begrudging apology, sensing the consequences of crossing him. His
reputation as the school's top bully preceded him, adding weight to his support for Estrella.