Unaware Lifestyle.

Chapter 22: The battle begins.

Ava decided to check on Ethan, curious about how he was doing since Lyra had started school. However, she hesitated, wondering why she felt apprehensive about Lyra.

Shaking off her doubts, Ava took the documents Ethan had requested and headed to his office. She dropped them off and Ethan thanked her without looking up, his eyes fixed on his keyboard.

Ava hinted that she expected a reward for her hard work and suggested that Ethan treat her to dinner. Ethan finally looked up, but his expression was distant, and he claimed he was too busy.

Ava pressed him, asking if his refusal was because of Lyra. Ethan denied it, but Ava sensed he was lying. She persisted, and eventually, Ethan agreed to dinner, but warned her he wouldn't stay long.

Ava left his office with a fake smile, feeling Ethan was trying to distance himself from her. She ignored Bunker on her way back to her office, which surprised him. He wondered what was wrong but decided to ignore her and headed to Ethan's office instead.

Bunker asked Ethan if he had noticed Ava's strange behavior, but Ethan claimed he was too busy to notice anyone. Bunker dropped the subject, and they discussed business matters.

Ava felt frustrated and ignored by Ethan, wondering if Lyra was indeed the reason for his sudden change in behavior. She couldn't shake off the feeling that Ethan was drifting away from her.

As the day went on, Ava struggled to focus on her work, her mind preoccupied with Ethan's behavior and the mysterious Lyra. She couldn't help but wonder what was going on behind the scenes.

Lyra walked into the dining room, excited for lunch. She selected her favorite food and began to eat, but couldn't shake off the feeling that the other students were staring at her.

She felt like a goddess, and it made her uncomfortable. Lyra wondered if it was because of her outfit and luxuries, and blamed herself for dressing up on her first day of school.

Carrying her food, Lyra sat alone at a table, trying to avoid the murmurs and stares. A girl approached her, asking for a selfie and Lyra's number, but hesitated when she saw Ella and her gang approaching.

The students watched the scene unfold, and Ella warned them to mind their own business. Ella, the head of the gang, sat beside Lyra and welcomed her to Ravenswood Academy.

Ella smiled sweetly and asked Lyra if she remembered them from the night before. Lyra nodded, and Ella warned her not to cross any boundaries or else.

Ella stared at Lyra from head to toe, criticizing her outfit and telling her not to compete with them. Lyra felt belittled and intimidated.

Ella proudly introduced herself and her gang, making jest of Lyra's "fake luxuries". Ella stood up and intentionally knocked over the glass of water beside Lyra.

Lyra felt angry and humiliated, but a part of her told her not to stir a scene. She knew her anger couldn't be defeated, and she didn't want to cause a commotion.

Ella smirked and told Lyra she couldn't apologize because it was intentional. Lyra seethed with anger but remained calm, not wanting to give Ella the satisfaction.

The scene ended with Ella and her gang walking away, leaving Lyra feeling frustrated and alone. Lyra wondered if she could ever fit in at Ravenswood Academy.

Lyra remembered Ruckus's warning that the school was for bullies, but she was determined to make her stand and not tolerate any nonsense. She lost her appetite and was about to leave the dining hall when the girl who wanted to take a selfie with her approached Lyra and offered her a handkerchief to clean her skirt.