Wine Art Bully Chapter 2

When the orientation ceremony ended, I was summoned straight to the Headmaster's office. Penelope was dragged in right along with me.

The moment she stepped through the door, she slumped onto the leather sofa, her eyes rimmed red like a helpless little rabbit. "Headmaster, my hand really just slipped!"

I nodded vigorously. "I believe her."

Penelope froze. The Headmaster paused as well.

I looked at them with unyielding earnestness. "Many magnificent creations begin with a mere accident. It was true for the wine splash, and it was true when the apple hit Sir Isaac Newton on the head."

The corner of the Headmaster's mouth twitched.

Penelope clenched her fists so hard her knuckles turned white. "Stop making up absolute garbage!"

I corrected her gently. "This isn't garbage. This is artistic critique."

A sharp cough sounded from the doorway.

I turned my head.

Serena Montgomery stood in the frame. Dressed in a sharply tailored black blazer with cold, detached features, she looked so polished she barely seemed human.

She was my notoriously icy older sister—the current heir to the Montgomery estate. At twenty-four, she was already sitting at board meetings, verbally shredding old corporate executives until they hung their heads in silence.

The look she gave me was even colder than the day I was brought back home.

"Cora."

I stood up straight instantly. "Sister."

Her gaze landed on my wine-soaked dress. "I told you to keep your head down and act invisible."

I attempted to explain. "I did keep my head down."

Serena’s face remained expressionless. "You call this keeping your head down?"

I contemplated for a moment. "Perhaps my head is just naturally rebellious."

The Headmaster suddenly took a very urgent, loud gulp of water.

Seeing a potential ally, Penelope whined pitifully, "Serena, my hand really slipped..."

Serena cast a fleeting glance at her. "I didn't ask you."

Penelope snapped her mouth shut, her face stiffening.

Serena turned her icy gaze back to me. "It's your very first day of school, and you've already made yourself famous across the entire campus."

"Sister, that's called brand reach," I corrected brightly.

Serena stared at me. "You sound remarkably proud."

I nodded. "The viral conversion rate is indeed quite impressive."

The Headmaster finally felt compelled to interject. "Miss Montgomery, we will handle this matter appropriately. It definitely won't tarnish the Montgomery family's prestige."

Serena's tone was flat. "It already has."

Cold sweat broke out on the Headmaster's forehead.

She raised her arm and handed her phone to me. The screen displayed the top trending topics.

#EliteAcademyWineArt

#PenelopePerformanceArt

#CrestviewOrientationCeremony

I blinked. "That fast?"

Penelope’s face drained of color as she reached out to snatch the phone, but Serena smoothly pulled it out of reach.

Serena glanced down at the analytics page. "The stock value of Penelope's family business just jumped two points."

Silence descended upon the office.

Penelope’s expression shifted from frantic distress to sheer bewilderment.

I clapped my hands softly. "A stunning market debut, Penelope!"

Penelope glared at me with pure venom. "Shut up!"

Serena locked her phone screen. "This matter ends here." She looked at me. "Get back to class."

I obediently turned toward the exit.

As I reached the doorway, I spun around to look at Penelope one last time.

She instantly threw her guard up. "What else do you want?!"

I offered a glowing, genuine smile. "Penelope, today's piece achieved a remarkably high level of execution. Next time you feel the urge to create, feel free to give me advance notice!"

Penelope grabbed a decorative throw pillow from the sofa and hurled it straight at my head.

I ducked smoothly to the side. The pillow flew past me, crashing right into the trophy sitting on the Headmaster's desk. The Headmaster's eyelid twitched frantically.

Serena finally spoke. "Cora."

I snapped to attention.

She said coldly, "Get your ass back to class."

I obediently scrammed.

Stepping out into the hallway, I checked my phone. The school forum was completely ablaze. Someone had uploaded a video of me applauding in my wine-stained gown.

The title was exceptionally eye-catching:

The Long-Lost Heiress's Mental State Is 30 Years Ahead of the Entire Campus.

The comment section was refreshing at lightspeed.

Is she genuinely insane?

Penelope finally ran headfirst into a brick wall this time.

Wait... why does her explanation actually make sense?

Say what you want, but Mr. Adler's eyes were practically glowing!

I scrolled through the thread in high spirits. Elite prep schools were marvelous. The campus was practically overflowing with passionate, creative minds.

As I rounded the corner of the corridor, several girls stepped out to block my path.

Leading them was Penelope’s main henchwoman, Sienna. She crossed her arms, letting out a cold sneer. "Cora Montgomery, do you seriously think you've won?"

I answered solemnly, "I wouldn't dare."

Sienna lifted her chin in satisfaction.

A second later, I added, "Art knows no winners or losers."

The smirk vanished from her face.

I stepped around her.

She grit her teeth, venom lacing her voice. "You'd better stay far away from the old building after classes end today."

I paused, my eyes sparkling brightly.

Sienna flinched back half a step under my intense gaze.

I lowered my voice to a conspiratorial whisper. "Wait... we can create art in the old building too?"