Kagami stood in the shadow of a nearby building, seeing Lila from a distance. Lila's phone pressed to her ear, Kagami couldn't shake the feeling that something wasn't right.
She took a few steps closer, deciding to approach, but froze when she overheard Lila's voice.
"Ugh, Kagami is so annoying, it's unreal," Lila was saying, her voice light, but dripping with distaste. "She's always acting like she's so perfect, so above everyone else, always acting like she's the only one who matters."
Kagami's heart lurched in her chest, and she instinctively stepped back, hiding behind the corner of the building. She held her breath, too stunned to move, as Lila continued without noticing her presence.
"I don't know why I even agreed to meet her," Lila went on, oblivious to the fact that Kagami was just a few feet away. "She's so predictable and boring, thinking she can be my friend, but I've been using her this whole time. She's just there to do my bidding, nothing more."
The words hit Kagami like a slap to the face.
"I mean, it's not like I actually like her," Lila continued with a dismissive laugh. "She's just useful. She helps with my plans, that's all. It's not like I actually care about her. She's just a pawn in the game, and she doesn't even know it."
Kagami felt her stomach drop. Her legs went weak as the reality of the situation set in. Every word Lila spoke twisted the knife deeper, and her mind reeled. She had been nothing more than a tool for Lila's schemes, her trust and friendship thrown away without a second thought.
She wanted to confront Lila, to demand an explanation, but the weight of the betrayal kept her rooted to the spot. She felt so stupid, so foolish for ever thinking Lila had cared about her. The woman she had considered a friend, someone she had opened up to, had never had any real feelings for her. Kagami's breath hitched as she tried to steady herself.
Lila's voice continued, oblivious to the presence just behind her. "She thinks she's important to me, but she's just there for me when I need her. It's laughable, really. I've been playing with her this whole time."
Kagami couldn't take it anymore. The pain, the disbelief—it was too much. She turned away, her chest tight, the tears threatening to spill over. She didn't even want to face Lila now. There was no point. No matter what was said, the damage was done. Lila had used her, and now, there was nothing left to salvage.
She stumbled through the streets, not caring about where she was going. The world around her felt distant, muffled, as if she was underwater. The only thing she could hear was Lila's voice echoing in her mind, the words sharp and cruel.
By the time Kagami reached her mansion, she felt like she was running on empty. She didn't have the energy to process everything, but she knew one thing: she had been betrayed. Not just by Lila, but by her own misplaced trust. She let herself into her room and leaned against the door, the tears finally breaking free.
Her knees buckled as she slid down to the floor, burying her face in her hands. She felt small, alone, and utterly heartbroken. She had tried to be a good friend, to be there for someone who, in the end, never saw her as anything more than a tool.
Kagami didn't know how long she sat there, lost in the weight of the betrayal. All she could feel was the crushing emptiness of being used and discarded, left with nothing but the echoes of Lila's words.
Phillip sat across from Francisco at the small, dimly lit café tucked away in a quiet corner of the city. The quiet hum of conversation around them only added to the tension that simmered between them. Francisco's dark eyes were fixed on him, waiting for the news he had promised to share.
"I've got something for you," Phillip said, his voice low, almost conspiratorial. He leaned forward slightly, his hands folded on the table, his fingers tapping rhythmically as if to build suspense.
Francisco raised an eyebrow. "Something big, I take it? You've been keeping quiet about this for a while."
Phillip's lips curled into a faint, almost amused smile. "Big enough to make things interesting."
He glanced around the café, ensuring no one was paying too much attention, then leaned in closer to Francisco, lowering his voice even more.
Phillip's gaze sharpened as he spoke, his voice laced with a mix of excitement and calculation. "Lila wants to spread a rumor. It's not just any rumor though—it's a story that'll destroy Marinette's reputation. The idea is to make her look like some kind of pawn in a bet between Adrien and Nino. A game to see who could seduce her first."
Francisco's lips twisted in a mix of disbelief and curiosity. "Wait, you're telling me… you're going to make her think Adrien is playing her? That he's been using her this whole time?"
"Exactly," Phillip replied, his tone firm. "We spread it carefully, make sure it reaches the right people. Adrien won't even know what hit him. If Marinette believes it—if she hears it from enough people—it'll destroy whatever trust she has in him. She'll see him as nothing more than a player, a liar."
Francisco ran a hand through his hair, his brow furrowed in thought. "But, are you sure about this? It sounds dangerous… for all of us. If anyone finds out we started it—"
"We make sure they don't," Phillip cut in, his voice resolute. "We'll cover our tracks. No one will trace it back to us. It'll be just another rumor, something the workers whisper about. People like to gossip. We'll give them something to talk about, and they'll run with it."
Francisco's eyes narrowed, but there was a flicker of something darker in them now. "And what do you get out of this? Is it just about ruining Marinette's life? Or is there more to it?"
Phillip paused, his expression briefly flickering with something unspoken. He looked away for a moment, then back at Francisco. "It's not just about Marinette. It's about control. About making sure no one gets in my way. If Adrien won't step up for her, then I will. And if she can't see what's right in front of her… well, then maybe she needs to learn the hard way."
Francisco leaned back in his seat, crossing his arms. "You're playing a dangerous game, Phillip. But I get it. You want Marinette. You think if you ruin Adrien's chances with her, you'll have a shot."
Phillip's gaze hardened. "Don't pretend you don't get it. I'm doing what needs to be done. And if I can make sure Adrien's life gets a little more complicated in the process, then all the better. He's had it easy for too long."
Francisco stared at him for a long moment before finally nodding, a knowing smile creeping onto his face. "Alright. I'll do my part. But don't forget, Phillip—this could blow up in our faces. If Marinette finds out it was us—"
"It won't," Phillip interrupted. "We'll keep it under control. Just trust me."
Francisco leaned in closer, his voice low and filled with an edge of warning. "You're walking a fine line, Phillip. Be careful."
Phillip's smile returned, cold and calculating. "I'm always careful. And when this is over, Marinette will be mine. It's just a matter of time."
As the conversation tapered off, both men sat back in their chairs, the weight of their plan hanging heavy in the air. Neither of them knew how far they were willing to push this—or how much destruction they would leave in their wake. But for now, the wheels were in motion, and nothing could stop them.
Phillip's eyes gleamed with determination. He wasn't just going to play the game—he was going to win it.
The next day, Marinette walked through the mansion, her mind still reeling from the whispers she had overheard though the mansion. She couldn't escape them. The rumors about Adrien and Nino making a bet to seduce her had spread like wildfire, and though she had already heard it, it didn't make it any easier to stomach.
She clenched her fists, frustration and anger swirling inside her. That was what she was to them? Some kind of challenge, a game to be won? She had tried to brush it off, tried to convince herself that Adrien wouldn't participate in something so cruel, but every time the words came back to her, the sting was worse.
As she passed through the courtyard, the voices of a few nearby students reached her ears.
"...It's crazy, right? I heard Nino and Adrien made a bet to see who could get Marinette to fall for them first."
Marinette stopped dead in her tracks, her heart sinking. It was like they were talking about her like she wasn't even there, like she was just some object to be fought over. She fought the urge to run, to hide from the humiliation that seemed to follow her everywhere.
"What do you mean, 'get her to fall for them'? That's messed up," another voice chimed in.
"Yeah, but they're both so smooth, you know? It's no wonder she's been acting... well, interested in Adrien. Guess Adrien won, but Nino's still working on it."
Marinette felt her chest tighten. She had known about the bet for a while now, but hearing it like this, out in the open, from strangers—her blood boiled.
She had tried to keep it together, but now the full weight of the situation was crushing her. Adrien. Nino. The bet. The lies. It was too much.
Her heart raced, her stomach twisted. Before she could stop herself, she turned on her heel, heading for the exit, determined to escape the suffocating atmosphere of the mansion.
As she stormed through the halls, trying to block out the gossip, she barely noticed Lila approaching her until she was standing right in front of her, holding a small bouquet of flowers.
"Marinette, hey!" Lila said, her voice almost sickeningly sweet. "These are from Nino. He wanted you to have them."
Marinette paused, her anger flaring even hotter. Of course. Lila would be the one to bring them to her. She could already feel the mocking tone in Lila's eyes, the satisfaction that came from knowing she was stirring the pot.
"From Nino?" Marinette repeated, her voice tight with forced calm. She reached out and snatched the flowers from Lila's hands, her fingers gripping the stems so hard they might snap. "Tell Nino to keep his flowers, and his apologies. He doesn't get to play the nice guy after the mess they've made of me."
Lila's smile faltered just slightly, but she recovered quickly. "Marinette, I'm just trying to help. I thought you'd like them—"
"I don't need his pity!" Marinette interrupted, her voice rising in frustration. "And I don't need you trying to 'help' me either, Lila." She didn't wait for Lila's response, her voice sharp with anger. "Tell Adrien and Nino that I'm not some prize to be won. I don't need anyone's games."
With a final glare at Lila, Marinette turned and stormed toward the door, her hands still gripping the bouquet. The door slammed behind her, but she barely noticed the sound as her footsteps echoed in the hallway. Her mind was a blur of anger and betrayal, her heart pounding with the weight of the rumors, the lies, and the humiliation.
Marinette's frustration had reached a boiling point by the time she walked into the country club. She could see Nino up ahead, laughing with a group of friends, as if everything were fine. As if she wasn't burning with anger over the bet—the one that made her feel like she was nothing more than some kind of game to be won.
She could still feel the bouquet of flowers clutched in her hand, the ones that Lila had said were from Nino. She had known about the bet for a while now, but hearing those rumors and receiving the flowers… it hit her like a ton of bricks. It stung in a way she wasn't ready for.
When Nino saw her approaching, he smiled, waving. "Hey, Marinette! What's up?"
She walked right up to him without a word, thrusting the bouquet into his hands. Nino's eyes widened as the flowers were practically shoved into his chest, the stems snapping slightly under the pressure.
"What the hell is this, Nino?" Marinette's voice was quiet, but the anger simmering under the surface was palpable. "A bet? Is that what I am to you? Some game to win?"
Nino blinked, confusion flashing across his face. "What? Marinette, I—"
"No, don't you dare explain," she snapped, cutting him off. "I don't want to hear it. You and Adrien—you both—think this is funny? You think I'm some joke? Some prize to be won?" Her voice wavered slightly, but the edge was still there, raw and biting.
Nino's mouth opened, but no words came out. He wasn't sure what to say—he had no idea of what was happening.
She took a step back, her heart pounding with frustration and betrayal. "You're just like the rest of them," she whispered, almost to herself. "You don't care about me."
Before Nino could respond, Marinette turned on her heel and stormed off, leaving him standing there, utterly speechless. She wasn't looking back—not this time.
Nino stood frozen, the bouquet still in his hands as his mind scrambled to catch up. The weight of her words settled heavily on him, but it didn't change the fact that she was already gone.
Nino walked into Adrien's mansion, his footsteps echoing in the quiet hallway. He had the same uneasy feeling in his chest that he'd had all afternoon. Everything about his confrontation with Marinette at the country club had felt wrong. The way she'd reacted—angry, hurt, and dismissive—was nothing like the Marinette he was starting to know. Something wasn't adding up.
As soon as Adrien saw his best friend enter, he knew something was off. Nino was holding a crushed bouquet of flowers, his eyes shadowed with frustration and confusion.
"Nino, what's going on?" Adrien asked, his voice concerned as he motioned for Nino to sit down. "You look like you've seen a ghost."
Nino sank into the chair across from Adrien, running a hand through his hair. "You won't believe what happened," he said, his voice heavy with tension. "Marinette blew up at me at the country club. She was mad."
Adrien raised an eyebrow. "Mad? Why? What happened?"
Nino sighed, trying to find the right words. "I don't know, man. She wasn't having it. She started yelling at me, saying I was treating her like some kind of... game, or prize. She said I didn't care about her at all. She—she even threw the flowers at me."
Adrien blinked in surprise, his heart sinking a little at the thought of Marinette upset with either of them. "She threw the flowers? That's... that's harsh. What did you say to her?"
"I tried," Nino continued, looking frustrated. "But she wouldn't let me. She was convinced that I didn't care about her. Like I was playing some kind of game. And she told me she wasn't some prize to be won. It's like she completely shut me out. She said I was just like the rest of them—using her. And then she walked off without even letting me finish."
Adrien was quiet for a moment, his mind racing as he processed Nino's words. "Wait, 'the rest of them'? What's that supposed to mean?"
"I don't know," Nino said, throwing his hands up in exasperation. "I tried to get her to talk, to understand where I was coming from, but it was like she thought I was in on some kind of... bet, or something. She seemed really upset, like she thought I was playing her, like she was just some challenge to win. It didn't make any sense, Adrien."
Adrien frowned, trying to make sense of the situation. "A bet? What bet?"
"That's what I don't get," Nino said, shaking his head. "She seemed to think that there was some kind of competition between me and you to see who could win her over first."
Adrien's heart skipped a beat as the pieces began to fall into place, but he still didn't understand what was going on. "Wait, you're saying Marinette thought we were competing for her affections? But why would she think that? I haven't said anything like that to her."
Nino looked equally puzzled. "Exactly. I don't know."
Adrien's stomach twisted in a knot. "Wait, you don't think she—" he trailed off, trying to piece it together. "Do you think she... heard something that made her believe that we were playing her?"
Nino sighed deeply, staring at the flowers in his hands. "I don't know, man. I don't know what's going on with her. I just... I want to make things right, but I don't even know where to start."
The next morning, Kagami was in her room, staring out the window at the misty morning sky. She was still reeling from the harsh realization of how Lila had manipulated her. Every time she thought about their conversations—how Lila had made her feel special, how she'd claimed to want to be her friend—it twisted her gut. All those moments now felt like lies, like nothing but a game to her.
A knock at the door broke her from her thoughts, and she stiffened. She didn't want to see anyone, especially not Lila. But when the door creaked open, there she stood—Lila, with that perfect, almost rehearsed smile on her face, holding a small gift bag.
"Kagami," Lila greeted her sweetly, stepping inside without waiting for an invitation. "I was wondering why you didn't show up last night. I thought we were going to spend some time together, and I even brought you a little something." She held out the gift bag with a practiced flourish.
Kagami's heart sank, her eyes narrowing. She didn't need any more fake gestures or gifts. "I don't want anything from you, Lila," Kagami said, her voice cold and sharp.
Lila blinked, clearly taken aback by Kagami's tone, but she quickly recovered, her smile tightening into something a little less sincere. "Oh, come on, don't be like that. I just thought we could talk. I didn't think you'd be upset. You're not upset, are you?"
Kagami turned away, her back to Lila, her hands gripping the edge of her desk. "You know what, Lila? I'm done. I can't keep pretending that everything's okay between us."
There was a long, uncomfortable pause before Lila spoke again, her voice suddenly losing its sweetness. "What do you mean? I thought we were friends, Kagami. I've always been there for you."
Kagami let out a short, bitter laugh. "Is that what you think? That you've been there for me? You've been using me, Lila. Everything—everything you said to me, every time you acted like my friend—it was all just a lie."
Lila's eyes flickered with something like irritation, but she didn't move, choosing instead to stand there as if she were trying to gauge Kagami's next words. "What are you talking about? You're being dramatic."
"No, I'm not," Kagami shot back, her voice trembling with a mix of anger and hurt. "I overheard you, Lila. I heard everything. I know what you really think of me."
Lila's face paled slightly, but she quickly composed herself, giving a small, dismissive chuckle. "You overheard something? Well, I'm sure it wasn't what you thought. You're taking things way out of context."
"No, I'm not." Kagami's voice was steady now, her resolve hardening. "I heard you say I was just useful to you, that I was nothing more than a pawn in your game. You used me for your plans, and I—" She stopped herself, her chest tightening with the sting of betrayal. "I was foolish enough to believe you cared."
Lila's expression faltered for a moment, but she quickly put on a mask of feigned innocence. "Kagami, I—"
"No," Kagami interrupted, turning to face her. "Don't try to explain. Don't try to play that game with me anymore. I'm done." She took a step toward the door, her voice steady but firm. "You're not welcome here anymore. I don't want you in my life. I don't need someone like you."
Lila's lips twisted into a thin, barely-there smile. "You're making a big mistake, Kagami. You think you're better off without me? You'll regret this."
Kagami shook her head, the weight of her decision sinking in. "I won't regret it. I'm finally seeing things clearly." She took another step toward the door, her hand on the handle. "Now leave. I don't want to see you again."
Lila's eyes darkened for a moment, but she didn't argue further. Instead, she gave a mockingly sympathetic look and said, "Fine. I'll go. But just know that I'm always here if you change your mind."
Kagami opened the door, her voice unyielding. "Goodbye, Lila."
Without another word, Lila turned and walked out, the door closing softly behind her. Kagami stood there for a moment, her breath shaky as she processed what had just happened. It felt like a weight had been lifted from her shoulders, but at the same time, there was a hollow emptiness left in her chest. The friendship she thought she had with Lila had been a lie, and now she had to figure out how to rebuild from here.
But for the first time in a long while, Kagami felt a sense of relief. She wasn't going to let Lila manipulate her anymore. She had finally put an end to the toxic relationship, and now, she had to focus on herself and move forward.
She closed her eyes for a moment, taking a deep breath, ready to start fresh. She wasn't going to let anyone use her again.
Lila was walking briskly down the street, her mind a whirlwind of thoughts after her confrontation with Kagami. She hadn't expected things to spiral so quickly, and now, with the damage done, she had to find a way to regain control. She wasn't going to let anyone—least of all Kagami—stand in her way.
As she turned a corner, she nearly collided with someone. She stopped short, her eyes narrowing when she realized who it was.
Luka.
The very last person she wanted to see right now.
"Luka," she greeted him sharply, her voice laced with irritation. "What a surprise. I didn't expect to run into you today."
Luka didn't immediately speak. His expression was calm, but there was a coolness in his eyes that Lila didn't miss. "You're out and about," he said, his voice quiet but pointed. "How's everything going?"
Lila smiled tightly, stepping back as she gave him a long, assessing look. She'd heard the rumors that had been circulating, but she was most concerned about one thing. "Actually, Luka," she said, her voice turning steely. "I need to ask you something. Why did you tell Adrien about my affair with Jay?"
Luka's brows furrowed, but he didn't seem the least bit intimidated by her outburst. He crossed his arms casually, but his gaze remained unwavering. "Why? Because Adrien deserves to know the truth, Lila."
Her eyes flashed with anger, and she took a step closer to him, her voice rising with frustration. "You had no right to tell him! Do you have any idea what kind of mess you've caused?" She took a deep breath, but the fury in her voice didn't dissipate. "That was between me and Jay, and you—you had no right to involve Adrien."
Luka's expression softened, though there was no hint of regret in his tone. "Actually, Lila, I think Adrien had every right to know. You've been lying to him, manipulating him for so long. He deserved to know the truth about you."
Lila's face twisted into something darker, her lips curling into a sneer. "You think you're some kind of hero, don't you?" she spat, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Well, let me tell you something, Luka—you're no better than the rest of them. You ruined everything. You've ruined me."
Luka didn't flinch. "I didn't ruin anything, Lila. I just made sure Adrien wasn't kept in the dark about who you really are. He deserves better than your games."
Her hands clenched into fists at her sides, and for a moment, it looked like she was about to say something scathing. But then she paused, taking a slow, deliberate breath as she tried to maintain her composure. "You really think you're helping him, don't you? You think that by telling him, you've done some kind of good? Well, guess what? You've just made things a whole lot worse for him."
Luka remained silent for a long moment, looking at her with a mixture of pity and resignation. "If Adrien is really your friend, Lila, then maybe he'll eventually understand. But the truth needed to come out. You couldn't keep hiding behind your lies forever."
Lila took a deep breath, glaring at him with renewed intensity. "I know what you're trying to do, Luka. You think you're helping him, but you're not. You just want to see me fall, don't you?"
Luka shook his head, his expression still calm. "I'm not trying to make you fall, Lila. But I'm not going to stand by and watch you hurt Adrien anymore. That's all there is to it."
Lila's eyes narrowed, her expression a mix of fury and disbelief. "You think this is over, don't you? You think Adrien will just forgive you for telling him the truth? He's going to hate you for this, Luka. I'll make sure of it."
Luka stood his ground, not showing the slightest sign of being intimidated by her threats. "You can try all you want, Lila, but you can't control everything. The truth is out there now. Adrien will figure it out on his own. He deserves better than your manipulations."
With one final, disdainful glance at him, Lila turned sharply on her heel and stalked away. Her mind was already working, plotting how she could spin this to her advantage. Adrien might be upset now, but she knew how to handle him—how to win him back.
Marinette was rummaging through Lila's things, searching for one of her shirts, thinking that Manon might have accidentally placed it in Lila's belongings. As she sifted through the pile, her eyes caught something unexpected—a photo of Jay. Her heart skipped a beat. Marinette stared at the picture in confusion, wondering why Lila would have it.
Just as she was about to process the situation, the door creaked open, and Lila entered the room, catching Marinette in the act.
"What are you doing with that?" Lila asked, raising an eyebrow.
Marinette's gaze locked onto her with suspicion. "Why do you have a picture of Jay?"
Lila hesitated for a moment before responding, her tone defensive. "It's not what you think. Jay gave it to me when we first met. I didn't even realize I still had it until Manon found it in my suitcase."
Marinette narrowed her eyes, unconvinced. "You didn't think to get rid of it? Or is it that there wasn't just a kiss between you two, but you were having an affair behind my back?"
Lila's expression twisted with anger. "No, Marinette! You're being ridiculous. It was just a photo from when we met. There was nothing between me and Jay!" Before Marinette could say anything more, Lila snatched the photo from her hand and, in one swift motion, ripped it in front of her. "See? It's nothing. Just a stupid memory."
Marinette's eyes flashed with frustration as she stepped back. "You better be telling the truth, Lila," she said, her voice cold and firm. She turned on her heel, leaving Lila's room without another word.
Adrien sat at his desk in his study, a set of blueprints carefully rolled up in his hands. He stood up and walked over to Mike, who was standing near the window, looking out at the city.
"Here are the blueprints for the center Marinette wants to create," Adrien said, handing them to Mike. "I've made sure everything is designed just the way she envisioned."
Mike took the blueprints, unrolling them with a smile. "I hope Marinette likes it. It looks fantastic from what I can see already."
Adrien gave a confident smile. "I'm sure she will. She's been so passionate about this project, and everything's in place just as she wanted."
Mike nodded, impressed with the work. "Well, I'll make sure everything's ready on my side. We'll get it all set up for her."
"Thanks, Mike," Adrien said. "I know she'll appreciate everything you're doing."
Mike arrived at Marinette's mansion later that day, the blueprints for the center in hand. As he walked into her study, he found Marinette sitting at her desk, looking over some paperwork.
"Here are the blueprints," Mike said, holding them out to her. "Everything is ready for you to review."
Marinette glanced at the blueprints but didn't immediately take them. She gave him a small smile and said, "I'll go over them tomorrow with the construction workers. I want to make sure everything is in place before we begin."
Mike nodded, understanding that she had a lot on her plate. "Of course. I'll leave them here for you."
As he set the blueprints down, Marinette's expression grew serious. She leaned forward slightly, lowering her voice. "Mike, I need you to do something else for me."
"Anything," Mike replied, ready to help.
"I have a strong feeling that Phillip has been stealing from me," she said, her eyes narrowing with suspicion. "I want you to go through the financial reports from the last ten years and check everything. I need to know if my instincts are right."
Mike's brow furrowed in concern. "I'll take care of it. I'll start investigating immediately."
Marinette gave him a grateful nod. "Thanks, Mike. I don't want to believe it, but I can't ignore the feeling. Let me know what you find."
"I will," Mike assured her. "You can count on me."
The next day, Lila visited Gabriel's mansion, her usual charming smile in place as she stepped into his study. Gabriel was reviewing some documents when he looked up at her with a calculating gaze.
"Lila, I have something to tell you," Gabriel said, his voice steady but laced with purpose. "Adrien is helping Marinette with the design of the center she plans to build."
Lila's eyes widened slightly, and she hid her surprise with a quick smile. "Adrien is helping Marinette? How interesting," she said, her mind already spinning. "But I thought Marinette had everything under control. Why would Adrien get involved?"
Gabriel leaned back in his chair. "He's been working with the drafting engineer, offering suggestions for the design. Apparently, he wants to help Marinette with the project, and it seems to be important to him."
A devious thought flickered in Lila's mind. She had always found a way to use any bit of information to her advantage, and this was no different. "Well, that's good to know," she said, feigning casual interest. "I think I'll have a conversation with Marinette about it."
Gabriel gave a sharp nod. "Do what you must, Lila. I trust you'll handle it appropriately."
With a sly smile, Lila left Gabriel's study, already plotting her next move.
Later that day, Lila arrived at Marinette's mansion. She found Marinette in her study, as usual, reviewing documents, and walked over with a smile.
"Marinette, I think you should know something," Lila said, her tone feigning concern. "Adrien is the one who helped the drafting engineer design the blueprints for your center."
Marinette's head snapped up, her eyes widening in confusion. "What? Adrien helped with the blueprints?" Her voice was laced with disbelief.
Lila nodded, maintaining her innocent expression. "Yes, I just thought you should be aware of it. I'm sure it's all innocent, but it's odd that he would be so involved in your project, don't you think?"
Marinette stood frozen, her mind racing. She couldn't believe what she was hearing. Adrien, the person she hated most, had been involved in her project without telling her? How could Mike keep something like this from her? Anger and hurt surged through her.
Without saying a word, she grabbed the blueprints from her desk, her hands shaking with fury. She stormed out of the mansion, not stopping to explain herself to Lila or anyone else. The sound of the door slamming shut echoed in the large house as she stormed into the garden, the blueprints clutched tightly in her hands.
As Marinette stormed through the gates of her mansion, still clutching the blueprints tightly in her hands, she noticed Mike standing outside by the staff quarters, handing out paychecks to the workers. Her frustration boiled over, and she marched directly toward him.
"Mike!" she called, her voice sharp with anger.
Mike turned, surprised to see her with the blueprints in hand. "Marinette, is everything okay?"
"No, everything is not okay!" she snapped, her eyes narrowing. "Why is Adrien involved in this project? Why didn't you tell me he was helping with the design?"
Mike took a step back, trying to keep his composure. "He wanted to help, Marinette. He offered his assistance with the blueprints. I didn't think it would be a big deal."
"A big deal?!" Marinette exclaimed, throwing her hands up in frustration. "I don't need Adrien's help with this! I don't need anyone's help! This project is mine!"
Her voice shook with a mix of anger and hurt, and she took a deep breath to steady herself. "If he wants to get involved, fine. But I don't want him working on my center. It's my vision, and I'm not letting anyone ruin it." She shoved the blueprints back into Mike's hands, her gaze filled with determination. "Cancel the project," she said, her voice cold and final. "I'm done. No more."
Mike stood still for a moment, stunned by her decision. "Marinette, are you sure? This could be a huge opportunity—"
"I'm sure," she interrupted firmly, her expression hardening. "Cancel it, Mike. And don't let Adrien think he can just swoop in whenever he feels like it."
Without waiting for his response, Marinette turned on her heel and walked back toward the mansion, the sound of her footsteps echoing in the quiet evening air. Her heart ached, but her pride wouldn't let her back down. She couldn't allow anyone to take control of her dream. Not even Adrien.
Chris was pacing nervously in the hallway of the country club when he finally caught up with Nino, who was talking to some friends near the stage. Chris pulled Nino aside, his expression serious.
"Hey, Nino, you need to hear this," Chris said, lowering his voice. "I found out something about a bet, everyone is talking about it."
Nino looked confused for a moment, but then his eyes widened as realization hit. "a bet? What bet?"
Chris glanced around to make sure no one else was listening, then leaned in closer. "Apparently, you made some kind of bet with Adrien. It's about Marinette—how far you two can seduce her, or use her, I'm not sure. But it's messed up."
Nino's jaw dropped. "What? No way..."
"Yeah," Chris continued, "and I think that's why Marinette has been acting the way she has.
Nino stood frozen, his mind racing. Everything started to make sense. The strange tension between Marinette, it all added up.
"No wonder Marinette's been so upset lately," Nino muttered, shaking his head.
Chris shrugged, looking uneasy. "I don't know, man. But I think we need to tell her. She deserves to know what's really going on."
Nino clenched his fists, his face darkening with anger. "I'm gonna talk to Adrien. He has to know about this too."
Chris nodded in agreement. "Yeah, you should. This is way out of hand. Marinette deserves better than this."
Mike walked into Adrien's mansion, carrying the blueprints in his hands. As he entered the study, he handed them to Adrien. "Marinette canceled the project," Mike explained, his voice steady. "She found out you were involved and now she doesn't want anything to do with it."
The news hit Adrien like a punch to the gut. His blood boiled as the anger he had been holding back for so long surged to the surface. "She what?" he muttered, clenching his fists. "She canceled it just like that?"
Mike nodded, watching Adrien carefully. "She doesn't trust you anymore."
Adrien didn't say a word. Without another glance at Mike, he stormed out of the room, barely aware of the doors slamming behind him as he rushed toward Marinette's mansion. His mind was consumed with fury. How could she do this? How could she shut him out like that, after everything he had done to help?
Reaching the front door of her mansion, Adrien didn't hesitate. He barged in without a second thought, ignoring the startled looks from the servants and staff. He stormed up the stairs and through the hall, heading straight for her room.
Inside, Marinette was sitting at her desk, reading through a set of documents. She barely noticed the door slamming open until a familiar, furious voice rang out.
"That's the last straw, Marinette Dupain-Cheng!" Adrien's voice was sharp, his tone colder than she had ever heard it before. His eyes locked onto hers with an intensity that made her freeze.