At South Korea's most prestigious high school, a scandal is brewing - but its privileged students will do anything to silence the truth. When a scholarship student enters the fold, he's determined to crack the school's impenetrable façade and reveal...
Ellie forced a small smile at Mrs. Kim's encouragement. Together, they walked into the hotel, Ellie holding her head a little higher, feeling a bit more confident.
As they entered the venue, Ellie was amazed by the sheer elegance of the place. Crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling, casting a warm glow over the beautifully decorated room. Tables were adorned with intricate centerpieces, and a soft melody played in the background, adding to the enchanting atmosphere.
While Ellie was taking in the sights, she spotted one of Hera's friends. Quickly, she looked away, hoping not to be noticed. She didn’t want any awkward encounters tonight.
As they moved through the crowd, Ellie noticed a familiar face. In Ha was talking with Jae-i. Curiosity got the better of her, and she found herself watching them. But her heart skipped a beat when she saw In Ha glance in her direction. Quickly, she averted her eyes, not wanting to be caught staring.
Mrs. Kim, noticing Ellie’s unease, gently guided her towards a quieter corner of the room. "Are you okay?" she asked softly.
Ellie nodded. "Yes, just a bit overwhelmed. This place is so beautiful."
"It is, isn't it?" Mrs. Kim agreed. "But remember, you belong here just as much as anyone else."
As the evening progressed, Ellie remained reserved. The guests were friendly, and many complimented the bakery’s display. Mrs. Kim introduced Ellie to several influential people, proudly presenting her as one of the key members of the bakery’s success.
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
Ellie smiled at the party, trying to enjoy the compliments she received from various guests. Yet, she found herself wanting to help her co-workers at the bakery's display. Her sense of responsibility tugged at her, even amid the glamorous setting.
Suddenly, the room fell silent as a woman took the stage. Her presence commanded attention, indicating she was someone very important.
"In the future, Jooshin High will not only lead the way in practicing noblesse oblige, but I have no doubt that we will produce the best talent equipped with both character and intellect," the woman said, smiling confidently. Her words were meant to inspire, but Ellie noticed her eyes flicker with uncertainty as she caught snippets of murmurs from the crowd.
Ellie overheard one of her co-workers whispering, "It seems hard to believe. Studying at Jooshin High is so demanding, but you're lucky, Ellie. You managed to get in. I see no other scholarship students here tonight, though."
The comment stung, and Ellie looked away, deciding to ignore it. However, she felt a pair of eyes on her. Glancing around, she locked eyes with Rian, who was staring at her intently. Flustered, she quickly looked away.
The woman's voice on stage cut through Ellie's thoughts. "To Jooshin High and our future generations," she said, raising her glass of wine in a toast. The crowd followed suit, some enthusiastically, others less so, their expressions mocking as they clinked their glasses.
